Nov. 9, 2009

Houston junior QB Case Keenum and UTEP junior RB Donald Buckram have been named co-Offensive Players of the Week for their outstanding performances this past Saturday. SMU senior LB Chase Kennemer was named Defensive Player of the Week after helping spark the Mustangs to a win over Rice. Special Teams recognition went to UH redshirt freshman K Matt Hogan, whose 51-yard field goal sealed a dramatic, come-from-behind win for Houston at Tulsa.

For the third time this season Keenum rallied the Cougars in the final minute of a game, this time leading Houston to nine points in the final 21 seconds of the game, as UH pulled out an improbable 46-45 win at Tulsa on Saturday. Keenum completed 40-of-60 passes for 522 yards and three touchdowns, including the final one with just 21 seconds left to cut the Golden Hurricane lead to 45-43. After a successful onsides kick, Keenum completed a 14-yard pass to Cleveland and then a 13-yarder to Tyron Carrier to set up Matt Hogan's game-winning 51-yard field goal. This is Keenum's fifth Offensive Player of the Week honor this season, which is a new C-USA record.

Buckram became only the fourth player in NCAA history to have 200 yards rushing and 100 receiving in the same game in UTEP's 45-38 overtime loss at Tulane on Saturday. Buckram amassed 343 all-purpose yards -- 234 rushing (on a career-high 34 carries) and 109 receiving (on three catches). He scored four touchdowns in the game - three rushing and one receiving - including a 72-yard scoring catch from Trevor Vittatoe. The 343 all-purpose yards are the fourth-most by a UTEP player, and the most by a Miner since 1965 - as well as the second-highest total in the country this year. Buckram is tied for the national lead with two 200-yard rushing games in 2009. The other players in NCAA history to tally 200 yards rushing and 100 receiving in one game are West Virginia's Steve Slaton (215 rush/130 rec. versus Pittsburgh in 2006), Utah State's Emmett White (322 rush, 134 rec. versus New Mexico State in 2000) and Virginia's Thomas Jones (221 rush, 110 rec. versus Buffalo in 1999). This is the third time that Buckram has been named Offensive Player of the Week this season.

Kennemer had three fumble recoveries and eight tackles in helping SMU to a 31-28 win over Rice. His efforts helped SMU to a 4-1 start in Conference USA play, the best start since going 4-1 to start the 1986 league slate.

Entering the game having never connected on a field goal longer than 34 yards, Hogan nailed a 51-yard field goal as time expired to give the Cougars a 46-45 win at Tulsa. Hogan nailed all four of his field goal attempts (32, 24, 26, 51) to become the first UH kicker in 20 years to make four field goals in one game. He also was a perfect four-of-four on his PATs for 16 total points.

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