University of Houston Athletics
Game Notes: Houston at Memphis
10/7/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
| THE GAME AT A GLANCE | |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, Oct. 11 |
| Time | 6 p.m. CST |
| Location | Memphis, Tenn. |
| Venue | Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium |
| Capacity | 59,308 |
| Surface | AstroTurf |
| TV | CBS Sports Network |
| Radio | KPRC 950 AM |
| Live Stats | UHCougars.com |
Hits on Houston |
» Houston looks to return to .500 when it heads to Memphis Saturday for its first American Athletic Conference road game of the season at 6 p.m. at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Houston opened up league play with a 17-12 loss to 2014 American and Fiesta Bowl champion UCF while Memphis went on the road to defeat Cincinnati, 41-14, to open conference action.
» Houston opened its new on-campus facility, TDECU Stadium, on Aug. 29. The 40,755 at Houston's opener set a record for games played on the UH campus and was the largest Houston home crowd since 1991.
» Houston's depth chart sports 14 underclassmen vs. 30 upperclassmen, including 13 seniors. It's a change from 2013 when 23 underclassmen dotted the Houston depth chart in the season opener. The change in numbers are evidence of the talented depth built by Tony Levine's first three recruiting classes, billed by some as the best in UH history.
» The Third Ward Defense is second in The American in scoring defense (18.2/game), total defense (313.6/game) and passing defense (148.6/game).
» After leading the nation in 2013 with a +25 turnover margin and 43 turnovers gained, Houston ranks 10th nationally with 14 turnovers forced through five games.
» Houston has forced multiple turnovers in 23 of its last 26 games and has a turnover in 28 straight games.
» Houston named sophomore Greg Ward Jr. its starting quarterback on Sunday. Ward, who saw action in 10 games as a true freshman last season, moved to receiver last spring and had been one of Houston's starting receivers and its starting punt returner. Ward moved into the backfield last week vs. UCF, finishing the night with 116 yards on 10-of-17 passing.
Coaches |
Tony Levine | Minnesota, 1996 | 16-15 (3rd year as HC/7th year at UH)
Justin Fuente | Murray State, 1999 | 10-19 (3rd year)
Facts on the Series |
» Series Record Overall: Houston leads, 13-9 » Series Record at Houston: Houston leads, 6-4 » Series Record at Memphis: Houston leads, 7-5 » Last Meeting: Houston 25, Memphis 15 (Oct. 12, 2013 at Houston)
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The Opponent |
» In its third season under head coach Justin Fuente, Memphis enters Saturday night's matchup at 3-2, alternating wins and losses since starting the year off with a 63-0 win over Austin Peay. Losses to ranked opponents in UCLA (42-35) and Ole Miss (24-3) sandwiched a win over Middle Tennessee (36-17) before the Tigers opened up league play with a 41-14 win at Cincinnati last Saturday.
» Memphis is led offensively by sophomore quarterback Paxton Lynch who has shown the ability to score through the air with seven touchdowns or on the ground with five touchdowns, a number that leads The American. Memphis has three running backs with at least 43 rushing attemps on the year, led by sophomore Sam Craft who is coming off a 170-yard game vs. Cincinnati. Five players have receiving TDs for Memphis, led by junior tight end Alan Cross with three.
» Defensively, linebacker Tank Jakes leads the nation with three forced fumbles and 12 tackles for loss, part of a team-best 43 tackles. Jakes leads The American with six sacks and has picked off a pass as well. Cornerback Bobby McCain leads The American with three interceptions.
» Houston owns a 13-9 lead in the Memphis series including a mark of 7-5 at Memphis. The Cougars have claimed the last four meetings with Memphis last winning on Oct. 15, 2005, a 35-20 win at Houston.
Ties With Memphis |
» Seven Houston seniors entered the season having already earned an undergraduate degree. Eric Braswell, Jeremiah Farley, Rowdy Harper, Bryce Redman, Shane Ros, Daniel Spencer and Jon Witten all completed degree requirements prior to this season.
» Five additional Cougars will complete their degree requirements this December: Wayne Beadle, Randall Hollimon, Joey Mbu, Emeka Okafor and Efrem Oliphant.
