Houston 63 Marshall 28 - Thundering Herd, Blundering Turd

Marshall defensive football players talked the talk.  Until Saturday's game, they walked the walk.  They looked to knock Houston's record setting quarterback Case Keenum out of the game.  Marshall already knocked out a few quarterbacks.  To wit:  Southern Miss Austin Davis, VA Tech Logan Thomas, Louisville Teddy Bridgewater and Central Florida Mark Godfrey.  Next?  Case Keenum.

Instead, Keenum and the Cougar offensive line thwarted the plan.  Keenum left his footprints all over the Marshall defense.  Keenum's game line:  24 of 28 passes completed for 376 yards and 6 TDs.  No sacks.  No interceptions.  Keenum also broke former Hawaii quarterback Tommy Chang's all time total offense record.  Chang held the record with 16,910 yards.  When back up UH quarterback Cotton Turner took his first snap in the 4th quarter, Keenum sat on the sidelines with a career total of 17,173 total yards.

Again the Cougar defense came up big when it mattered.  Trailing 35-14 in the last seconds of the 2nd quarter, Marshall held a 4th and 1.  The decided to go for the touchdown instead of the field goal.  It was a momentum building play either way it went.  A TD and Marshall is back in it.  A stop and the Cougars maintain a commanding lead.  With an anxious sell out crowd yelling, the Cougar defense stood tall and swung the game clearing in the Cougar's favor.

The defense held firm and chipped in on the scoring.  In the 3rd quarter, true freshman Derrick Matthews returned an interception 20 yards for a TD.  In the 4th, defensive end Kelvin King almost returned an interception for a TD but fell short in his 69 yard return.

UH vs. Marshall Game Book

UH vs Marshall Box Score

Houston vs. Marshall Motivational Video

Houston vs. Marshall Highlights

Houston Cougar Game Day Idle - Coogs To Big East?

With the exception of ESPN, other media outlets report that the Big East will expand by six teams.  The teams include Boise St., Air Force and Navy as football playing members only.  Central Florida, SMU and our dear old Houston Cougars would play as full members in other sports.

So what is the real scoop?  At this point it is really hard to tell.  Initially, a week ago, the Big East was on its death bed.  Pitt and Syracuse bolted for the ACC and TCU jilted the Big East for the Big 12.  UConn desperately tried to join Pitt and Syracuse in the ACC.  Louisville, West Virginia, Cincinnati and Rutgers eyed other conferences as well.  Pending a move by Missouri to the SEC or Big Ten, and a desire of the Big 12 for 12 members, Louisville and/or West Virgina might head to the B12.  Rutgers may or may not be headed to the Big 10. 

Regardless, at stake for the Big East was their automatic qualification to a Bowl Championship Series bowl status (BCS AQ).  The SEC, ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Big East and Pac 12 champs all receive automatic bids to the lucrative bowls and paths to a BCS title game.  All other conferences and independents must meet minimum criteria to get a slot in the country club.  Boise St. and TCU are the two non-AQ schools that consistently earn a seat at the exclusive table but neither has been given a national title shot.

With the loss of Pitt, Syracuse and TCU, the Big East faced the loss of revenues from football and the next TV contract.  With the expected entry of TCU, the Big East hoped to tap the Texas market in TV and recruiting.  The addition of TCU also expected to boost the ranking of the conference to maintain the league's lock to access to a lucrative BCS bowl.  With three schools gone, what next?

Attractive schools abound despite the defections.  BYU went independent after breaking away from the Mountain West Conference (MWC).  Boise St. left the WAC for the MWC in hopes of strengthening its schedule and BCS appeal.  Notre Dame plays in all Big East sports except for football.  The service academies (Navy, Air Force, Army) maintain national followings from their respective branches and the University status of their academies. 

At one point a few years ago, there was speculation that the MWC would either take the Big East's AQ status or force a seventh AQ slot for a conference.  Utah and TCU earned victories to strengthen the conference standing.  Many speculated that adding some stronger non-AQ schools like Houston, Nevada, Hawaii and Boise St. would only enhance a conference could already compete with the AQ conferences.  Then Utah left for the Pac-10/12, TCU went to the Big East/Big 12 and BYU went indie.  A promising conference was left in shambles.  If the Big East raids come to fruition, then the MWC will be further weakened with the losses of Boise St. and Air Force.

