Houston to Host Southern Miss in Conference USA Football Action

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2009 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 31, 2009) The University of Houston Cougars (6-1 overall, 2-1 in Conference USA) face off against the Southern Miss Eagles (5-3 overall, 3-1 in Conference USA) at Robertson Stadium on the campus of the University of Houston.

This will be the first meeting between Houston and Southern Miss since the 2006 Conference USA championship game in Houston and the first regular season meeting in Houston since a 25-24 Cougar victory on November 13, 2005.

The game was originally scheduled to be played on September 24, but was rescheduled to November 13 when Southeast Texas as the Greater Houston area was threatened by Hurricane Rita.

Houston has won the last two games played at home, defeating both SMU 38-14 last Saturday and Texas Tech 29-28 on September 26.

The Cougars have never defeated Southern Miss in Hattiesburg. The only victory in Mississippi occurred on November 9, 1957 in Jackson, Mississippi.

In the first Conference USA encounter between the schools in 1996, the Cougars prevailed 56-49, in overtime. The Cougars would go on to win its first Conference USA title with the win over Louisville.

Weather in Houston is projected to be sunny, clear and mild; with the temperature in the mid-60s. There is no chance of rain. Game time is set for noon CST.