University of Houston Athletics
[GAME NOTES] Houston vs. Memphis
11/9/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
[VIDEO] Press Conference: Tom Herman | [QUOTES] Press Conference
| THE GAME AT A GLANCE | |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, Nov. 14 |
| Time | 6 p.m. CST |
| Location | Houston, Texas |
| Venue | TDECU Stadium |
| Capacity | 40,000 |
| Surface | Synthetic Turf |
| TV | ESPN2 |
| Radio | KPRC 950 AM |
| Live Stats | |
HITS ON HOUSTON |
« The #HTownTakeover returns to action Saturday at 6 p.m. as No. 16/16 Houston (9-0, 5-0 The American) faces No. 25/25 Memphis (8-1, 4-1 The American) in a pivotal conference showdown on ESPN2. Houston is coming off a 33-30 win over Cincinnati while Memphis enters after its first loss of the season, 45-20, to Navy. Saturday's game will also air on KPRC 950 AM with pregame starting at 4:30 p.m.
« Saturday's game marks the first time a ranked Houston team has hosted another ranked opponent since facing Southern Miss in the Conference USA game on Dec. 3, 2011.
« The meeting pits The American's top two scoring teams as Memphis is No. 1 in scoring offense (44.6 points per game) while Houston is second (44.4). The Houston defense is second in the league in scoring defense (18.7) while Memphis is eighth (28.7).
« The No. 16 ranking in the AP poll is Houston's highest ranking since coming in at No. 7 in the 14th poll of 2011 when the Cougars finished the year 13-1. No. 16 in the USA Today coaches poll is the highest for Houston since ranking No. 6 in the 14th poll of 2011.
« Houston head coach Tom Herman became just first coach in Houston history with wins in his first nine games. He had shared the best previous start with John Jenkins who started 8-0 in 1990. Herman is the only new head coach in the nation still undefeated.
« Houston is one of six teams still undefeated and the only in The American. All six are in action this weekend.
« This season is the second in Houston history for the Cougars to start 9-0, the other in 2011.
« Houston, Baylor and Michigan are the only three teams nationally to defeat six opponents by 21 points or more.
« Ranking eighth in scoring offense (44.4 points per game) and 23rd in scoring defense (18.7 points per game), Houston and Oklahoma are the only teams in the nation to rank in the top 10 in scoring offense and top 25 in scoring defense.
« Herman has vowed Houston will be physical in the trenches and the numbers are reflecting it. The Cougars rank eighth nationally in rushing defense, allowing just 99.4 yards per game, while ranking seventh in rushing offense with an average of 273.0 yards per game. Houston is the only team in the nation to rank in the top 10 in both categories.
« Houston leads the nation with a +16 turnover margin and 25 turnovers forced, and is 12th with nine turnovers lost.
« Junior quarterback Greg Ward Jr. is third nationally with 16 rushing touchdowns and seventh nationally in scoring with 96 points while ranking eighth in points responsible for per game with 19.3 per game. Ward also ranks third nationally in completion percentage, 70.4 percent, hitting 164 of his 233 attempts.
« Ward is 11th nationally with an average of 327.2 yards of total offense per game. Ward is the only player nationally to average over 200 passing yards per game (235.1) and over 90 rushing yards per game (92.1). He ranks in the top 11 nationally in six different stat categories. He is the only player nationally with double-digit passing (13) and rushing (16) touchdowns.
« Senior linebacker Elandon Roberts is second in the nation in solo tackles (7.6 per game) and ninth in total tackles (11.0 per game).
« Junior linebacker Steven Taylor is 11th nationally with eight sacks and 20th with 13 tackles for loss.
« Cornerback William Jackson III is living up to his name as he is third nationally with 14 passes broken up.
« Houston was narrowly picked to finish second behind Memphis in the west division of The American in a poll of the league's media. 2015 marks the first season for divisions in The American and the first with a conference championship as the league's two division winners will square off on Dec. 5 at the home of the division winner with the best conference record. Each team plays five other opponents from its division plus three cross-division opponents. Houston plays the top two projected teams in the east, Cincinnati and UCF, along with UConn in cross-division games this season.
ABOUT THE COUGARS |
« Twenty-eight full or part-time starters return in 2015 for Houston. The 2014 leaders in rushing, passing, field goals, punting, tackles for loss, sacks and interceptions all return.