Since the break up of the old Southwest Conference, Houston, TCU, SMU and Rice have been on the outside looking in.  TCU earned its place in the new BCS.  Houston, SMU and Rice went through the motions in their respective conferences. 

Houston Cougar fans through the ages always feel slighted.  Playing for years in the 50s, 60s and 70s in smaller conferences or independent, the Cougars enviously eyed the Southwest and Southeast Conferences.  It wasn't until the 70s that the Cougars gained membership into the SWC and the validation they sought.  Three SWC championships in the first four years of membership only proved the Cougars belonged and three Final Four teams in the 80s showed the Coogs weren't just a football school.  So the break up of the SWC and the exclusion in the formation of the Big 12 only opened old wounds for the Coog faithful.

From the depths of the dissolution of the SWC to the exclusion from the Big 12, do the Cougars finally have a home at the BCS Club?  From all indications, yes. 

There is no reason for any school invited to the Big East to turn the invite down.  ESPN tried to play up the MWC/C-USA merger/association as a reason for Boise St. and Air Force turn down the Big East.  Houston, SMU and Central Florida also appeared enticed but a 22 football league.  ESPN reports appear speculation based on old reports and information.  Boise and AF were initially hesitant only due to the fact that they needed reassurance that the league would survive.  Once the football schools said they will raise the exit fees then Boise and AF agreed.  ESPN also floated that AF soured on the idea after Army backed out a deal.  Curiously, only ESPN reports that Army was offered.  Multiple news sources never mention Army.  Navy appears a fence sitter but reportedly the Big East is also working out a custom offer for the Midshipman.

Other early reports stated that three schools were up for two remaining spots.  Houston, SMU and Temple were in play for two spots.  Apparently, Villanova, a basketball school, blocked Temple and that opened up the door for the Texas schools. 

So how does it all break down?  If media reports are accurate, which is a big if, then Big East expansion is set and the moves are all formalities.  Six schools that played decent to great football found a home at the Big Boy Money Club.  Despite ESPN's reports, the schools won't turn down the invites because to much money left on the table. 

So much speculation but so much hope for Cougar fans, let's pray/hope for the best.

Houston Cougar Game Day 6 - Houston vs East Carolina

vs

October 8, 2011 

6:00 p.m.

Houston, TX

University of Houston Campus

Robertson Stadium

Overall Series - East Carolina leads 6-4

Last Meeting - East Carolina 38 Houston 32 in 2009 C-USA Championship Game

With conference realignments still the major story of the college football season, there is still some action on the field.

The Cougars continue to hover just outside the Top 25 in both AP and Coaches polls.  Sporting a 5-0 record and a struggling defense, the Coogs appear to impress enough voters to get them into the polls.

East Carolina rolls in with a 1-3 record but 1-0 in conference.  The Pirates played three AQ BCS opponents in four games.  They played Virginia Tech to a 17-10 loss.  In C-USA play, the Pirates defeated UAB 28-23.  I planned on going over the offensive stats of the Pirates but the Cougar defense makes all that irrelevant as they make the anyone seem like world beaters.

Houston Game Day Notes

Weekly Houston Press Conference

Houston Cougar Game Day Central

Houston Chronicle Stories:

For Sims, No Place Like UH

UH Looks Good at 5-0 But How Good?

What Does TCU Going to Big 12 Mean for UH

Houston 49 UTEP 42 - Miner Defenses Rule

Well if you are a fan of high scoring offenses and no defense, this was the game for you.  Houston outscored UTEP 49-42.  Neither defense had an answer for the opposite offense.  Houston's defense made a brief appearance when linebacker Marcus McGraw returned a fumble 34 yards to give the Coogs the first lead of the game at 21-14. 

A common theme has emerged through three road games.  For some reason the offense doesn't start well.  Couple that fact with a porous defense and again the Coogs fell behind early.  The Miners were able to build a 14-0 1st quarter lead on the strength of the Cougars drives that ended: punt, missed FG, downs, punt.

