University of Houston Athletics
[GAME NOTES] #6/7 Houston at Cincinnati
9/13/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
GAME NOTES - HOUSTON | GAME NOTES - CINCINNATI
| THE GAME AT A GLANCE | |
|---|---|
| Date | Thursday, Sept. 15 |
| Time | 6:30 p.m. CT |
| Location | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Venue | Nippert Stadium |
| Capacity | 40,000 |
| Surface | Synthetic Turf |
| TV | ESPN |
| Radio | KPRC 950 AM |
| Live Stats | |
HITS ON HOUSTON |
« The #HTownTakeover hits the road for the first time of 2016 Thursday at 6:30 p.m. as No. 6/7 Houston (2-0, 0-0 The American) faces RV/NR Cincinnati (2-0, 0-0 The American) in a battle of the two most-winningest programs in the young history of The American Conference. Houston is coming off a 42-0 win over Lamar in its home opener in which quarterback Greg Ward Jr. and running back Duke Catalon both sat while Cincinnati defeated Purdue on the road, 38-20, in week two. Thursday's game will air on ESPN (TV) and on KPRC 950 AM (radio) with radio pregame coverage starting at 5:30 p.m.
« The Houston defense opened the year with two strong performances including a program record in holding Lamar to 73 total yards, besting the previous record of 74 yards from Mississippi State in 1969. The defense recorded a nation's best fourth straight game with less than 100 yards rushing and after two weeks ranks second nationally in rushing defense, giving up an average of 42.5 yards per game. After Lamar ran for 237 yards in its season opener, they were held to just 15 yards by the Cougars joining Oklahoma (70 yards), Florida State (16 yards) and Temple (98 yards) in being held to less than 100 rushing yards.
« This year's team became the first since 1974 to have three players rush for at least 100 yards as a trio of backups each eclipsed the century mark against Lamar - Kevrin Justice (111 yards), Mulbah Car (109) and Kyle Postma (106).
« No. 3 Oklahoma became the highest-ranked foe to fall to Houston since the Cougars defeated No. 3 Texas, 29-15, on Nov. 10, 1984. Houston also defeated No. 3 Michigan State, 37-7, on Sept. 23, 1967. With the win, Tom Herman joined College Football Hall of Famer Bill Yeoman as the only other Houston coach with a win against a top-3 opponent.
« With its win over No. 3 Oklahoma, Houston now has a program-record five straight wins over top-25 opponents, a number that also ranks third nationally among active streaks against ranked opponents behind Alabama (8) and Stanford (6).
« Houston, Alabama and Florida State were the only three teams to defeat a ranked opponent by double digits in the opening weekend of the season. They were also three of five schools nationally to score at least 30 points on a ranked opponent in the opening weekend, joining Georgia (33 vs. North Carolina) and South Dakota State (41 vs. TCU) in accomplishing the feat.
« Houston and Stanford were the only two schools nationally to play at least four ranked opponents in 2015 and remain undefeated in the matchups with three of Houston's wins over ranked opponents coming by double-digits, the fourth-best total in the nation.
« Houston was one of eight teams nationally with at least four wins against ranked opponents in 2015, and was third nationally with seven wins of 21 points or more as 10 wins were double-digit wins including its 38-24 win over No. 9 Florida State. Houston ranked fifth nationally with an average margin of victory of 19.7 points per game.
« Houston is one of just three programs nationally with at least 13 wins on two different occasions over the last five years, joining Alabama and Florida State in accomplishing the feat.
« The Cougars own the longest winning streak by a non-power 5 team against power 5 opponents with five consecutive wins over the last three seasons. Houston now owns wins over Oklahoma, Florida State, Vanderbilt, Louisville and Pitt in its last five power 5 matchups. The Cougars will look to extend their streak to six when they host Louisville on Nov. 17.
« The program ranked eighth nationally in rushing defense, allowing just 108.9 yards per game, while ranking 13th in rushing offense with an average of 235.8 yards per game in 2015. Houston was the only team in the nation to rank in the top 13 in both categories.
« Ranking 10th in scoring offense (40.4 points per game) and 20th in scoring defense (20.7 points per game), Houston was the only program in the nation to rank in the top 10 in scoring offense and the top 25 in scoring defense in 2015.