About the Cougars |
» Twenty-eight full or part-time starters return in 2014 for Houston. The 2013 leader in every major stat category, outside of punting and field goals (Richie Leone), returns for the Cougars as well.
» The program welcomes an incoming class of 27 that is comprised of 23 high school student-athletes, one junior college transfer and three four-year transfers. Two of the 27 newcomers enrolled in the program in January for spring workouts - QB Bear Fenimore and OL Carter Wall.
» Houston's roster sports 54 upperclassmen and 58 underclassmen. Fourteen players redshirted in 2013.
» Fifty-seven players saw action in Houston's opening game of the season including 17 making their UH debut.
Honoring Andre Ware |
» This season marks the silver anniversary of Houston's Andre Ware capturing the 1989 Heisman Trophy.
» The Houston legend, who spends his weekends as a color analyst for ESPN College Football and the Houston Texans radio team, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004.
» Ware is being honored this year on the field with his jersey number, 11, marked on the 11-yard line in the southeast corner of John O'Quinn Field at TDECU Stadium.
| THE AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE STANDINGS | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN | OVERALL | |||||||
| TEAM | W | L | Pct. | W | L | Pct. | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
| ECU | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 4 | 1 | .800 | W, SMU | at USF |
| Temple | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 3 | 1 | .750 | - | Tulsa |
| Memphis | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 3 | 2 | .600 | W, at Cincinnati | Houston |
| UCF | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 2 | 2 | .500 | W, at Houston | BYU |
| USF | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 2 | 3 | .400 | - | East Carolina |
| Tulsa | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 1 | 4 | .200 | L, at Colorado State | at Temple |
| Cincinnati | 0 | 1 | .000 | 2 | 2 | .500 | L, Memphis | at Miami (FL) |
| Houston | 0 | 1 | .000 | 2 | 3 | .400 | L, UCF | at Memphis |
| Tulane | 0 | 1 | .000 | 1 | 4 | .200 | - | UConn |
| SMU | 0 | 1 | .000 | 0 | 5 | .000 | L, at ECU | - |
| UConn | 0 | 2 | .000 | 1 | 4 | .200 | - | at Tulane |
| 2014 NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conference | Overall | |||||||
| TEAM | W | L | Pct. | W | L | Pct. | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
| UTSA (C-USA) | 0 | 1 | .000 | 1 | 4 | .200 | L, New Mexico | Florida International |
| Grambling (SWAC) | 3 | 0 | 1.000 | 3 | 3 | .500 | W, at Alabama A&M | Alcorn State |
| BYU (Independent) | - | - | - | 4 | 1 | .800 | L, Utah State | at UCF |
| UNLV (MWC) | 0 | 2 | .000 | 1 | 5 | .167 | L, at San Jose State | Fresno State |
Remembering Sam Hariston |
» University of Houston Football letterman and Sgt. 1st Class Sam Hairston was killed on Aug. 12 in Ghazni, Afghanistan when his unit took small-arms fire from the enemy.
» Hairston, 35, competed as a linebacker and defensive lineman with Houston Football from 1997 to 2000. He competed in 42 games during that time, posting 55 tackles with four sacks, an interception and fumble recovery.
» Hairston was a paratrooper and platoon sergeant with A Company, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division of Fort Bragg, N.C.
» His awards included the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation with two oak leaf clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, Iraqi Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
» Hairston is survived by his wife, Staff Sgt. Tawana Hairston, and his son, Hayden.
» Houston will wear decals to honor both Hairston and former All-American Robert Newhouse who passed away in late July. The black circular decals feature the jersey numbers of Hairston (34) and Newhouse (46) in red font.
Degrees in Hand |
» Seven Houston seniors entered the season having already earned an undergraduate degree. Eric Braswell, Jeremiah Farley, Rowdy Harper, Bryce Redman, Shane Ros, Daniel Spencer and Jon Witten all completed degree requirements prior to this season.
» Five additional Cougars complete their degree requirements this December: Wayne Beadle, Randall Hollimon, Joey Mbu, Emeka Okafor and Efrem Oliphant.