« The program welcomed an incoming class of 21 that is comprised of 18 high school student-athletes, one junior college transfer and two four-year transfers. Three of the 21 newcomers enrolled in the program in January for spring workouts - WR Chance Allen, QB Adam Schulz and WR Devin Smith.
« Houston's roster sports 49 upperclassmen and 56 underclassmen.
« Houston's all-time record sits at 413-351-15 since the program started in 1946.
« Houston has no players from the state of Tennessee on its roster. Memphis has nine players from the state of Texas on its roster.
« The Houston staff is showing its expertise at making halftime adjustments, outscoring its opponents 113-18 in the third quarter and 189-75 in the second half.
« Houston has the nation's fourth-longest active winning streak at 10 games behind Ohio State (22), Clemson (12) and Oklahoma State (11).
ABOUT THE OPPONENT |
« In its fourth season under head coach Justin Fuente, Memphis enters Saturday's meeting at 8-1 and 4-1 in The American following its first loss of the season, 45-20, to Navy. The Tigers opened the year with wins over Missouri State (63-7), Kansas (55-23), Bowling Green (44-41), Cincinnati (53-46), USF (24-17), Ole Miss (37-24), Tulsa (66-42) and Tulane (41-13).
« Memphis is led offensively by junior quarterback Paxton Lynch who has thrown for 3,014 yards and 19 touchdowns against just two interceptions, completing 226 of his 327 attempts. Sophomore Doroland Dorceus leads Memphis with 449 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. Senior receiver Mose Frazier leads the Tigers in receiving with 52 receptions for 626 yards and three touchdowns.
« Defensively, the Tigers are led by sophomore linebacker Genard Avery with 49 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. Senior defensive back Reggis Ball leads Memphis with three turnovers - 2 interceptions and one fumble recovery.
« Saturday's meeting will be the 24th between Houston and Memphis with the Cougars owning a 14-9 series lead, including wins in each of the last five meetings by an average margin of 19.4 points per win.
LAST TIME OUT |
« Houston is coming off a 33-30 win over Cincinnati last Saturday that snapped a five-game losing streak to the Bearcats. The game marked the fifth game this season that Houston never trailed, jumping out to a 7-0 lead and never giving up the lead.
« The Houston defense recorded its sixth game of the season with at least three turnovers - intercepting Cincinnati's Gunner Kiel twice while recovering a Bearcat fumble in its own defense.
« Safety Trevon Stewart set a career high with three sacks for a loss of 23 yards, including one resulting in a Cincinnati safety.
« Cornerback Brandon Wilson gave Houston its third straight game with a defensive touchdown when he picked off a Kiel pass and returned it 51 yards to give Houston a 28-14 lead with 9:56 left in the third quarter.
« 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.
« Junior quarterback Greg Ward, Jr. improved to 15-2 as Houston's starting quarterback. Ward moved into sole possession of sixth place in Houston history with 15 wins. 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 possession of the school record for most 100-yard rushing games by a quarterback in a single season
« Kenneth Farrow ran for 106 yards and one touchdown in the game, his 11th 100-yard game of his career and fourth of the season. Farrow passed Paul Gipson (1966-68) for sixth in Houston career history with 2,874 rushing yards.
« 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 moved into a tie with Steve Bradham (1977-80) for fifth in school history on the career forced fumbles chart.
DEGREES IN HAND |
« Five Houston seniors entered the season having already earned an undergraduate degree. Alex Cooper, Ben Dew, Earl Foster, Logan Piper and Adam Schultz all completed degree requirements prior to this season.
« Nine additional Cougars will complete their degree requirements this December: Kyle Bullard, Hayden Daniels, Marcus Dillard, Kenneth Farrow, Nolan Frese, Zach Johnson, Cameron Malveaux, Damien Parris and Luke Stice.
2015 PRESEASON HONORS |
« Houston has been well-represented on 2015 preseason national watch lists. As of July 9, three Cougars have been named on prestigious national award lists as Kyle Bullard (Groza Award), Kenneth Farrow (Maxwell Award) and William Jackson III (Bednarik Award) were recognized among the nation's elite.
« Houston had two players named to Phil Steele's Preseason Third Team All-America team in Jackson and long snapper Nolan Frese.
« Dave Campbell's Texas Football Magazine tabbed senior Adrian McDonald as Texas' Best Defensive Back. The veteran Texas prognosticator named two Cougars in McDonald and linebacker Steven Taylor to his All-Texas Preseason First Team, while Trevon Stewart was tabbed Second Team.
