• Box score

After the dust settled on their most dominating performance of the season, the Houston Cougars said all the right things about the Top 25 and the fact they aren't ranked despite being undefeated.

Their words in the aftermath said one thing, but their actions on the field for 60 minutes on Saturday said quite another.

The Cougars put together their most complete team effort of the season en route to crushing East Carolina 56-3 before 30,126 on Saturday night at Robertson Stadium.

For those who believe in statement wins, the Cougars (6-0, 2-0 Conference USA) provided a strong one. UH delivered the Pirates (1-4, 1-1) — whose other three losses have come to teams that are ranked or have been ranked in the Top 25 at some point this season — their largest C-USA defeat in program history.

Foil the Pirates

The Cougars also held East Carolina without a touchdown for the first time since Nov. 5, 2009.

"We executed in all phases," UH coach Kevin Sumlin said.

For the Cougars, who came into the week two spots outside the Associated Press Top 25 and one spot outside the USA Today Coaches Poll, the win included a signature performance from their defense.

After allowing 538 yards, including a season-high 271 rushing, to UTEP in their previous outing, the Cougars stonewalled East Carolina with a stingy run defense (30 carries, 21 yards), relentless quarterback pressure (nine sacks) and four turnovers, all of which were interceptions.

UH yielded just 284 yards, well below the 413.4 per game they were giving up prior to Saturday.

Perhaps even more impressive, they did it without three injured starting defensive backs.

"It was nothing special," senior defensive end David Hunter said. "We just went out there and played the way we knew we were supposed to play. To me, it's not a surprise, because I see this every day at practice. I know what these guys can do."

Potent offense

The offense was its usual high-powered self and got off to a quick start at home as it had in its previous two home games, but it was the Cougars' first defensive stand, in which they forced the Pirates to punt after three plays on the heels of a Hunter sack, that set the tone and allowed the Cougars to race to a quick 14-0 advantage.

Outside linebackers Sammy Brown and George Bamfo combined for 4.5 sacks and junior linebacker Phillip Steward came up with two interceptions, the first of which led to UH's fifth score, giving the Cougars a 35-3 lead late in the second quarter.

Offensively, senior quarterback Case Keenum was efficient and effective (30-for-37, 304 yards, three touchdowns).

Senior receiver Patrick Edwards continued his strong play (12 catches, 133 yards, two touchdowns) and sophomore running back Charles Sims (84 yards, two touchdowns), dazzled again.

UH finished with 572 offensive yards on the night. With the win, the Cougars are now bowl-eligible and go into their open date with plenty to feel good about halfway through the season, even if they aren't ranked.

"If we continue to win, those things take care of themselves," Sumlin said. "Sooner or later, if you keep winning, it's going to take care of itself."

sam.khan@chron.com

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