QBs will set tone in C-USA title game

Record-setting quarterback Case Keenum and Houston Cougars are one game away from the team's first-ever trip to a BCS bowl game. The Southern Miss Golden Eagles would like to make sure that trip doesn't happen. Southern Miss is the only thing standing between sixth-ranked Houston and an at-large BCS berth. The two teams meet at 11 a.m. Saturday at a sold out Robertson Stadium in the Conference USA championship game. While the undefeated Cougars (12-0, 8-0 in CUSA), will be the favorites in the game, they can't afford to take anything for granted. "It's huge," Keenum said. "A lot of that is because it's this week and it's the only one we can take care of right now. For all the seniors and myself we've got two football games left. That's not very many. It's gone by really fast and we've done some special things, but there are even more special things out there." Keenum has been at the forefront of most of those special things. The senior from Abilene, who is the NCAA all-time leader in passing yards, just won the Sammy Baugh Award for the second time in his career as the nation's top passer. A finalist for several other awards, Keenum also is the all-time leader in total offense, touchdown passes, total touchdowns, completions and 300-yard games. There's no doubt No. 23 Southern Miss (10-2, 6-2) knows the key to slowing down the Cougars is slowing down Keenum. "He's got some great players around him," said Southern Miss head coach Larry Fedora, whose team finished second in the conference in total defense. "Case has been there for around 10 years. He can sling it around the park. I'm sure he was a gym rat. He's the son of the high school coach. It's all he knows. He's a guy who's probably been studying his whole life. The system fits him perfectly." While Keenum has been outstanding, the Cougars know he's not the only quarterback playing who can change the complexion of a game. Southern Miss senior Austin Davis averages 254 yards passing a game and has 24 touchdown passes. The Cougars rank third in CUSA in pass defense and first in interceptions and sacks. Getting to Davis will be key for the Cougars. "They have a quality quarterback in Austin Davis," Houston head coach Kevin Sumlin said. "He can throw the ball and forces you to cover the whole field. There is no doubt that they will be able to move the ball. It will be another great challenge for our defense."