Boys, the temperature said 42, but it felt like 22. Miserable. About 25,000 fans. Maybe 1,000 Cincy students. Rest alums.
Sat next to 4 Cougar fans in the second half. Counted maybe 20 plus the limited band which rocked. Our 15 guys were better then Cincy's 100.
To no one's surprise, I came away from this game more enthused about the Houston program than at any time since Penn State. I understand that for most of you the die was cast at Tulane, but for me, I am convinced that this coaching staff is more than capable, and I will list why.
1. Greg Ward. Like Keenum as a Sophomore, I didn't think he had the arm strength to play the position. Worse, I was largely in agreement with the bulk of you in questioning staff's ability to coach him effectively. I have ZERO questions about that any longer. His one INT was not a bad read, it was a bad throw. The miss on the slant at the goal line was simply good pressure that he felt from Cincy defense. That said, he led an amazing 80 yard drive that finds the end zone if our stud 5-star Greenberry makes the catch on the corner route. Greenberry dropped a long TD pass and dropped another long pass on a fly route. I was blown away by Ward's composure. And it wasn't sandlot football. It was a well executing passing scheme and he was on the money for the bulk of the day.
You simply can't underestimate the importance of QB play in today's football, and I am convinced that this kid will be one of the best QBs in college football for the next two years. Simply an electric playmaker.
2. Kenneth Farrow. Necessity made this kid a running back and no one has taken greater advantage of the opportunity then 35. A violent runner. A team leader. For me, along with Ward, the backbone of the Cougar offense.
3. The offensive line play. Ticky tack call on Redman was the only issue for the day. They protected Greg incredibly well. The run blocking was adequate if not good throughout. And this was a unit that absolutely cost us the UTSA game. Very proud of these guys. Tough losses in Harper and Redman going into next year, but this group grew stronger each week.
4. Happy for Markeith today. Love Dunbar, Ayers and Greenberry returning. Love the depth behind them that this years redshirted freshman class will provide. Greenberry has got to become more consistent. His two drops today, along with Jackson's on the defense side were ultimately the difference in the game. That said, the vertical game FINALLY returned to Houston football today against a solid mid major program. No, not a great program. And no, not a great defense. But you can clearly see improvement at QB, at RB, at OL, and you can clearly see the potential of our WRs. So stoked about what this offense can become next year.
5. Obviously a bad day for the defense. The Jackson drop was a 14 point swing ... game killer. Obviously the scoreboard would have tilted to our favor today had he made the play. I will say that the officials largely swallowed their whistles on Cincy today. The last TD, McDonald was all but tackled on the edge. It was right in front of me. Truth be told, defense got their ass whipped and were unable to produce turnovers. But it is equally true that we lost two of our best defenders to injury. Today it showed as 50 looked a step slow ... probably worn down after carrying the unit for a few weeks. We will absolutely miss big Joey. Kid is a space eater deluxe. And losing Stansbury is a blow as well. But, I think we all have felt that the defense is closer than the offense to being P5 worthy. Cincy has a good offense and they simply won today. However, if we keep the defensive staff in tact and continue success in recruiting as we have on the D side, I remain confident our defense will be competitive weekly.
6. Game management. Clock management was once again superb today. We have not closed the door at UCF, at Cincy or against Tulane in the last minute. In short, we are 16 yards away from a one-loss conference season. I know, we lost all three, as we did the prior year. But, we were in position to win each game at the end specifically because of clock management.
7. Coaching temperament. I have read the countless threads that Levine needs to be morek emotive and demonstrative on the sidelines. I watched him throughout the first half from the 1st row on the home team side. He is plenty fiery. But he doesn't lose his place ranting and raving. He has a cool head. It serves him well.
8. Risk taking. I thought 4th down decision making was again very sound today. At the same time, the staff showed confidence in defense to get the ball back one last time late and they were rewarded for their faith in that unit.
I know that you all will dismiss this as just more happy pants talk from a Levine supporter. I understand the disgust over the two bad losses on this year's schedule. I understand the frustration with the offense as it adjusted from the OKorn skill set to the Ward skill set. And I understand that we 'underperformed' relative to schedule strength.
But I believe we will win and win consistently for the next two years with Ward at QB working in the system that has been tailored to his skills.
No need to tell me I'm an idiot. Or that my expectations are too low. Or that I am accepting mediocrity. I may be all those things, but you guys have already impressed those thoughts on me.
I respect your disagreement. But I was a VERY proud Cougar today ... we played hard until the last play ... damn tough way to lose again ... but I am confident that the best is yet to come. Go Coogs!!!
