The Daily Cougar: Overtime

THE DAILY COUGAR SPORTS MAGAZINE

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2011

Picking Cotton Behind UH’s great quarterback is another great quarterback // 4

Perfect game High octane offense keeps the ball safe, in the right hands // 5

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Saturday, October 22, 2011

The Daily Cougar

Homecoming has special feel THE DAILY COUGAR SPORTS MAGAZINE

section editors John Brannen Joshua Siegel

copy editors Jack Wehman

cover photo

THE COIN TOSS

Brianna Leigh Morrison

John Brannen

logo design Lana Flores

page design Ben Muths

ABOUT Overtime is produced by The Daily Cougar, the official student newspaper of the University of Houston. It publishes for every home football game. No part of the publication in print or online may be reproduced without the written consent of the director of the Student Publications Department.

contact Editorial 713-743-5360 Advertising 713-743-5340 Business Office 713-743-5350 Room 7, UC Satellite Student Publications University of Houston Houston, TX 77204-4015

Most of the current students at UH were not even teenagers when the Southwest Conference crumbled in 1994.

Many are not aware that UH has been fighting for the chance to prove itself nationally again for more than 15 years.

The Cougars lost the luster of competing in a respected athletic conference, but life in Conference USA has not been a cakewalk either.

In 2001, under the direction of head coach Dana Dimel, the Cougars suffered a winless season going 0-11.

After five years of progression, the Cougars won a C-USA championship in 2006 with Kevin Kolb at quarterback and Art Briles as the coach. One extreme to the other.

There is still unrest in conference realignment, but it appears UH found some stability. Unlike

...you may not be 6 anymore or see 20/20.

another Texas school, UH did not have to court another conference to receive an offer.

It has taken multiple athletic directors, years of recruits and a variety of head coaches, but it appears UH will be able to compete for higher stakes.

If the Cougars win their conference this year, nothing is guaranteed as far as BCS bowls go. Those days will be finished as a Big East member.

“I feel a lot of the same pride that everybody in Houston and at the University should feel,” quarterback Case Keenum said.

“We’ve been part of something that’s been pretty great for the past few years. There’s been a lot of excitement, but there’s more to come.”

Lucrative television deals and building and renovating venues are important parts, but success in sports does more than that.

The accessibility of a conference like the Big East will expose the University to prospective students across the country.

For example, today’s game is on Comcast Sports Southwest.

If viewers do not subscribe to Comcast, then they will either be stuck clicking refresh on a phone

or computer, listening to a radio broadcast or having to watch it elsewhere.

Those nuisances could be on the verge of ending.

There will still be gripes and inconveniences.

Some loyal fans may not be able to make the trips for matchups on the road.

The Big East also has to prove it will be strong enough to get a new BCS contract once the original expires in 2014.

It is entirely plausible that the Cougars can immediately compete in the Big East in all sports.

But until at least 2013, UH is a member of C-USA. Big East competition is possibly in the not-so distant future, but UH making itself more attractive now would solidify the Big East’s decision.

If the Cougars are beating Marshall comfortably, there is a chance chants of “Big East” are belted out throughout Robertson Stadium.

Nothing is for certain at this point in conference realignment or on the field.

But there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic instead of the alternative.

FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

UCLA

W: 38-34 @UNT

W: 48-23

@Louisiana Tech

W: 35-34

Georgia State

W: 56 - 0 @UTEP

W: 49-42

ECU

W: 56-3

Marshall

3:30 p.m.

October 22 Robertson Stadium Rice

7:00 p.m. October 27

@UAB

6:00 p.m. November 5

@Tulane

6:00 p.m. November 10

SMU

TBA November 19

@Tulsa

11:00 a.m. November 25

This is why you should trust the eye care professionals at the University Eye Institute for all your eye care needs.

“On the Corner of Calhoun and Wheeler”

To schedule a comprehensive eye examination, please call 713.743.2020 or visit www.uei.uh.edu Open to the public, Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Free patient parking accessible from Wheeler St.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

The Daily Cougar

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S M R MIDTE

.

