No. 25 Houston set to battle Rice
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HOUSTON (Sports Network) - The 25th-ranked Houston Cougars will try to wrap up their spot in the Conference USA championship game this weekend, as they host the Rice Owls at Robertson Stadium.
Everything went right for the Cougars last weekend, as they trounced Memphis, 55-14, and SMU lost to give Houston the edge in the West Division standings.
"I thought we came out and had some intensity," said coach Kevin Sumlin. "I don't know that a coach is ever completely satisfied with a game, but I thought that our guys responded well coming off of last week."
The Cougars, who had played three straight games decided by a touchdown or less, were coming off a 37-32 setback against UCF that put a damper on their C-USA title hopes. However, Houston's win, coupled with SMU's loss, put the Cougars in position to clinch the West Division title with a victory this weekend. Both SMU and Houston stand at 5-2 within the conference, but the Cougars own the tie-breaker thanks to their win over the Mustangs earlier in the season.
Standing in their way is a Rice club that has shown some life down the stretch. After opening the season with nine straight losses, including eight by double figures, the Owls have won two straight games. Most recently, Rice held off Texas-El Paso for a 30-29 victory last weekend.
"For two weeks in a row, we've sure started slow but we've ended well," said head coach David Bailiff. "It's been a point of emphasis getting a fast start. These last couple of weeks we'll have to keep emphasizing it as long as we keep winning football games."
Rice and Houston are crosstown rivals facing each other for the 36th time on the gridiron. The Cougars lead the head-to-head series, 25-10, although the Owls denied Houston a spot in the 2008 C-USA championship game with a 56-42 win the two team's regular season finale.
Charles Ross rushed for three short touchdowns, including two in the fourth quarter, leading the Owls past UTEP last weekend. Rice gained 172 of its mere 227 total yards on the ground and benefited from several turnovers created by its defense.
While Ross got the headlines with his scores, it was Tyler Smith that did most of the damage, rushing for 127 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries.
"The way that Tyler Smith took that game over tonight for us running the football, we had moments offensively where we were having trouble getting any type of rhythm and tempo but they just kept trying on offense defense and special teams, and we finally just outlasted them at the end," said coach Bailiff.
It was an encouraging effort by both Ross and Smith and the Owls' ground attack, which is still only averaging a measly 97.1 ypg on the season.
With the success on the ground versus UTEP, quarterback Nick Fanuzzi wasn't needed much, throwing for just 55 yards and an interception on 8-of-17 pass attempts. Fanuzzi has had much better games and for the season he has completed 60.8 percent of his pass attempts with eight scores and six picks.
Toren Dixon is the team's main threat through the air, as he tops the club in catches (57), receiving yards (631) and touchdowns (six).
The Owls defense has had major issues this season and that is no more evident than in the whopping 40.4 ppg they are allowing. The group is being abused on the ground (187.8 ypg) and through the air (256.2 ypg) and has typically offered little resistance.
Last weekend, Rice gave up 395 total yards, including 244 passing, but compensated by forcing an eye-popping six turnovers. Of those mishaps, five were fumbles and two of them came late in the game that helped seal the victory.
"Our players never quit, and I think we made more plays throughout the game than they did, and with the six takeaways, our defense came alive tonight," said Bailiff.
Travis Bradshaw forced two crucial fumbles, to go with 13 stops, while Cheta Ozougwu had a fumble recovery and two sacks. Bradshaw has been a tackling machine this year, with 110 to his credit, and he also has four forced fumbles on his resume.
Case Keenum threw for 405 yards and five touchdowns in less than three full quarters, as the Cougars trounced Memphis over the weekend. With the performance, Keenum established a new school record for touchdowns passes with 94, breaking David Klingler's mark of 91.
"It's definitely an honor with the quarterbacks who've played here before," said Keenum about his place in Houston history. It's an honor any time I get mentioned with those guys from the past. They've done great things in blazing the trails for us. Just to follow in their footsteps is pretty cool."
Keenum has been off the chart good this season, as he has completed 70.0 percent of his pass attempts for 4,599 yards, with 36 touchdowns and only six picks. He is obviously a big reason why the Cougars have been able to pump out an incredible 574.1 total ypg.
The effort last weekend came despite the absence of James Cleveland, the team's leading wideout with 82 catches for 941 yards and 11 scores. Cleveland is listed as questionable with a leg injury, but Houston has plenty of other options. Tyron Carrier and Patrick Edwards both have over 70 catches and 800 receiving yards and they should have a field day against the Owls' soft defense.
Charles Sims got the start in the backfield last weekend and he toted 15 times for 90 yards and two scores. The run is an afterthought in this offense, but Sims has proven effective with 533 yards on a 5.5 yard per carry average.
With the offense producing at a record pace, Houston's defense has had to spend way too much time on the field and that has resulted in poor numbers for the unit. The Cougars are giving up 216.0 ypg on the ground and 235.4 ypg through the air and this group's inability to stop teams has come back to haunt them.
In last weekend's game, the Cougars built a big lead early on and that took the pressure off the defense. The unit did limit Memphis to just 344 total yards, but 243 of them come on the ground and that is simply too much.
Marcus McGraw and C.J. Cavness have done their part for this defense and for the season they have combined for 221 tackles and 6.5 sacks.