On the Offensive |
» Since 2006, no team in college football has racked up more offensive yards than Houston who has 55,194 yards in that time.
» Houston has scored in 176 straight games dating back to Sept. 30, 2000.
» UH opened 2013 by scoring in the first 32 quarters of the season and was the nation's last team to be held scoreless in a quarter before UCF posted a first-quarter shutout on Nov. 9.
» Of Houston's 65 offensive scoring drives last season, 32 came in under two minutes. Sixteen of those 32 came in under a minute. Its quickest lasted just four seconds against SMU. Twenty-four drives lasted five plays or less.
» Thirteen Houston scoring drives this season have been less than two minutes with eight less than one minute.
» Ten scoring drives this season have lasted four plays or less with three one-play touchdown drives.
Explosive Plays |
»From 2010-12, Houston trailed just Oklahoma State in explosive plays of 20 yards or longer with 254 to OSU's 261.
» UH ended 2013 with 106 explosive plays on the season including 20 touchdowns.
» Demarcus Ayers led the team with 27 explosive plays including two touchdowns. Ayers had 23 kick returns and four receptions over 20 yards. Deontay Greenberry was second with 19 receptions of 20 yards or more.
» Greenberry led Houston with five touchdowns of 20 yards or longer each while Spencer was second with four long TDs.
» Houston's 18 offensive plays of 40 yards or longer and seven plays of 60 yards or longer led the American in 2013.
» Through six weeks, Houston is 21st nationally and third in The American with five plays of 50 or more yards from scrimmage.
» Ayers leads Houston this season with eight explosive plays followed by Spencer and Greenberry with five each. Greenberry owns the longest play of the season, a 67-yard reception vs. Grambling. Spencer has the longest scoring play of the year, a 45-yard reception at BYU to close out the first half.
Off. Coaching Changes |
» Entering his third season at Houston, Travis Bush was elevated to assistant head coach and offensive coordinator and shifted back to leading the program's quarterbacks in January. Bush, whoc coached the running backs in 2013, served as the program's interim play caller and quarterbacks coach for the final 11 games of 2012 and also called Houston's plays in the 2014 BBVA Compass Bowl.from one-yard out against SMU.
» Houston added three offensive assistants this offseason in Dan Hammerschmidt (running backs), Tony Jeffery (outside receivers) and Gordy Shaw (offensive line). The three have a combined 70 years of coaching experience.
| '13 FBS True Freshman Passing TD | |
|---|---|
| 28 | John O'Korn, Houston |
| 20 | Davis Webb, Texas Tech |
| 20 | P.J. Walker, Temple |
| 20 | Christian Hackenburg, Penn State |
| 18 | Jared Goff, Cal |
Openin' Up a Can of O'Korn |
» When David Piland's career ended due to multiple concussions in 2013, John O'Korn received his first career start against Rice. He finished the day with 281 yards and three touchdowns on 15-of-33 passing, becoming just the third player in UH history to throw for at least three TDs in his first start.
» O'Korn led all true freshmen nationally with 28 passing touchdowns, a number that ranked second in The American Athletic Conference behind the 31 from Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater.
» He finished just 14 yards from the Houston record for passing yards by a freshman and captured the UH freshman records for passing touchdowns (28) and completions (259).
» O'Korn, who has added over 25 pounds this offseason, was selected to serve as a counselor at the Manning Passing Academy in July.
» With his 307 yards and three touchdowns against BYU, O'Korn has thrown for at least three touchdowns in seven games and over 300 yards in four games. He has multiple passing touchdowns in 10 career games.
» The sophomore completed a career-best 30 passes at BYU, surpassing his previous high of 29 vs. the Cougars in 2013.
» He needs just 34 to move into the top 10 on the UH career passing yards chart.
» O'Korn reached the 4,000-yard mark in his 18th game vs. UCF, the third-fastest Cougar to reach 4K.
