Houston Leaves a Lasting First Impression on Southern University

By Jennifer M. Korenek: SPM TX Writer
Posted Sunday, August 31, 2008

HOUSTON, TX -- Robertson Stadium bled red with an attendance of 26,555 hungry fans thirsting for the first game of the season in the third-annual Cougar Football Classic.

The University of Houston (1-0, 0-0) answered their fans with a crippling 55-3 landslide against Southern University (0-1, 0-0), a hopelessly outmanned and outgunned NCAA FCS (I-AA) program against the big, red Cougar machine.

Last night’s game was the first encounter between the Cougars (Conference USA) and the Jaguars from Baton Rouge (Southwestern Athletic Conference). It was a first impression that Southern will not forget.

...the Coogs may have played a few freshmen, but the entire Southern team played like freshmen.

Houston opened the match in the first period by starting three freshmen to the Jaguars’ one. And by the end of the heart-crushing first half with the score board boasting 38-3, the impression was left that the Coogs may have played a few freshmen, but the entire Southern team played like freshmen.

But the meeting between these two teams was not the only first impression Houston stamped on this game.

The Cougars’ new coach Kevin Sumlin introduced himself to the Coogs' fans with the largest margin of victory (52 points) in a Houston coaching debut, topping the previous best of a 42-point win (54-12) by former head coach Bill Meek against Montana on Sept. 17, 1955.

The prolific Cougar offensive attack, totaled 31 first downs to Southern’s 13, which allowed sophomore quarterback Case Keenum to make a career-high 392 yards and five touchdowns passing the ball.

Houston freshman wide receiver Patrick Edwards received the ball from Keenum and was able to complete a 27 yard gain and his first career touchdown.

Keeping in tune with these remarkable freshmen who introduced themselves to the home fans, linebacker Marcus McGraw made 10 tackles, while Nick Saenz nabbed his first career interception late in the game.

Southern made a first and only impression on the scoreboard during the second period with a field goal by sophomore kicker Josh Duran.

Houston finished the game with a total of 615 yards of total offense, including 467 passing. The Coogs made 10-15 third down conversions in comparison to Southern’s 2-12.

Houston's sophomore running back Andre Kohn finished as the contest’s leading rusher, with 56 yards on 11 carries. Falling close behind was freshman Bryce Beall, who racked up 53 yards on only six rushes.

Senior wide receiver Mark Hafner earned his second career 100-yard receiving game with a game-high 103 yards and two touchdowns on seven catches.

Sumlin shared his thoughts at the end of the game regarding his strategy in playing the freshmen:

“The thing that is positive about tonight is that we played a lot of people and they got some meaningful minutes. A lot of guys played a quarter and a half and two quarters for some of the young guys. Nick Saenz got an interception. Both the freshman (running) backs got in there and I saw David Hunter in the game. Our seniors have been doing a great job."

The University of Houston (1-0, 0-0) will take to the road on Saturday, September 6 to take on Oklahoma State (1-0, 0-0) in Stillwater, Oklahoma, in a 6 p.m. CDT kickoff. The Cougar radio broadcast will be on 790 The Sports Animal.

Southern (0-1, 0-0) will take to the road on September 6 to confront Tennessee State University (1-0, 0-0) in Nashville, Tennessee at LP Field, in a 6 p.m. CDT start. The game will be broadcast on the Southern Jaguar Radio Network in the Baton Rouge area.