This is the first release in a series of three highlighting the 2009 O’Brien Finalists

FORT WORTH, Texas (Dec. 1, 2009) – Case Keenum, junior quarterback from the University of Houston, is one of three Finalists for the 2009 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award^® (The O’Brien) announced on Nov. 23. Keenum is competing against Texas’ Colt McCoy and Florida’s Tim Tebow for The O’Brien, honoring the nation’s best college quarterback.

Cougar fans are encouraged to continue to show their support for Keenum by visiting www.VoteOBrien.org and voting as often as once daily. Fan voting will continue until noon on Dec. 6 and will contribute 5% of the total vote.

Competing as a ranked team for the first time since 1991, Keenum has directed the No. 21 Cougars to a prolific 10-2 season and clinched the Conference USA (C-USA) West division. The signal caller is one of only three Cougar quarterbacks to have thrown for more than 500 yards three times in a single season joining the ranks of former Houston quarterbacks, David Klinger and Andre Ware, 1989 O’Brien Winner. Keenum leads C-USA in passing efficiency and the nation in total offense with 4,922 passing yards, averaging 420.17 yards per game. He has also set new school records for career completions (996) and touchdown passes (96) while logging 12,201 passing yards as well as 116 career touchdowns.

“I think on paper from a statistical standpoint there is no doubt he deserves to be considered for this prestigious award,” said Houston head coach Kevin Sumlin. “Throw in the intangibles of what he accomplishes both on and off the field, and it further shows what a deserving candidate he is.”

Keenum has received several honors including The O’Brien Quarterback of the Week on Sept. 28 for his performance in the Cougars’ 29-28 come from behind victory over Texas Tech. Other honors include being named C-USA Freshman of the Year (2007), C-USA Offensive Player of the Year (2008), Freshman All-American Honorable Mention by both collegefootballnews.com and The Sporting News in 2007 and numerous other accolades.

Originally from Abilene, Texas, Keenum passed for 6,783 yards and 48 touchdowns during his career at Wylie High School. He was a member of the All-Big Country Super Team, Second-Team All-State in the 3A ranks and named Offensive MVP and District MVP while taking the Bulldogs to the state quarterfinals his senior year.

Keenum, a Kinesiology-Sports Administration major with a minor in Business Administration, is expected to graduate in the summer of 2010. He is a three-time member of the C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll, made the Dean’s List in spring 2007 and was named to the C-USA All-Academic Team in 2008.

Off the field Keenum spends his time visiting children at the Texas Children’s Hospital, mentoring high school boys through Fellowship of Christian Athletes and volunteering at the Star of Hope Mission in Houston. After graduation, Keenum, who cites Michael Jordan as his sports hero, hopes to put his leadership skills and quarterback abilities to work as a football coach. 

Keenum, along with McCoy and Tebow, will be present in Orlando, Fla. for the announcement of the 2009 O’Brien Winner during The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show on Dec. 10 on ESPN. The O’Brien recipient will be honored Feb. 15, 2010, at the 33rd Annual O’Brien Awards Dinner at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

About The Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award^®
The O’Brien honors the nation’s best college quarterback of the year and inspires student-athletes to triumph both on and off the field. By recognizing and honoring athletes who excel in both sports and academics while exhibiting strong character and leadership, The O’Brien aims to help instill a lifelong moral fiber in each candidate. The O’Brien is overseen by the Davey O’Brien Foundation, which was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. The Foundation has given away more than $770,000 in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field into leadership in life. For more information, visit www.DaveyOBrien.org.

American Airlines is the official travel partner of The O’Brien.

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