HOUSTON – For the second straight week, University of Houston junior quarterback Case Keenum has been named a finalist for an illustrious post-season honor. This time he is being named a finalist for The Manning Award, as it was announced by the University on Tuesday.

Last week Keenum was selected as one of three finalists for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award. Keenum is one of 10 finalists for The Manning Award, joining Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen, TCU’s Andy Dalton, BYU’s Max Hall, Central Michigan’s Dan LeFevour, Arkansas’ Ryan Mallett, Texas’ Colt McCoy, Boise State’s Kellen Moore, Cincinnati’s Tony Pike and Florida’s Tim Tebow. McCoy and Tebow also are finalists with Keenum for the O’Brien Award.

The Manning Award, sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only quarterback award that takes into consideration the candidates’ bowl performances.

The winner will be announced after the bowls in January and will be honored at a banquet in New Orleans.

Keenum currently leads the nation in total offense (420.17 ypg.), passing (410.17 ypg.) and touchdown passes (38). He has led the No. 18 Cougars to a 10-2 overall record and a spot in Saturday’s Conference USA Championship game versus East Carolina.

Keenum has thrown a touchdown pass in 28 consecutive games and also leads the nation in touchdowns per game at 2.53. He has posted the nation’s top three passing performances this season, throwing for 559 versus Southern Miss, 544 at UTEP and 522 at Tulsa. He has been named the C-USA Offensive Player of the Week six times this season.

This year’s finalists are an outstanding class, which includes five players from undefeated teams and a combined 102 victories with over 30,000 passing yards and 275 touchdowns. As far as national statistical leaders, eight of the top 12 in touchdown passes, five of the top 10 in passing yardage and 10 of the top 12 in passing efficiency are included on the list.

“It has been another entertaining year to watch great quarterbacks in college football,” Archie Manning said. “There have been outstanding performances by so many different players, but we are very excited with this list of 10 quarterbacks which we think represent the best that college football has to offer. We will be very excited to follow these 10 young men through the bowl season and then decide which one is the best in the nation.”

The winner will be announced on Thursday, Jan. 14.

The first five winners of the Manning Award reads like a Who’s Who list at the quarterback position. USC’s Matt Leinart was the inaugural winner of the award in 2005, followed by Texas’ Vince Young in 2006. Both went on to be top 10 NFL draft picks. In 2007, LSU’s JaMarcus Russell earned the award and was the NFL’s No. 1 draft pick. Boston College’s Matt Ryan claimed the award in 2008 and was drafted No. 3, quickly becoming the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons. Last season’s winner was Florida’s Tim Tebow, who is making his bid to become the first two-time winner of the honor this year.

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