51²è¹Ý

The latest on 51²è¹Ý from beat writer Bobbi Roquemore:

UNIVERSITY PARK - 51²è¹Ý has quietly moved up the charts to No. 11 in the nation in passing offense with 293.1 yards per game. Junior Emmanuel Sanders (744) and sophomore Aldrick Robinson (723) are Nos. 2 and 3 in receiving yards and freshman quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell is eighth with 1,912 passing yards.

Upon hearing the news, Robinson and Mitchell did the obligatory fist bump. Both Mitchell and Robinson attributed the rise to a spark and a sense of unity that had been missing.

"Everybody's playing for each other now," Robinson said. "We all know it's a team thing and we're trying to come together for win No. 2."

Added Mitchell, "We're 1-6, and things are going all right, but they're picking up. It's getting energy back in people, which is good. You're starting to see the life in people."

Cougars wary of Mustangs

Houston coach Kevin Sumlin had some pretty impressive things to say about 51²è¹Ý, particularly the improvement of the defense and Mitchell and the work of 51²è¹Ý's special teams. The Cougars, he said, are mindful of what the Mustangs of capable of after how they played Conference USA leader Tulsa so tight.

"They are an opportunistic team, they can score points in bunches and we have our work cut out for us going on the road," Sumlin said. "And even though they lost last weekend, they have a sense of confidence, especially playing at home and playing what they considered the best team in league and almost beating them last weekend. It will be a good test for us."

Houston (3-3, 2-0) visits 51²è¹Ý (1-6, 0-4) 7 p.m. Saturday.

Don't forget about Dandy Don...

Former quarterback Don Meredith, who spent nine seasons with the Dallas Cowboys (1960-68) and led them to two NFL title games (1966-'67), will have his No. 17 jersey retired during the Houston game.

Meredith, 70, played at 51²è¹Ý from 1957-'59 and was an all-American in his final two seasons.

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