It’s Homecoming week on the Hilltop, and SMU has packed the weekend with events of all kinds to lead up to the Mustangs’ fourth Conference USA game of the season against in-state competition, the Houston Cougars.
The teams will meet for the 25th time in history. Last season, the Cougars devoured the Mustangs 38-15 in Robertson Stadium, led by then junior Cougar quarterback Case Keenum.
Keenum, who led the nation in passing and total offense in 2009 and who ranked No.1 in total offense in 2008, will sit out the remainder of the 2010 season due to a torn ACL knee injury that occurred in UH’s game versus UCLA on Sept. 18.
Houston’s backup quarterback, junior Cotton Turner, was also injured during the UH vs. UCLA game, suffering from a fractured clavicle.
True freshman David Piland will start for the Cougars at Gerald J. Ford Stadium this Saturday. Piland averages 291.5 yards and has thrown five touchdown passes in two games.
It is UH head Coach Kevin Sumlin’s third season at Houston, and he has yet to see the Cougars fall to the Mustangs. It is also SMU head Coach June Jones’ third season.
Houston currently ranks in the top-21 nationally in total passing and scoring offense. The Cougars are 3-3 on the season and 2-1 on conference play. The Mustangs are 4-3 on the season and undefeated in conference play.
Houston holds a 14-9 record in all-time series with SMU, including a 4-1 record in C-USA play.
Both teams participated in bowl games in 2009.
Houston fell to the Air Force Falcons 47-20. SMU saw positive results in their first bowl game in 25 years, beating Nevada 45-10 at the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl.
Other UH standouts include junior running back Bryce Beall and leading receiver Patrick Edwards.
Beall is ranked second in the conference in scoring and 14th nationally with 10 points per game.
SMU’s Zach Line currently ties Beall for second in C-USA with 90.7 rushing yards per game. Line has 365 yards in seven games, while Beall has 544 yards in six.
Edwards leads the team with 32 receptions for 433 yards and five touchdown passes on the season.
Last weekend, Houston fell to Rice 34-31 at Rice Stadium. Houston was in a 14-point deficit following the end of the first half. Despite two touchdowns in the third quarter the Cougars were unable to stop a touchdown for Rice in the fourth.
SMU also fell short last weekend. The Mustangs lost to Navy 28-21 in Annapolis, Md. It was the Ponies’ third loss of the season and one of three non-conference game losses.
Mustang quarterback Kyle Padron went 28 for 42 for 254 yards and three touchdowns, the first two in the second half. He now has 19 touchdown passes on the season, tying for fifth at SMU.
The Mustangs and Cougars will face off on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Ford Stadium.
SMU is calling for a “Blue Out” and encourages all fans to wear blue to show their support for the Mustangs. SMU alum Jack Ingram will sing the National Anthem and play a concert on the Boulevard.
