After three quarters of play the Houston Cougars offense has not shown up as it has in the past, but the defense is making up for that by posting a shutout through three quarters of play. The SMU Mustangs nearly got on the board when the had a first-and-goal at the Houston five, but Phillip Steward made an athletic play to pick off J.J. McDermott in the end zone.

In the third quarter the Houston offense has been able to move the ball, but only got into the endzone once. Houston made it down to the SMU 5-yard line and had to settel for a 22-yard chip shot field goal. It was not until Case Keenum was able to connect on a 12-yard pass to Justin Johnson which was Keenum's first touchdown pass on the day and it extended Houston's lead over SMU 23-0. That touchdown was set up by the Houston defense which forced a McDermott fumble which was recovered by D.J. Hayden.

Barring a major collapse Houston should be on their way to victory and be 11-0.