« Houston was represented with three Preseason All-American Athletic Conference First Team selections (Farrow, Jackson, McDonald) by Phil Steele with Stewart named to Second Team.
« Athlon Sports' tabbed three (Farrow, Jackson, McDonald) to its Preseason First Team, while Stewart and receiver Demarcus Ayers were named to the Second Team.
ON THE OFFENSIVE |
« Since 2006, only Oregon (64,880) has racked up more offensive yards than Houston who has 63,435 yards in that time.
Rank Team Total Yards (06-present)
1. Oregon 64,880
2. Houston 63,435
3. Texas Tech 62,129
4. Oklahoma 60,982
5. Nevada 58,367
« Houston has scored in 194 straight games dating back to Sept. 30, 2000.
« Twenty-two of Houston's 55 scoring drives this season have been less than two minutes with 11 lasting less than one minute, the quickest just nine seconds with a one-play opening drive score vs. Tulane.
« Houston has 11 scoring drives of four plays or less including two two-play drives and two one-play drives this season.
« Houston has over 600 yards of total offense in four games this season. UH finished its season opener with 621 yards of total offense, the most for UH since Oct. 26, 2013. The Cougars bested the total with 689 yards vs. Texas State and 638 at Tulsa. Houston now has 74 games with 600+ yards in program history.
« Houston's 232 points in its first five games was the second-best five-game start behind the 249 points the 1989 Houston team scored in its first five games. The 1989 team is also the only other Houston team to match the 2015 team with 600+ yards of total offense in three of its first four games as it started the season with four straight 600+ yard games.
« Houston's seven rushing touchdowns vs. SMU is the most since Nov. 24, 2007 when Houston had seven vs. Texas Southern. The Cougars also posted six rushing touchdowns in their season-opening win over Tennessee Tech.
« With 33 points vs. Cincinnati, the Houston offense has posted 30+ points in each of its last 13 games, the first streak of its length in Houston history, topping the previous best of 12 games of the 2011 season. The Cougars have three games with 50+ points this season and five with 40+ points.
« Houston ranks 10th nationally in total offense with 525.1 yards per game and seventh nationally in scoring offense with an average of 44.4 points per game.
« Houston is seventh nationally with 60 plays of 20+ yards and sixth nationally with 31 plays of 30+ yards.
THE WORD ON WARD |
« Named Houston's starting QB vs. Memphis in 2014, Greg Ward Jr. returned to a position he saw action at in 10 games as a true freshman in 2013. After seeing action at receiver and punt returner in the final four games of 2013 and the first four of 2014, Ward returned under center in the fifth game of 2014.
« He is the only player nationally to average over 200 passing yards per game (235.1 yards per game) and over 90 rushing yards per game (92.1) while ranking 11th nationally in total offense with 327.2 yards per game.
« The junior is the only player nationally with double-digit rushing (16) and passing (13) touchdowns.
« Ward ranks in the top 11 in six of the NCAA's recognized stat categories: completion percentage (3rd), points responsible for (9th), points responsible for per game (8th), rushing TDs (3rd), scoring per game (8th) and total offense (11th).
« He is fifth nationally in scoring among non kickers with 96 points.
« The electrifying Ward is fourth nationally with eight rushing attempts of at least 30 yards and with 14 rushing attempts of at least 20 yards.
« Ward is third nationally this season, completing 70.4 percent of his passes, 164-of-233.
« With his 16 rushing touchdowns and 13 passing touchdowns, Ward is eighth nationally in points responsible per game with 20.3 points per game.
« Ward set the Houston single-season record for 100-yard rushing games by a quarterback when he picked up his third with 119 yards on the ground vs. Cincinnati. With the performance, he set the Houston career record for games with 100+ yards rushing and 100+ yards passing as it was his third of such game this year.
« He opened 2015 with his first career 100-yard rushing game with 101 yards and two TDs on 13 attempts vs. Tennessee Tech. He also threw for 275 yards and one TD on 21-of-28 passing vs. the Golden Eagles.
« Ward threw for a career-high four touchdowns vs. Texas State and ended the night with a career-best, and the seventh-best in UH history, single-game passing efficiency mark with a passer rating of 253.41. Ward is 15th nationally with a season passing efficiency rating of 161.1.
