Game Notes: Houston at Cincinnati
12/2/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
| THE GAME AT A GLANCE | |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, Dec. 6 |
| Time | 11:00 a.m. CST |
| Location | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Venue | Paul Brown Stadium |
| Capacity | 65,515 |
| Surface | Synthetic Turf |
| TV | ESPN |
| Radio | KPRC 950 AM |
| Live Stats | UHCougars.com |
Hits on Houston |
» Houston (7-4, 5-2 The American) closes out the regular season Saturday at 11 a.m. when it heads to Cincinnati (8-3, 6-1 The American) in a game nationally broadcasted by ESPN. The Cougars are coming off a 35-9 win at SMU while Cincinnati defeated Temple on the road, 14-6.
» 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 Houston defense has forced a turnover in 34 straight games an active streak that leads the nation and has forced multiple turnovers in 28 of its last 32 games. Houston led the nation in 2013 with 43 turnovers and through 14 weeks of the 2014 season sits fifth nationally with 30 turnovers and fourth nationally with 19 interceptions.
» The Third Ward Defense is 10th nationally in scoring defense (17.8/game), 11th in passing defense (184.6/game) and 13th in total defense (319.5). UH is 11th nationally in pass efficiency defense (106.27). Saturday's game will be a clash of strengths as Cincinnati leads The American with a passing efficiency rating of 144.86 while Gunner Kiel has a rating of 150.4.
» Sophomore receiver-turned-quarterback Greg Ward Jr. won his first three starts at the QB position including a 29-of-33 passing performance against Temple that resulted in 268 yards and two TD passes. Temple entered the game sixth nationally and first in The American with a pass efficiency defense of 97.1. Ward ended the night with a pass efficiency rating of 176.1.
Grinding Away on the Ground |
» The second half of the season has seen more of an emphasis on the ground game with Houston averaging 195.0 rushing yards in its last six games after averaging 155.0 in its first five games. With the rushing total increasing, the total offense average has also increased from 375.0 to 404.8 per game.
» UH is averaging 43.2 rushing attempts in last six games compared to 32.2 in its first five games.
» Houston's backs have accounted for seven 100-yard rushing games as Kenneth Farrow leads The American with five games over the century mark and Ryan Jackson has two games, both in games Farrow accomplished the feat as well.
» Houston is 5-0 in games Farrow has rushed for over 100 yards and is 12-0 under Levine when a player rushes for over 100 yards.
» Farrow leads The American with 11 rushing touchdowns.
Coaches |
Tony Levine | Minnesota, 1996 | 21-16 (3rd year as HC/7th year at UH)
Tommy Tuberville | Southern Arkansas, 1976 | 17-7 (2nd year at Cincinnati) Overall: 147-84 (19 years)
Facts on the Series |
» Series Record Overall: Houston leads, 13-9 » Series Record at Houston: Houston leads, 9-4 » Series Record at Cincinnati: Cincinnati leads, 5-4 » Last Meeting: Cincinnati 24, Houston 17 (Nov. 23, 2013)
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The Opponent |
» In its second season under head coach Tommy Tuberville, Cincinnati enters Saturday's meeting with a record of 8-3 including a mark of 6-1 in American games. Cincinnati owns wins over Toledo (58-34), Miami of Ohio (31-24), SMU (41-3), USF (34-17), Tulane (38-14), East Carolina (54-46), UConn (41-0) and Temple (14-6). The Bearcats three losses have come at the hands of Ohio State (50-28), Memphis (41-14) and Miami of Florida (55-34).
» Cincinnati is led offensively by sophomore quarterback Gunner Kiel who has thrown for 2,820 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on 204-of-340 passing. Senior running back Rod Moore leads the Bearcats on the ground with 521 yards and five touchdowns. Junior Mekale McKay is Cincinnati's leading receiver with 643 yards and eight TDs on 39 receptions. Senior receiver Derrikk Thompson is SMU's top deep threat with 512 yards on 31 receptions.
