Cougars prep for big test against UTEP

In last year’s matchup against UTEP, the Cougars were coming off two momentous wins against Oklahoma State and

Texas Tech. They had ascended to a No. 12 national ranking and were looking to get into the top 10 for the first time since 1990.

The Miners dashed those hopes with a 58-41 win in El Paso. While the Cougars went on to win five consecutive games afterward, it was an exposing loss.

UH will host UTEP on Friday at Robertson Stadium, and fans hope the team will avenge last year’s loss. But the coaching staff and players insist last year’s result has no bearing on Friday’s game. The fact that the game is the Conference USA opener is enough reason for motivation.

“It’s the first conference game, and that brings weight in itself,” quarterback Case Keenum said.

“We’re through talking about last year and what happened last year. We’re ready to go out and make our own name for ourselves this 2010 season.”

Linebacker Matt Nicholson said the team is using the philosophy of taking it one game at a time.

“We don’t forget about what happened last year,” Nicholson said. “But it’s an important conference game. We’re going to treat it like any other game.”

The Miners have experience to boast with 26 seniors on their roster. Head coach Kevin Sumlin said he feels UTEP is the most versatile team in C-USA.

“This team is probably the best blend of talent,” Sumlin said. “In the East, you have bigger, stronger guys. On the West, you have good speed type teams like us, Tulsa and SMU. This team is probably the best blend of both.”

In last year’s game, UTEP running back Donald Buckram ran wild on the Cougars for 262 yards and four touchdowns. Buckram missed the Miners’ season-opening 31-10 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday with a bruised knee.

All signs point to Buckram suiting up for Friday’s game.

“If I was him, I wouldn’t care how hurt I was. I would show up,” Sumlin said. “They tape me up, and I would go out there after putting 260 yards up on a team.”

Sumlin pointed out that Keenum leads the NCAA with 41 career starts, but UTEP quarterback Trevor Vittatoe is not far off with 37.

“At any level of football, an experienced quarterback with an experienced team is dangerous,” Sumlin said.

After Saturday’s 68-28 win over Texas State, the Cougars are ranked No. 27 in the Associated Press poll after receiving 60 votes. In the USA Today poll, they earned 87 votes and are at No. 26.

A win Friday could catapult UH into the top 25 in either poll.

The game will kick off at 9:15 p.m. and be televised on ESPN.