Word on Ward |
» Named Houston's starting quarterback on Sunday, sophomore Greg Ward Jr. returns to a position he saw action at in 10 games last season. After seeing action at receiver and punt returner in the final four games of 2013, Ward moved to the positions full time in spring. He returned to the QB position vs. UCF, finishing with 116 yards on 10-of-17 passing, all career highs.
» Ward finished 2013 with 310 passing yards and one touchdown on 19-of-29 passing while rushing for 176 yards and two touchdowns as well.
» While a dual-threat quarterback, Ward has an viable arm as well, leading Texas Class 4A with 4,202 passing yards and 39 passing TDs against five interceptions as a senior in 2012. Ward also added 861 rushing yards and 13 TDs on the ground. He was named the No. 3 QB in the State of Texas by Dave Campbell.
Slice of Greenberry Pie |
» In his second collegiate season last year, Deontay Greenberry easily surpassed his 2012 numbers. The American's leading receiver with 1,202 yards, he ranked 17th nationally, despite leaving the Louisville game on the first drive of the game with a head injury and missing the SMU game. Greenberry was third in the league and 20th nationally with an average of 6.8 receptions per game.
» Greenberry was second in The American Athletic Conference with 11 receiving touchdowns, a number that ranked 10th nationally. His five 100-yard receiving games ranked second in The American.
» Greenberry became the 17th player in UH history to record 1,000 receiving yards in a season last year as his 1,202 yards were the 10th best single-season total.
» Week three at BYU saw the junior become the 11th player in UH history to record over 2,000 yards receiving in a career and move into the top 10 on the Houston career receiving yards chart.
» His effort at BYU with six receptions for 74 yards and two touchdowns marked his third career game with multiple receiving TDs after pulling in two vs. BYU in 2013 and three vs. Rutgers last season.
» Greenberry has pulled in at least six receptions in 14 of 29 career games.
» He needs just eight receptions to move into the top 10 on the career receptions chart at UH.
Batman |
» Daniel Spencer, a huge fan of Batman, is quickly climbing the Houston career charts with Greenberry. His efforts were bolstered by a 10-reception, 133-yard effort, including one touchdown at BYU.
» The senior now ranks 13th in Houston history with six 100-yard receiving games in his career. Spencer was tied for third in The American with four 100-yard games last season.
» Spencer needs 246 yards to become the 12th player in Houston history to eclipse 2,000 yards receiving in a career and just 19 yards to move into the top 15 on the Houston career receiving yards chart.
» He has a reception in 28 straight games.
» Greenberry and Spencer are two of 11 with receptions this season including four who have touchdown receptions. Greenberry and Spencer each have two TD receptions while Greg Ward Jr. and Ryan Jackson have TD receptions as well.
Thunder and Lightning |
» Houston's backfield features a thunder-and-lightning combination in junior RBs Kenneth Farrow and Ryan Jackson. The two helped Houston to 399 yards on the ground vs. UNLV as the Cougars fell just one yard short of their first 400-yard rushing game since 1985.
» Jackson led the way for Houston in 2013 with 661 yards on 139 carries (4.8 average) and six touchdowns. Farrow matched his touchdowns, playing in two fewer games, and finished the year with 514 yards on 103 carries (4.8 average).
» Farrow leads The American with two 100-yard rushing games this season with 130 vs. Grambling and 113 vs. UNLV.
» Farrow notched his first career 100-yard rushing game vs. Grambling including a career-long 55-yard run on the game's first play, and one TD. The junior was named to The American's weekly honor roll as he averaged 10 yards a carry on the night.
» Jackson leads The American with four career 100-yard games, including a career-high 147 rushing yards vs. UNLV. Jackson also added a 26-yard TD reception in the game vs. the Rebels.
» Redshirt-freshman Javin Webb made his debut vs. Grambling, finishing with 72 yards on eight carries. He added his first career TD against UNLV, an 11-yard score as he finished the day with 54 yards on 10 carries.
The Line on the Line |
» Two of Houston's most experienced players anchor the line in RG Rowdy Harper and C Bryce Redman, both seniors. Harper has started 44 consecutive games, every game of his career. The 44-game streak ties for the nation's longest among offensive linemen. Redman has started the last 24 games at center, taking over early in 2012 and never looking back.