» Defensively, Cincinnati is sixth in The American in scoring defense (26.4), eighth in rushing defense (176.6) and passing defense (257.8) and ninth in total defense (434.5). Senior linebacker Jeff Luc leads Cincinnati with 114 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. Senior defensive end Terrell Hartsfield leads The American with eight sacks.
» Houston leads the series with Cincinnati, 13-9 although the Bearcats have won the last four meetings and own a 5-4 mark in Cincinnati. The Bearcats claimed last year's meeting in Houston, 24-17, in a game that saw Cincinnati outgain Houston, 573-278, in wet and dreary conditions.
Ties With Cincinnati |
» Houston head coach Tony Levine spent two seasons as a graduate assistant on Tommy Tuberville's Auburn staff from 2000-01. Cincinnati's offensive coordinator Eddie Gran was also on the Auburn staff during Levine's tenure at the school.
» Houston outside receivers coach Tony Jeffery and Cincinnati safeties coach Jeff Koonz spent two seasons (2006, 2009) on the same Texas staff. Jeffery served as a quality control coach for the Longhorns from 2006-09 while Koonz had two stints in Austin as a linebackers coach in 2006 and as a quality control coach in 2009.
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 |
| Memphis | 7 | 1 | .875 | 9 | 3 | .750 | W, UConn | - |
| Cincinnati | 6 | 1 | .857 | 8 | 3 | .727 | W, at Temple | Houston |
| UCF | 6 | 1 | .857 | 8 | 3 | .727 | W, at USF | at East Carolina |
| East Carolina | 5 | 2 | .714 | 8 | 3 | .727 | W, Tulsa | UCF |
| Houston | 5 | 2 | .714 | 7 | 4 | .636 | W, at SMU | at Cincinnati |
| Temple | 3 | 4 | .429 | 5 | 6 | .454 | L, Cincinnati | at Tulane |
| USF | 3 | 5 | .375 | 4 | 8 | .333 | L, UCF | - |
| Tulane | 2 | 5 | .286 | 3 | 8 | .273 | - | Temple |
| Tulsa | 2 | 6 | .250 | 2 | 10 | .167 | L, East Carolina | - |
| UConn | 1 | 6 | .143 | 2 | 9 | .182 | L, at Memphis | SMU |
| SMU | 0 | 7 | .000 | 0 | 11 | .000 | L, Houston | at UConn |
| 2014 NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conference | Overall | |||||||
| TEAM | W | L | Pct. | W | L | Pct. | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
| UTSA (C-USA) | 3 | 5 | .375 | 4 | 8 | .333 | W, North Texas | - |
| Grambling (SWAC) | 7 | 2 | .778 | 7 | 5 | .583 | L, Southern | - |
| BYU (Independent) | - | - | - | 8 | 4 | .667 | W, at California | - |
| UNLV (MWC) | 1 | 7 | .125 | 2 | 11 | .154 | L, Nevada | - |
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, only Oregon (58,257) has racked up more offensive yards than Houston who has 57,629 yards in that time.
» Houston has scored in 182 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.
» Twenty-three Houston scoring drives this season have been less than two minutes with 12 less than one minute.
» Nineteen scoring drives this season have lasted four plays or less with four one-play touchdown drives.
» Houston has outscored its opponents by 61 points in the fourth quarter (91-30), a quarter scoring advantage that ranks fifth nationally.
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.
» This season, Houston has 68 explosive plays with 11 explosive touchdowns.
» Ayers leads Houston this season with 11 explosive plays followed by Greenberry and Ryan Jackson with nine explosive plays each. Greenberry owns the longest play of the season, a 67-yard reception vs. Grambling.
» Greg Ward Jr. owns the season's longest rush and longest scoring play with a 64-yard TD scamper at Memphis.
» Ward was involved in five of Houston's seven explosive plays vs. Memphis with two explosive rushing attempts and three explosive passing plays.
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, who 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.
» 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.
Word on Ward |
» Named Houston's starting quarterback vs. Memphis, sophomore Greg Ward Jr. returned 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.
» Ward ranks sixth nationally in completion percentage, completing 69.6 percent of his passes or 135-of-194 attempts.
