2013 BBVA Compass Bowl by ESPNEvents

Welcome to Birmingham Home of the nation's third-largest pediatric medical facility

Student-athletes from Pitt and Ole Miss visiting with patients at Children’s last year

Children’s of Alabama is proud of its longstanding partnership with the BBVA Compass Bowl. Each year players, coaches and cheerleaders from both teams visit patients and families at Alabama’s only freestanding pediatric hospital to spread some joy and holiday cheer. So enjoy the game, and know that some of your team’s biggest fans are watching on television and cheering on the teams.

1600 7T H AV E N U E S O U T H B I R M I N G H A M , A L 35233 (205) 638-9100 ChildrensAL.org

Table of Contents

Welcome from the City of Birmingham......................................2

University of Houston.................................................................. 38

2013 Bowl Committee...................................................................4

University of Houston Athletic Director................................... 40

Southeastern Conference.......................................................... 10

University of Houston Head Coach......................................... 42

Vanderbilt University.....................................................................12

University of Houston Coaching Staff..................................... 44

Vanderbilt University Athletic Director.....................................14 Vanderbilt University Head Coach............................................16 Vanderbilt University Coaching Staff....................................... 18 Vanderbilt University Players..................................................... 20 Vanderbilt University Season in Review.................................. 26 Vanderbilt University Depth Chart............................................ 30

University of Houston Players................................................... 46 University of Houston Season in Review................................ 50 Golden Flake Legend of Birmingham: Tony Nathan............ 52 Watson Brown Feature............................................................... 55 Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Game................................................................................ 57

Vanderbilt University Roster....................................................... 32

2013 MVP / Bowl History........................................................... 60

University of Houston Roster..................................................... 33

Bowl Records................................................................................ 61

University of Houston Depth Chart.......................................... 34

University of Houstonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brandon Middleton.......................... 62

American Athletic Conference.................................................. 36

Sponsors........................................................................................ 64

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OFFICE OF THE MAYOR CITY OF BIRMINGHAM WILLIAM A. BELL, SR. MAYOR

2014 BBVA Compass Bowl Vanderbilt Commodores vs. Houston Cougars Birmingham, Alabama Dear Participants and Fans: It is with great enthusiasm and pleasure that I extend a cordial welcome to the 2014 BBVA Compass Bowl football game. This time of the year brings a sense of exhilaration to Birmingham, where two of the most talented and amazing teams will compete for the 2014 BBVA Compass Championship Trophy. We anticipate sheer fun and excitement when the Vanderbilt University Commodores and the University of Houston Cougars football teams take to the field to showcase their undisputable talent and athleticism at historic Legion Field on January 4, 2014. As Mayor of Alabama’s largest city, I am committed to continually improving our educational process, and cognizant of the vital role that participation in athletics can play in the development of well-rounded young people. The dedication, hard work, team-building, and sense of achievement involved in reaching this athletic plateau should be viewed as an important event in pointing these athletes toward productive lives in their respective communities. While visiting Birmingham, I hope you will find time to take advantage of the many other cultural, recreational, and educational amenities our city has to offer. Birmingham is a city on the move, as evidenced by the ongoing growth of our business and cultural districts and the sense of progress and civic spirit that makes the “Magic City” special to residents and visitors alike.

Again, welcome to Birmingham!

Sincerely,

William A. Bell, Sr. Mayor

710 NORTH 20TH STREET BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA 35203 (205) 254-2277 FAX (205) 254-2926 2

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2013 Executive Committee

William Bell

2012-2014 City of Birmingham

2008-2014 Birmingham-Southern College

Joe Dean

Mark Meadows

Alan Register

Robbie Robertson

Zeke Smith

Brian Hilson

Gene Linton

Kevin Kynerd

Trey Clegg

2011-2014 BBVA Compass

2006-2014 Colonnade Group

2012-2014 Alabama Power

2012-2014 Birmingham Business Alliance

2012-2014 Blue Cross Blue Shield of AL

2012-2014 Bradford Building Co.