« With his four rushing touchdowns vs. SMU, Ward broke the Houston QB rushing touchdowns records for a single game and a season, snapping the previous record of nine from Case Keenum in 2007.
« Ward collected his third straight game with at least three rushing touchdowns with three scores on the ground at Tulane, the third-longest streak on the FBS level over the last 10 seasons. Ward has multiple rushing touchdowns in five games this season.
« With his one rushing touchdown vs. Vanderbilt, he took sole possession of the Houston single-season touchdown record, regardless of position, breaking the previous record of 15 set by running back Jackie Battle in 2006. Ward also took sole possession of the career rushing TDs by a quarterback with his 24th career score, breaking a tie held with Case Keenum.
« The junior ranks eighth on the Houston career rushing touchdowns chart with 24 career scores, two away from seventh.
« Ward broke the Houston QB career rushing yards record vs. Tulane with 77 yards as he now has 1,578 career rushing yards, surpassing the previous record of 1,338 yards set by Lionel Wilson from 1980-83.
« With 46 yards at UCF, he broke the Houston single-season record for rushing yards by a quarterback of 656 set by Lionel Wilson in 1981. Ward currently has 829 rushing yards on the season.
« He is 10th on the Houston career passing yards chart with 4,436 yards. Next is Gerald Landry (1983-86) with 4,512 yards.
« Ward moved into eighth on the Houston career total offense chart with 280 yards of total offense vs. Cincinnati. Ward now has 6,013 yards of total offense and is 37 yards away from passing David Piland (2010-13) for seventh on the chart.
« Cincinnati marked Ward's seventh game with multiple passing TDs while Vanderbilt was his 13th with over 200 yards passing.
« The Tyler, Texas, native has been responsible for a touchdown, either passing or rushing, in 17 straight games for Houston.
« The junior won his 15th game as Houston's starting quarterback with the win over Vanderbilt to move into seventh on the Houston career victory chart.
« 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 has broken 12 Houston or The American records this season while tying three others.
"He is just one of those rare athletes that you see every once in a while. Every time we thought we had him we didn't really have him." - Tulane Head Coach Curtis Johnson
"He does things with his legs that other quarterbacks can't do." - Tulane safety Darion Monroe
BACKING UP THE BACKFIELD |
« Houston's backfield features a handful of talented backfield options in senior Kenneth Farrow and sophomore Javin Webb. The group lost senior Ryan Jackson with a broken collarbone vs. Cincinnati.
« The group is helping Houston rank seventh nationally with an average of 273.0 rushing yards per game and second nationally with 33 rushing touchdowns. The attack ranks second nationally in rushes of 20+ yards (34) and fourth nationally in rushes of 30+ yards (14).
« With his 1,037 rushing yards in 2014, Farrow was the 24th player in Houston history to rush over 1,000 yards in a season. He also became the 14th 2,000-yard career rusher in Houston history.
« Farrow led The American with seven 100-yard rushing games last season. He ended the year with four consecutive 100-yard games. Houston was 6-1 in Farrow's century-mark games.
« Farrow led The American with 14 rushing touchdowns including nine in the final four games. The 14 TDs ranked second on the UH single-season charts, just one away from the season record of 15 set by Jackie Battle in 2006.
« He was just four yards short of The American's 2014 rushing crown, trailing USF's Marlon Mack's 1,041 yards.
« He ranks seventh in UH history with 11 career 100-yard rushing games, five away from the career record set by Robert Newhouse (1969-71), after rushing for 106 yards vs. Cincinnati.
« The senior is second among active players in The American with his 11 career 100-yard rushing games and third in the league with four this season behind the five from Keenan Reynolds (Navy) and Marlon Mack (USF).
« Farrow is second on the Houston career rushing TDs chart with 32 career scores, chasing the record of 39 set by Bryce Beall from 2008-11.
« He's sixth on the UH career rushing yards chart with 2,874 yards. Next is Joffrey Reynolds (1999-02) with 2,947 yards.
« Jackson's career ends with five 100-yard games with Houston undefeated when he eclipses the century mark.
« Jackson crossed the goal line first for UH in its season opening win for his 15th career TD and gave him the first Houston TD of the season for the third consecutive year.
« He ended the year with 353 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 68 attempts. Jackson also had seven receptions for 79 yards and one kick return for 21 yards.