E S U V P I M A V C N O G SUR N I R O T U T E E R F T E G

RO

E

R VILLAG

COUGA OM N 109

HOURS

FALL/SPRING SUMMER Monday - Thursday 9 am – 8 pm Friday 9 am – 3 pm Saturday - Sunday 1 pm – 4 pm

Cornerback Zach McMillian and offensive tackle Rowdy Harper were used as models of the Cougars’ homecoming uniforms. | Joshua Siegel/The Daily Cougar

UH wears throwback uniforms to pay tribute Cougar Sports Services

“

It’s really the first time we’ve done this since I’ve been here,” head coach Kevin Sumlin said.

“This represents a little bit more than just a uniform. You look back at this helmet, at the tradition — it’s a way that can excite our fans on a homecoming weekend. As a football team, it’s a way to pay tribute to an era. It was an era of success, a time where winning was expected. That’s

what happened, and coach Yeoman did a great job.

“It’s really an honor to put on the throwback uniform this weekend; it also happens to be a time where we’re back in those conversations nationally. Hopefully this is something our fans can feed off of, I think our players are feeding off of.

It’s exciting for me to run out there Saturday, particularly on homecoming with a lot of people coming back to see the new things at the University.

”

Monday - Tuesday 10 am – 7 pm Wednesday-Thursday 10 am – 6 pm Friday 10 am – 3 pm

COURSES

Accounting Biology Chemistry Computer Science Economics Engineering

English Foreign Language Finance Mathematics Physics Statistics

Schedules for specific course tutoring hours WWW.LAS.UH.EDU/LSS

LEARNING STRATEGIES Workshops: Time Management Test Anxiety Over Procrastination And many more...

Counseling: Individual assessments and individual instructions in learning strategies

www.survey.uh.edu

Student Satisfaction Survey NSSE (National Survey of Student Engagement) for selected Freshmen and Seniors

Follow President Khator:

www.las.uh.edu

Twitter.com/UHPres

www.eval.uh.edu

Complete Course Evaluation online for selected courses.

www.uh.edu/president

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Saturday, October 22, 2011

The Daily Cougar

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Cotton Turner has been efficient on the field, completing 67 percent of his passing attempts. Turner has scored one passing and one rushing touchdown. | Brianna Leigh Morrison/The Daily Cougar

the official student newspaper of the university of houston since 1934

PROFILE

Turner’s duties go beyond field Joshua Siegel

THE DAILY COUGAR

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The Cougars’ wild 49-42 win over UTEP was an exhausting game that came down to the final drive.

When the Cougars arrived back on campus in the wee hours of the morning following bus and plane trips, most players looked forward to sleeping in and recuperating from the shootout.

Senior quarterback Cotton Turner’s day was just beginning.

“I took the LSAT on Oct. 1,” Turner said.

“It was kind of crazy.

“We get back at 4 in the TURNER continues on page 9

Saturday, October 22, 2011

The Daily Cougar

Mistakes minimal for UH’s hurry-up offense John Brannen

THE DAILY COUGAR The Cougars’ body language suggests a team that is sure of itself, but not overtly arrogant.

The offense is productive enough that UH is a threat to win each game it plays. Having that security has rightfully given the No. 20/21 Cougars a sense of pride, while still having a hunger for greater success.

“We’ve all got confidence,” senior quarterback Case Keenum said. “I feel like I’ve had the best mindset going into each game than I’ve had since I’ve ever played.

“We’re just having fun out there — it’s a lot of fun there, and we need to keep doing that.”

If UH wants to keep the good times rolling on the field, they need to look no further than the first six wins for instruction.

The Cougars have been stingy on offense — as in, they have not been generous to opposing defenses.

Giveaways hard to come by for opposition Keenum threw two interceptions that added some extra drama to a 35-34 win against Louisiana Tech.

Backup quarterback Cotton Turner threw a meaningless interception in garbage time against North Texas.

The Cougars have fumbled the ball eight times, and lost it on five occasions — but some of those are the fault of special teams.

Coughing up the ball is never convenient for an offense, but it could be worse.

UH has showed discipline, and has not had outstanding problems with penalties either.

The key to error-free football has many prongs to it.

“That’s a lot of things,” Keenum said.

In the Cougars’ 56-3 win against East Carolina, Keenum would sail the ball over defenders and it would hang for what seemed like a minute.

But every time Patrick Edwards or another Cougar receiver would snatch it out of the air before it reached the palms of a defender.