» He first returned to the QB position on Oct. 2 vs. UCF, finishing with 116 yards on 10-of-17 passing.
» In his first career start at Memphis on Oct. 11, Ward rushed for a game-best 95 yards including a 64-yard TD scamper. He finished with 188 passing yards on 17-of-28 passing including his second career passing TD, a 25-yard strike to Markeith Ambles.
» Ward moved to 2-0 when he led Houston to a win over Temple, finishing the night with an 88 percent completion rate, finishing the night with 268 yards and two touchdowns on 29-of-33 passing.
» Temple entered the game sixth nationally and first in The American with a pass efficiency defense of 97.1 and Ward ended the night with a pass efficiency rating of 176.1.
» Ward threw for a career-high 336 yards on 30-of-45 passing in Houston's loss to Tulane, his first career 300-yard passing game.
» The first five games of the season saw Ward spend time as one of Houston's starting receivers and punt returner before making the switch to the backfield vs. UCF. He had 15 receptions for 139 yards and one touchdown while returning nine punts for 63 yards in the season's first five games.
» 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. He also added 10 receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown.
» While considered 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.
| '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 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 27 yards 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.
Batman |
» The Houston receiving corp took a major hit on Oct. 7 when Daniel Spencer suffered a torn ACL during practice.
» To honor Spencer, Deontay Greenberry will be switching to the No. 4 jersey for the remainder of the year.
» The senior finished his career ranked 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.
» A huge fan of Batman, Spencer was 246 yards from becoming the 12th player in Houston history to eclipse 2,000 yards receiving in a career and finished his career with 1,754 career receiving yards, a number that ranks 17th on the UH career chart.
Slice of Greenberry Pie |
» The American's leading receiver in 2013 with 1,202 yards, Deontay Greenberry 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. He now ranks ninth on the Houston career receiving yards chart with 2,367 yards and needs 269 yards to move into eighth.
» 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 16 of 35 career games and has four games with at least 10 catches.
» With five receptions at SMU, Greenberry upped his career total to 188. The junior needs 19 more receptions to move into seventh and 33 to move into the top five.
» He recorded his seventh career 100-yard receiving game and his second his season with 130 yards and one touchdown on 11 receptions vs. Tulane.
» Greenberry ranks second in The American with his seven career 100-yard receiving games.
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.
» The two eclipsed the century mark in the same game for a second time this season vs. Tulsa as Farrow rushed for 116 yards vs. the Golden Hurricane while Jackson ended the day with 103 rushing yards. UH now has 51 games with two 100-yard rushers.
» Farrow leads The American with five 100-yard rushing games this season with 130 vs. Grambling,113 vs. UNLV, 112 at USF, 116 vs. Tulsa and 110 vs. SMU. Houston is 5-0 in Farrow's century-mark games.
» Farrow leads The American with 11 rushing touchdowns including six in the last two games alone. The 11 TDs rank ninth on the UH single-season charts as he sits just four scores away from the season record of 15 set by Jackie Battle in 2006.
» The junior tied The American's single-game rushing touchdown record and placed his name along three others (Bryce Beall, Anthony Aldridge, Joffrey Reynolds) in a tie for second in Houston single-game history with four rushing touchdowns vs. Tulsa. The total was one short of the single-game record of five set by Antowain Smith vs. Southern Miss on Nov. 9, 1996.
» 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.
» Farrow needs 204 yards for the 24th 1,000 rushing yard season in Houston history and the first since Bryce Beall in 2008 with 1,247 yards.
» Jackson is second in The American with five career 100-yard games, including a career-high 147 rushing yards vs. UNLV. Houston is 5-0 in games that Jackson eclipses the century mark on the ground.
Stepping Up on Receiving End |
» With the loss of two starting receivers in Daniel Spencer (injury) and Greg Ward Jr. (move to quarterback), other receivers on the Houston squad have moved into more prominent roles. Markeith Ambles replaced Ward in the starting lineup while Wayne Beadle moved up into Spencer's role.
