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Football Prepares to Open C-USA Play at UTEP on Saturday
Oct. 1, 2009
GAME 4
RADIO: Houston-ISP Sports Radio Network • 790 AM The Sports Animal-Houston • Tom Franklin, PxP; Ted Pardee, analyst; Chuck Brown, sideline
GAME NOTES:
The Cougars have posted a 30-15-1 all-time record in their conference openers, including an impressive 9-4 mark in C-USA openers. UH has won each of its last three C-USA openers with only a double-overtime loss at UTEP in 2005 preventing a longer streak. The Cougars are ranked at No. 12 in the latest Associated Press poll and No. 15 in the most recent USA Today Coaches' poll. It marks the first time since 1991 that the Cougars were ranked that high in each poll.
Keenum leads the Cougar offense with 1,160 yards and eight touchdowns on 93-of-134 passing and had thrown for at least 300 yards in each of the first three games. The Abilene, Texas, native also is tied for the team lead with three rushing touchdowns. When the Cougars move the ball through the air, freshman running back Charles Sims is Keenum's leading target, posting team highs of 21 catches for 296 yards, including 10 catches for 122 yards in the win against Texas Tech. Sims is one of five players with at least 10 catches this season, joining sophomore Tyron Carrier, sophomore Patrick Edwards, junior James Cleveland and sophomore running back Bryce Beall. Beall is tops with 211 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 46 carries and leads all players with a pair of receiving touchdowns. Defensively, sophomore linebacker Marcus McGraw paces the Cougars with 39 tackles after recording a career-high 19 tackles against the Red Raiders. Sophomore defensive lineman David Hunter has posted 13 tackles, including 1.5 sacks for a loss of 20 yards, and has forced two fumbles while recovering three more. Hunter was honored as the C-USA Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Texas Tech.
Quarterback Trevor Vittatoe leads the Miners with 640 yards and a touchdown on 63-of-124 passing. Kris Adams tops the receivers with 14 catches for 122 yards, while Donavon Kemp has caught the lone Miner touchdown. Donald Buckram leads the rushing attack with 298 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 46 carries. Defensively, Da'mon Cromartie-Smith leads the team with 47 tackles, while Aaron King is tops with five tackles for a loss of 35 yards, including three sacks. Braxton Amy leads the Miners with a pair of interceptions.
The game will not be televised. However, fans can watch video coverage of the game by signing up for the Cougar All-Access Plan at UHCougars.com. For one annual pass of $79.95 or a monthly pass of $9.95, fans receive football video coverage of C-USA road games. To join, fans should click on the "Multimedia" tab at the top of the front page and select "All-Access".
The Cougars have not lost to UTEP since a 44-41 setback in double overtime in El Paso on Sept. 16, 2005. However, the recent history shows an even series with the last two games being decided by a combined eight points. El Paso has not been a friendly place for the Cougars with UTEP winning three of four games on its home field. A year ago, the Cougars rallied from a 28-9 third-quarter deficit to knock off the Miners 42-37 at Robertson Stadium. UH outscored the Miners 26-9 and put up 306 yards of offense in the fourth quarter alone to take the win. Fans should be in for an exciting game this weekend. The Cougars and Miners have combined to average 70 points per game in their last four meetings since 1950.
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