“Making good decisions, receivers making plays,” Keenum said.

“That’s one thing we always stress, that when the ball is in the air, the receivers think it’s their ball.

“They know it’s their ball — if they catch it or not, the other team is not going to get to it.

They do a great job of that.”

The offensive line, better known as the Brick Squad, has (for the most part) kept Keenum out of danger. He has been sacked a total of eight times for a loss of 73 yards.

“The offensive line does a good job of keeping me out of pressure situations that force bad decisions,” Keenum said.

“That’s been one of our goals to eliminate turnovers as much as possible.”

Room to grow Though the UH may average a staggering 47 points per game, Keenum said improvement is still necessary.

“I don’t know if we’ve played as well as we could have yet,” Keenum said. “I think that’s encouraging. We’ve still got football in front of us, and we still haven’t played our best football yet.

“You can go through any of the films and there’s times where we get stopped, and quite a few times where we stop ourselves, whether it’s mental mistakes, penalties or bad checks or my part. Whatever it is, I think that’s the things we can work on. I still think we can get even better as we go along.”

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Senior receiver E.J. Smith and the Cougars lead the NCAA in total offense and passing yardage. | Brianna Leigh Morrison/The Daily Cougar

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Sign up for daily e-mail updates and breaking news alerts. www.thedailycougar.com Stay in touch.

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Saturday, October 22, 2011

The Daily Cougar

STARTINGLINEUP 12

2

Seniors circled in red.

20

Bennett (FS)

Valencia (SS)

Hayden (CB)

55 8

54

McGraw (LB)

10 McMillian (CB)

Mathews (LB)

Brown (LB)

42

59

King (RE)

99

Miller (NT)

95

Steward (LB)

Hunter (LE)

DEFENSE OFFENSE

76

83

3

Edwards (WR)

Ashworth (LT)

64

Cloud (LG)

Johnson (WR)

70

7

63

Thompson (C)

74

Forsch (RG)

Harper (RT)

35

Keenum (QB)

25

88

Carrier (WR)

Smith (WR)

Beall (RB)

TEAM LEADERS Receiving

Passing Player

Comp

Att

Yds

TD

Int

Rtg

Keenum

170

238

2,309

17

2

174.8

Turner

29

43

286

1

1

126.3

Rushing

Pass Defense

Tackles

Player

Rec.

Yds

YPC

TD

Lg.

Yds/G

Player

TOT

TFL.

Sacks

Player

Int

PD

BU

Carrier

39

456

11.7

2

54

76.0

McGraw

55

5.0

2.5

Bates

3

4

7

2

2

4

Edwards

37

642

17.4

5

58

107.0

Mathews

45

5.5

1.0

Steward

Johnson, J.

28

408

14.6

4

55

68.0

Brown

44

14.0

5.5

Mathews

1

1

2

Hayes

22

223

10.1

2

54

37.2

Steward

30

5.5

1.5

McGraw

1

2

3

1

52

42.0

Valencia

29

1.0

—

Hayden

1

3

4

Player

Rush

Yds

YPC

TD

Lg

Yds/G

Smith, E.J.

21

252

12.0

Hayes

61

364

6.2

6

71

60.7

Sims

12

179

14.9

1

84

35.8

McMillian

27

—

—

Beall

50

286

5.8

6

23

47.7

Peace

8

76

9.5

0

26

19.0

Brooks

26

0.5

—

Sims

37

255

6.1

5

40

51.0

Spencer

7

90

12.9

0

20

18.0

Daniels

21

2.5

—

Player

Ret

Yds

Lg.

Welford

9

38

4.2

1

9

6.3

Williams, R.