» Houston welcomed three new starters to its offensive line in LT Travis Cross, RG Ben Dew and RT Alex Cooper, all juniors. Cross (Oklahoma State) and Dew (Hawaii) both transferred to Houston this season while Cooper enters his fourth season with the Cougars. Cooper has provided depth along the line for the last two seasons, recording one start in 2013 as a jumbo tight end.
» The starting line sports an average height of 6-4 with an average weight of 300 pounds.
» The group took a major hit in the spring when junior LT Zach Johnson suffered a torn ACL and was lost for the year.
Take it Away,Don't Give it Away |
» Houston led the nation in 2013 with a +25 turnover margin.
» The Houston defense led the nation with 43 forced turnovers - 18 fumbles (NCAA best) and 25 interceptions (second nationally).
» Offensively, Houston committed just 18 turnovers: eight fumbles and 10 interceptions. The 18 turnovers were second lowest in The American behind Louisville (10).
» Ten players had interceptions for the Houston defense with Adrian McDonald leading The American with six interceptions, a number that ranked seventh nationally.
» Eleven had fumble recoveries, led by Trevon Stewart with six recoveries, a number that led the nation. Eleven players forced fumbles including five players with two apiece.
» If you haven't picked up on it yet, Stewart is a turnover machine. Stewart led the nation with a combined 10 turnovers - interceptions (4) and fumble recoveries (6).
» UH has forced multiple turnovers in 23 of its last 26 games and a turnover in 28 straight games, ranking second in the NCAA.
» Houston ranks 10th nationally this season with 14 turnovers forced through five games.
» A nation's best seven players have interceptions this season with four accounting for six fumble recoveries.
» McDonald leads The American with four turnovers - two fumble recoveries and two interceptions. His fumble recoveries rank fourth nationally. Leading into the UCF game, McDonald had gained a turnover in seven straight games dating back to 2013.
» Houston has converted its 14 turnovers into 10 scores, 71.4 percent, leading to 54 points on the year.
» Players credit the ability to create turnovers on the emphasis paid on turnovers in practice, especially on Turnover Tuesdays.
Welcome Back, Defensive Staff |
» For the first time since the 2009 season, there was no change on the Houston Football defensive staff. Defensive coordinator David Gibbs and linebackers coach Vernon Hargreaves enter their second seasons while defensive backs coach Zach Spavital enters his seventh season and defensive line coach Ricky Logo his third.
Third Ward D |
» Houston ranked third nationally among most improved scoring defenses in 2013. In giving up 21.8 points per game, Houston allowed 14.2 points less per game than 2012.
» The scoring defense output was the lowest in 14 years since the 1999 defense held opponents to 19 points per game.
» This year's version is continuing to lower the scoring average, entering the Memphis game with an average of 18.2 points per game, ranking second in The American and 18th nationally.
» The defensive side is giving up just 148.6 yards per game through the air, ranking seventh nationally, while ranking 17th nationally in total defense at 313.6 yards per game.
» The defense pitched the 38th shutout of Houston history in the second game of the season, blanking Grambling in a 47-0 Houston win. The Tigers are averaging 30.8 points per game against all other opponents.
» On average this season, the Houston defense is forcing 5.2 three-and-outs per game, a number that ranks second in The American behind the 5.25 of Temple.
» UH has allowed just 11 plays of 20 yards or more, a number that is second nationally.
» The 2013 defense held UCF (19), Louisville (20) and SMU (0) to their lowest scoring outputs of the season, with both teams scoring 16 points less then their season average.
Anything but Secondary |
» The secondary group made a name for itself in the takeaway department last season, recording 29 of the team's 43 turnovers or 67 percent.
» The group has eight of the season's first 14 turnovers with interceptions from Adrian McDonald, Trevon Stewart, William Jackson, Howard Wilson and Earl Foster while McDonald also has two fumble recoveries.
» At free safety, Stewart has started the last 27 games of his career, earning FWAA Freshman All-America honors in 2012. The Patterson, La., native led the nation in 2013 with six fumble recoveries and four interceptions.