ABOUT THE COUGARS |
« Twenty-three full or part-time starters return in 2016 for Houston. The 2015 leaders in rushing, passing, field goals, kick returns, scoring, total offense, sacks and forced fumbles all return.
« The program welcomed an incoming signing class of 24 that is comprised of 17 high school student-athletes, four junior college transfers and three four-year transfers. Eight of the 24 newcomers enrolled in the program in January for spring workouts - QB Kyle Allen, RB Duke Catalon, DB J.J. Dallas, TE Alex Leslie, WR Terry Mark, OL Na'Ty Rodgers, QB Bowman Sells and DB Terrell Williams.
« Houston's roster sports 42 upperclassmen and 57 underclassmen. Seventeen players redshirted last season.
« Houston's all-time record sits at 418-352-15 since the program started in 1946.
« Over the last five years, Houston owns the second-most wins in the state of Texas among FBS schools with 48. The Cougars are just five wins behind Baylor and two ahead of third-place TCU.
ABOUT CINCINNATI |
« In its fourth season under head coach Tommy Tuberville, Cincinnati enters Thursday night's showdown at 2-0 after wins over UT-Martin (28-7) and Purdue (38-20).
« Cincinnati is led offensively by sophomore quarterback Hayden Moore who has thrown for 510 yards and five touchdowns against one interception on 40-of-66 passing while adding 71 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Senior running back Tion Green leads Cincinnati on the ground with 150 yards rushing while junior receiver Devin Gray leads the Bearcats in receiving with 167 yards on nine receptions.
« Defensively, the Bearcats are led by senior linebacker Eric Wilson who has 24 tackles including two sacks. Senior safety Mike Tyson has three of Cincinnati's seven interceptions, all three against Purdue.
« Saturday's matchup is the 25th meeting between the two schools with Houston owning a 14-10 lead. The Cougars claimed a 33-30 win last year to snap a five-game losing streak in the series.
ABOUT THE 2015 SEASON |
« Named the FWAA First Year Coach of the Year and a Bear Bryant Award finalist following the second 13-win season in program history, Tom Herman capped off his rookie season with a 38-24 Houston win over No. 9 Florida State in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. He became just the fourth coach in NCAA history with at least 13 wins in his first season, joining Boise State's Chris Petersen (2006), Penn's George Woodruff (1892) and Yale's Walter Camp (1888), and just the fifth to win the first 10 games of his career.
« Houston was one of just two schools nationally to play at least four ranked opponents last season and remain undefeated in the matchups with three of Houston's wins over ranked opponents coming by double-digits, the fourth-best total in the nation.
« Houston was one of eight teams nationally with at least four wins against ranked opponents, and was third nationally with seven wins of 21 points or more as 10 wins were double-digit wins including Houston's 38-24 win over No. 9 Florida State in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Houston ranked fifth nationally with an average margin of victory of 19.7 points per game.
« Houston's lone loss in 2015 came at UConn without an injured Greg Ward Jr. and with just six minutes of action from defensive leader Elandon Roberts who left the game after a targeting call with 54 minutes of action remaining.
« The program ranked eighth nationally in rushing defense, allowing just 108.9 yards per game, while ranking 13th in rushing offense with an average of 235.8 yards per game. Houston was the only team in the nation to rank in the top 13 in both categories.
« Houston faced eight bowl-eligible teams during the season, going 7-1 in those games.
DEGREES IN HAND |
« Seven Houston student-athletes entered the season having already earned an undergraduate degree. Chris Johnson (Baylor), D'Juan Hines, Cameron Malveaux, Tyler McCloskey, Steven Taylor, Davonte Thomas and Brandon Wilson all completed degree requirements prior to this season.
« Six additional Cougars will complete their degree requirements this December: Tyus Bowser, Zorrell Ezell, Mac Long, Hunter McCoy, Byron Simpson and B.J. Singleton.
LAST TIME OUT |
« Houston defeated Lamar, 42-0, to move to 2-0 on the year in a game that was delayed for 3:36 by lightning strikes in the Houston area. Kyle Postma and Kevrin Justice both got starts in place of Greg Ward Jr. and Duke Catalon and responded by each rushing over 100 yards along with Mulbah Car as Houston had three 100-yard rushers in the same game for the first time since 1974.