6

57

9.5

1

22

9.5

Hunter

19

4.0

0.5

Hogan

5/6

35

29/29

Kicking

Saturday, October 22, 2011

The Daily Cougar

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THEBIGBOARD // College football at a glance AP TOP 25 RK

TEAM

RECORD

PTS

1 LSU (41)

7-0

1452

2 Alabama (11)

7-0

1411

3 Oklahoma (6)

6-0

4 Wisconsin

C-USA SCHEDULE

C-USA STANDINGS

SATURDAY

NETWORK

TIME

EAST

W

L

W

L

Memphis at Tulane

Fox College Sports

2:30 p.m. CT

Marshall

3

4

2

1

1372

East Carolina at Navy

CBS Sports

2:30 p.m. CT

East Carolina

2

4

2

1

6-0

1252

Marshall at Houston

CSS

3:30 p.m. CT

Southern Miss. 5

1

1

1

5 Boise State (1)

6-0

1218

Tulsa at Rice

FSN

6:00 p.m. CT

UCF

3

3

1

1

6 Oklahoma state

6-0

1186

Memphis

1

6

0

3

7 Stanford

6-0

1164

SMU at Southern Miss.

CBS Sports

7:00 p.m. CT

UAB

0

6

0

3

8 Clemson

7-0

1064

Colorado State at UTEP

N/A

6:00 p.m. CT

WEST

W

L

W

L

9 Oregon

5-1

1020

SMU

5

1

3

0

10 Arkansas

5-1

946

Houston

6

0

2

0

11 West Virginia

5-1

778

Tulsa

3

3

2

0

UTEP

3

3

1

2

12 Kansas State

6-0

762

13 Nebraska

5-1

748

TV GUIDE SATURDAY, OCT. 22

NETWORK

TIME (CT)

Oklahoma State at Missouri

FX

11 a.m.

North Carolina at Clemson

ESPN

11 a.m.

Illinois at Purdue

ESPN2

11 a.m.

Cincinnati at South Florida

ESPN3.com

11 a.m.

Jacksonville State at Kentucky

ESPNU

11 a.m.

Northern Illinois at Buffalo

ESPN3.com

11 a.m.

Indiana at Iowa

BTN

11 a.m.

Arkansas at Ole Miss

ESPN3.com

11:21 a.m.

14 South Carolina

6-1

690

15 Michigan State

5-1

610

16 Virginia Tech

6-1

597

17 Texas A&M

4-2

467

18 Michigan

6-1

442

19 Auburn

5-2

374

20 Georgia Tech

6-1

281

21 Houston

6-0

238

22 Washington

5-1

221

Boston College at Virginia Tech

ESPN3.com

2 p.m.

ESPN3.com

2 p.m.

23 Illinois

6-1

207

Louisiana Tech at Utah State

24 Arizona State

5-2

144

Auburn at LSU

CBS

2:30 p.m.

25 Georgia

5-2

144

Air Force at Boise State

Versus

2:30 p.m.

Nebraska at Minnesota

ABC/ESPN2

2:30 p.m.

Texas A&M at Iowa State

ABC

2:30 p.m.

Georgia Tech at Miami (Fla.)

ESPN

2:30 p.m.

Maryland at Florida State

ABC/ESPN2

2:30 p.m.

Temple at Bowling Green

ESPN3.com

2:30 p.m.

North Carolina State at Virginia

ESPNU

2:30 p.m.

Ohio at Akron

ESPN3.com

2:30 p.m.

Fresno State at Nevada

ESPN3.com

3:05 p.m.

SAY WHAT?

Penn State at Northwestern

BTN

6 p.m.

Army at Vanderbilt

ESPNU

6 p.m.

“I’m glad that it’s finally come to fruition, that we’ve actually seen our hard work formulate. Basically, we just want to continue what’s been going on and depend on each other. We feel like we played as a team — as one complete unit.

Miami (Ohio) at Toledo

ESPN3.com

6 p.m.

Tennessee at Alabama

ESPN2

6:15 p.m.

USC at Notre Dame

NBC

6:30 p.m.

Texas Tech at Oklahoma

ABC

7 p.m.

Wisconsin at Michigan State

ESPN

7 p.m.

Washington at Stanford

ESPN

7 p.m.

Middle Tennessee at Florida Atlantic

ESPN3.com

7 p.m.

New Mexico at Hawaii

ESPN3.com

11 p.m.

THURSDAY, OCT. 27

NETWORK

TIME (CT)

Rice at Houston

Fox Sports Network

7 p.m.

Virginia at Miami (Fla.)

ESPN

7 p.m.

N. Alabama at W. Alabama

ESPN3.com

7 p.m.

Augustana at Minn. State Mankato

CBS Sports

7 p.m.