» The 2013 American Athletic Conference Co-Special Teams Player of the Year, Demarcus Ayers led Houston with a career-high seven receptions for 90 yards vs. UCF and followed it up with four receptions for 41 yards vs. Memphis, Houston's second-best effort against the Tigers.
» Stepping into the starting lineup vs. Memphis, Ambles responded with his second career touchdown at Houston with a 25-yard grab from Ward in what would turn into the game's winning score with 13:34 remaining in the game.
» The senior followed that up with six receptions, tying a career best, for a season-best 96 yards vs. Temple.
» He pulled in his second TD of the season vs. Tulane on a 19-yard catch and spin vs. the Green Wave.
» Ambles enters the SMU game with a two-game streak with receiving touchdowns after pulling in scores in back-to-back games vs. Tulane and Tulsa.
» Walk-on Wayne Beadle led Houston with five receptions for 38 yards at USF. Three of Beadle's five receptions vs. the Bulls resulted in first downs. The senior followed it with six receptions for 65 yards, both career bests, vs. Tulane.
» True freshman Steven Dunbar became the latest from the receivers group to have a breakout game as he had a career-best seven receptions for 150 yards, also a career best, vs. Tulsa. Dunbar got loose twice against the Golden Hurricane secondary with a career-long 40-yard reception on the game's offensive play and a 38-yard reception in the third quarter that Metairie, La., narrowly missed his first career touchdown on as he was knocked out of bounds at the Tulsa two-yard line.
» Dunbar almost doubled up his season receiving totals entering the Tulsa game, as prior to Nov. 22 he had nine receptions for 102 yards.
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 50 consecutive games, every game of his career. The 50-game streak ties for the nation's longest among offensive linemen. Redman has started the last 30 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.
» After a switch from Damian Parris to Cross at LT, the same five have started every game since for Houston.
» The starting line sports an average height of 6-4 with an average weight of 300 pounds.
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 and McDonald are turnover machines. Stewart led the nation in 2013 with a combined 10 turnovers - interceptions (4) and fumble recoveries (6) while McDonald leads The American in 2014 with eight turnovers - five interceptions and three fumble recoveries.
» UH has forced multiple turnovers in 28 of its last 32 games and has a turnover forced in 34 straight games, the longest active streak in the NCAA.
» Houston ranks fifth nationally this season with 30 turnovers forced through 11 games.
» A nation's best nine players have interceptions for Houston this season with eight accounting for 11 fumble recoveries.
» McDonald leads Houston with eight turnovers - three fumble recoveries and five interceptions. Heading into the UCF game, McDonald had gained a turnover in seven straight games dating back to 2013.
» Three players have at least three interceptions for Houston as Stewart and true freshman Howard Wilson each have three picks along with McDonald's five.
» Houston has converted its 30 turnovers into 17 scores, 56.7 percent, leading to 93 points on the year.
» Entering its game vs. Houston, Memphis had just five turnovers in five games before the Cougars forced five turnovers alone (three interceptions, two fumbles). At one point in the second quarter, UH ended three straight Memphis drives with turnovers.
» Temple entered its game vs. Houston having turned the ball over just nine times through five games before the Houston defense forced four turnovers while UH did not have a single turnover offensively.
» Houston has three defensive touchdowns this season - two fumble recoveries in the end zone (Vincent Hall vs. Grambling and Adrian McDonald vs. Tulane) with one interception returned 29 yards for a TD vs. Tulane.
» Players credit the ability to create turnovers on the emphasis paid on turnovers in practice, especially on Turnover Tuesdays.
» Offensively, Houston did not record a turnover in back-to-back games for the first time since 2011 vs. Temple and USF.
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 Cincinnati game with an average of 17.8 points per game, which is third in The American and 10th nationally. If the season ended today, it would be the lowest scoring defense since the 1989 squad held its opponents to an average of 13.6 points per game.
» The defensive side is giving up just 184.6 yards per game through the air and 319.5 yards total per game, ranking 11th and 13th, respectively, nationally.
» The Houston airspace is quickly becoming a no-fly zone as the Cougars lead The American and rank fourth nationally with 19 interceptions while ranking 11th nationally in pass efficiency defense at 106.27.