» A high school quarterback, McDonald started at strong safety in 2013 and led The American with six interceptions to go along with 99 tackles, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery. He leads The American this season with four turnovers - 2 INTs, 2 FR.
» Jackson has taken over one starting corner role full time after recording four starts in 2013. He made his second career interception vs. Grambling.
» The group also welcomed Boise State transfer Lee Hightower who recorded his first UH start vs. UTSA after starting 11 games at Boise. Hightower has started the first four games opposite of Jackson.
» Other corners making their mark include senior Turon Walker, sophomore Brandon Wilson and true freshman Howard Wilson. Brandon Wilson made his first career start at BYU while Howard Wilson has seen significant time at nickel back this season including an interception vs. UNLV.
Tackling Machines |
» The 2013 season saw six Cougars account for 27 games with 10 or more tackles.
» Derrick Mathews leads the team with 15 career double-digit tackle games.
» Mathews leads the nation with 397 career tackles and 42 career tackles for loss. He ranks fifth on Houston's career tackles chart and is seventh on the UH career tackles for loss chart. He also led all linebackers in The American and UH in 2013 with seven sacks.
» Mathews needs 4.5 tackles for loss to move into the top five on the Houston career chart.
» The 2013 leader in tackles with 134, Efrem Oliphant, had double-digit tackles in five of Houston's six final games. Oliphant finished the year 12th nationally and second in The American with an average of 10.3 tackles per game.
» Four players on the Houston roster have accumulated 10 tackles in a game this season led by Oliphant who has accomplished the feat in all five games this season.
Look at the Linebackers |
» Derrick Mathews is the defense's most experienced player with 44 career starts moved to the middle in 2013 after spending 2012 on the weakside. The junior has posted triple-digit tackles in his first three seasons including 116 stops in 2013.
» Mathews was named The American's Defensive Player of the Week with his work against BYU last season. Mathews picked off a pass midway through the first and returned it 29 yards for a TD. He had four tackles for loss in the game including a career-high three sacks. Mathews had back-to-back sacks late in the third quarter, the latter of which resulted in a safety.
» Efrem Oliphant, a veteran of 41 career games with 21 career starts - 13 in 2013, had 13 TFLs, leading The American and eclipsing the 3.5 TFLs he recorded in his first two seasons.
» Oliphant ranks 11th nationally this season with an average of 11.4 tackles per game while Mathews is 33rd nationally with 9.8 tackles per game.
» Outside linebacker Steven Taylor had 10 tackles vs. BYU this season, his fourth career game with double-digit stops and first of his season.
» True freshman Matthew Adams has also seen action at linebacker in all four games and posted one of four sacks at BYU. Adams also forced a fumble vs. Grambling and had four tackles vs. UNLV.
Up Front |
» The Houston defensive line was hands on all season last year as evident by the group's three interceptions - Tyus Bowser, Tomme Mark and B.J. Singleton - along with four blocked kicks - B.J. Singleton (3) and Trevor Harris (1). Singleton's three blocks ranked second nationally.
» Joey Mbu was paired with junior Tomme Mark, who had an interception in Houston's season opener, and the two were part of a rotation that included senior Jeremiah Farley and sophomore B.J. Singleton. Mbu led the defensive tackle group with 29 tackles. Farley led the group with nine tackles for loss including three sacks.
» Harris, a junior college transfer last season, performed admirably with nine games in the starting role, finishing the year with 49 tackles, including 8.5 for a loss, 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble.
» Then-true freshman Tyus Bowser exploded onto the scene in Houston's win over Rice as the end had seven tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, an interception and four quarterback hurries.
» The talented rush defensive end group also includes junior Eric Eiland who started eight games last season and finished with 21 tackles including two tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
» On the other side of the line, sophomores Cameron Malveaux and Chauntez Jackson will be asked to step up in their second year on the field. Malveaux had 12 tackles and one fumble recovery in 12 games last year while Jackson did not record any stats in 10 games last year.