2012-2014 Brasfield & Gorrie

Robert Smith

Gary Ivey

Betsy McAtee

2012-2014 Bright House Network

2013-2014 City of Hoover

2013-2014 Dreamland Holding Co. LLC

Mark McCutcheon

2012-2014 Golden Flake Snack Foods

Charlie Regan

Jim Smither

Jamey McMahon

Richard Murray

TJ Willings

Shelley Stewart

Hatton Smith

Daniel Samford

Mark Noyes

Sam Dean

Brian Mackin

2012-2014 Greater Birmingham CVB

2012-2014 Royal Cup Coffee

2006-2014 ESPN

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2012-2014 Ligon Industries

2012-2014 Samford Properties

2013-2014 Monday Morning Quarterback Club

2012-2014 Starwood Hotels & Resorts

2012-2014 Nextran

2012-2014 Trinity Medical Center

2012-2014 Gorrie-Regan

2012-2014 o2 Ideas

2012-2014 UAB

Bowl Staff

Missy Betres Senior Manager 2006-2014 ESPN

David Krakower Sales Manager 2012-2014 ESPN

Barrett Atkins

Special Events Assistant 2013-2014 ESPN

Ashlee Baggett Group Ticket Sales 2013-2014 PMI

Development Committee

Brett Taylor 2011-2014 Omega Capital

2013-2014 Southeastern Financial Group

Joe Daniel

Fitzgerald Washington

Diann Hayes 2012-2014 CCCi

Charitable Outreach 2012-2014 United Way

Mike Hamner

Miles Huffstutler

Lyn Scarbrough

Michael Hembree

2011-2014 Streamline CXO

2012-2014

2012-2014 Buffalo Rock

2012-2014

Andy Meehan

2012-2014 Lindy’s Sports Publications

Matt Wildt

Game Day Manager 2008-2014 UAB

Bowl Committee

Vince Saia Jr. 2011-2014 Ram, Inc.

Norm Reilly

Media Relations Director 2006-2014 UAB

Laquin Taylor

Martice Wiley

Bakari Miller

Jeanette Mizerany

Administration 2009-2014 Emagine

Team Host 2008-2014 Red Lobster

Band Liaison 2008-2014 Wiley Graphics

Bill Jacka, Jr.

Team Host 2007-2014 Insurance Office of America

Adam Kelley

Spirit Squad Liaison 2008-2014

Team Hospital Visit 2013-2014 Children’s of Alabama

Geoff Carlisle

Kit Waters

Street Fest and Pep Rally 2007-2014 JAMM Entertainment

Team Host 2008-2014 Fine Art Services

Not pictured: John Turner Hamp McWhorter Chris Nix

Brad Blair

2012-2014 Regions Bank

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Thomasyne Hill

Game Day Hospitality 2009-2014

Sam Miller

Game Day Promotions 2011-2014 Burton Advertising

Jim Kelly

Game Day Operations 2012-2014

Bowl Committee

Don Lupo

Team Luncheon 2008-2014 Monday Morning Quarterback Club

Paul Dangel

Fred Sington III

Team Host 2009-2014 Sheraton Birmingham

Media Relations 2008-2014

Kyndall Waters

Jake Jordan

Medical Support 2009-2014 Champion Sports Medicine

Joseph Habshey

Ashley Lord

Andrew Nevins

Volunteers 2010-2014 Pangea Two

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Alicia Rohan

Kids Day Out 2008-2014 Birmingham-Southern College

Brian Davis

Game Officials 2008-2014 City of Vestavia Hills

Michelle Banks

City of Birmingham Liaison 2012-2014 City of Birmingham

Photography 2006-2014 Habshey Properties

Volunteers 2012-2014 Country Club of Birmingham

Media Relations 2006-2014 Alabama Sports Hall of Fame

Mike Oakley

Marc Curles

Military & Veterans 2012-2014 Alabama Power

Gary Brown

Videography 2009-2014 Realworld Productions

Jay Roberson

Bill Miller

Ladies Day Out 2008-2014 KC Projects

VIP Meet & Greet 2006-2014 Birmingham Association of Realtors

Game Officials 2008-2014 Bridgeworth Financial

Ben Cook

Publications 2006-2014 Lindyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sports Publications

Tonia Whatley

Transportation 2008-2014 Greater Birmingham CVB

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR POWER? From my faith. From the fans. From my coaches.

