MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Freshman quarterback David Piland passed for a career-high five touchdowns and Houston routed Memphis 56-17 in a Conference USA game Saturday night.

Piland completed 20 of 23 passes for 292 yards, with two scoring tosses to Patrick Edwards. The Cougars (5-3, 4-1) improved the conference's highest-scoring average to 41.5 points a game with their second-highest output of the season, and remained tied with Southern Methodist in the league standings.

Piland, who made his debut Oct. 9 against Mississippi State with a career-high 301 yards passing, has performed with uncommon poise. In each of his four games, he has passed for at least 233 yards.

Edwards also returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown. Teammate Michael Hayes had 123 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries.

Gregory Ray had 176 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries for Memphis (1-7, 0-5).