« Webb quickly established himself as another rushing threat for Houston with two touchdowns as part of his five carries vs. Tennessee Tech, finishing the night with 39 yards. The shifty sophomore led the backs vs. Texas State with 90 yards on 15 carries.
« With a combined 341 rushing yards vs. Tulsa, Farrow (159) and Greg Ward Jr. (182) posted the highest yardage by a duo since running backs Anthony Aldridge (225) and Jackie Battle (136) totaled 361 yards at SMU in 2006.
THIRD WARD TARGETS |
« With the loss of five receivers combining for 77 career starts graduating, Tom Herman has turned to a number of new options at receiver. Junior Demarcus Ayers (11 career starts entering 2015) and sophomore Steven Dunbar (two career starts) owned the group's lone starts entering 2015.
« The 2013 American Athletic Conference Co-Special Teams Player of the Year, Ayers was second on the team in 2014 with 33 receptions for 335 yards and two touchdowns.
« The Lancaster, Texas, native jumped out to a strong start in 2015, with a career-high 10 receptions for 121 yards. Ayers added 44 rushing yards and returned three punts for 25 yards, totaling 190 all-purpose yards.
« Ayers had a career-best 126 receiving yards and two touchdowns on eight receptions, all in the first half vs. Texas State.
« After totaling 33 receptions for 335 yards and two TDs in 2014, Ayers has 61 for 769 yards and five TDs this year.
« He ranks 16th nationally and third in The American with an average of 6.8 receptions per game. Ayers is second in The American with an average of 85.4 receiving yards per game.
« Ayers has had a minimum of five receptions and 53 yards in every game this season including two 100-yard games.
« He ranks third in The American with an average of 127.1 all-purpose yards per game while ranking 10th nationally in punt returns with an average of 13.4 yards per return.
« Dunbar broke out vs. Tulsa in 2014 with a career-best seven receptions for 150 yards. All seven receptions resulted in Houston first downs, as 15 of his 20 receptions on the year resulted in a first down.
« The group was bolstered in June when Oregon transfer Chance Allen was ruled eligible immediately, entering 2015 as a junior with two seasons to play.
« Allen is currently second on the team with 34 receptions for 478 yards and three touchdowns, including a 49-yard TD reception on Houston's first offensive play at Tulane.
« Dunbar and Linell Bonner both pulled in their first career touchdowns in Houston's win at Louisville.
« The tight end returned in 2015 led by junior Tyler McCloskey who pulled in two receptions for 16 yards as a fullback in 2014. McCloskey eclipsed his yardage total vs. Tennessee Tech with two receptions for 19 yards and now has 11 receptions for 126 yards including his first-career touchdown vs. Cincinnati.
THE LINE ON THE LINE |
« Houston lost two of its most experienced players along the line with the graduation of RG Rowdy Harper (52 career starts) and C Bryce Redman (34 career starts), both seniors. Following the season, 2014 LT Travis Cross was forced to end his playing career due to concussions.
« The line has taken significant hits this season with LG Ben Dew, LT Zach Johnson and RG Josh Thomas being lost with season-ending injuries.
« Colton Freeman, Marcus Oliver and Carter Wall each earned their first career starts vs. Tennessee Tech in the 2015 season opener.
« Depth has been provided with former defensive linemen Mason Denley and Kameron Eloph making their offensive line debuts this season. Denley provided depth vs. SMU before earning his first career start at Tulane at LG while Eloph made his offensive debut as a backup at Tulane and his first career start vs. Vanderbilt with Freeman out with a stinger.
« With Freeman suffering from a stomach bug at Tulane, true freshman Will Noble made his career debut vs. the Green Wave.
« Through nine games, the line has seen seven different starting combinations with 11 different linemen receiving starts.
TAKE IT AWAY. DON'T GIVE IT AWAY |
« Since the start of the 2013 season, no program has taken the ball away from opposing offenses more than Houston with 98 turnovers forced in that time.
« Combined with the hiring of Todd Orlando as Tom Herman's first defensive coordinator, the program's outlook for forcing turnovers was promising. Orlando's Utah State defense ranked eighth nationally with 59 turnovers forced over 2013-14 and tied Houston in 2014 with 30 turnovers forced and 19 interceptions.
« UH has forced multiple turnovers in 35 of its last 43 games, and had a 34-game turnover forced streak end at the 2014 regular-season finale at Cincinnati. At the time, it was the longest active streak in the NCAA.