Southeastern Conference

ince its formation in 1933, the SEC has directed and organized interscholastic athletic competitions, conducted tournaments and prescribed eligibility rules for student-athletes. The Conference also facilitates and assists its member institutions in maintaining intercollegiate athletic programs compatible with the highest standards of education and competitive sports. The Southeastern Conference crowns champions in 21 sports — 12 women’s sports and nine men’s sports. Those include baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, equestrian, football, men’s and women’s golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field, and volleyball. In the fall of 2012, the University of Missouri and Texas A&M University became the 13th and 14th members of the Southeastern Conference. It marked the first expansion for the SEC since 1991 and the second-ever increase for the league since its founding in 1933.

Mike Slive Commissioner

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS

• The Southeastern Conference had 39 Capital One Academic All-Americans in 2012-13. The league had 16 student-athletes earn first-team honors. The Capital One Academic All-America Teams are voted on by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The 39 student-athletes represent 11 of the SEC’s 14 schools while nine schools had at least one person on the first-team. Since 2003, the SEC has had 186 studentathletes earn first-team Capital One Academic All-America status. • The 16 SEC student-athletes who earned Capital One Academic All-America first-team status in 2012-13 were: Florida swimmer Elizabeth Beisel, Alabama softball player Kayla Braud, Arkansas football player Dylan Breeding, LSU track & field athlete Laura Carleton, Tennessee softball player Raven Chavanne, South Carolina baseball player L. B. Dantzler, Tennessee swimmer Kelsey Floyd, Alabama gymnast Kim Jacob, Alabama football player Barrett Jones, Missouri softball player Jenna Marston, Alabama golfer Stephanie Meadow, Auburn swimmer Kyle Owens, Kentucky men’s soccer player Tyler Riggs, Missouri softball player Chelsea Thomas, Florida track & field athlete David Triassi and Alabama golfer Cory Whitsett. • The SEC had four of its student-athletes earn Capital One Academic All-American of the Year in their respective sports – Florida swimmer Elizabeth Beisel (at-large); Tennessee softball player Raven Chavanne, South Carolina baseball player L. B. Dantzler and Alabama football player Barrett Jones. • The Southeastern Conference had 22 of its student-athletes earn NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships in 2012-13. The scholarships are awarded to student-athletes who excel academically and athletically and who are at least in their final year of 10

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intercollegiate athletic competition. The SEC NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipients are: Kayla Braud, Alabama (Softball); Raven Chavanne, Tennessee (Softball); Austin Cook, Arkansas (Men’s Golf); Noel Couch, Georgia (Gymnastics); Stewart Ferguson, Auburn (Men’s Swimming & Diving); Kelsey Floyd, Tennessee (Women’s Swimming & Diving); Maria Foehse, Alabama (Women’s Tennis); Kelsey Horton, Florida (Softball); Henry Janghanel, Kentucky (Rifle); Max Lang, Florida (Men’s Track & Field); Jenna Marston, Missouri (Softball); Cameron Martin, Florida (Men’s Swimming & Diving); Thomas McCarthy, Kentucky (Baseball); Nathan McCormick, Missouri (Wrestling); Chelsea Oswald, Kentucky (Women’s Cross Country); Kyle Owens, Auburn (Men’s Swimming & Diving); Alexis Paine, Alabama (Women’s Track & Field); Ashley Priess, Alabama (Gymnastics); Hope Robbins, Arkansas (Softball); Indy Roper, Auburn (Equestrian); Ashley Sledge, Alabama (Gymnastics); Max Storms, Missouri (Men’s Cross Country).

