There should be NO argument here. Keenum was the best player in the nation in 2011. He led the nation in yards, completions, touchdowns, yards per game. He also led C-USA in QBR, yards per attempt, completion percentage, and average yards per attempt. In every game he started, Keenum had the most passing yards in, topped off with a 532 yard day against Penn State in the Ticket City bowl. The Coogs won that game as well. Although the Coogs lost to Southern Miss in the conference championship, losing out on a BCS bid, Keenum did enough to win the Heisman that year. He led one of the most exciting offense in the nation, and led the Coogs to a 13-1 season. In multiple wins the offense scored 70+ points.
The man who won, RGIII, didn’t even come CLOSE to matching these numbers. Even if you factor in his rushing, he would still have 638 less yards than Keenum. (5631 to 4993) RGIII only led his conference in touchdowns and QBR that year. However, Griffin did lead the nation in y/an and ay/a. It’s not like Keenum came second either, he came 7th in Heisman voting. SEVENTH. Behind names such as Andrew Luck, Montee Ball, and Trent Richardson. All of these he beat out in most offensive categories. (Except for that one DB in Heisman voting)
The fact Keenum didn’t win the Heisman in 2011 shows the voter bias for then P5 and now P4 programs. While yes, they do play a much more difficult schedule, the man who owns the NCAA record books in career passing, and led the nation in most QB statistics in 2011 should be the Heisman, or at least an All-American. Which Keenum was not named to. No disrespect to RGIII and anybody in front of Keenum in the voting, they’re all great players, however, Keenum should’ve won that Heisman. The definition of the award is: “The best college football player that year.” Keenum was definitely the best College football player in 2011.
Stats via Stat Head, feature image via The New York Times.
Written by: Jack Harper (x: jackharper.11)
