Mikey Keene is an American football quarterback. He previously played for the UCF Knights and the Fresno State Bulldogs.

Mikey Keene
Keene in 2021 with UCF
No. 1
PositionQuarterback
Class
Redshirt
Redshirt
Junior
MajorBusiness Managmement
Personal information
Born:Chandler, Arizona, U.S.
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight198 lb (90 kg)
Career history
College
Bowl games
High schoolChandler

High school career

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Keene attended Chandler High School in Chandler, Arizona.[2] As a junior, Keene recorded 193 completions for 2,835 yards and 23 touchdowns.[3] In his senior season, Keene threw for 2,069 yards and 22 touchdowns on 154 completions, leading Chandler to a state championship.[4] A three-star recruit, he committed to play college football at the University of Central Florida.[5]

College career

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Keene entered the 2021 season as the backup to Dillion Gabriel. After an injury to Gabriel, Keene became the starter as a true freshman.[6][7] He made ten starts, totaling 1,730 yards and 18 total touchdowns.[8] Keene threw for 144 yards and one touchdown in the 2021 Gasparilla Bowl, leading UCF to a 29–17 over Florida.[9] Keene entered the 2022 season as the backup to John Rhys Plumlee, where he would only appear in four games. He finished the season with 647 yards and six touchdowns before entering the transfer portal.[10][11]

Fresno State

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On December 21, 2022, Keene announced his decision to transfer to Fresno State.[12] Entering the 2023 season, he was named the starting quarterback.[13] In the season opener against Purdue, Keene threw for four touchdowns and 366 yards, leading Fresno State to a 39–35 victory.[14][15] Against Arizona State, Keene threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns, leading Fresno State to a 29–0 shutout win.[16] Keene led Fresno State to a 9–4 record and a 37–10 victory in the 2023 New Mexico Bowl. In the New Mexico Bowl, he threw for a career-high 380 yards and recorded four total touchdowns, being named the game's offensive MVP.[17][18][19] Keene finished the season throwing for 2,976 yards and 24 touchdowns.

The following season, Keene threw for 2,892 yards and 18 touchdowns along with 11 interceptions, before entering the transfer portal for the second time.[20][21]

Statistics

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Season Games Passing Rushing
GP GS Record Comp Att Pct Yards Avg TD Int Rate Att Yards Avg TD
UCF Knights
2021 11 10 7–3 173 272 63.6 1,730 6.4 17 6 133.2 35 -36 -1.0 1
2022 4 1 1–0 60 83 72.3 647 7.8 6 1 159.2 13 -13 -1.0 0
Fresno State
2023 12 11 8–3 283 422 67.1 2,976 7.1 24 10 140.3 29 -136 -4.7 1
2024 12 12 6–6 277 393 70.5 2,892 7.4 18 11 141.8 47 -194 -4.1 0
Career[22] 39 34 22−12 793 1,170 67.8 8,245 7.0 65 28 140.5 124 -379 -3.1 2

References

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  1. ^ @AngMartinezTV (December 16, 2023). "Fresno State beats New Mexico State 37-10 to win the New Mexico Bowl" (Tweet). Retrieved December 16, 2023 – via Twitter.
  2. ^ Alvira, Zach (October 21, 2019). "Mikey Keene taking control of Chandler High's offense". East Valley Tribune. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  3. ^ Obert, Richard. "Chandler QB Mikey Keene has built football legacy in Arizona with unbeaten streak". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  4. ^ Alam, Adnan (September 15, 2023). "Fresno State's Mikey Keene returns to Arizona for test vs. Arizona State football". Cronkite News. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  5. ^ Obert, Richard. "Chandler quarterback Mikey Keene commits to Central Florida football". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  6. ^ "With Dillon Gabriel out, UCF turns to true freshman Mikey Keene at quarterback". Orlando Sentinel. September 19, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  7. ^ "Keene, Central Florida take on Florida in Gasparilla Bowl". USA TODAY. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  8. ^ "Zone Read: Mikey Keene Unplugged". May 26, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  9. ^ "UCF QB Mikey Keene plans on watching film, putting on weight to improve". Orlando Sentinel. December 27, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  10. ^ Boyle, Chris. "Mikey Keene announces plans to enter transfer portal, leave UCF after 2 seasons". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  11. ^ "UCF QB Mikey Keene to transfer: "Thank you, Knight Nation"". Sun Sentinel. December 4, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  12. ^ "Here's how transfer portal quarterback joined Fresno State. 'We found the right guy.'". The Fresno Bee.
  13. ^ "Mikey Keene named starting quarterback for Fresno State ahead of season opener". ABC 30 Fresno. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  14. ^ "Mikey Keene celebrates Fresno State debut with 4 TD passes in 39-35 win over Purdue". ABC30 Fresno. September 2, 2023. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  15. ^ "Bulldogs alums Derek Carr, Jake Haener react to Fresno State's big win over Purdue of Big 10". The Fresno Bee.
  16. ^ Brandt, David. "Keene throws 2 TDs, Fresno State forces 8 turnovers in 29-0 win over Arizona State". The Washington Times. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  17. ^ "Mikey Keene throws for 380 yards, leads Fresno State past New Mexico State 37-10 in New Mexico Bowl". AP News. December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  18. ^ "Mikey Keene, Fresno St. crush New Mexico St". Field Level Media. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  19. ^ "Fresno State sharp on both sides of ball in New Mexico Bowl win over New Mexico State". Las Cruces Sun-News. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  20. ^ Gligich, Daniel (December 3, 2024). "Mikey Keene to enter transfer portal". The San Joaquin Valley Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  21. ^ "Fresno State QB Mikey Keene enters Transfer Portal". CBS47 and KSEE24. December 3, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  22. ^ "Mikey Keene College Stats". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
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