Sat next to 4 Cougar fans in the second half. Counted maybe 20 plus the limited band which rocked. Our 15 guys were better then Cincy's 100.
To no one's surprise, I came away from this game more enthused about the Houston program than at any time since Penn State. I understand that for most of you the die was cast at Tulane, but for me, I am convinced that this coaching staff is more than capable, and I will list why.
1. Greg Ward. Like Keenum as a Sophomore, I didn't think he had the arm strength to play the position. Worse, I was largely in agreement with the bulk of you in questioning staff's ability to coach him effectively. I have ZERO questions about that any longer. His one INT was not a bad read, it was a bad throw. The miss on the slant at the goal line was simply good pressure that he felt from Cincy defense. That said, he led an amazing 80 yard drive that finds the end zone if our stud 5-star Greenberry makes the catch on the corner route. Greenberry dropped a long TD pass and dropped another long pass on a fly route. I was blown away by Ward's composure. And it wasn't sandlot football. It was a well executing passing scheme and he was on the money for the bulk of the day.
You simply can't underestimate the importance of QB play in today's football, and I am convinced that this kid will be one of the best QBs in college football for the next two years. Simply an electric playmaker.
2. Kenneth Farrow. Necessity made this kid a running back and no one has taken greater advantage of the opportunity then 35. A violent runner. A team leader. For me, along with Ward, the backbone of the Cougar offense.
3. The offensive line play. Ticky tack call on Redman was the only issue for the day. They protected Greg incredibly well. The run blocking was adequate if not good throughout. And this was a unit that absolutely cost us the UTSA game. Very proud of these guys. Tough losses in Harper and Redman going into next year, but this group grew stronger each week.
4. Happy for Markeith today. Love Dunbar, Ayers and Greenberry returning. Love the depth behind them that this years redshirted freshman class will provide. Greenberry has got to become more consistent. His two drops today, along with Jackson's on the defense side were ultimately the difference in the game. That said, the vertical game FINALLY returned to Houston football today against a solid mid major program. No, not a great program. And no, not a great defense. But you can clearly see improvement at QB, at RB, at OL, and you can clearly see the potential of our WRs. So stoked about what this offense can become next year.
5. Obviously a bad day for the defense. The Jackson drop was a 14 point swing ... game killer. Obviously the scoreboard would have tilted to our favor today had he made the play. I will say that the officials largely swallowed their whistles on Cincy today. The last TD, McDonald was all but tackled on the edge. It was right in front of me. Truth be told, defense got their ass whipped and were unable to produce turnovers. But it is equally true that we lost two of our best defenders to injury. Today it showed as 50 looked a step slow ... probably worn down after carrying the unit for a few weeks. We will absolutely miss big Joey. Kid is a space eater deluxe. And losing Stansbury is a blow as well. But, I think we all have felt that the defense is closer than the offense to being P5 worthy. Cincy has a good offense and they simply won today. However, if we keep the defensive staff in tact and continue success in recruiting as we have on the D side, I remain confident our defense will be competitive weekly.
6. Game management. Clock management was once again superb today. We have not closed the door at UCF, at Cincy or against Tulane in the last minute. In short, we are 16 yards away from a one-loss conference season. I know, we lost all three, as we did the prior year. But, we were in position to win each game at the end specifically because of clock management.
7. Coaching temperament. I have read the countless threads that Levine needs to be morek emotive and demonstrative on the sidelines. I watched him throughout the first half from the 1st row on the home team side. He is plenty fiery. But he doesn't lose his place ranting and raving. He has a cool head. It serves him well.
8. Risk taking. I thought 4th down decision making was again very sound today. At the same time, the staff showed confidence in defense to get the ball back one last time late and they were rewarded for their faith in that unit.
I know that you all will dismiss this as just more happy pants talk from a Levine supporter. I understand the disgust over the two bad losses on this year's schedule. I understand the frustration with the offense as it adjusted from the OKorn skill set to the Ward skill set. And I understand that we 'underperformed' relative to schedule strength.
But I believe we will win and win consistently for the next two years with Ward at QB working in the system that has been tailored to his skills.
No need to tell me I'm an idiot. Or that my expectations are too low. Or that I am accepting mediocrity. I may be all those things, but you guys have already impressed those thoughts on me.
I respect your disagreement. But I was a VERY proud Cougar today ... we played hard until the last play ... damn tough way to lose again ... but I am confident that the best is yet to come. Go Coogs!!!