« The Houston defense did not allow Lamar to cross midfield Saturday, only allowing the Cardinals to get past their own 40-yard line just once, with a drive ending at the 44. The defensive effort culminated in a Houston record for yards allowed as Lamar would finish with just 73 yards including just 15 rushing yards, one week after rushing for 237 yards.
TOP 25 RANKINGS |
« Houston entered the season at No. 15 in the AP poll, its highest ranking since checking in at No. 12 in the 1991 AP preseason poll.
« Following its win over Oklahoma, Houston moved up to No. 6, its highest AP ranking since No. 3 on Nov. 10, 1990. It also marked the first time to be in the top 10 in the month of September since Sept. 8, 1980.
« Houston's current streak of 13 straight polls in being ranked is the fourth-longest in program history and the longest since the record streak of 42 weeks from 1988-91.
« Houston has won its last five games vs. ranked opponents and its last three games vs. top-10 opponents. Both streaks rank third nationally. Houston and Stanford were the only teams to face at least four ranked opponents and remain undefeated in the games in 2015.
ON THE OFFENSIVE |
« Since 2006, only Oregon (68,141) has racked up more offensive yards than Houston who has 66,408 yards in that time.
Rank Team Total Yards (06-present)
1. Oregon 68,141
2. Houston 66,408
3. Texas Tech 65,221
4. Oklahoma 63,964
5. Nevada 60,312
« Houston has scored in 201 straight games dating back to Sept. 30, 2000.
« Twenty-seven of Houston's 80 scoring drives last season were less than two minutes with 12 lasting less than one minute, the quickest just nine seconds with a one-play opening drive score vs. Tulane.
« Houston had 12 scoring drives of four plays or less including two two-play drives and two one-play drives.
« Houston totaled over 600 yards of total offense in four games last 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.
« With a balanced attack, Houston was one of just three schools nationally to average over 235 yards per game in both rushing (235.8) and passing (248.4) per game in 2015, joining Baylor and Oregon.
« Houston was ninth nationally with 89 plays of 20+ yards and 19th nationally with 37 plays of 30+ yards in 2015.
« The 566 points scored last season marked the fourth-best total in program history trailing just 2011 (690 points), 2009 (591) and 1989 (589).
THE WORD ON WARD |
« Houston quarterback Greg Ward Jr. entered 2016 after claiming the 2015 Earl Campbell Award, presented annually to the top player from the state of Texas. Ward became the first Houston quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards in a season, finishing 2015 with 1,108 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns to go along with 2,828 passing yards with 17 touchdowns. Ward ranked ninth nationally in completion percentage, completing 232-of-345 passes on the year, while throwing just six interceptions, seventh-best nationally among quarterbacks with at least 300 attempts.
« Ward and Clemson's Deshaun Watson were the only two players in the nation to rush for at least 1,000 yards and pass for at least 2,000 yards last season.
« None of Houston's opponents have been able to fully lock down both elements of Ward's game the last two seasons. He has at least 200 passing yards or 100 rushing yards in every full game he has played last the last two years, missing parts of two games with injury.
« With 1,108 yards, he broke the UH single-season record for rushing yards by a quarterback of 656 set by Lionel Wilson in 1981. His effort marked the 25th 1,000-yard rushing season in Houston history.
« The Houston single-season rushing by a quarterback record was one of 14 Houston or The American Athletic Conference records Ward broke last season while tying three others including the Houston single-season rushing touchdowns record with his 21 scores.
« The electrifying Ward was eighth nationally with 16 rushing attempts of at least 20 yards and nine rushing attempts of at least 30 yards. The 16 rushing attempts of 20+ yards led all FBS quarterbacks and all players in The American, regardless of position.
« Ward ranked in the top 25 in five of the NCAA's final recognized stat categories: completion percentage (ninth), points responsible for (12th), points responsible for per game (15th), rushing TDs (fifth) and scoring (25th). He finished seventh nationally in scoring among non-kickers with 126 points.
« Ward was a three-time American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week, four-time American Athletic Conference weekly honor roll member, a Manning Award finalist, The American Championship MVP, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Offensive MVP and the Earl Campbell Award winner.
