EL PASO, Texas (AP) -Mike Price's Miners would love another shootout with Houston. At least that would mean their offense has bounced back from last week's drubbing at Texas.

The 12th-ranked Cougars and Texas-El Paso open Conference USA play on Saturday. Houston (3-0) has won three straight in the series, though last year's game in Houston was close.

UTEP led the Cougars 28-16 going into the fourth quarter, but couldn't hold on as Houston quarterback Case Keenum made a run for the end zone to put the game out of reach with less than a minute to play.

Keenum hasn't slowed down much. He's now mentioned in Heisman Trophy talk by some following wins against Oklahoma State and, last week, a 29-28 nail-biter over Texas Tech.

Keenum insists he's focusing on UTEP and trying not to worry about the Cougars' undefeated record.

``We don't feel the pressure of keeping the record perfect, we still have to play like we have nothing to lose,'' Keenum said. ``It doesn't matter if we went 3-0 or 0-3 in the past three games, it's a 0-0 season now and we have to continue to do everything the same way.''

The Cougars, ranked for the first time since 1991, are hoping to become a BCS spoiler. UTEP, on the other hand, is fighting for respect and a chance to salvage their season after a 1-3 start that includes last week's 64-7 rout at No. 2 Texas.

The problems are widespread and the Miners are banged up. More than a dozen players sat out some of the practices this week

Last week in Austin, junior quarterback Trevor Vittatoe threw for just 35 yards, completing seven of 21 pass attempts, and was picked off four times.

Price said Vittatoe will remain his starter, despite needing to work on his ``mental toughness.''

``I think Trevor is the best quarterback in the program right now, he's just not playing that way,'' Price said.

Signs posted around the Sun Bowl tout the start of conference play as a chance for a fresh start.

``We all need to click on offense, all our blocking needs to go with our runs,'' said junior running back Donald Buckram. ``All our passes need to go with our runs, just everything needs to click ... and we'll be fine.''

Buckram is the Miners' leading rusher with 298 yards on 46 carries, but he was held to just 46 yards on nine carries by the Longhorns.

Houston coach Kevin Sumlin said his Cougars can't look past UTEP.

``We have many goals, but they all start with where we are in the West (Division) in Conference USA,'' Sumlin said. ``For us, that's enough to get our attention this week.''

Keenum threw for 435 yards and one touchdown before rushing into the end zone for the game-winning score in the final seconds last week at home. He told reporters this week that while he savors the mammoth celebrations the followed the Texas Tech win, he has to put to the memories behind him for now and focus on the Miners.

``UTEP is a talented team, however they are playing, so they will come and play us hard,'' Keenum said. ``It is going to be a battle.''

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AP Sports Writer Kristie Rieken contributed to this report from Houston.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.