• The SEC also had two of its student-athletes — Alabama gymnast Ashley Sledge and Texas A&M football player Steven Terrell — earn NCAA Ethnic Minority and Women’s Enhancement Scholarships. • The SEC had two student-athletes awarded the NCAA Today’s Top VIII — the only conference with multiple winners. The SEC’s recipients were Brooke Pancake, Alabama (Women’s Golf) and Wendy Trott, Georgia (Women’s Swimming & Diving). The award recognizes eight current student-athletes who will have completed their athletics eligibility for their successes on the fields and courts, in the classroom and in the community. • The SEC has had eight student-athletes win the William V. Campbell Trophy given by the National Football Foundation. Since the inaugural award in 1990, the SEC has had more recipients than any other conference. The award, nicknamed the “Academic Heisman” goes to college football’s top scholar-athlete. In 2012, Alabama’s Barrett Jones was the SEC’s eighth recipient of the trophy. In 2009, Florida’s Tim Tebow won the honor. LSU’s Rudy Niswanger won the honor in 2005, Tennessee’s Michael Munoz claimed the award in 2004, Matt Stinchcomb of Georgia in 1998, Tennessee’s Peyton Manning in 1997, Florida’s Danny Wuerffel in 1996 and Brad Culpepper of Florida in 1991 was the league’s first recipient. • Alabama football player Barrett Jones and Kentucky cross country/track & field athlete Chelsea Oswald were named recipients of the 2012-13 H. Boyd McWhorter Southeastern Conference Scholar-Athletes of the Year Awards. The McWhorter Scholar-Athlete Award is the highest honor a student-athlete can receive in the SEC. Each McWhorter Scholar-Athlete Award recipient receives a $15,000 postgraduate scholarship, while 26 other finalists for the award receive a $7,500 post-graduate scholarship.

Media Contact: Gracie.Blackburn@espn.com

Vanderbilt

anderbilt, founded in 1873 by a gift by Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, is one of the nation’s leading institutions of higher learning, a mid-size, private comprehensive research university that emphasizes undergraduate learning and living experiences. Since its inception, the university has taken great pride in the quality of education — and the quality of life — its students enjoy. Each of Vanderbilt’s four undergraduate colleges — College of Arts and Science, School of Engineering, Blair School of Music and Peabody College — attracts students with varying goals and dreams. Whichever school they enroll in, students receive a valuable and versatile education and are an integral part of the University’s community of scholars. Members of the 6,817-member undergraduate student body, including Vanderbilt student-athletes, are outstanding academic achievers and active participants in Vanderbilt’s 300-plus extracurricular organizations. They are also part of the most diversity ever at Vanderbilt as the university continues to attract students from many ethnic, cultural, socio-economic, geographic and religious backgrounds. At Vanderbilt, professors know their students’ names and take an interest in students’ ideas. Faculty members believe in the importance of balancing professional pursuits with classroom instruction, and they value their relationships with students. Some of the world’s leading scholars teach at Vanderbilt, helping

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students develop an academic program that meets individual objectives, and they encourage students to enhance primary areas of study by choosing among hundreds of elective courses, course-related internships, off-campus study and accelerated degree programs. At Vanderbilt, the big material resources are in place — beautiful grounds and buildings, well-equipped classrooms and labs, various options for housing and ample athletic and recreational facilities. Off campus, undergraduates have all the urban conveniences offered by one of America’s foremost cities, Nashville. The city, located on the banks of Cumberland River, possesses a rare blend of big-city amenities and small-town charm with a collection of cultural activities unmatched in the region. Though located within walking distance of downtown activities, the quality of Vanderbilt life is reflected in much smaller, less public ways — running into friends while walking on campus, researching papers or grabbing a late-night snack, choosing between a public policy lecture or athletic event, or having dinner at a professor’s home. The University’s student body has been coeducational since 1875. The original campus, which opened on 75 acres, expanded to 330 acres in 1979 when Vanderbilt merged with neighboring George Peabody College for Teachers.