Others receiving votes: Penn State 130, Notre Dame 107, Southern California 87, Baylor 19, SMU 19, Texas 12, Cincinnati 4, Southern Mississippi 4, Wake Forest 3, Rutgers 2

— Sophomore cornerback Zach McMillian on the Cougars’ dominating 56-3 performance

Rice

2

4

1

2

Tulane

2

5

1

2

COUGAR FLASHBACK

1950 Houstonian Yearbook

HOUSTON 27, HARDIN-SIMMONS 27

Cougars, Cowboys play to deadlock

This day in UH history was so long ago that finishing a game with a tie was still allowed.

In 1949, the Cougars battled the Hardin-Simmons Cowboys to a 27-27 tie. UH was led by 284 rushing yards and six touchdowns that were all scored in the running game.

Gene Shannon, Max Clark, Bill Bidwell and Carl Mittag were among the players who scored touchdowns. The defensive standouts were Bill Butler, Bill Moeller and Buck Miller.

Under head coach Clyde Lee, the Cougars would finish their 1949 campaign with a record of 4-5-1.

— Cougar Sports Staff

YOUR AD COULD HAVE BEEN HERE SHOWING YOUR SUPPORT FOR COUGAR FOOTBALL. Don’t miss the next opportunity. Call 713-743-5340 to find out more.

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®

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Saturday, October 22, 2011

The Daily Cougar

HEISMANRADAR JOHN’S PICKS

JOSH’S PICKS

1Andrew

1Trent

Luck

Richardson

QUARTERBACK | STANFORD (6-0, 4-0)

RUNNING BACK | ALABAMA (7-0, 4-0)

C/A 129/181

YDS 1,719

TD/INT 18/3

ATT 132

YDS 912

TD 15

Rating 180.5

YPA 9.5

Comp % 71.3

REC 15

YDS 179

TD 0

2 Kellen

2 Russell

SIMON WARBY | THE STANFORD DAILY

Moore

Wilson

QUARTERBACK | BOISE ST (6-0, 1-0)

QUARTERBACK | WISCONSIN (6-0, 2-0)

C/A 151/191

YDS 1,729

TD/INT 21/4

C/A 95/128

YDS 1,557

TD/INT 14/1

Rating 179.7

YPA 8.69

Comp % 75.9

ATT 24

YDS 182

TD 2

3 Trent

3 Andrew

Richardson

Luck

QUARTERBACK | STANFORD (6-0, 4-0)

RUNNING BACK | ALABAMA (7-0, 4-0)

ATT 132

YDS 912

TD 15

C/A 129/181

YDS 1,719

TD/INT 18/3

REC 15

YDS 179

TD 0

Rating 180.5

YPA 9.5

Comp % 71.3

4 Brandon

4 Case

Weeden

Keenum

QUARTERBACK | OKLAHOMA ST (6-0, 3-0)

QUARTERBACK | HOUSTON (6-0, 2-0)

C/A 189/260

YDS 2,098

TD/INT 16/8

C/A 170/238

YDS 2,309

TD/INT 17/2

Rating 156.2

YPA 8.07

Comp % 72.7

Rating 174.8

YPA 9.7

Comp % 71.4

5 Case

5 Kellen

COURTESY OF UH ATHLETICS

Keenum

Moore

QUARTERBACK | HOUSTON (6-0, 2-0)

QUARTERBACK | BOISE ST (6-0, 1-0)

C/A 170/238

YDS 2,309

TD/INT 17/2

C/A 151/191

YDS 1,729

TD/INT 21/4

Rating 174.8

YPA 9.7

Comp % 71.4

Rating 179.7

YPA 8.69

Comp % 75.9

DARKHORSE

DARKHORSE

Griffin III

Watkins

D Robert

D Sammy

QUARTERBACK | BAYLOR (4-2, 1-2)

RECEIVER | CLEMSON (7-0, 4-0)

C/A 142/182

YDS 1,950

TD/INT 22/2

REC 46

YDS 728

TD 8

ATT 72

YDS 295

TD 2

ATT 20

YDS 127

TD 0

KENT GIDLEY | ALABAMA ATHELTICS

BOISE STATE SPORTS INFORMATION

Saturday, October 22, 2011

The Daily Cougar

Calliope ’s Po-boy

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2130 Jefferson Street (713) 222-8333 Senior quarterback Cotton Turner juggles responsibilities as a student, athlete and father. He recently took the LSAT. | Brianna Leigh Morrison/The Daily Cougar

TURNER continued from page 4

morning on Friday. I get up here at 9 a.m. and start cramming, which apparently you’re not supposed to do. I had about a month to study for it, and I’m taking 12 hours. It was pretty hectic.”

