Houston hoping to stay hot versus UAB

Cougars to play first home game since August 30th

After losing a pair of games by a field goal and starting the Kevin Sumlin era at 1-3, the Cougars collected an impressive 41-24 win at CUSA East favorite East Carolina two weeks ago in their league opener. The victory, which was the program’s first over a ranked opponent since 1996, capped a crazy month that included only one home game due to Hurricane Ike forcing the Air Force game to be moved to SMU’s Ford Stadium.

Houston’s high-powered offense is among the nation’s best. It lit up the ECU defense for 621 yards—including 222 on the ground—and is averaging 37.2 points and 545 yards per contest. The Cougars are converting a staggering 53.8 percent of their third down attempts. Quarterback Case Keenum leads the nation in total yards (418.2) and has completed 67.7 percent of his passes. He has thrown for 1,925 yards and 19 scores (to only five picks).

Keenum is receiving help from a pair of talented freshmen in running back Bryce Beall and wide receiver Patrick Edwards. Beall has rushed for 345 yards—including 132 versus the Pirates. Edwards is averaging 160 all-purpose yards per game—81.6 of which are receiving yards.

The Cougar defense that surrendered nearly 700 yards of offense in a 56-37 loss at Oklahoma State in game two has made significant strides. While the Pirates’ offense certainly doesn’t possess the potency of the Cowboys, no one would have seen UH holding ECU to 275 yards. However, the Cougars kept Patrick Pinkney and company out of rhythm essentially all day. Freshman Marcus McGraw has been stepping up and is second on the team with 34 tackles.

The Blazers, who were 2-10 with only one FBS win last season in Neil Callaway’s first year at the helm, bring a 1-5 mark into Robertson Stadium. UAB, which has lost 11 consecutive contests to FBS teams, dropped a 33-30 heartbreaker at home to Memphis the last time out when the Tigers connected on a chip shot field goal with only two seconds remaining. Its only victory to date was a 45-10 win over Alabama State.

Former wide receiver Joe Webb has become one of the top dual threat quarterbacks in the nation. Webb has already set the school rushing record for quarterbacks this season with 516 yards through six games. Through the air, he has accounted for 1,275 yards and seven touchdowns (six interceptions).

Webb has a couple weapons at his disposal in Rashad Slaughter and Frantrell Forrest. Slaughter totaled 92 yards on 13 carries versus Memphis. Forrest, who leads the team with 25 receptions for 335 yards, has missed the last two games due to the death of his grandmother and an injury.

Depsite its eye-popping numbers, Houston has made it a habit of stopping itself. The Cougars could have put much more than 41 points on the board against East Carolina had it not been for four turnovers and a couple of botched field goal attempts.

UAB’s defense will have to play its most complete game to date in order to give itself any chance. Blazer opponents are converting 47 percent of their third downs and rolling up 461.3 yards (283 passing). Joe Henderson, who had three tackles behind the line versus Memphis, must be a disruptive force again.

Since they’ll be hardpressed to slow down Houston, UAB must be perfect in the red zone like it was in the loss to Memphis when it scored on all five trips inside the Tigers’ 20-yard line. It will also need to eliminate the costly penalties (11 for 127 vs. Memphis) and protect the football while forcing the Cougars into some turnovers.

Houston 48 - UAB 20