Case Keenum threw three touchdowns and passed for 380 yards as the Houston Cougars took a 24-7 to lead into halftime over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the TicketCity Bowl on Monday. Keenum led the Cougars to scores on each of their first three possessions and only failed to score on the fourth because of a missed field goal. Andrew Hogan also missed a kick at the end of the first half and the Cougars punted just once.
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Patrick Edwards was the biggest beneficiary of Keenum's passing, making six catches for 201 yards and scoring a pairing of touchdowns. Edwards scored on 40- and 75-yard pass plays. Justin Johnson caught Keenum's other touchdown throw, making eight catches for 96 yards.
After falling behind 17-0 in the first quarter, Penn State was able to temporarily cut the lead to 17-7 early in the second quarter. Their touchdown followed Hogan's first missed field goal and was capped off by Stephfon Green's 6-yard run. Quarterback Rob Bolden was held to just 2 of 10 passing for 55 yards.
For more on the TicketCity Bowl, visit Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries and Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire, plus SB Nation Pittsburgh.