Junior quarterback Greg Ward Jr. and The Cougars en route to a 59-14 blowout over Texas State. | Justin Tijerina/The Cougar
With their first conference win on the road against Tulsa, Houston has come home to play Southern Methodist University to try and extend their undefeated streak and conference record.
Here are five things to look for at start of the kickoff.
You can expect Houston’s defense to bring the boom against SMU.
The Cougars held their ground against a good passing game from the Golden Hurricane with just 326 passing yards and forcing two turn overs. Houston, the No. 8 rushing defense, held the Golden Hurricane to just 130 rushing yards. The Golden Hurricane were kept scoreless in the second quarter for the first time this season.
Fans will cover the stadium with red as they come to support the Cougars.
Houston’s fan base did not disappoint when Texas State University came to play at TDECU Stadium, setting an attendance record of 35,257. Expect to see fans flocking to see the game versus SMU, regardless of the Mustangs’ 1-4 record. Will they set a new attendance record?
Despite the struggle against Tulsa, Houston’s offense will shock and amaze at any given moment.
Senior running back Kenneth Farrow made things difficult for Tulsa in the fourth quarter as the defense couldn’t stop the running game. Farrow scored a five-yard touchdown and scored a second touchdown on a season high 44 yards. The senior running back finished the game with 159 rushing yards, earning his ninth 100-yard rushing game of his career.
Junior Quarterback Greg Ward Jr. won this week’s AAC Offensive Player of the Week.
On the opening drive against the Golden Hurricane, the Cougars’ passing game was having difficulty getting on the scoreboard. Ward had to rely on his legs to do the work. He rushed for a three-yard touchdown to get Houston’s first score of the day. Tulsa had no answer for Ward as the junior managed to score once again on a 32 yard-touchdown run in the second quarter. The junior would score his final rushing touchdown of the first half against Tulsa.
Houston has red zone troubles.
The team has performed well with Coach Tom Herman but the offense and defense has struggled in the red zone. Herman said that’s something he’s been evaluating and working with the team lately. Look to see how the team performs in the red zone tonight and what changes Herman made.