« With his four rushing TDs vs. SMU, Ward broke the Houston QB rushing touchdowns records for a 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 such streak on the FBS level over the last 10 seasons. Ward had multiple rushing touchdowns in six games last season.
« With 21 rushing touchdowns on the year, Ward set the UH single-season touchdown record, regardless of position, breaking the previous record of 15 set by running back Jackie Battle in 2006.
« Ward is currently fourth on the Houston career rushing TDs chart with 29, two away from third.
« He ranked fourth nationally in 2015 in percentage of rush plays that gained five or more yards among ball carriers with 150 or more carries (51.4 percent).
« His 21 rushing TDs in 2015 rank second nationally among all returners behind just the 22 from LSU's Leonard Fournette.
« He is third among all returners with 126 points and sixth among all returners with a completion percentage of 67.2 percent.
« Oklahoma marked Ward's ninth career game with multiple passing TDs and his 16th with over 200 yards passing.
« The game against Oklahoma also marked Ward's fourth career game with at least 300 yards passing, and his second in a Houston win.
« He became just the third player in the last 14 games to throw for over 300 yards against Oklahoma as ended the day with 321 yards against the Big 12's top passing defense from 2015 as Oklahoma gave up just 202.8 yards per game through the air
« Ward was accurate on third downs against OU, completing 10-12 passes for 158 yards while facing the threat of fourth down. All 10 of those completions on third downs resulted in Houston first downs.
« The Tyler, Texas, native has been responsible for a touchdown, either passing or rushing, in 21 of his last 23 games.
« Ward moved up to eighth on Houston's career passing yards list. He needs 322 yards to move up to No. 7 on the list.
« He won his 20th game as Houston's starting quarterback with the win over Oklahoma, the fourth-best total on the Houston career victory chart.
« Ward leads Houston with a .909 (20-2) career winning percentage as a starting quarterback. Gary Mullins ranks second in school history with a .833 (25-5) percentage. They are the only QBs in UH history with 10+ starts and a winning percentage over .800.
THE LINE ON THE LINE |
« Houston lost a combined 83 starts from five senior offensive linemen and the loss of sophomore Colton Freeman, due to career-ending injuries in the spring, but returns a combined 26 starts from five returners.
« Houston ranked 10th in the nation in points per game (40.4) last year, despite having four freshmen offensive linemen who racked up more than 2,100 combined offensive snaps.
« The line took significant hits last season with three season-ending injuries enabling several returners to receive valuable experience. In 14 games, the line saw 11 different starting combinations with 11 different linemen receiving starts.
« A 2015 Freshman All-American, Will Noble started the final eight games of the season at center. Two other freshmen - Mason Denley (six starts) and Kameron Eloph (four starts) received action at the guard spots as well.
« The line also returns Marcus Oliver (seven career starts) and Josh Thomas who made his first career start last season against SMU before being lost for the season with an injury.
« Junior college transfer Na'Ty Rodgers, ranked the No. 7 overall junior college player by ESPN, earned his first career start at right tackle against Oklahoma while Josh Jones picked up his first career start at left tackle. Senior right guard Mac Long rounded out a trio of first-time starters on the line against Oklahoma. Junior college transfer Alex Fontana earned his first career start, coming at left guard, against Lamar.
ON THE RECEIVING END |
« Houston returned 54.2 percent of its receiving yards from 2015 with the early NFL departure of Demarcus Ayers (1,222 yards in 2015) and the graduation of running backs Kenneth Farrow (119 yards) and Ryan Jackson (111 yards).
« Houston returns four of its top five receivers in 2015 and seven of its top 10 led by senior Chance Allen who pulled in 56 receptions for 752 yards a team-best six touchdowns. The group also added junior Ra'Shaad Samples who sat out last season after transferring from Oklahoma State.
« Allen's 56 receptions and six touchdowns rank third among returners in The American while his 752 yards are fifth.
« Last season, Allen led the team in targets (25), receptions (10), receiving yards (355) and touchdowns (4) at the stretch vertical depth level (defined as passes traveling 20 or more yards downfield).
« Steven Dunbar also added 31 receptions for 382 yards and three touchdowns while Linell Bonner is fourth among all returners in The American with five touchdown receptions as part of his 25 receptions for 317 yards.
