UH's Case Keenum wins NCAA appeal, can play in 2011 Case scores six

NCAA grants Keenum one more year to play at UH after injury ended season

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• Photos: Keenum's career

Case Keenum will get a do-over of his senior season as a Houston Cougar.

The NCAA gave the UH program a major boost Friday, granting a medical hardship waiver that will give Keenum a sixth season of eligibility in 2011.

Keenum, who is the school’s all-time leader in passing yardage and fifth in NCAA history, had his 2010 season end abruptly with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the third game. That, coupled with UH’s ability to document a shoulder injury that led to Keenum taking a redshirt in 2006, gave the NCAA basis to sign off on another season of eligibility.

When UH coach Kevin Sumlin delivered word of the NCAA’s decision early in the afternoon, it dawned on Keenum, 22, how desperately he needed to hear that news.

“This is my life here in Houston, with UH,” Keenum said. “Being a Cougar is so much a part of my life. Being ripped away like that was really tough. To be able to get that back, to feel like I get a shot to finish some unfinished business, it’s incredible. I really can’t put to words what it means to be here, to be a Houston Cougar, to go out there on Saturdays and play at Robertson Stadium in front of everybody.

“That means a lot to me. And it’s going to mean a whole lot more after all of this has all happened.”

Keenum tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the third game of 2010. The Cougars learned the hard way just how much they had come to count on Keenum for more than his considerable statistical production. Without Keenum’s steadiness and leadership, the Cougars lost six of their final nine games and finished 5-7.

Sumlin said he hasn’t begun to contemplate what Keenum’s return means to the program. The NCAA made its ruling only four days before the start of the spring session at UH, and Keenum would have had to be in school to be eligible to play in the fall.

UH quarterback Case Keenum smiles at a news conference Friday after the NCAA announced that it granted him a sixth year of eligibility based on medical hardship. UH quarterback Case Keenum smiles at a news conference Friday after the NCAA announced that it granted him a sixth year of eligibility based on medical hardship. Photo: Michael Paulsen, Chronicle Photo: Michael Paulsen, Chronicle Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close UH's Case Keenum wins NCAA appeal, can play in 2011 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

“When you see the tremendous lows from the time he was injured, right now it’s not a program question; it’s a people question,” Sumlin said. “The elation in his voice says it all.

“I couldn’t be happier for him and his family. For everything he has done for our university, for everything he has done for our program, for everything he has done for college football, for it to end that quickly the way it did was very devastating. It’s always great when good things happen to good people.”

Marks looked vulnerable

Keenum (6-2, 210 pounds) appeared to be well on his way to breaking the NCAA career passing record of 17,072 yards set by Hawaii’s Timmy Chang (2000-2004) before the injury. The career total of Keenum was at 13,586 when he blew out his knee trying to tackle UCLA linebacker Akeem Ayers after a second-quarter interception Sept. 18 at the Rose Bowl.

With Keenum leading the nation in total offense in 2008 and 2009, UH averaged 41.1 points and 563.1 yards per game while compiling an 18-9 record. UH fell off to 37.7 points and 480.5 yards per game last season, failing to qualify for a bowl for the first time since 2004.

“When you get a second chance like this, every second is a blessing,” Keenum said. “Every time I get to come up here and do workouts and come to practice is a blessing. As far as expectations, none right know. I know I’m going to work extremely hard to get back on the field as soon as possible and to come back stronger. That’s been my goal from day one.”

Because Keenum took a redshirt season as a true freshman in 2006, he appeared to have an uphill battle in appealing for an additional season of eligibility. NCAA rules specify that to grant a sixth year, an athlete has to have lost two seasons for reasons out of the control of him/her.

her and the school. UH made the case that Keenum separated his throwing shoulder during his final game at Abilene Wylie and suffered a re-injury during an all-star game the subsequent summer.

Looking past spring

Keenum said he has progressed to point where he is doing a lot of “functional” things such as jogging, working on his quarterback drops and throwing.

He said participating in spring practice is “not the pressing issue,” that his goal is to be “100 percent cleared for contact when the season starts.”

“This has been emotional from September of last year until now,” Keenum said. “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, because not many people get a second chance. I definitely am thankful and very happy.”

Sumlin was on the road recruiting when the NCAA deliver delivered its decision Friday.

“Today, for us and the University of Houston,” Sumlin said, “we got the best recruit we can get for next year.”

steve.campbell@chron.com