The UH/AAC Report
Cougars rally late in win over Tulsa: UCF and USF are halfway to perfection
Alex Baltazar
Oct 10, 2018, 7:00 am
QB D'Eriq King escapes the pocket vs. Tulsa. Photo via Houston Cougar Football/Facebook
Houston 41, Tulsa 26
QB D’ Eriq King and the Cougar offense started the game in frustrating fashion in front of a nationally televised audience on Thursday night. The worst offensive first quarter of the season since Week 1 vs Rice was induced by an introductory TD pass from Tulsa’s QB Seth Boomer, who threw for 227 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT. UH tried to respond, but QB King tried to thread a needle so tight that it caused his receiver to bobble the catch attempt, leaving the Tulsa defense an opportunity for a pick six. Luckily for the Coogs, the turnover only lead to a Golden Hurricane field goal. King then threw a beautiful 32-yard TD pass into the end zone to WR Keith Corbin, who made an equally beautiful jump catch. Offensive Coordinator Kendal Briles tried to instill an up tempo offense early, something he has been successful at implementing all season, but their failure at finding a rhythm left UH with predictable play calling in third and long situations, which forced King to make awfully contested throws.
The entirety of the second quarter was also frustrating to watch. Both teams ended up turning the football over in back to back to back possessions. King again attempted to throw into a tight window resulting in a Tulsa interception. The UH defense began to constrict Tulsa at this point, and showed that they are capable of committing turnovers in moments that give the Cougars' offense and opportunity to come back. On 3rd and 10, with 8:44 left on the clock, King climbed the pocket and rushed for a 19-yard TD, putting the Coogs ahead 17-13 at halftime.
The third quarter was all Tulsa, who shut out the Cougar offense and scored 10 points of their own.
The fourth quarter, however, belonged to Houston. Briles finally found the rhythm he searched for all game and adjusted offensively. King displayed an intangible characteristic, to never panic. King exploded to the right side of the field on a designed QB run and drove into a hole created by his offensive line and receivers that was so big, it led him to an impressive 61-yard touchdown run. The Houston defense then created another turnover via fumble on the Tulsa 9-yard line, where King answered right away with another TD throw. Golden Hurricane QB Boomer then threw a pick in his own 25-yard line, which was turned into yet another King TD. The offense managed to score 17 points in under 2 minutes, leaving the final score 41-26 Houston. Tulsa’s record drops to 1-4, while Houston improves to 4-1.
The defensive performance set by everyone around Ed Oliver is encouraging. LB Austin Robinson had himself a day, with 2 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. LB Emeke Egbule recovered 2 fumbles. S Deontay Anderson created two turnovers via strip fumble and interception. UH has yet to play No. 23 USF, and a capable Memphis offense. Both teams are very run heavy, and must find a way to go around Ed Oliver and company. Houston showed the capability of complimentary football and will have to continue the trend next week at ECU, who is in last place in the American West division with a 2-3 record.
UH extends a triumphant record of 24-5 at TDECU Stadium in front of 29,823 fans.
The stars
DT Ed Oliver- 13 tackles (tied season high), 1.5 tackles for loss, one QB pressure.
QB D’Eriq King- 19/27, 165 passing yards, 2 INTs, 117 rushing yards, 5 total TDs.
Notable results in the American Athletic Conference
UCF 48, SMU 20
The #13 UCF Golden Knights extend their unrelenting win streak to 18-0 with a win at home vs SMU. The Golden Knights’ high octane offense scored three touchdowns in the first quarter. But a lot of credit is owed to the defense, who created several turnovers throughout the game that gave the offense opportunities to score on short fields. Running backs Adrian Killins and Otis Anderson combined for 26 carries, 187 rushing yards, and 3 TDs. SMU’s Ole Miss transfer, WR James Proche, had 12 receptions, 100 receiving yards, and 2 TDs. SMU is at 2-4, while UCF improves to 5-0 for the season and will face a formidable Memphis Tigers team in Tennessee next week.
USF 58, UMass 42
USF came into this week ranked at No. 23 as they visited UMass. This game began with a 65-yard touchdown thrown by the Bulls’ QB Blake Barnett, who ended up 17 of 24 with 1 TD, 1 INT, and 209 yards. But The real offensive display came from their rushing attack, where Jordan Cronkrite had an outstanding performance with 23 carries, 302 rushing yards, and 3 TDs. UMass had a weapon of their own. Minutemen WR Andy Isabella had 13 receptions, 191 yards, and 1 TD. USF will head into conference play at Tulsa, boasting a perfect 5-0 record.