» On average this season, the Houston defense is forcing 4.73 three-and-outs per game, a number that is fourth in The American.
» UH has allowed just 31 plays of 20 yards or more, ranking third nationally, and 14 plays of 30 yards or more, ranking seventh.
» Opponents have thrown just 22 passes of 20 yards or more, which ranks third nationally.
» Houston held two straight opponents to less than 100 rushing yards in wins over Temple (98) and USF (76) for the first time since October of 2007. The last time UH held an opponent under 100 rushing yards for three straight games was 2000.
» 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 34.1 points per game against all other opponents.
» Temple entered its game vs. Houston averaging 38.2 points per game and led an average of 37.6 minutes per game. The Houston defense held the Owls to just 10 points, its previous low of 24 coming vs. Navy, and never allowed Temple to lead in the game.
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 19 of the season's 30 turnovers with interceptions from Adrian McDonald (5), Trevon Stewart (3), Howard Wilson (3), William Jackson (2), Lee Hightower and Earl Foster while McDonald (3) and Jackson (1) have fumble recoveries.
» At free safety, Stewart has started 31 career games, 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 Houston with eight turnovers - five interceptions and three fumble recoveries.
» McDonald needs just three more interceptions to tie the Houston career interceptions record.
» Jackson has taken over one starting corner role full time after recording four starts in 2013. He made his second career interception vs. Grambling. Jackson was pivotal in the turnover game at Memphis, ending a Tigers' fourth-quarter drive with a strip and recovery with 2:50 remaining in the game.
» The group welcomed Boise State transfer Lee Hightower who recorded his first UH start vs. UTSA after starting 11 games at Boise. Hightower started the first six games opposite of Jackson before suffering a season-ending leg injury vs. Memphis, the same game the junior recorded his first interception at Houston in.
» With Hightower lost for the season, Houston has turned to other corners to make their mark including 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 interceptions vs. UNLV, Temple and Tulsa, receiving his first career start against the latter.
» Sophomore Steven Aikens made his first career start vs. Temple as Houston opened the game in a nickel package. Freshman Khalil Williams also made his debut vs. the Owls, coming in at a safety position in the nickel package.
Tackling Machines |
» The 2013 season saw six Cougars account for 27 games with 10 or more tackles.
» Efrem Oliphant leads the team with 17 career double-digit tackle games.
» 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.
» Entering the Cincinnati game, Oliphant is second in The American and 12th nationally with an average of 10.6 tackles per game.
» Six players on the Houston roster have accumulated 10 tackles in a game this season led by Oliphant who has accomplished the feat in eight games this season including 16 vs. Tulsa.
Look at the Linebackers |
» Derrick Mathews is the defense's most experienced player with 45 career starts. Unfortunately, Mathews collegiate career was ended after suffering a torn ACL vs. Memphis. The senior posted triple-digit tackles in his first three seasons including 116 stops in 2013. Mathews finished his career with 400 career tackles and 43 career tackles for loss.
» He ended his UH career fifth on Houston's career tackles chart and sixth on the UH career tackles for loss chart. He had six career forced fumbles, ranking sixth on the Houston career chart, and 16 sacks. Turnover wise, Mathews added four career interceptions and two fumble recoveries. He broke up 14 passes in his career.
» With Mathews' injury, Efrem Oliphant, a veteran of 47 career games with 27 career starts, moved to the middle linebacker spot. Oliphant is second in The American and ranks 12th nationally with an average of 10.6 tackles per game.
» Oliphant leads Houston with 8.5 tackles for loss and is second with 3.5 sacks this season.
» Oliphant recorded his first career interception in the second quarter of Houston's win over Memphis before sealing the victory with a second interception with just 1:02 remaining in the game.
» Strongside linebacker Steven Taylor had 13 tackles vs. Tulsa, his fifth career game with double-digit stops and second of his season. Taylor recorded his third career sack in the win over Memphis and finished third on the Houston team with six tackles on the night.
