Texas-El Paso (1-0) at Houston (1-0)
Sports Network | September 8, 2010
FACTS & STATS: Site: Robertson Stadium (32,000) -- Houston, Texas. Television:ESPN. Home Record: UTEP 1-0, Houston 1-0. Away Record: UTEP 0-0, Houston 0-0. Neutral Record: UTEP 0-0, Houston 0-0. Conference Record: UTEP 0-0, Houston 0-0. Series Record: Texas-El Paso leads, 4-3.
GAME NOTES: Conference USA play begins for the Texas-El Paso Miners and Houston Cougars this Friday, as they clash under the lights of Robertson Stadium.
The Miners opened the 2010 campaign on a high note, as they posted a 31-10 home victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, a FCS program. It marked the fourth season-opening win in seven years under head coach Mike Price, who is on the hot seat following a couple of disappointing campaigns. UTEP now turns its focus to C-USA play, where it has yet to lose an opener, going 5-0 in such games since joining the league in 2005.
As for the Cougars, they also took on a FCS program in their opener and they routed Texas State by a 68-28 score. It was the 16th straight home win for Houston, establishing a new school record. The Cougars are now set to begin another run at the C-USA title after winning the West Division last season and falling short in league title game.
In regard to the all-time series, UTEP took a 4-3 advantage following a 58-41 upset of nationally-ranked Houston last season. It was the C-USA opener for both squads, as the Cougars' three-game win streak in the rivalry came to an end.
Joe Banyard and Vernon Frazier combined for 184 yards and four TDs on the ground, as UTEP amassed 234 rushing yards in a win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff this past weekend. The duo did a nice job filling in for starting TB Donald Buckram, who missed the game with a bruised knee. Buckram, who rushed for a school-record 1,594 yards last season, is listed as questionable for this game, and UTEP could certainly use him to help keep Houston's powerful offense off the field. QB Trevor Vittatoe, making his 37th straight start, hit on 17- of-27 passes attempts for 229 yards, but had no TDs and a pick in the opener. Expect a bigger game from the veteran QB this Friday, as UTEP's offense tries to keep pace with the Cougars attack.
After allowing 10 points in the opening half, UTEP's defense did a terrific job keeping Arkansas-Pine Bluff off the scoreboard in the final two quarters. In all, the defense surrendered just 278 total yards, including only 76 rushing. It was a solid performance that included two interceptions and a pair of sacks. DeShawn Grayson had a team-high eight stops for the defense, which will be seriously tested in this Friday's game.
Houston's offense is arguably the most explosive in the nation and it certainly showed in a 68-28 season-opening win over Texas State. QB Case Keenum continued his terrific career and threw for 274 yards and five touchdowns on 17-of-22 pass attempts. The Heisman hopeful set career school records for completions (1,098) and yards passing (13,179) in the win, and his return is a big reason why the Cougars are the C-USA favorites. WRs Patrick Edwards and James Cleveland combined for 125 receiving yards and two scores, and they are a part of a returning trio that topped 1,000 receiving yards in '09. TB Bryce Beall rushed five times for 48 yards and two TDs in the first half before taking a seat with the game well out of hand.
The issue for Houston over the past few years has been its defense and the unit did a decent job in the opener, forcing four turnovers and recording three sacks. That big plays helped compensate for the 345 yards the unit surrendered to Texas State, which possessed the ball for 43 minutes thanks to an 11-of-20 effort on third downs. The defense will obviously need to tighten things up facing much tougher opponents in the coming weeks. Marcus McGraw was one of three players to finish with 11 tackles, adding a forced fumble and sack to his performance. Matt Nicholson also got involved, as he was one of three Cougar players to pick off a pass, taking the interception back 42 yards for a score.
The Cougars have been especially difficult on their home field over the past few years and the support of their fans will surely help play a factor in the outcome. Houston also seeks revenge for last year's loss to UTEP, and a big night from Keenum should help lead the Cougars to the victory.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Houston 48, Texas-El Paso 30
Friday, September 10th, 10:15 p.m. (et)