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Vanderbilt Vice Chancellor for Athletics and University Affairs and Athletics Director

avid Williams II is vice chancellor for Williams has overseen the recruitment and athletics and university affairs and athhiring of nine outstanding head coaches — most letics director. He guides the Vanderbilt recently head football coach James Franklin and Athletics, Recreation, Intramural and Club Sports Scott Limbaugh, head coach of the men’s golf programs. team. He also has overseen numerous facility Williams has firmly placed his stamp on upgrades, including an extensive refurbishing of Vanderbilt Athletics and has positioned the proVanderbilt Stadium — new turf, lights, Jumbotron gram among the most innovative in the nation. and football locker rooms, an expansion of baseball park Hawkins Field, the addition of new tenThe university’s increased athletic success and nis courts and amenities at Brownlee O. Currey investment in its athletics and recreation programs resulted in Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos Center and renovations in Memorial Gym, which asking Williams in July 2012 to take on a larger includes the recently installed new Jumbotron, role in shaping these areas of the university — the Hendrix Dining Room and McGugin Center. allowing for Williams to focus on maintaining and In addition to the facility upgrades, he is also building on this momentum after previously also spearheading a project that re-imagines sports holding the positions of general counsel for the and fitness at Vanderbilt moving toward the university and secretary for the university and trend on many college campuses of combined David Williams II Vanderbilt University Medical Center while guidrecreation facilities that serve students, faculty Vice Chancellor for Athletics and Univversity ing the athletics program. and staff. Affairs and Athletics Director Williams’ key leadership role in the adminisWilliams has also played an increasing role in tration of Vanderbilt Athletics since 2003 has led to a bold new collegiate athletics with his service on a number of NCAA panels. direction. Under Williams, the Vanderbilt program has had many He is a member of the Division I Academic Cabinet, which reviews successes on and off the field of competition, including an initiative all measures dealing with academics before they are passed on to to more fully integrate Commodore athletics into the total Vanderbilt the Board of Directors; is chairman of the five-member Infractions student life experience. Appeals Committee, which is responsible for hearing all the appeals The model has been successful. Under his guidance, a program for NCAA violations and makes the final decisions regarding was started to allow more overseas travel and study for student athappeals; a member of the working group on enforcement, which is letes and the cumulative grade point for Vanderbilt student-athletes planning the adoption of an expanded, four-level violation structure has continued to improve, reaching its highest level in more than for infractions as part of NCAA President Mark Emmert’s intercollegiate reform effort. two decades. Competitive success, such as all four revenue sports He is also a member of the SEC team responsible for negotiating (men’s and women’s basketball, football and baseball) participating national television contracts for the conference. in post-season play, is becoming an expectation on campus and Williams’ activities at Vanderbilt also include his being a tenured beyond. Under Williams’ tenure, Vanderbilt won the SEC tournament and regular season baseball championships and made its full professor at the Law School where he teaches tax law, sports first appearance in the College World Series. Vanderbilt captured law and education law. He has also taught a class on Law and its first national championship (in women’s bowling), went to three Higher Education at the university’s Peabody College of education bowl games after a 26-year drought, saw the women’s basketball and human development, and occasionally teaches courses in the team compete in the NCAA tournament every year and sent the undergraduate curriculum. men’s basketball team into postseason play, advancing as far as the He was named vice chancellor, general counsel and secretary Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament. In 2012, the men’s basketball of Vanderbilt in 2000 and previously oversaw Vanderbilt student team won its first SEC tournament championship in 61 years. The affairs. He joined Vanderbilt after serving as a professor of law and women’s cross country team won its first SEC championship in fall in numerous administrative roles at The Ohio State University for 2011. 14 years. In addition, there have been numerous teams playing in the A native of Detroit, Williams is a graduate of Northern Michigan postseason and finishing in the top 25 in the nation. Individual University where he was a member of the track team. He also earned accomplishment has also been increasing, with numerous Vandera Master of Business Administration and a Doctor of Jurisprudence bilt athletes playing professional sports all over the world. In 2011, from the University of Detroit, and an L.L.M. in taxation from New an SEC-record 12 baseball players were drafted into Major League York University. Before entering law school, Williams spent 10 years Baseball and two men’s basketball players were drafted in the first as a teacher and coach in the Detroit public school system. round of the 2012 NBA draft - along with the first pick in the second Williams and his wife, Gail, have four children: Erika, a grade round. school teacher in Detroit; David Williams III, an academic counselor The university is also increasingly hosting postseason play — at Michigan State University; Samantha, a recent Brown University including the first and second rounds of the NCAA women’s basgraduate who is now working in Washington, DC, and Nicholas, a ketball tournament, two NCAA baseball regionals and one NCAA high school senior who competes in basketball, soccer and track. baseball super regional, and the 2012 NCAA women’s golf chamGail Williams, a graduate of the University of Michigan and the Unipionship, which was the first time Vanderbilt has hosted a national versity of Detroit College of Law, serves as the associate director of championship. community relations of Vanderbilt. 14