« Houston is again establishing itself in the turnover battle, leading the nation with a +16 turnover margin and 25 turnovers gained. Houston is 12th with nine lost.
« Houston has forced at least three turnovers in six games this season with four turnovers vs. Louisville, Texas State, UCF and Vanderbilt.
« Adrian McDonald led Houston with eight turnovers in 2014 - three fumble recoveries and five interceptions.
« Houston enters its showdown with Memphis riding a three-game streak of defensive touchdowns.
« William Jackson III gave Houston its first defensive touchdown of the 2015 season with a 35-yard return of an interception late in the first half of the Texas State win. Jackson added his second defensive touchdown with a 55-yard return of his third interception of the year vs. Vanderbilt.
« Brandon Wilson simultaneously opened Houston's scoring and ended UCF's first drive with a strip-and-score when he stripped UCF's Cam Stewart and returned the fumble 85 yards for a touchdown. He added his second defensive touchdown this season with a 51-yard interception return vs. Cincinnati.
« 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 led The American in 2014 with eight turnovers - five interceptions and three fumble recoveries.
« Eight different players have interceptions this season for Houston with McDonald leading the way with four while seven different players have fumble recoveries with including Tyus Bowser, Jerard Carter, McDonald and Stewart with two each.
« McDonald is second nationally among active players with 17 career interceptions as he took sole possession of the Houston career record with his 17th interception vs. Vanderbilt.
THIRD WARD D |
« The 2015 Cougar defense leads The American and is eighth nationally in allowing opponents just an average of 99.4 yards rushing per game.
« The Houston defense has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 12 straight games.
« The 2015 defense is the first since 1998 to hold its first three opponents to less than 100 yards rushing with Texas State rushing for 99 yards. Tulsa was the first team to eclipse the century mark, finishing the day with 130 yards. Houston has held five teams total under 100 yards.« In its season opener, the Houston defense held Tennessee Tech to just 29 yards rushing, the lowest output by an opposing team since holding UTEP to just 30 yards in an Oct. 21, 2006 win.
« Houston ranks third nationally with an average of 6.0 three-and-outs per game behind just Clemson (6.33) and Alabama (6.11). Houston has 54 three-and-outs on 128 drives.
« Over the last four games, the Houston defense has climbed 36 spots to No. 23 in scoring defense, giving up an average of 18.7 points per game. Entering the Cincinnati game, the Cougars had allowed a combined 17 points over three games, including no second-half points.
« Houston held its first two opponents to a combined nine yards rushing in the first half, holding Tennessee Tech to -8 yards on three first-half attempts and Louisville to 17 rushing yards on 15 carries.
« After allowing 232 yards to UCF in the first half, the UH defense allowed just 48 yards in the second half.
« The defense held Vanderbilt to 185 total yards, its first time to hold an opponent under 200 yards since holding Texas Southern to 179 yards on Nov. 24, 2007, and Vanderbilt to 44 passing yards, the lowest total since holding Memphis to 64 yards passing on Oct. 30, 2010.
« With Todd Orlando at the helm for two of the seasons, the Utah State defense ranked fourth nationally over the last four years, giving up an average of just 3.13 yards per rushing attempt. Orlando ranked eighth nationally among defensive coordinators entering the season with a third-down defensive percentage of 34.2 percent, allowing just 159 conversions on 465 attempts.
TACKLING MACHINES |
« Steven Taylor, who was Houston's second-leading tackler in 2014 with 76 stops, owns nine career games with double-digit tackles.
« Trevon Stewart is fifth nationally among active players with 340 career stops and is one of just five players nationally with multiple seasons with triple-digit tackles.
« Senior linebacker Elandon Roberts has led Houston in tackles in eight of nine games. The lone game he did not resulted in 13 tackles at Tulsa. Through nine games, Roberts has 99 tackles after totaling 33 stops through his first two seasons.
« Roberts is second nationally with an average of 7.6 solo tackles per game and is ninth nationally with an average of 11 total tackles per game.
ANYTHING BUT SECONDARY |
« The secondary group has made a name for itself in the takeaway department over the last two seasons. And this season it returned 97 career starts with every starter from 2014 returning.
