Keenum’s cannon takes aim at ECU

When Case Keenum walks into the University of Houston locker room, he can't help but think about all the record-breaking quarterbacks that preceded him.

Keenum, who already has 1,521 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and just four interceptions, is in line to be one of the next great signal-callers to don the Cougars uniform.

On Saturday, the redshirt sophomore will look to continue his progression against No. 23 East Carolina at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Houston lost last year's game to ECU, 37-35, in which Keenum threw for just 95 yards and a touchdown.

"They get rid of the ball in a hurry," said ECU coach Skip Holtz. "It's the same quarterback that we played again last year. He's very talented, has a quick release and has a great grasp on what they're doing."

Houston is known for the run-and-shoot offense that made quarterbacks David Klingler and Andre Ware successful.

In 1989, Ware became the first black quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy after throwing for 4,699 yards and 44 touchdowns.

Ware was drafted No. 7 overall by the Detroit Lions in the 1990 NFL draft, which led to a less-than-stellar pro career.

His successor, Klingler had a storied Houston career. At one time, he held NCAA records in 26 different categories.

Klingler once tossed 11 touchdowns in a single game and went on to throw for a record 54 scores. Just two years ago, the record was broken by University of Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan.

Klingler threw for 9,430 yards and 91 touchdowns in his college career before being selected sixth by the Cincinnati Bengals.

"It is cool, for me, to be mentioned in the same sentence as those guys," Keenum said. "It is definitely an honor. They are some great guys and they have done great things here."

Then there was Kevin Kolb, who was the second-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2006. Kolb was the Cougars starting quarterback in 2005, the year Keenum first attended the university.

While redshirting his first year, Keenum was taken under Kolb's wing.

"I got to watch him play a lot and how he operated," Keenum said. "He was a great guy and I respect him a lot. He taught me a lot as far as play-wise and how to interact with your teammates on and off the field."

The following season, when Keenum got his first chance for significant playing time, he threw for 2,259 yards, 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Keenum shared time with Blake Joseph last year against East Carolina. However, Keenum earned the full-time duties as the starting quarterback midway through the season en route to winning Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors.

"(Case) is developing really well," said Houston tight end Mark Hafner, who leads Houston with 319 yards and seven touchdowns. "He is real vocal and knows what it takes. He is good leader out there on the field. He understands the game and what he needs to do as a quarterback to make the whole offense roll together."

Despite beginning the season 1-3, Keenum has thrown for more than 300 yards in each game, including a career-high 392 in the opener against Southern.

He also aired it out in Houston's losses to Oklahoma State (387), Air Force (362) and Colorado State (380).

Keenum also has the ability to run the football. He gained 412 yards on the ground last year with nine touchdowns. This year, he ran for 81 yards against Oklahoma State and 75 versus Air Force.

The Houston offense is averaging 36 points and 526 yards of total offense per game.

"I'm still getting acclimated to the new offense," Keenum said. "I'm still learning what the coaches want and expect in certain situations. Once I learn what they want, and master the offense, I think I'll be a much better quarterback. I still got a long way to go."

Adam Thompson can be reached at (252) 635-5670 or at athompson@freedomenc.com.