» While senior defensive end Eric Braswell was lost for the season with a torn ACL in the spring, the group added a four-year transfer in Gavin Stansbury, who was Texas A&M's Defensive MVP in 2013.
» Mbu had his second career interception with a catch of a tipped ball vs. BYU. His first career interception came in 2012 at SMU.
» Eiland made a leaping interception vs. UNLV to record his second career pick.
» Six defensive lineman have had their hands in on sacks this season, led by Mbu with 1.5 sacks.
» Mbu currently leads the team with 3.5 tackles for loss. The senior defensive tackle recorded a career-best eight tackles vs. UCF.
» Stansbury joined Mbu with a career-high at UH with seven stops vs. UCF while forcing a fumble as well.
The Book on Bullard |
» Junior Kyle Bullard took over as the team's placekicker in the seventh game of 2013 and holds the position in 2014 after being placed on scholarship in April. Bullard saw action in seven games in 2013 and connected on all 20 extra-point attempts.
» Bullard was perfect on the year, hitting all six field goal attempts including a long of 46 yards at Louisville.
» The junior has hit all12 field goal attempts and is 11-of-14 on extra points this season.
» He is the only kicker in The American with at least three field goal attempts to remain perfect on the year and one of eight kickers nationally to remain perfect with at least three field attempts.
» Bullard was named a Lou Groza Award Star of the Week with his performance vs. UCF, finishing the game with a career-best four field goals including a career-long of 51 yards.
» Bullard set and continues to hold the UH record for consecutive field goals made with 18, passing the previous record of 16 straight from Matt Hogan (2009-10).
» With his four field goals vs. UCF, Bullard recorded the sixth multi-field goal game of his career and the third of 2014. The game also marked his second career game with multiple field goals of at least 40 yards or longer.
» The junior leads all players in The American with 47 points this season.
» He leads the nation with his 12 field goals.
» He currently ranks 15th on the Houston single-season field goal chart with his 12.
The Other Foot |
» Ty Cummings has taken over the starting role as the team's kickoff specialist. As a freshman, Cummings had five kickoffs for an average of 60.8 yards per game including one touchback.
» Cummings has 10 touchbacks in 32 kickoffs this season with an average of 62.5 yards per attempt.
Returns Department |
» Houston had six players with multiple returns in 2013 with four returning for the 2014 season.
» At kick returner, Houston sophomore Demarcus Ayers was named The American Athletic Conference's Co-Special Teams Player of the Year in 2013 as a true freshman.
» Ayers had 37 kick returns for 1,021 yards and led The American with an average return of 27.6 yards per return, a number that ranked 12th nationally. He had a return of at least 40 yards in six games.
» With his 1,021 kick return yards, Ayers set the Houston freshman record and was just 153 yards away from the UH single season record.
» After coming close several times, Ayers finally broke a return for a touchdown against BYU, returning a first-quarter kick 95 yards for Houston's first score of the day.
» Ayers was second in the nation with 12 kickoff returns over 30 yards in 2013.
» Jack-of-all-trades Greg Ward Jr. took over as Houston's starting punt returner in the season's final two games, finishing with two returns for six yards.
» Markeith Ambles is the fourth UH player with multiple returns in 2013, finishing with two kickoff returns for 60 yards and one punt return for one yard.
» Ayers moved into the top five on the Houston career kick return yards chart vs. UCF and currently has 1,351 career kick return yards.
» Ayers needs just 105 kick return yards to move into fourth place and 117 to move into third.
Punter & Punter |
» Houston opened the year with two punters sharing the duties in juniors Dylan Seibert and Logan Piper before Piper took over the starting role vs. UNLV.
» Piper joined the program in 2013 after two years with the Houston Baseball program.
» Piper has 10 punts this season with three resulting in fair catches inside the opponent's 20-yard line. He had a career-long 54-yard punt vs. UNLV in his first career start.
» Seibert, an Oklahoma transfer, served as Houston's holder in 2013.
» Seibert handled all six of Houston's punt attempts vs. UTSA, with an average of 39.0 yards per attempt.
» Seibert bumped his average up vs. Grambling as he averaged 45.5 yards per kick on his two punts.