« The group had 19 of the 30 turnovers in 2014 and has 18 of the 25 turnovers this season with interceptions from Adrian McDonald (4), William Jackson III (3), Trevon Stewart, Brandon Wilson, Howard Wilson, Lee Hightower and Khalil Williams while McDonald (2), Stewart (2), Jackson and Brandon Wilson have fumble recoveries.
« Jackson, who was named a preseason All-American by Phil Steele, owns one starting corner role. In 2014, the rangy corner was second in The American with 10 pass breakups, while intercepting two passes, playing in man coverage.
« Jackson has two defensive touchdowns this season returning interceptions vs. Texas State (35 yards) and Vanderbilt (55 yards).
« Jackson had three PBUs at Tulsa while holding Keyarris Garett, who entered the game third nationally in averaging 151.3 yards per game, to 85 yards.
« Including a career-high four PBUs at Tulane, he leads The American and ranks third nationally with 14 PBUs on the year. He is fifth on the Houston career chart with 31 career PBUs. Jackson is also fifth nationally among active players with 37 career passes defended - 31 PBUs and six interceptions.
« At free safety, Stewart has started 44 career games. The Patterson, La., native led the nation in 2013 with 10 turnovers (six fumble recoveries and four interceptions) and is fifth nationally among all active players with 340 career tackles.
« With his fumble recovery at Tulsa, Stewart tied the UH career fumble recoveries record with his eighth career recovery.
« Playing in his home state, Stewart had two sacks for a loss of 25 yards at Tulane.
« A missile from the defensive backfield, Stewart set a career high with three sacks for a loss of 23 yards including a safety vs. Cincinnati.
« A high school quarterback, McDonald led The American in 2014 with eight turnovers (five INTs and three fumble recoveries). McDonald recovered his seventh career fumble vs. SMU and ranks third on the UH career chart in the category. McDonald forced his seventh career fumble vs. Cincinnati, ranking fifth on the UH career charts.
« With his 17th career interception vs. Vanderbilt, McDonald took sole possession of the UH career record. He needs just 36 interception return yards to set a second Houston career record in that category as well.
« McDonald represented The American and the entire state of Texas as the only player from both categories to be named a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award.
« Senior Lee Hightower joined the group in 2014 and started the first six games opposite of Jackson before suffering a season-ending leg injury vs. Memphis, the same game, in which the junior recorded his first interception at Houston. Hightower made his second career interception at Tulsa, snuffing out a potential game-tying drive with the pick.
« Brandon Wilson made his first career start at BYU last season while Howard Wilson saw significant time at nickel back with three interceptions. Brandon Wilson now has 17 career starts including a current streak of 10 games while Howard Wilson picked off his fourth career pass in Houston's win over Texas State.
« Brandon Wilson picked up his fourth career touchdown, his second of the defensive variety, with 51-yard interception return vs. Cincinnati.
LOOK AT THE LINEBACKERS |
« With the loss of Derrick Mathews (45 career starts) and Efrem Oliphant (29 career starts), junior Steven Taylor (19 career starts entering 2015) led the group into a new frontier with a change to the 3-4 defense.
« Taylor owns nine career games with double-digit stops and is the team's returning leading tackler from 2014 with 76 stops on the year. He also led Houston on the year with nine tackles for loss and four sacks. He opened strong in 2015 with three tackles for loss, with one sack, vs. Tennessee Tech.
« Taylor leads The American and is 11th nationally with eight sacks with back-to-back three-sack games vs. Tulsa and SMU.
« He is 19th nationally with an average of 1.4 tackles for loss per game including eight TFLs combined vs. Tulsa and SMU.
« Taylor had a career-high 16 tackles at Tulsa, registering 11 stops alone in the first half. Taylor also had a career-best four tackles for loss and three sacks in the win.
« Taylor picked off his third career interception, and his second in as many games, vs. Cincinnati.
« A captain in 2015, senior Elandon Roberts has 99 tackles this season after recording 33 in his first two seasons combined.
« Roberts led his team in tackles in each of the first three games before collecting a career-high 13 stops behind Taylor's 16 tackles at Tulsa. Roberts has had the team lead in tackles in every game since.
« Roberts is second nationally with an average of 7.6 solo tackles per game and is ninth nationally with an average of 11 tackles per game.
« Junior Tyus Bowser made the move from defensive end, where he earned three starts in his first two years, to outside linebacker and had sacks in each of the first three games of the season to extend a five-game streak with sacks dating back to 2014. Bowser now owns 12 career sacks and is ninth in The American with his 4.5 sacks.
