Texas showdown pits UTEP vs. Houston on ESPN

UTEP and Houston are both coming off wins to open the season. Now they get ready to face off with each other for a Friday night showdown on ESPN at Robertson Stadium in Houston.

The Miners (1-0) defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff by 31-10 Sept. 4. UTEP was led on the ground by juniors Vernon Frazier and Joe Banyard. They combined for all four of UTEP's touchdowns and a total of 183 yards rushing.

The Cougars (1-0) beat Texas State 68-28. Houston was led by Conference USA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Case Keenum. Keenum completed 17 of 22 passes for 254 yards. He threw five touchdown passes, but he was intercepted twice.

A lot is on the line for this game as both teams carry streaks into the contest. UTEP holds a streak of five consecutive seasons of winning their conference opener. The Miners streak dates back to win they joined C-USA in 2005. Houston is riding a 16 game win streak at home that dates back to Sept. 29, 2007 when they lost to ECU.

The game plan for UTEP against Houston is simple, just outscore the Cougars.

"Score one more point on the opposing team so we can win," senior quarterback Trevor Vittatoe said. "It's really going to be a really fun exciting game and it just gives everyone a little bit more hype knowing so many people will be watching it."

In their last five meetings against each other, the Miners are 2-3 against the Cougars. In 2005, they kicked off their conference season against Houston. They beat the Cougars 44-41 in overtime at the Sun Bowl.

Last year's meeting UTEP upset No. 12 Houston 58-41. Donald Buckram stole the show as he ran for 262 yards with four touchdowns. The game was Buckram's coming out party as the feature back of the UTEP offense.

"I kind of broke away that game," Buckram said. "I proved to the coaches that I could block, run and just have the job to myself."

With the exception of last year's score and the game played in 2006 where UTEP lost 34-17, the games have been back and forth affairs. In 2005, 2007 and 2008 the victories were decided by five points or fewer.

When UTEP and Houston play, defense is thrown out the window as both offenses seem to light up the field. They average more than 1,000 yards combined on offense in the last five games between the two teams.

"It will be fun to play against Houston," head coach Mike Price said. "Their coaches and our coaching staff are good friends and its good to compete hard against your friends and obviously we do."

As for the status of Buckram, who was sitting out last week's season opener with a bruise knee, said he is confident that he will be ready to go against Houston.

"It's getting better, that's all I can really say right now that it's getting better," Buckram said. "But it looks pretty good, I can run now. It looks pretty good I can play this weekend."

Houston will have a new look on defense as they also start the year with a new defensive coordinator. Houston's defensive coordinator Brian Stewart spent nine years in the NFL. His last stint was coaching the Dallas Cowboys defense as the defensive coordinator.

UTEP will also have players coming back. Junior linebacker Jeremy Springer is set to return to the field after an injury he sustained in the off-season.

Travaun Nixon, Evan Davis and Marlon McClure are all cleared to play after serving a one game suspension.

"They've done a good job with their responsibilities," Price said. "They've gone over and beyond what I expected them to do."

Alex Morales may be reached at prospector@utep.edu.