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Vanderbilt Head Coach

n three seasons, Head Coach James Franklin since 1925 and 1926. The win against the 15thhas guided the Vanderbilt football program to ranked Bulldogs was Vanderbilt’s first at home unprecedented heights, while rewriting pages since 1991 and also marked Franklin’s first victory against a ranked opponent. By defeating of Vanderbilt’s record book each season.    Florida, the Commodores ended a 22-game An exceptional motivator and tireless worker, losing streak and won in Gainesville for the first Franklin exudes an unmatched passion for his time since 1945.   Vanderbilt’s final two regularprogram in everything he does. In short time, season wins at Tennessee and against Wake he has completely changed the team’s internal Forest came in the final minute of the game, culture, as well as its regional and national reputation, through his strong leadership, infectious with a 92-yard touchdown drive clinching the UT personality and on-field results. victory. A relentless salesman and cheerleader for For the second straight year, Vanderbilt has everything that represents the Star V, Franklin closed the regular season with a winning streak. has backed up his words by guiding the CommoThe Commodores’ late-season success comes dores to three straight bowl games and racking as a drastic change from years of late-season up more wins over a three-year span than any futility that preceded Franklin. In the previous Vanderbilt coach since College Football Hall of 15 years before Franklin arrived (1996-2010), Famer Dan McGugin. He holds an overall record Vanderbilt posted a 5-46 mark in games played of 23-15 and is one win shy of tying’s McGugin’s in November. Since his arrival, Vanderbilt is 10-2 James Franklin total through his first three years (1904-06). In during the month and has won nine straight Head Coach the last 19 games, Franklin is 15-4, a record that games dating back to the final game of the 2011 is only surpassed in the SEC by Alabama.    regular season. It is the longest win streak in November since In all three seasons under Franklin, the Commodores have 1903-1905.    accomplished highs not achieved since decades earlier, or ever before. And with each year, the accomplishments have only      The 2013 campaign has come on the heels of Vanderbilt exceeded those from the previous season. In 2011, he inherited finishing 9-4 overall in 2012, matching the school record for wins a team that had finished 2-10 in two consecutive seasons and last achieved in 1915, and ending the season with the seven-game directed them to an appearance in the Liberty Bowl. In 2012, winning streak, the team’s longest since 1948. The 2012 campaign also included Vanderbilt tying another school record with Franklin led the Commodores to nine wins — their most since five victories in SEC play. One of those conference wins, against 1915 — which included a victory in the Music City Bowl. This year, Tennessee, marked Vanderbilt’s most decisive victory in the series Vanderbilt defeated Florida, Georgia and Tennessee in the same since 1954. Vanderbilt culminated last year with a 38-24 win over season for the first time ever and again won eight games in the N.C. State in the 2012 Franklin American Mortgage Music City regular season for the second straight year — a first since the Bowl. After the victory Franklin also was named as one of five 1920s. A win in the bowl game will give Vanderbilt two straight finalists for National Coach of the Year honors from the Bryant years of nine wins for the first time in school history. His on-theAwards.    field accomplishments have been accompanied by three straight In three seasons at the helm, Franklin has won 60.5 percent of years of signing the highest-rated recruiting class in school history and the continuous mentoring of student-athletes who have his games, a winning percentage not achieved since Red Sanders earned numerous individual and collective academic honors.    (1940-42, 1946-48). He has also led the Commodores to 11 conference wins, including six by 23 points or more. From 1955-2010, Hired as the first African-American head coach in Vanderbilt Vanderbilt had six total wins against SEC opponents by 23-plus gridiron history on Dec. 17, 2010, Franklin’s off-the-field accomplishments have helped fuel excitement in and around the propoints.    gram, but the results on the field have been even more impressive. Prior to coming to Vanderbilt, Franklin spent time at Maryland, Just when skeptics doubted whether he could match the success Kansas State and the Green Bay Packers. At Maryland, he was from his first two seasons, he trumped both years with what he the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator. has done in 2013. Franklin earned a Bachelor’s in psychology from East Stroudsburg in 1995 and a Master’s in educational leadership from WashDespite losing a number of key contributors, the 2013 Commodores have won eight regular season games. Along the way, ington State in 1999. Vanderbilt ended prolonged losing streaks to Georgia and Florida,   Franklin and his family reside in Nashville. He and his wife, and earned back-to-back wins against Tennessee for the first time Fumi, are the parents of two daughters, Shola, 7, and Addy, 6.

