CUSA 2008 Football Previews > 2008 Houston Football Preview

2008 Houston Cougars football preview

Houston Cougars - Conference USA

Houston's 2007 Record: (8-5, 6-2)

2007 Bowl: Texas Bowl vs. TCU (L 13-20)

Houston Head Coach: Kevin Sumlin (1st year at Houston, 0-0 overall)

Offensive Coordinator: Dana Holgorsen and Jason Phillips

Defensive Coordinator: John Skladany

Returning Leaders for the Cougars:

• Rushing: Terrance Ganaway, RB, 550 yards
• Passing: Case Keenum, QB, 2,259 yards
• Receiving: Mark Hafner, TE, 445 yards
• Tackles: Kenneth Fontenette, S, 69
• Sacks: Phillip Hunt, DE, 10.5
• Interceptions: Kenneth Fontenette, S, 4

Other Key Returnees: DT Ell Ash, C Carl Barnett, G Michael Bloesch, CB Brandon Brinkley, QB Blake Joseph, LB Cody Lubojasky, S Ernest Miller, OT SirVincent Rogers, DT Tate Stewart, OT Sebastian Vollmer, CB Quinte Williams

Key Losses: G Jeff Akeroyd, LB Trent Allen, RB Anthony Alridge, WR Donnie Avery, OT Dustin Dickinson, WR Jeron Harvey, K T.J. Lawrence, WR Perry McDaniel, LB Brendan Pahulu, S Rocky Schwartz

The goal at Houston this season is to sustain the success created by former Coach Art Briles, who is now the head man at Baylor. Kevin Sumlin takes over the job and will keep things looking pretty much the same. Coach Sumlin, who was formerly the offensive coordinator at Texas A&M and Oklahoma, is new to the world of head coaching, but Cougar fans can expect a new wrinkle or two on the offensive side of the ball.

Houston's 2008 Strengths:

The defense was often overlooked since Houston had such an explosive offense last year, but the unit ranked first in the conference in total defense last year and should again this time around. End Phillip Hunt had a C-USA high 10.5 sacks in 2007 and will anchor an experienced line. The secondary returns four starters and is suddenly a very veteran unit. Safety Kenneth Fontenette is the returning leader in tackles and interceptions and corners Brandon Brinkley and Quinte Williams did a fine job last season considering how much they were tested in the pass happy conference, although finding some depth is an issue. On paper, the lone problem on defense is the loss of linebackers Trent Allen and Brendan Pahulu. Cody Lubojasky is back to man the middle and a couple new faces will be by his side. The good news is that Tyrell Graham and Matt Nicholson are upperclassmen and are ready to step up into starting roles.

Houston's 2008 Weaknesses:

While the offensive scheme will look the same, it will certainly be different without running back Anthony Alridge and receivers Donnie Avery and Jeron Harvey. Alridge rushed for 1,597 yards and 14 touchdowns last year and Avery was the first wideout taken in the NFL Draft and nearly eclipsed the 1,500 yard receiving mark during his senior season. Sophomores Andre Kohn and Terrance Ganaway will look to continue the success on the ground. Ganaway was Alridge’s backup as a freshman and had a decent season, but it remains to be seen if anybody can replace Alridge’s production. However, an experienced offensive line, led by tackle Sebastian Vollmer and center Carl Barnett, should help the ground game.

The Bottom Line for the Coogs:

Case Keenum and Blake Joseph split time under center last season. C-USA’s Freshman of the Year, Keenum proved to be a solid dual threat quarterback. He does not have the greatest arm in the conference, or on the team for that matter, but he is more accurate than Joseph and fits well in the system. Both are too talented to leave on the bench and could very well share snaps once again. If the spring game is any indication, where Joseph threw for 421 yards and five touchdowns and Keenum added 205 yards and couple of touchdown passes, the quarterbacks are ready for a huge season.

2007 Houston Team Stats:

Rushing Offense: 223.92 (10th in nation, 2nd in conference)

Passing Offense: 278.00 (25, 4)

Total Offense: 501.92 (4, 2)

Scoring Offense: 34.54 (23, 3)

Rushing Defense: 139.85 (48, 4)

Pass Defense: 225.77 (55, 1)

Total Defense: 365.62 (46, 1)

Scoring Defense: 29.15 (74, 3)

Turnover Margin: -.54 (99, 10)

Sacks: 1.92 (68, 6)

Sacks Allowed: 2.62 (96, 11)