Robertson Stadium has not seen the last of No. 7, as Case Keenum will return for a sixth season. | File Photo/The Daily Cougar
Case Keenum’s cell phone was blitzed with congratulatory calls and text messages after it was announced the NCAA granted him a sixth season of eligibility at UH.
When he had a chance to call his father, he teased him by prolonging the verdict.
“I stayed on the phone probably for the next hour or so,” Keenum said. “I was super excited. Every good feeling you could have, I had it.
“I called my dad right afterward and kind of messed with him little bit by delaying it. It made him a little mad.”
Keenum tore his right ACL in the third game of the 2010 season against UCLA. In order to get the sixth year, the Athletics Department had to show the NCAA documentation that his red shirt season in 2006 was not voluntary. UH was able to prove that Keenum separated his throwing shoulder in his last high school game, and re-injured it in the summer prior to enrolling at UH. As a result, Keenum was unable to play as a true freshman.
Keenum said he had his doubts about the decision leaning in his favor, as a sixth year is rare. The last incident where an athlete was granted six years was Jordan Shippley of Texas.
“I didn’t think it was going to happen until coach Sumlin called me and told me it was happening,” he said.
The University filed the appeal on Dec. 13, leading to a nervous few weeks for Keenum. But instead of trying his luck in the NFL draft, Keenum will get a chance to erase the memory of a short-lived senior season.
“This has been emotional throughout.from September of last year until now. I think it’s going to be emotional throughout this year too. I’m just going to enjoy the moment and love every second of it.”
Keenum said he has turned the corner with the rehabilitation in his right knee, and that he is aiming to be healthy by the start of the 2011 season.
“My goal from day one has been to come back stronger,” he said. “I’ll continue to try and get healthy as quickly as I can, rehab my knee and push myself as hard as I possibly can.”
Second chance
The signal caller now gets a chance to bolster his status as an NFL prospect, and will likely again be discussed in the Heisman Trophy race next season. With 13,586 career passing yards Keenum is within striking distance to become the NCAA’s all-time leading passer, needing only 3,486 yards to beat the mark.
“I really can’t put into words what it means to be here, and to be a Houston Cougar,” Keenum said. “To go out there on Saturdays and play at Robertson Stadium. That means a lot to me and it’s going to mean a whole lot more now after this has all happened.”
“This has been emotional throughout,” Keenum said. “From September of last year until now. I think it’s going to be emotional throughout this year too. I’m just going to enjoy the moment and love every second of it.”
Keenum said he has turned the corner with the rehabilitation in his right knee, and that he is aiming to be healthy for the start of the 2011 season.
“My goal from day one has been to come back stronger,” he said. “I’ll continue to try and get healthy as quickly as I can, rehab my knee and push myself as hard as I possibly can.”