Turner had never considered law as a profession before last year. After suffering a seasonending fractured collarbone against UCLA, he was put in an unfamiliar situation.

“Last fall, when I was injured and wasn’t playing, it was the first time since fifth grade that I wasn’t playing football,” Turner said. “So I had a lot of time to think. It was the first time thinking about life without football.

“I had a lot of time to think about academics and what I wanted to do. I looked into law school, and my grandpa was a lawyer. I talked to him, and it got the ball rolling to where I got pretty interested in it. I made the final decision in the summertime that that’s what I wanted to pursue.”

Being able to make a difference in people’s lives is another draw for Turner.

“I like helping,” Turner said.

“I like the underdog story. I want to stick up for the little guys because I was a walk-on.

“I just like the idea of being able to help people because people get in trouble or need someone to stand up for them. I just think having that law degree, you have the power to really do something for them. I’m really interested in that.”

When he isn’t on the field for the Cougars or in the classroom, Turner also doubles as a father to his three-year-old daughter, Kennedy.

“It’s really rewarding,” Turner said. “It was difficult to balance football, school and being a dad, but I mean I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“She is my world, and she loves going to the games that she can stay up for. Fatherhood is the most rewarding thing. You

don’t ever think about it until it happens.”

Before walking on with the Cougars and playing at Blinn Junior College, Turner starred at Dulles High School, earning 23-5A District Player of the Year as a junior.

In the summer entering his senior season, Turner noticed a small, skinny kid holding his own with the Vikings varsity receivers — current UH starting corner back Zach McMillian.

“He’d be out there competing with them before he was on varsity or anything, before he was even in high school,” Turner said.

“He would be holding his own — like man, this kid can play. Then it made me feel pretty old when he came here last summer, and I saw him now trying to cover Patrick Edwards. He was a hard worker then and he’s obviously a hard worker now.”

Having fully recovered from last season’s injury, Turner has completed 67 percent of his passes for 286 yards and a touchdown in three appearances.

Being the backup quarterback, Turner’s playing time is sporadic, but he must always be ready.

“It’s the old cliche, ‘You always have to prepare like you’re the starter,’” Turner said. “We learned last year, you never know when your number is going to be called.

“I look at it as, if I do have to go in, I do want to be ready and I have a bunch of guys who are preparing their butts off, and I’m not going to slouch just because I don’t think I’m going to play. I always have in my mind, ‘I could play. I could be in.’ For the sake of the seniors and the team, you don’t want to let anybody down.”

In the midst of an undefeated season, Turner is proud to wrap up his collegiate career in his home town.

“It’s very cool. Especially the way we’re getting the city of Houston involved and recruiting local players.

“It’s cool to have people you grew up with and family able to come to all of the games and close to home.”

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Saturday, October 22, 2011

The Daily Cougar

The Guild Shop Houston’s No. 1 Re-sale shop

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Finish your Christmas shopping before exams begin.

Everything for family and friends.

In five starts, SMU Senior quarterback J.J. McDermott has helped lead the Mustangs to five straight wins after replacing Kyle Padron. | Courtesy of SMU Athletics

RICE CENTER FOR ENGINEERING LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

A conference for students that: • Addresses challenges that face our local community in the three “E’s”: Energy, Education and Entrepreneurship • Involves local leaders from industry, academia and government • Includes student-led discussion panels and a student poster competition involving multiple universities

November 11, 3-6pm, November 12, 9am-3pm Rice University, Duncan Hall, McMurtry Auditorium

Poster competition with cash prizes: The poster session will highlight some of Houston’s most innovative university students and the work they’ve done to benefit the community.

To participate in the competition, register by Wednesday, October 26 at http://rcel.rice.edu/EHF

Don’t just think about doing something, help your local community!

PA R T I C I PAT E – L E A D – TA K E AC T I O N !