« Others being counted on in the receiving group include sophomore Isaiah Johnson, who had 15 receptions for 292 yards and three touchdowns in the 2016 spring game, and junior John Leday, who pulled in four receptions for 41 yards. True freshman Terry Mark also joined the group this spring as an early enrollee.
« The group has been bolstered with the addition of freshmen Keith Corbin, Courtney Lark and Marquez Stevenson. Their classmate, D'Eriq King, signed as a quarterback and has provided additional competition at the position during the fall camp. King had three receptions for 28 yards against Oklahoma.
« The tight end returned in 2015 led by Tyler McCloskey who pulled in 14 receptions for 157 yards and one touchdown. He pulled in his second career reception against Oklahoma on a two-yard scoring reception to close out the third quarter scoring against the Sooners.
« Seven different players pulled in receptions against Oklahoma, led by Dunbar who tied a career high with seven receptions en route to his second career 100-yard game with 125 yards on the day.
« King, who also saw time at quarterback against Lamar, led the receivers with four receptions for 25 yards against the Cardinals. Bonner led receiving-yard wise, taking his three receptions for 46 yards.
FIRST YEAR FACES IN NEW PLACES |
« While Houston returns 45 percent of its rushing yards from 2015, it returns just 14 percent of its rushing yards by those holding a running back role last season with the graduation of four-year mainstays Kenneth Farrow and Ryan Jackson.
« Brandon Wilson ran for 188 yards in emergency duty last season after flipping from cornerback but will remain in the secondary while sophomore Kaliq Kokuma was the only running back on the Houston roster with experience in 2015, rushing 18 times for 92 yards.
« What Houston lacks in returning numbers, it makes up for in potential with sophomore Duke Catalon joining the program after transferring from Texas. The former four-star recruit redshirted in his lone season at Texas after being ranked the No. 10 running back in the nation coming out of Houston's Eisenhower High School.
« Catalon had a game-best 88 yards in the Houston-Oklahoma season opener on 22 carries for an average of 4.0 yards per gain. He also added four receptions for 29 yards including a 15-yard pass for Houston's first touchdown of the day.
« With Catalon held out of Houston's week two game against Lamar, the duo of redshirt-freshman Kevrin Justice and true freshman Mulbah Car took the rushing game reigns, with Justice rushing for 111 yards and Car 109.
THIRD WARD DEFENSE |
« The 2015 Cougar defense led The American and was eighth nationally in allowing opponents just an average of 108.9 yards rushing per game. The Cougars ranked 20th nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 20.7 points per game.
« The defense held 10 of 14 opponents below their total offense average and 12 of 14 below their scoring offense averages. The two teams that did exceed their scoring averages, Tennessee Tech and UConn, were held within a point of their season average.
« The 2015 defense was the first since 1998 to hold its first three opponents each to less than 100 yards rushing. Houston held six teams total under 100 rushing yards including holding Florida State, who averaged 180.9 rushing yards per game entering the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, to just 12 yards on the ground.
« In the win over Florida State, the Houston defense held FSU star running back Dalvin Cook to just 33 yards on 18 carries, an average of 1.8 yards per attempt. Entering the game, Cook had averaged 150.7 yards per game and 7.9 yards per carry. Among the Power 5 Conferences entering bowl season, Cook had the most rushes of 20 or more yards at 22. The Houston defense limited Cook's longest rush to just nine yards.
« Last season's win over Vanderbilt was the first shutout of an SEC team by a non-conference opponent since Sept. 5, 2004 when Louisville defeated Kentucky 28-0.
« Navy entered its 2015 regular-season finale vs. Houston second nationally in averaging 348.4 yards rushing per game, but the Houston defense held the Midshipmen to just 147 yards rushing in the game with 76 yards coming on Navy's first drive of the game. After giving up 67 yards rushing to Heisman candidate Keenan Reynolds on the first drive, the UH defense held the QB to just 17 yards for the rest of the game.
« The Houston defense held Oklahoma to 23 points in its season opener, just the third time in the last 14 games the Sooners have been held to under 30 points.