« Bowser forced his second career fumble vs. Tulsa to end a Golden Hurricane drive with 4:32 left in the game and recovered his first career fumble vs. SMU. Bowser snuffed out a Cincinnati drive with his second fumble recovery in his own end zone.
« Sophomore Matthew Adams moved into the starting lineup last year after a season-ending injury to Mathews midway thru the year last season and ended the year with three starts, totaling 40 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss.
« With Adams suspended vs. Texas State, true freshman Emeke Egbule made a quick name for himself with three tackles including his first career sack.
UP FRONT |
« Moving to a three-man front in 2015, the Houston defensive line has three players with starting experience - senior Tomme Mark (24 career starts), junior B.J. Singleton (20 career starts) and junior Cameron Malveaux (10 career starts).
« The 10 career starts may be misleading for Malveaux as the Beaumont, Texas, native enjoyed a breakout spring under the new coaching staff, earning the program's spring MVP honors. The 6-6, 270 lb., defensive end had 15 tackles in 2014, but has increased that number (20 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks) in 2015 with an increased on-field presence.
« Malveaux had a career-high 1.5 sacks in Houston's win at Tulsa.
« Mark and Singleton were a part of a four-man defensive tackle rotation in 2014 and have the ability to play both at end and tackle in 2015.
« Singleton picked up his first sack of the season with a six-yard sack vs. SMU.
« Mark totaled a career-best six stops against UCF and is tied with the line's lead in tackles with 21, tying Malveaux.
« The group was bolstered with the emergence of sophomore Nick Thurman. After seeing action in five games as a redshirt-freshman, the Dallas native provided a jump in the spring of 2015 at defensive tackle. Thurman added a half sack in Houston's win at Tulsa. He had a career-high five tackles and one tackle for loss along with his first fumble recovery vs. Vanderbilt.
« Thurman tied for second on the team for tackles at Tulane with a career-high five stops, including one for a loss.
« Thurman was one of three defensive linemen with a tackle for loss against the Green Wave, joined by Malveaux and Singleton.
« Redshirt-freshman defensive lineman Jerard Carter recorded his first career fumble recovery in the second quarter of Houston's win at Louisville and followed it with his second recovery vs. SMU.
« The group had three tackles for loss vs. Vanderbilt as Thurman, Malveaux and Mark all burst thru the line for stops.
TY ONE ON |
« Junior Ty Cummings holds the starting role as the team's kickoff specialist and took over the starting placekicking duties vs. SMU.
« He has 70 kickoffs this year, averaging 62.4 yards per kickoff, with 22 touchbacks, ranking fifth in The American.
« Cummings has connected on all 29 of his extra point attempts this season and all four field goal attempts.
THE BOOK ON BULLARD |
« Prior to this season, Bullard was named to the Lou Groza Award watch list for the second consecutive year. The Boerne, Texas, native was named a semifinalist for the award in 2014.
« Bullard set a program record with 18 consecutive made field goals last season after connecting on his first 12 of the season.
« With his two field goals at Louisville, Bullard recorded the seventh multi-field goal game of his career and the first of 2015.
« With 27 field goals, Bullard is eighth on the UH career field goals chart. He needs four to move into seventh.
THE PIPER |
« Logan Piper took over the starting punting role vs. UNLV in 2014. Piper joined the program in 2013 after two years with the Houston Baseball program.
« Piper has 38 punts with an average of 40.1 yards per attempt this year. He has seven punts over 50 yards with 15 landing inside the 20-yard line and 14 punts forcing a fair catch from Houston's opponent.
« He hit a career long with a 71-yard punt in Houston's win at Tulsa.
RETURNS DEPT. |
« Houston junior Demarcus Ayers was named The American'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. 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.
« The junior now holds Houston's punt return role with 19 returns for 255 yards on the year, ranking 10th nationally with an average of 13.4 yards per return.
« Ayers is second in the nation with six punt returns of 20+ yards.
« Javin Webb and Brandon Wilson have assumed Ayers' role as kick returners with Wilson leading the way with 440 yards on 17 returns, second in The American and 25th nationally with an average of 25.9 yards per game. Webb has three returns for 58 yards.
« Wilson knotted Houston up with Louisville at 17 in the third quarter of UH's win with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. The return was Wilson's second career special teams TD as he returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown vs. UTSA in 2013.