The defense did make a few stops to allow the offense back in the game and knot the game at 14.  McGraw's TD capped what was actually an outstanding defensive effort in the 2nd quarter.  The defense also forced a couple of UTEP punts and an interception.  The effort allowed things to start out even at the second half tied at 21.

Without a doubt Houston's player of the game was Charles Sims.  Sims gained 111 yards on the ground and scored 2 TDs.  He also had back breaking 84 yard TD reception on a screen pass.  That TD and the ensuing 2 point conversion gave the Cougars a 49-35 lead.

The defense though could not stop UTEP.  The Miners clawed back and scored a TD with 6:20 left in the game.  The Cougar offense managed to run 2:44 off the clock before give the ball back on a punt.  Again the Miner offense sliced up the Cougar defense and marched down to the UH 19.  A draw play thrown for a loss moved them back to the 23 but it was two incomplete passes on 3rd and 4th downs that sealed the game for Houston.

All the details and more can be found in the UH vs UTEP game book.

Suck for Luck Campaign

Before the football season, the Suck for Luck campaign theme was coined.  Of course, it meant the race for the first overall pick to select Stanford's quarterback Andrew Luck.  Among the preseason front runners counted Buffalo, San Francisco, Miami, Seattle and Denver.

At the quarter mark of the season, the race appears to change.  The 49ers and Bills currently are in the thick of division races.  Indianapolis and Kansas City, defending division champs, are suddenly bottom feeders in the hung for Luck.

Other bottom feeders, like St. Louis, Carolina, Minnesota and Jacksonville already have the quarterback of the future on the roster.  Sam Bradford appears to regressed in St. Louis but he is the future arm of the franchise.  Cam Newton, so far, is erasing doubts about his ability to play in the pocket and breathed life into a listless franchise.  The Donovan McNabb experiment will soon end and Christian Ponder will no doubt take his spot.  Jacksonville already started the Blaine Gabbert Era with the sudden release of David Garrad and the flop of  Luke McCown.

Miami, from top to bottom, is a mess.  Most teams enjoy the friendly confines of home.  The Dolphins have only won one home game last season and none this year.  Off the field, owner Stephen Ross has turned the list of owners into a celebrity list:  Venus and Serena Williams, JLo, Marc Anthony, Fergie, Gloria Estefan, Emilio Estefan.  Coach Tony Sparano appears clueless and will probably be fired sometime soon.  Quarterback Chad Henne is out for the season and doesn't appear to be the long term solution at the position.  Chances are high that the once proud franchise will win the Luck Sweepstakes.  The question is will Luck really want to play there and is it the best place for him?

My how have the mighty fallen.  With Peyton Manning out, the Colts franchise is teetering on the brink.  Manning covered the flaws of the franchise.  I always thought Jim Caldwell is clueless on the sideline and that Manning's on field prowess covered up for Caldwell.  So far that theory is playing out.  Even the speedy defense was built for Manning.  The philosophy was for Manning to get big lead and let speedsters Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis tee of on offenses trying to catch up.  Again that theory is bearing out.  If they win the Luck sweepstakes, can the right the direction of the franchise?  Will Manning come back and play a year or two and show Luck the ropes?  Luck is probably the best bet to take up the mantle of Manning.

Weekly Awards
Line of the Week
Baltimore Ravens Defense - 1 fumble returned for TD, 1 INT returned for TD, 2 sacks, 9 pass deflections, 3 fumbles recovered
Honorable Mention: Detriot Lions Defense - 2 INTs returned for TDs, 3 INTs,
Honorable Mention: Beanie Wells - 27 carries, 138 yards rushing, 3 TDs

JaMarcus Russell Line of the Week
Mark Sanchez - 11 of 35 for 119 yards, 1 INT for TD, 4 fumbles, 3 fumbles lost

Goat of the Week
Tony Romo, Jason Garrett and Felix Jones
Romo threw three key picks and two were returned for TDs to help blow a 27-3 lead.  Garrett allowed Romo to keep throwing the ball instead of trying to control the clock and ball.  Jones ran out of bounds late in the game to stop the clock.  Only problem is that it was 4th down.

NFL Week 2 - Blowout KC, Romo Media Frenzy

A little late but better late than never.  Just a few quick observations for the week.