Memphis 55, UConn 14
The Memphis Tigers won their first conference matchup with a huge offensive display from their RBs. Darrell Henderson and Patrick Taylor Jr. combined for an unstoppable 335 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns. QB Brady White had an efficient showing where he went 16 of 18, threw for 239 yards, and 1 TD. Memphis scored 41 points in the first half, propelling them early into a 4-2 record. But an intimidating UCF team that is on a 18-game win streak awaits.
Cincinnati 37, Tulane 21
The Cincinnati Bearcats started this game slow with a 3-point first quarter, but then adjusted and scored 21 points in the second. Tulane tried to inch their way back into the game, but a pivotal third quarter punt block by Cincinnati was later turned into 7 points, diminishing any possibility for a Green Wave comeback. The Bearcats improve to an impressive 6-0 record, their first since 2012, while Tulane falls to 2-4.
Other AAC Results
Temple 49, ECU 6
Air Force 35, Navy 7
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With the Astros now officially ten games under .500 for the season, manager Joe Espada is taking a lot of heat from the fanbase for the team's struggles.
While we don't agree with the sentiment, we even hear fans clamoring for the return of Dusty Baker and Martin Maldonado, thinking the Astros wouldn't be in this mess if they were still here.
Which is ridiculous. First of all, Maldonado has been awful for the White Sox, hitting .048 (even worse than Jose Abreu's .065). And for those of you that think his work with the pitching staff justifies his pathetic offense. Let me say this: Where was Maldy's game calling genius for Hunter Brown, Cristian Javier, and Framber Valdez last year? All of them regressed significantly.
And as far as Baker is concerned, we have no idea how much a difference he would make, we can only speculate. Baker would also be dealing with a pitching staff ravaged with injuries. And let's not forget, Baker was the guy that refused to move Jose Abreu down in the batting order, even though he would finish the regular season with the ninth-worst OPS in baseball.
The reality of the situation is managers can only do so much in baseball. Which leads us to something else that needs to be considered. Is Espada being handcuffed by the front office? Espada and GM Dana Brown both said recently that Jon Singleton was going to get more at-bats while they give Abreu time off to try to figure things out. Yet, there Abreu was in the lineup again in the opening game of the Cubs series.
It makes us wonder how much power does Espada truly have? The Astros have some other options at first base. Yainer Diaz may only have eight games played at the position, but how much worse could he be than Abreu defensively? Abreu already has four errors, and Diaz is obviously a way better hitter. Victor Caratini isn't considered a plus offensive player, but his .276 batting average makes him look like Babe Ruth compared to Abreu. Let him catch more often and play Diaz at first. Starting Diaz at first more often could also lengthen his career long-term.
Maybe that's too wild of a move. Okay, fine. How about playing Mauricio Dubon at first base? I understand he doesn't have much experience at that position, but what's the downside of trying him there? If he can play shortstop, he can play first base. He's driving in runs at a higher rate (11 RBIs) than everyone on the team outside of Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez. And he's producing like that as part-time player right now.
The other criticism we see of Espada is his use of Jon Singleton to pinch hit late in games. Let's be real, though, who else does Espada have on the roster to go to? Batting Abreu late in games in which you're trailing should be considered malpractice. Espada can only use who he has to work with. This all really stems from the Astros poor farm system.
They don't have anyone else to turn to. The draft picks the club lost from the sign-stealing scandal are really hurting them right now. First and second rounders from 2020 and 2021 should be helping you in 2024 at the big league level.
Maybe they go to Astros prospect Joey Loperfido soon, but after a hot start he has only two hits in his last six games.
Finally, we have to talk about what seems like a committee making baseball decisions. Lost in a committee is accountability. Who gets the blame for making poor decisions?
As time continues to pass it looks like moving on from former GM James Click was a massive mistake. He's the guy that didn't sign Abreu, but did trade Myles Straw (recently DFA'd) for Yainer Diaz and Phil Maton. He also built an elite bullpen without breaking the bank, and helped the club win a World Series in 2022.
The reality of the situation is Dusty Baker and James Click are not walking back through that door. And all good runs come to an end at some point. Is this what we're witnessing?
Don't miss the video above as we hit on all the points discussed and much more!
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