HOUSTON COUGARS FACE OFF AGAINST SMU

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2009 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 24, 2009) The Houston Cougars look to improve on their 1-1 Conference USA record tonight as they take on rival SMU at Robertson Stadium.

Houston, who is coming off a 44-16 win over Tulane last Saturday and a 58-41 loss to UTEP on October 3, is 5-1 for the season.

SMU, who is 2-0 in conference play and 3-3 for the season, is coming off a 38-35 overtime loss to Navy. They have previously defeated University of Alabama at Birmingham 35-33 on September 12 and East Carolina 28-21 two weeks ago to lead Conference USA.

The Mustangs will have a tough time against Houston, who is averaging 44 points and 431 yards offensively a game.

Tonight’s game is the fifth straight season UH and SMU have faced off. Houston has won three straight in the current series and six of the last seven. Houston is 2-1 against the Mustangs in Robertson Stadium.

The Cougars and Mustangs met on a neutral field on November 26, 1983, when they played in the Mirage Bowl in Tokyo, Japan.

The last four meetings against SMU have been decided in the fourth quarter, with Houston rallying for wins in 2006, ands 2008, holding on for a win in 2007 and losing a lead in 2005.

While members of the now defunct Southwest Conference, Houston posted a 10-7-1 record against SMU.

Houston and SMU have only met twice while not conference foes; on September 27, 1975, in a game SMU won 26-16, and September 20, 2000, in which the Cougars won 17-15.

Game time is set for 6:34pm CDT and will be broadcast on CBS College Sports.