Keenum sharp in final college game
Dallas – Quarterback Case Keenum threw for 532 yards and three touchdowns to conclude his collegian career as the University of Houston defeated the Penn State Nifty Lions by a score of 30-14 in the TicketCity Bowl Saturday evening.
The victory finished the best season in Cougar history. Houston (13-1) ranked 20, suffered its lone loss, 49-28 to Southern Mississippi in Conference-USA Championship game. It was the first bowl lost for No 24 Penn State (9-4) since 1962 while under the direction of Coach Joe Paterno. Paterno was fired after nearly 50 years of coaching at the University.
Keenum’s record performing day included 45 completions steaming from 69 attempts. His three TD passes gave him 48 for the season. Behind Keenum’s great performance, was his two targets in WR Patrick Edwards who caught 10 passes for 228 yards and 2-TDs and Justin Johnson had 12 receptions for 148 yards and a TD.
With 2:35 left in the first quarter, Keenum’s handy work was note worthy, passing for 190 yards and 2-TDs. Edwards grabbed the first TD when he blew past the Nifty Lions cornerback on a 40-yard fly pattern and Johnson reeled in an 8-yard TD.
Penn State’s offense was held in check by Houston’s defense for most of the day. All four of its first quarter drives were three and out. The Cougars stacked the line on the struggling run oriented Nifty Lions offense.
Nifty Lion’s QB Rob Bolden never found his rhythm, throwing three interceptions and at one time during the game, he was 2/10 for 55 yards. Twice while driving, he missed two different WRs at crucial moments that would have extended its drives.
The Cougars massed 246 first quarter yards and led 17-0 entering the second quarter of play. Great field possession played a role in the Cougars scoring. However, Penn State carrying the 5th ranked passing defense hadn’t faced an air attack quite like the Cougars.
“We were worried about the first quarter after they put up 17-points but I was happy for Tony Levine (Cougar’s new head coach) he got his first win,” Said Bradley.
When the Cougars weren’t stopping Penn State, it was its own worst enemy with dropped passes. But as the quarter progressed for a moment the tide began to turn. But in any case, the Cougars regain its swagger and entered halftime up 24-7.
“You can’t give up the big play, we talked about that,” said Tom Bradley Penn State’s coach, who was disappointed in the way his team played today.”
Bolden struggles continued in the second half, though he managed to find Justin Brown over the middle to complete a 69-yard TD pass with 2:37 to go in the third quarter.
The Cougar’s defense was solid throughout, yielding only 14-points to the Big Ten power.
Field Goal kicker Matt Hogan capped Houston scoring evening with two kicks, a 38 and a 22 yarder to send the Cougars to its best season ever.