KC Goes South
I'll start with Kansas City.  Some NFL pundits predicted that the Chiefs would take a step back after winning ten games and the AFC West.  I don't think anyone saw the 0-2 start by blow outs.  The aggregate score in the losses is 89-10. 

It's only two games but it appears the wheels already fell of the season for the Chiefs.  I can understand getting routed in one game.  Bad days happen.  Total melt downs occur.  Everything goes right for the other team while you day goes to garbage. 

Two games though are inexcusable.  These are professional players and coaching staffs.  There is no excuse to lose games like this.  Two or more losses like this and I don't see how Todd Haley survives. 

Romo Media Flip Flop
Last week after the NY Jet debacle, the national media was all over Tony Romo.  This week after the 49ers OT win, the media were singing his praises.  He was skewered over an open flame for his fumble and interception that lead to the loss.  In week two, he went out with an injury and came back to lead the Cowboys to victory.  After having no heart all of a sudden the media sang about how tough and how much he respect he had for playing hurt. 

Listen, I know you are paid for your opinions but stick to your guns and don't flip flop like a politician.  The Romo praising was stomach turning coming from the same media personality who flamed him the previous week.  Add to the fact that this is only one game.  What if Romo blows another game or two?  They are probably going back to bashing...then praising when he does well again.

I'll stick to my guns.  Tony Romo isn't a big game quarterback.  He wins occasionally but does enough boneheaded moves in key games to not elevate to the level of Mannings, Brady and Brees.  He's a second tier level of quarterbacks.

Message Sent and Ignored
Baltimore, what was that?  Nothing is worse than dropping a game to a struggling team right after administering a beat down of your heated rival.  The Ravens clobbered the Steelers in opening week.  Pundits claimed that the Ravens sent a message to the Steelers and the rest of the league.  Evidently the Steelers heard and laughed.  They recovered nicely in shutting out the Seahawks. 

After week one, the Ravens were riding high and the Steelers written off.  Now after week two, we are back to square one and even at 1-1.  That goes to show how ridiculous trying to take one game and expand it toward the season.  One game doesn't send a message.  At least it mutes the message when the Ravens failed to back it up on the second week.

Line of the Week
28 of 46 passing for 432 and 1 TD - Cam Newton.  I awarded it to Newton not because he did it this week.  I did it because it's the second week in a row he threw for over 400 yards.  Some scouts and media doubted Newton's ability to stay in the pocket and play out of the pro set.  So far so good as he proves his doubters wrong so far.  Let's see how he does the rest of the season.  I just might be enjoyable.

JaMarcus Russell Player of the Week
Luke McCown.  He was handed the starting job up the release of David Garrard.  McCown, in his second start of the season, lost the starting job.  He was yanked from the game against the Jets in the 4th quarter.  He managed four interceptions and gave way to rookie Blaine Gabbert.

Goat of the Week
The Chicago Bears offensive line.  Jay Cutler is on track to get sacked 88 times or something like that.

Houston Cougar Game Day 4 vs. Georgia St.

VS

 Sept. 24, 2011

7:00 p.m.

Robertson Stadium
University of Houston Campus
First meeting between teams 
TV: CSS
Radio: 790 AM (Houston)

Coming of the largest come from behind win in Houston Cougar history, the Coogs host Georgia St. Panthers for the second home game of the year.  GSU plays in the NCAA Football Championship division.  They began play in 2010.  


This is the type of the game most schools schedule for the first game of the season.  A sort of real time scrimmage/tune up before the season starts.  UH opened up with UCLA, North Texas and LA Tech.  

Georgia St. started off the season with a win against Clark Atlanta 41-7.  The Panthers have lost their next two games against Old Dominion (40-17) and Jacksonville St. (37-21).  Georgia St. is lead by head coach Bill Curry.


The game should be a stat padding outing for Case Keenum and Company.  I seriously doubt Georgia St. gives the Coogs much of a game but then again I thought the same about North Texas.  


Link dump:

UH Official Home Game Day Central

UH Official Game Notes

Weekly Press Conference Quotes

Sam Kahn's UH Blog - A Glance at Georgia St.

Case Keenum Win's C-USA Player of the Week