POSTGAME NOTES: Houston 33, Cincinnati 30
11/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
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BY THE NUMBERS
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Tom Herman becomes first head coaches in Houston history to started his career, 9-0
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Houston defense recorded its first safety since the 2013 season
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Houston's 2015 team is only the second in school history to start a season 9-0
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Trevon Stewart had a career high three sacks, second time a Cougar has recorded three sacks in a game
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Cougars have scored four defensive TDs this season
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Cougars have had 3+ turnovers in six games this season
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Houston won its 10 straight game, the program's longest streak since starting the 2011 team started 12-0
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Greg Ward Jr. has 15 wins as the Cougars starting quarterback
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Greg Ward Jr., has been responsible for a touchdown in 17 straight games for Houston
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Cougar Defense has allowed only 18 points in the third quarter all season
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Houston's national ranking in the latest Associated Press poll
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Houston's national ranking in the College Football Playoff rankings for the first time ever
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Houston's defense has recorded 98 turnovers dating back to 2013
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Senior running back Kenneth Farrow recorded his 11th 100-yard game of his career
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Saturday's attendance inside TDECU Stadium
GAME NOTES
• Houston improved to 413-351-15 all-time.
• With Saturday's win, Head Coach Tom Herman became the only head coach in Houston history to win the first nine games of his career.
• The Cougars moved to 9-0 for the first time since the 2011 team started 12-0.
• Houston's record is 5-8 when playing on ESPN2.
• Houston is 34-31-5 during its annual Homecoming games.
• Houston won the toss and deferred to the second half. Senior running back Kenneth Farrow, offensive tackle Alex Cooper, safety Adrian McDonald and linebacker Elandon Roberts were captains.
IN THE RANKINGS
• Houston is 101-36-3 when ranked in the Associated Press poll.
• Houston is 10-3 all-time when ranked No. 18 in the Associated Press poll.
• Houston has won its last five games and 11 of its last 12 games when ranked in the Associated Press poll. The Cougars only loss in that stretch was a 49-28 setback to No. 24/23/24 Southern Miss on Dec. 3, 2011, in the Conference USA Championship Game at Robertson Stadium.
• Second straight week Houston has been ranked No. 18 in the Associated Press poll.
• This is the first time that the Cougars have been ranked in the College Football Playoff rankings.
• Cougars were ranked at No. 19 in the BCS rankings entering the 2012 TicketCity Bowl against No. 24/23/22 Penn State on Jan. 2, 2012.
LOOKING AHEAD
• If Houston and Memphis are both ranked on Nov. 14, Saturday's game will be the first time that the Cougars have faced a ranked opponent since a 33-25 loss at #25/rv BYU on Sept. 11, 2014.
• The Nov. 14 will be the first time that Houston has hosted a ranked opponent since the 49-28 loss to No. 24/23/24 Southern Miss in the Conference USA Championship Game on Dec. 3, 2011, inside Robertson Stadium.
• Houston has lost its last four and five of its last six games against ranked opponents. Only a 30-14 win over No. 24/23/22 Penn State on Jan. 2, 2012, in the TicketCity Bowl prevents a longer losing streak.
• Entering today's game, Memphis is No. 15/16/13 (AP/Coaches/CFP). That would be the highest ranked opponent that Houston has faced since taking a 45-35 win at No. 5/6 Oklahoma State on Sept. 12, 2009. This would be the highest ranked team Houston would host in a home game since a 65-27 loss to No. 8/11 Louisville on Nov. 20, 2004, inside Robertson Stadium.
OFFENSE
• The Cougars have now scored in 194 consecutive games. Houston has not been shut out since a 48-0 loss to Texas on Sept. 23, 2000.
• The Cougars have now outscored opponents 182-75 in the second half. In the third quarter alone, Houston has outscored its opponents 113-18.
• Houston's first scoring drive of five plays and 20 yards lasting 1:29 is the 21st scoring drive under two minutes this season.
DEFENSE
• With three turnovers in Saturday's game (1 Fumble, 2 Interceptions), Houston's defense has forced 98 turnovers dating back to the 2013 season.
• Saturday's game marked the sixth time this season the Houston defense has forced 3+ turnovers. The Cougars have recorded multiple turnovers in 35 of the last 43 games.
• The Cougars have allowed only 18 points in the third quarter all season.
• The Cougar Defense hasn't allowed a score in the opening drive of the second half in all nine games this season. Saturday night's game also marked the fourth time this season the defense forced a turnover in the opening defensive drive of the second half.
• Houston has now scored a defensive touchdown in three straight games and four games overall this season. William Jackson scored on a 35-yard interception return vs. Texas State (Sept. 26), Brandon Wilson scored on an 85-yard fumble return at UCF (Oct. 24) and Jackson recorded a 55-yard pick six vs. Vanderbilt (Oct. 31).
• The Cougar Defense didn't allow a score in eight consecutive quarters beginning with the second quarter of the UCF game (Oct. 25, 2015) and running through Cincinnati's first score in the second quarter on Saturday.
• Senior defensive back Trevon Stewart sacked Cincinnati's Gunner Kiel for the Cougars first safety since Oct. 19, 2013 vs. BYU at Reliant Stadium. Former linebacker Derrick Mathews recorded the Cougars last safety against BYU in 2013.