« Oklahoma, who averaged 530.2 yards per game in 2015, had 393 total yards against the Houston defense including just 70 on the ground. OU averaged 222.1 rushing yards per game in 2015.
« The Houston defense has not allowed another team to rush for over 100 yards in its last four games, holding Temple, Florida State, Oklahoma and Lamar to a combined 199 rushing yards. The four-game streak is the longest active streak nationally.
« Houston enters week three with the No. 2 rushing defense nationally, allowing just an average of 42.5 yards per game through two contests, trailing just the 34.5 yard average of Miami.
« The Cougars set a program record when they allowed Lamar just 73 total offensive yards, besting a 47-year old record of 74 yards set by the 1969 Houston team against Mississippi State.
« Houston enters week three as The American's top scoring defense (11.5 points per game) and top total defense (233.0 yards per game).
TURNOVER U |
« Since the start of the 2013 season, no program has taken the ball away from opposing offenses more than Houston with 111 turnovers forced in that time with three in 2016, 35 in 2015, 30 in 2014 and 43 in 2013.
« In his first year with Houston, defensive coordinator Todd Orlando continued the turnover theme as his defenses had 95 turnovers from 2013-15. 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.
« Orlando ranks third nationally among defensive coordinators with an average of 2.26 takeaways per game over 2013-15.
« Orlando, Brent Venables (Clemson), Bud Foster (Virginia Tech) and Gary Patterson (TCU) are the only defensive coaches nationally to rank in the top 15 for turnovers per game, defensive third down percentage and tackles for loss last season.
« Houston once again established itself in the turnover battle in 2015 as it ranked second nationally with a +21 turnover margin and 10th nationally with just 14 turnovers lost.
« Houston was opportunistic, turning its 35 turnovers into 128 points including four defensive touchdowns.
« Houston forced at least three turnovers in seven games last season, capping the year with a season-best five vs. Florida State.
« UH has forced multiple turnovers in 39 of its last 50 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.
« Cameron Malveaux and Howard Wilson each came up with fumble recoveries against Oklahoma as the Cougars turned the Sooners' two turnovers into seven points.
« Against Lamar, cornerback Dillon Birden came up with Houston's lone turnover, ripping the ball out of a Cardinals' receivers hands and retaining possession as he hit the turf.
UP FRONT |
« Outside of the quarterback group, no position group returned more in 2016 than the defensive line which lost the 29 career starts of Tomme Mark but returned 39 combined starts from seniors B.J. Singleton and Cameron Malveaux, along with all of its 2015 backups.
« Known for occupying blockers and knocking offensive linemen into the backfield in 2015, the group led by Malveaux has quickly established itself as a group that likes to create chaos in the opposition's backfield.
« Singleton has started 25 career games at defensive tackle for the Cougars and was named to The American's second team in 2015.
« The 16 career starts may be misleading for Malveaux as he enjoyed a breakout year in 2015 under the new coaching staff, finishing the season with 33 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in an increased on-field presence. He was named one of four team captains in 2016.
« The group was bolstered with the emergence of junior Nick Thurman and sophomore Jerard Carter in 2015. Thurman finished the year with 27 tackles, including five for loss, and two fumble recoveries. Carter also recovered two fumbles on the year while picking up 13 tackles.
« The group has been bolstered by the addition of true freshman Ed Oliver, ranked the No. 2 defensive tackle in the nation by ESPN in the 2016 signing class. Oliver did not wait long to make his impression felt for Houston, earning his first career start against Oklahoma and leading all defensive linemen in the game with seven tackles including two sacks. Playing at the nose tackle position, Oliver penetrated the Oklahoma backfield throughout the game to disrupt the Sooners' offensive flow.
« He continued to wreak havoc in the backfield against Lamar with a game-high 2.5 tackles for loss.
A NEW ERA IN UH SECONDARY |
« The position hit the hardest by graduation, the Houston secondary lost 135 career starts between Lee Hightower, William Jackson III, Adrian McDonald and Trevon Stewart, but did return four players with starting experience in senior Brandon Wilson, junior Khail Williams and sophomores Howard Wilson and Jeremy Winchester.
« The group had 19 of the 30 turnovers in 2014 and 25 of the 35 turnovers in 2015 with interceptions from Jackson (5), McDonald (4), Stewart (4), Brandon Wilson, Howard Wilson, Hightower and Williams while Stewart (4), McDonald (2), Jackson and Brandon Wilson had fumble recoveries.