» Taylor was named The American's Defensive Player of the Week after leading UH with seven tackles against Temple while forcing and recovering a pivotal Temple fumble in his own endzone.
» Taylor doubled his season sack total with two sacks vs. SMU and now leads Houston with four sacks on the year.
» True freshman Matthew Adams has moved into the starting lineup on the weakside with his first career start at USF. He had a career-best 11 stops including 2.5 for a loss vs. Tulane. Adams also posted one of four sacks at BYU, forced a fumble vs. Grambling and had four tackles vs. UNLV.
» Adams recorded his second sack and forced fumble of the season vs. SMU when he nailed Mustang quarterback Garrett Davis from the blindside, forcing a fumble that Gavin Stansbury would recover.
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 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.
» While senior defensive end Eric Braswell was lost for the season with a torn ACL in the spring, the group added a 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.
» Mbu is tied with Harris for the lead on the line with 4.5 tackles for loss. The senior defensive tackle recorded a career-best eight tackles vs. UCF.
» Stansbury joined Mbu with a number of tackles vs. UCF, with seven stops while forcing a fumble as well.
» Stansbury tied his career best with seven tackles vs. Tulsa.
» The first blocked kick of the season came at the hands of Stansbury vs. SMU as the end got his paw on a 38-yard attempt to keep the Mustangs off the board in the second quarter. He would also go on to end a second SMU drive with a third-quarter fumble.
» Seven defensive lineman have had their hands in on sacks this season, led by Trevor Harris with three sacks.
» After making a leaping interception vs. UNLV (his second career pick), Eiland followed it with 20 tackles over a three-game span including a career-best nine stops at Memphis.
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 in 2013, hitting all six field goal attempts including a long of 46 yards at Louisville.
» The junior is 15-of-21 on field goal attempts and is 35-of-39 on extra points this season. He currently ranks eighth on the Houston single-season field goal chart with his 15 and ninth on the UH career field goals chart with 21 field goals.
» His program record streak of 18 consecutive made field goals came to an end in the first quarter of Houston's win at Memphis. Bullard had passed the previous record of 16 straight from Matt Hogan (2009-10) vs. UCF.
» Bullard was named a Lou Groza Award Star of the Week following his performance vs. UCF, finishing the game with a career-best four field goals including a career-long of 51 yards.
» With his four field goals vs. UCF, Bullard recorded the sixth multi-field goal game of his career and the fourth of 2014. The game also marked his second career game with multiple field goals of at least 40 yards or longer.
» The is fourth among all players in The American with 80 points this season.
» He is 35th nationally and second in The American with his 15 field goals this season.
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 19 touchbacks in 65 kickoffs this season with an average of 61.9 yards per attempt.
Returns Department |
» 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 after finishing the year with 37 kick returns for 1,021 yards and The American's best average return of 27.6 yards, a number that ranked 12th nationally. He had a return of at least 40 yards in six games.
» With 1,021 yards, Ayers set the Houston freshman record and was just 153 yards away from the UH single season record. He was second in the nation with 12 returns over 30 yards in 2013.
» 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 is currently third on the Houston career kick return yards chart with 1,508 career yards. Ayers needs 169 yards to move into second.
» With Greg Ward Jr.'s move to quarterback, Ayers has also taken over the punt returner role for the Cougars.
» Against Tulsa, Markeith Ambles and Ryan Jackson took over the starting roles at kick returner with Jackson recording three returns for 38 yards. True freshman Steven Dunbar also returned one kick for five yards.
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 35 punts this season and an average of 39.7 yards per attempt. Thirteen have resulted in fair catches and 11 have landed inside the opponent's 20-yard line. He had a career-long 54-yard punt vs. UNLV in his first career start and tied it vs. Tulane.
» He had his best game of the year at USF, finishing with a career-best 46.2 average including a 53-yard punt with two landing inside the Bulls' 20-yard line.
» Seibert, an Oklahoma transfer, has served as Houston's holder the last two seasons.
» Seibert had 13 punts for an average of 42.3 yards per punt with one downed inside the 20 and two fair catches forced.