• Stewart sacked Kiel three times for a career high, marking the third time this season Houston had a player record three sacks in a game. Last time was Steven Taylor vs. SMU (Oct. 8).
SPECIAL TEAMS
• Redshirt freshman Joeal Williams blocked a Cincinnati punt in the first quarter, marking the first blocked punt since Oct. 17, 2009 when the Cougars blocked a Tulane punt at Robertson Stadium.
Greg Ward Jr.
• Junior quarterback Greg Ward, Jr. improved to 15-2 as Houston's starting quarterback. Ward moves into sole possession of sixth place in Houston history with 15 wins. He passes Andre Ware (14, 1987-89) and Delrick Brown (14, 1977-79). Up next in the Houston records book is Jason McKinley (1997-2000), who posted 16 wins as Houston's starter.
• Ward has won his last 10 starts overall and his last six home starts. Ward is 7-1 as the Cougars' starting quarterback at home with only a 31-24 loss to Tulane in the annual Homecoming game on Nov. 8, 2014, on his record.
• Ward leads the Cougars with a .882 (15-2) winning percentage as starting quarterback. Gary Mullins ranks second in school history with a .833 (25-5) percentage. They are the only quarterbacks in school history with 10+ starts and a winning percentage over .800.
• Ward led the Cougars as he went 16-for-24 with 161 passing yards and 119 rushing yards. The game marked Ward's third 100-yard game of the season and third of his career. He is now in sole posession of the school record for most 100-yard rushing games by a quarterback in a single season. He moves into a tie with Lionel Wilson (1980-83) for the most career 100-yard rushing games in school history.
• With his 280 yards of total offense, Ward jumps Gerald Landry (1983-86) for eighth in school history with 6,013 of total career offense. Up next on the list is David Piland (2010-13) who had 6,039 yards of total offense in his career.
• With 119 rushing yards, Ward extended his Houston career record by a quarterback with 1,578 rushing yards.
• Ward has totaled 4,436 career passing yards for the 10th most in school history. He is 77 yards shy of passing Gerald Landry (1983-86) who threw for 4,512 yards in his career.
• With his 11-yard touchdown pass to Chance Allen in the second quarter and a 1-yard TD pass to Tyler McCloskey to open the second half, Ward has been responsible for a touchdown in 18 straight games dating back to the Memphis game on Nov. 11, 2014.
Kenneth Farrow
• With a 106 rushing yards, senior running back Kenneth Farrow passes Paul Gipson (1966-68) for sixth in Houston career history with 2,874 rushing yards. Up next on the list is Joffrey Reynolds (1999-2002) who rushed for 2,947 in his career.
• Farrow's 2-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter carry marked his 10th this season. He now has a 32 rushing TDs in his career ranking second in Houston history. The career rushing TD leader is Bryce Beall (2008-11) who scored 39 rushing TDs.
• This game marked Farrow's 11th 100-yard game of his career and fourth of the season... He ties Alois Blackwell (1975-77) for eighth most 100-yard rushing games for a career in school history. Up next is Anthony Aldridge (2005-07) with 12 career games.
• With his 10 rushing TDs this season, Farrow has recorded double-digit rushing TDs in back-to-back seasons. He has now scored a touchdown in three straight games.
Adrian McDonald
• Senior safety Adrian McDonald forced a Cincinnati fumble late in the second quarter for his second forced fumble of the season and seventh of his career. He moves into a tie with Steve Bradham (1977-80) for fifth in school history. He is one forced fumble shy of tying current Director of Player Development Marcus McGraw (2008-11) and Will Gulley (2002-06) who have eight each.
Trevon Stewart
• Senior defensive back Trevon Stewart sacked Cincinnati's Gunner Kiel for the Cougars first safety since Oct. 19, 2013 vs. BYU at Reliant Stadium. The sack is his fourth of the season and fifth of his career.
• Stewart sacked Kiel three times for a career high, marking the third time this season Houston had a player record three sacks in a game. Last time was Steven Taylor vs. SMU (Oct. 8).
Joeal Williams
• Redshirt freshman Joeal Williams blocked a Cincinnati punt in the first quarter, marking the first of his career. The blocked punt was the first for the Cougar special teams since Oct. 17, 2009 when UH blocked a Tulane punt at Robertson Stadium.
Brandon Wilson
• Junior cornerback Brandon Wilson recorded his second pick six of the season with his first career interception with 9:56 left in the third quarter. The score marked the Cougars fourth defensive TD of the season.
Ty Cummings
• Junior kicker Ty Cummings drained a 29-yard field goal to put Houston up 33-22 with 12:51 to go in the game. He has made a field goal in three straight games and is now 4-for-4 on made field goals this season.
Chance Allen
• Junior wide receiver Chance Allen caught an 11-yard pass from Greg Ward Jr. to regain the lead, 14-7, in the second quarter, for his third touchdown as a Cougar.
Steven Taylor
• Junior outside linebacker Steven Taylor recorded his third career interception and returned it for 5 yards. It marked the second straight game Taylor had an interception.
Tyus Bowser
• Junior outside linebacker Tyus Bowser recovered a Cincinnati fumble in the endzone in the second quarter marking his second fumble recovery of the season and career.
Tyler McCloskey
• Junior tight end Tyler McCloskey scored his first career touchdown on a 1-yard pass from Greg Ward Jr. He finished the day with two receptions for 22 yards and a score.