For more information go to rcel.rice.edu/EHF

COMMENTARY

SMU worthy opponent for UH The Cougars had a bye week to heal their wounds, but even if they weren’t playing there was one game that impacted them directly.

Central Florida and John SMU dueled in Brannen Dallas on Oct. 15 in what was a rematch of last season’s Conference USA Championship game.

What seemed to be a matchup of two evenly-matched squads ended up being a decisive 38-17 Mustangs’ victory.

The Knights either led the nation or were close to the top in most defensive rankings before the loss.

Last season they topped SMU in the C-USA title game, but in 2011 it appears that UCF will have to fight to win the East division.

The picture is a little more complicated with East Carolina, Marshall and Southern Miss. all still in the mix.

UH is better off not looking ahead, and is adamant about treating each game in a methodical fashion.

However, the Cougars will be favored against Marshall and its next three opponents: Rice, Alabama-Birmingham and Tulane.

SMU continues on page 11

Saturday, October 22, 2011

The Daily Cougar

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Last season the Cougars beat the Mustangs 45-20 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas.

The year before UH won 44-38 at Robertson Stadium. | File Photo/The Daily Cougar

SMU continued from page 10

In what could potentially be the last home game of the season, the Cougars and the Mustangs will square off on Nov. 19 in what could potentially represent a semifinal to the conference championship on Dec. 3.

These are the two clear-cut contenders in the West — UH is 6-0 and the Mustangs are 5-1, and both teams remain undefeated in conference play.

After a season-opening loss to Texas A&M, the Mustangs have proved they mean business by winning five straight, including victories over the UTEP Miners, and at the time a nationallyranked TCU. Head coach June Jones has resurrected his program after decades of recovering from the NCAA death penalty.

Jones, formerly the sideline boss at Hawaii, uses a passoriented offense that utilizes multiple receivers.

The Mustangs don’t run the exact same set as UH, but it is easy to see why the two could be considered similar.

Last season, the Mustangs had Kyle Padron at quarterback, and he was expected to be the starter this year.

The junior threw two quick interceptions against the Aggies, and since has been replaced by senior quarterback J.J. McDermott.

He has shined as a starter, and has the second-highest passing yardage total in C-USA after Case Keenum.

McDermott, a product of Cinco Ranch High School in Katy, completes 58.6 percent of his passes, and has thrown for 1,840 yards and 10 touchdowns.

UH may have its three-headed

monster at running back with Bryce Beall, Michael Hayes and Charles Sims, but the Mustangs boast the conference’s leading rusher.

Junior Zach Line has a stature more fit for a fullback. He is able to run over tacklers with ease, and has a nose for the end zone with 13 touchdowns.

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Forgiving schedule The Cougars’ remaining slate of games could give them an upper hand.

SMU will have another monumental test against Southern Miss. today, and faces Tulsa and Navy before coming to Houston.

The Golden Eagles and the Golden Hurricane are both capable of giving the Mustangs a scare.

But even if SMU stumbles before in the next three weeks, records will be irrelevant come Nov. 19.

The Cougars have been more lucky with their scheduling, and SMU will be the biggest challenge to UH in the C-USA West Division.

Success against SMU Head coach Kevin Sumlin has a 3-0 record against the Mustangs, and the Cougars have beat SMU in five straight contests.

The last time the Cougars lost to the Mustangs was a 29-24 loss on Nov. 19, 2005, at Robertson Stadium.

This might be the deepest roster SMU has fielded in years, and the Cougars’ recent history is plenty of reason to get SMU fired up.

With UH and SMU among the schools to receive invitations to join the Big East, this could develop into UH’s most identifiable rival.

But in 2011, the Cougars and Mustangs can only focus what is in the present — and that’s ruling the roost in C-USA.

Red in the face ... and proud?

Tweet your Cougar fan photos @thedailycougar

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Saturday, October 22, 2011

The Daily Cougar

HOMECOMING

PARADE

11:00AM - 1:00PM TODAY 2011 HOMECOMING FIREWORK PRESENTATION AFTER THE E GAME

For info and more highlights, check out

www.uh.edu/homecoming Funded by your SFAC fees

homecoming sked SATURDAY COLOR 5x14 102011.indd 1

10/20/11 4:15:49 PM