When junior defensive lineman Joe Clay sealed the Cougars' fifth win of the season with a sack Saturday against Tulane, it might have reminded some people that freshmen aren't the only guys who deserve some of the spotlight.
It doesn't help that head coach Art Briles' dizzying 5-1 start, UH's best since 1990, is led mainly by freshman Kevin Kolb and a core of young players. But let's get a grip for a second and think about the guys who were doing this last season. Well, they weren't winning, but they were playing to win.
Of course, Kolb's efforts on the field are as sweet as they come, but players who know not to take wins for granted surround the quarterback.
While senior center Rex Hadnot holds down the offensive line, senior Brandon Middleton can be seen doing his part for his younger teammates — be it a block on a play designed for freshman Leonard Gibson, who has 17 catches for 214 yards this season, or for sophomores Chad McCullar and Vincent Marshall.
Since coming to UH in 1999, Middleton and Hadnot have experienced three losing seasons, including the 0-11 season in 1999.
That's all changed this season, and not just because of Kolb's surefire instincts.
Hadnot is part of a line that has enabled Kolb to pass for 1,348 yards and the running backs to break for 1,138 yards. After ripping through the East Carolina defenders, Middleton earned Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week honors. The wide receiver has 23 catches for 577 yards, including six touchdowns.
The experience runs even deeper in the Cougar defense.
Senior defensive end Farouk Adelekan, who left Saturday's game after twisting his left ankle in the fourth quarter, has seven tackles for a loss for a total of 24 yards and two sacks for 13 yards. The Illinois native has also hurried the opposing quarterback 12 times.
As for who helps make up the 10th best pass defense in the country, see Stanford Routt, Roland Cola and Jermain Woodard. These were the same defenders who allowed opposing receivers to run amok last season. But don't blame it on these players. Blame it on former head coach Dana Dimel or the 4-2-5 scheme.
This season, the sneaky secondary has picked off 11 passes, with Routt leading the pack. The Pflugerville native has four interceptions, including one Saturday off the Green Wave's J.P. Losman.
When some of these guys are gone, Briles, the perfectionist that he is, might have his team where he wants it, and Kolb might be perfect, if he isn't already.
But this season should be enough to make up for the past couple of seasons that had these players sulking on the sidelines. After all they've been through, it'd only be fitting for them to cap this season with a bowl bid.
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