« Brandon Wilson now has 24 career starts including a current streak of 16 games, and is the team's second-leading returner with 58 tackles in 2015. He led all returners with eight pass breakups last season while also picking off a pass and recovering a fumble, returning both for touchdowns. Wilson also saw time at running back in two games last year, finishing the season with 188 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 37 attempts.
« Playing in the nickelback role, Brandon Wilson got his season started off on the right foot with a career-high 10 tackles, including one for a loss, and one pass breakup against Oklahoma and was named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week.
« Howard Wilson picked off his fourth career pass in Houston's win over Texas State last season before suffering a season-ending injury in the same game. A medical redshirt was granted on his behalf to restore his sophomore season. He is paired with Winchester at corner after the sophomore saw action in 13 games in 2015 with two starts, breaking up three passes and making 17 tackles.
« Howard Wilson claimed his first career fumble recovery against Oklahoma to end the Sooners' second drive of the second half.
« At safety, junior Khalil Williams and sophomore Garrett Davis have both stepped into the starting lineup with junior college transfer Terrell Williams and true freshman Collin Wilder providing depth at the position.
A LOOK AT THE LINEBACKERS |
« Houston lost an emotional leader in middle linebacker Elandon Roberts, but did return three of its four starters in seniors Tyus Bowser and Steven Taylor and junior Matthew Adams.
« Taylor owns 10 career games with double-digit stops and is the team's returning leading tackler from 2015 with 92 stops on the year. He also led Houston on the year with 10 sacks and was second on the team with 18.5 tackles for loss.
« Taylor led The American with his 10 sacks and was second in The American, behind Roberts, in tackles for loss.
« He already has 3.5 sacks through two weeks and has moved into ninth on the Houston career sacks chart with 20.5 and is one sack away from sixth. He also moved to sixth on the career tackles for loss chart with 42 and is just one TFL away from fifth and eight away from fourth.
« Bowser made the move from defensive end, where he earned three starts in his first two years, to outside linebacker in 2015 and had sacks in each of the first three games of the season, finishing the year with 5.5 sacks, fourth-best among all returning players in The American. He 2.5 sacks to give him 15.5 for his career.
« Adams finished the 2015 season with 49 tackles including two sacks while pairing with Roberts in the middle of the 3-4 defense and coming off the field in the nickel situation. He opened the year with his third career forced fumble while totaling nine tackles against Oklahoma.
« With Adams suspended vs. Texas State last season, Emeke Egbule, then a true freshman, made a quick name for himself with three tackles including his first career sack. He finished the year with 11 tackles.
« Others looking to make a name for themselves at linebacker include seniors Ralph Harvey Jr., who saw action in six games on special teams, and Davonte Thomas, who has played in nine career games, juniors D'Juan Hines, who has 17 tackles in 24 career games, and Nomluis Fruge, who has seen action in 11 career games, along with sophomore Ja'Von Shelley and redshirt-freshmen Leroy Godfrey, Kobe Idumwonyi and Jordan Milburn.
TY ONE ON |
« Ty Cummings holds the starting role as the team's kicker after taking over starting placekicking duties last season vs. SMU in addition to his already held kickoff role.
« He had 100 kickoffs last year, averaging 62.7 yards per kickoff, with 30 touchbacks, ranking fifth in The American in both categories.
« Cummings connected on all 51 of his extra point attempts last season and all eight field goal attempts, including a career-long 45-yard field goal vs. Navy.
« Despite not starting the first four games of the season at kicker, Cummings ranked 11th in the conference, and seventh among kickers, in scoring with 75 points on the year.
« In the first half alone against Oklahoma, Cummings became the ninth kicker in Houston history with at least four field goals in a game with his career-high four including a career-long 47-yard kick on the final play of the first half to give the Cougars the lead for good. Cummings also connected to on all three extra point attempts to remain perfect on his career in kicking.
« His streak of consecutive made field goals ended at 12, however, as Cummings missed a 31-yard attempt and a 25-yard attempt against Lamar.
