Re: NCAA 2004: Prestige to Challenge
Houston (6-2) at #25 Southern Miss (7-1)
After last year's game between these two teams, the Houston head coach has been itching for a rematch. Last season he felt his Cougars matched up better and lost a game they should've won. This year he was hoping to have the opposite outcome, but ranked at #25 and looking strong, USM would not go down easily. Also new this year, however, was most of Houston's defense which had the potential to shut down offenses, but also had plenty of vulnerability. Houston won the toss and chose to kick. It proved to be a good strategy. As LB Jason Mullins charged USM QB Sands, he forced a bad throw that the defender Olson caught and ran back to the 13 yard line after stepping out of bounds. Anderson threw an INT at the 10. At least the defense would force a 3 and out. Anderson would put it on the ground to dash Houston's field goal hopes. Unbelievable. A new quarterback would be key to the recruiting needs. Mullins came up with a big sack on 3rd down to force a punt. At the end of the first quarter there was still no score. After squandering their first two red zone opportunities, Houston hit it big with about 3 minutes left in the first half. They appeared down and out with a 4th & inches from the 2 yard line, but the head coach and QB Aaron Anderson took the risk and punched it into the endzone. 7-0 Cougars with 2:56 left in the first half. The defense was vicious and forced a bad pass resulting in an interception by freshman FS Jake Weese inside the 30 yard line. With a minute left, Adam Varnado put Houston up 10-0. Late in the 3rd quarter, Houston struck again as John Thorburn charged up the middle with 1:25 left to give Houston a 17-0 lead. Could Houston win twice in a row on regional television AND upset a #25 ranked team in the process? Only one quarter to play. A Chance Brown touchdown reception on 4th & Goal from the 4 would basically seal the game by putting Houston up 24-0 with just under two minutes left. LB Clemens took the ball away with an INT on USM's first play. A late garbage TD put USM on the board 24-6 as the 2 pointer failed. A failed onside kick would do it.
FINAL: Houston upsets #25 24-6
PLAYER of the GAME
Second straight week- it's got to go to the defense. Only giving up 6 points- which came at the end, mind you- against a #25 ranked team. What an upset. What a performance.
SURPRISE of the GAME
Both the spectacular play of this young, hungry defense and the fact that the offense efficiently put up 24 points against a top 25 team.
Mentionable Performances
QB Aaron Anderson - 102.6, 32/51, 250 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 1 Rush TD
RB John Thorburn - 35 att, 101 yards, 1 TD, 2 fumbles
TE Chance Brown - 13 rec, 71 yards, 1 TD
WR Lawrence Dillard - 8 rec, 93 yards, 0 TD
WR B.J. Morgan - 8 rec, 67 yards, 0 TD
LB Jason Mullins - 2 tackles, 2 sacks
Comments
An unbelievable upset is going to really boost the confidence of this team. Two straight wins on regional TV isn't too bad, either.
Houston Cougars: 7-2 - Coming off of two huge wins...
Next Game: vs Army (2-8)
HOUSTON COUGARS - Ranked #29 in the nation!
Houston (6-2) at #25 Southern Miss (7-1)
After last year's game between these two teams, the Houston head coach has been itching for a rematch. Last season he felt his Cougars matched up better and lost a game they should've won. This year he was hoping to have the opposite outcome, but ranked at #25 and looking strong, USM would not go down easily. Also new this year, however, was most of Houston's defense which had the potential to shut down offenses, but also had plenty of vulnerability. Houston won the toss and chose to kick. It proved to be a good strategy. As LB Jason Mullins charged USM QB Sands, he forced a bad throw that the defender Olson caught and ran back to the 13 yard line after stepping out of bounds. Anderson threw an INT at the 10. At least the defense would force a 3 and out. Anderson would put it on the ground to dash Houston's field goal hopes. Unbelievable. A new quarterback would be key to the recruiting needs. Mullins came up with a big sack on 3rd down to force a punt. At the end of the first quarter there was still no score. After squandering their first two red zone opportunities, Houston hit it big with about 3 minutes left in the first half. They appeared down and out with a 4th & inches from the 2 yard line, but the head coach and QB Aaron Anderson took the risk and punched it into the endzone. 7-0 Cougars with 2:56 left in the first half. The defense was vicious and forced a bad pass resulting in an interception by freshman FS Jake Weese inside the 30 yard line. With a minute left, Adam Varnado put Houston up 10-0. Late in the 3rd quarter, Houston struck again as John Thorburn charged up the middle with 1:25 left to give Houston a 17-0 lead. Could Houston win twice in a row on regional television AND upset a #25 ranked team in the process? Only one quarter to play. A Chance Brown touchdown reception on 4th & Goal from the 4 would basically seal the game by putting Houston up 24-0 with just under two minutes left. LB Clemens took the ball away with an INT on USM's first play. A late garbage TD put USM on the board 24-6 as the 2 pointer failed. A failed onside kick would do it.
FINAL: Houston upsets #25 24-6
PLAYER of the GAME
Second straight week- it's got to go to the defense. Only giving up 6 points- which came at the end, mind you- against a #25 ranked team. What an upset. What a performance.
SURPRISE of the GAME
Both the spectacular play of this young, hungry defense and the fact that the offense efficiently put up 24 points against a top 25 team.
Mentionable Performances
QB Aaron Anderson - 102.6, 32/51, 250 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 1 Rush TD
RB John Thorburn - 35 att, 101 yards, 1 TD, 2 fumbles
TE Chance Brown - 13 rec, 71 yards, 1 TD
WR Lawrence Dillard - 8 rec, 93 yards, 0 TD
WR B.J. Morgan - 8 rec, 67 yards, 0 TD
LB Jason Mullins - 2 tackles, 2 sacks
Comments
An unbelievable upset is going to really boost the confidence of this team. Two straight wins on regional TV isn't too bad, either.
Houston Cougars: 7-2 - Coming off of two huge wins...
Next Game: vs Army (2-8)
HOUSTON COUGARS - Ranked #29 in the nation!
#7 Louisville (9-1) at #25 Houston (8-2)
Comment