Houston’s BCS hopes dashed by loss in C-USA title game
HOUSTON – Southern Mississippi coach Larry Fedora wouldn’t take the blame for costing Conference USA its first spot in the Bowl Championship Series and the millions of dollars that come with it by upsetting Houston in the league title game.
In fact, Fedora says he knows exactly which team should take the spot in the BCS that would have gone to the Cougars if they had stayed unbeaten.
“We didn’t cost this conference any money, because we ought to be in a BCS bowl,” Fedora said after the 24th-ranked Golden Eagles beat No. 7 Houston 49-28 Saturday. “If Houston’s not going, we ought to be going and then everybody would get their money like they want.”
Austin Davis threw four touchdown passes and No. 24 Southern Mississippi ruined Houston’s perfect season and BCS hopes with the win.
It was star quarterback Case Keenum’s last home game for Houston for sure, and could’ve also been the finale for coach Kevin Sumlin, who has been mentioned as a top candidate for virtually every higher-profile job opening.
The victory should fuel more rumors about Fedora who, like Sumlin, is another hot name linked to various jobs. Fedora, completing his fourth season with the Golden Eagles, is a former offensive coordinator at Florida (2002-04) and Oklahoma State (2005-07).
Houston (12-1) was poised to impress a national-television audience and representatives from the Orange and Sugar Bowl, who attended Saturday’s game. Keenum could’ve also made one last case for an invitation to next week’s Heisman Trophy ceremony.
Instead, the Golden Eagles (11-2) turned it into their showcase, shackling Houston’s high-powered offense and striking with several big plays of their own to win their first C-USA title game and reach 11 victories for the first time.
They won the title four times before the league realigned into divisions and created a championship game.
“Everybody thought Houston was just going to walk away with this thing and so our guys obviously took objection to that,” Fedora said. “They had something to prove. They were going to play with a chip on their shoulders. They wanted everybody to know that Southern Miss is really a good football team.”
Southern Miss became the first team to hold Houston, averaging more than 50 per game, below 35 this season.
Keenum completed 41 of 67 passes for 373 yards and two touchdowns.
“I thought our defense was dominating today,” Fedora said. “You take away the trash touchdown at the end and the one that our offense gave them and … they score 14 points and that’s the best offense in the country.”