THE PUNT-AH |
« After losing two-year starting punter Logan Piper, Houston turned to down under for its newest punter. Dane Roy, a 27-year old true freshman from Bunyip, Australia, joined the Houston program this fall after a career as an ice-cream salesman.
« Roy picked up the art of punting at ProKick Australia.
« An Australian rules football player for Richmond Central, he won the longest kick competition at the AFL grand final in Melbourne, Australia, after booting a torpedo 73 meters, which equates to 79 yards. Roy, who stands 6-7, also has a personal-best hang time of 5.4 seconds.
« In his debut against Oklahoma, Roy had four punts for 176 yards, an average of 44.0 yards per punt. He followed with one punt for 50 yards against Lamar.
THE RETURNS DEPARTMENT |
« Houston returned The American's most dangerous kick returners in Brandon Wilson while it replaces the league's No. 3 punt returner in 2015 Demarcus Ayers with Steven Dunbar.
« Wilson led the league with two kickoff return touchdowns while ranking fourth with an average return of 26.6 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.
« Wilson became just the second player in Houston history to return multiple kickoffs for touchdowns in a season and a career, joining Tyron Carrier who had four in the 2009 season and seven in his career, with a kick return for a score at UConn.
« Against Oklahoma, Wilson scored his eighth career touchdown in the sixth different fashion when he returned a missed Oklahoma field goal 109.99 yards from the back of his own end zone for a Houston touchdown. Wilson also has touchdowns via rushing (2), kick returns (2), fumble return, interception return and a blocked field goal return.
« He added his third career kick return of at least 50 yards against Lamar when he returned Lamar's lone kickoff 55 yards to open up the second half.
A CLASS OF ITS OWN |
« With the first full year of recruiting under their belts, Tom Herman and his staff signed what is being praised as not only the top signing class in Houston history, but the top class ever among all group of five programs.
« The group ranked No. 30 by ESPN included defensive tackle Ed Oliver who is the highest ranked player ever to sign with a group of five program. Oliver was ranked the No. 2 defensive tackle nationally by ESPN and the No. 4 player regardless of position in the nation by ESPN.
« The class includes three players in the ESPN 300 â€" Oliver, receiver Courtney Lark and quarterback D'Eriq King â€" and six players ranked in the top 10 nationally at their positions â€" quarterback Kyle Allen (No. 1 quarterback in 2014), running back Duke Catalon (No. 10 running back in 2014), offensive lineman Keenan Murphy (No. 5 center), Oliver (No. 2 defensive tackle), offensive lineman Na'Ty Rodgers (No. 4 junior college offensive tackle) and defensive back Terrell Williams (No. 9 junior college safety).
« The class of 24 signees consists of 19 players from the state of Texas and one each from Arizona, Louisiana, Maryland, Oklahoma and Canada. Of the 17 high school players in the class, 16 hail from the state of Texas with one from neighboring Louisiana. The class covers seven position groups with six defensive backs, four offensive linemen, four receivers, three quarterbacks, three defensive linemen, two running backs and one tight end.
« Fourteen from the class have already seen action through the first two weeks including 10 true freshman - Oliver, who has started at defensive tackle, Rodgers, who has started at right tackle, Catalon, Williams, Mulbah Car, Keith Corbin, Aymiel Fleming, Alex Fontana, Braylon Jones, D'Eriq King, Courtney Lark, Terry Mark, Javian Smith and Collin Wilder.
WON'T BACK DOWN |
« Houston VP for Athletics Hunter Yurachek and Tom Herman announced in 2015 a commitment to non-conference scheduling with a goal of two power 5 opponents and two group of 5 opponents each year following 2016 to avoid scheduling FCS opponents.
« Houston's 2016 non-conference schedule is the last to feature an FCS opponent in Lamar and its 2017 non-conference schedule is set with trips to Arizona and UTSA while hosting Texas Tech and Rice.
« UH has just one spot to fill in 2018 with the second end of home-and-home series with Arizona, Rice and Texas Tech filling three of the four spots. Houston wraps up its series with Oklahoma when they visit the Sooners in 2019. UH also has future series with Kansas (2019-2020), Texas Tech (2021-2022) and UTSA (2022-2024) on the docket along with a return trip to Vanderbilt on Oct. 2, 2021.