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Vanderbilt University Coaching Staff

John Donovan

Offensive Coordinators/ Running Backs

Josh Gattis

Offensive Recruiting Coordinator/Wide Receivers

Bob Shoop

Defense Coordinator/ Safeties

Herb Hand

Run Game Coordinator/ Offensive Line

Sean Spencer Defensive Line

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Brent Pry

Charles Bankins

George Barlow

Ricky Rahne

Assistant Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator/ Linebackers

Defensive Recruiting Coordinator/Defensive Backs

Dwight Galt

Director of Performance Enhancement

Special Teams Coordinators/Tight Ends

Quarterbacks

Vanderbilt Players

Torey Agee DT 6-4 285 Fr.

Jake Bernstein OL 6-4 305 So.

Carlos Burse WR 6-2 202 Fr.

Delando Crooks OL 6-5 290 Fr.

Taurean Ferguson DB 5-9 180 Fr.

Josh Gregory DB 5-11 178 Jr. 20

Erik Allen WR 5-11 180 So.

Nigel Bowden LB 6-1 235 Fr.

Adam Butler DT 6-4 305 Fr.

Caleb Azubike DE 6-4 265 So.

Hunter Bowman LB 6-0 220 Jr.

Karl Butler LB 6-1 216 Sr.

Jordan Cunningham Zach Cunningham WR 6-1 175 LB 6-4 212 Fr. Fr.

Larry Franklin LB 6-1 214 So.

Andre Hal CB 6-0 185 Sr.

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Blake Fromang OL 6-7 295 Fr.

Harding Harper FB 6-2 240 Fr.

Jalen Banks DB 5-11 188 Fr.

Andrew Bridges OL 6-6 285 Jr.

Ladarius Banks DT 6-2 290 Fr.

Ryan Brockway Darien Bryant OL 6-4 285 DE 6-4 230 Sr. So.

Austyn Carta-Samuels Steven Clarke QB 6-1 215 CB 5-10 195 Sr. Sr.

Sean Dowling Barron Dixon OL 6-6 280 DT 6-4 308 Fr. Jr.

Chase Garnham LB 6-3 235 Sr.

Paris Head CB 6-0 182 Fr.

Gaither Barker Tre Bell SN 6-2 220 CB 5-11 168 Fr. Fr.

Barrett Gouger OL 6-4 307 Fr.

Darreon Herring LB 6-2 228 So.

Hasan Clayton RB 5-11 190 Jr.

C. J. Duncan RB 6-0 188 Fr.

Josh Grady QB 6-0 202 So.

Joseph Hoffman FB 6-0 220 So.

Oren Burks LB 6-3 210 Fr.

Colby Cooke P/PK 6-3 208 Fr.

Andrew East SN 6-2 230 Jr.

Alex Grecco WR 5-10 175 So.

Will Holden OL 6-6 302 Fr.

Vanderbilt Players

David Holtgrave PK 5-9 165 Fr.

Kris Kentera TE 6-4 235 So.

Javon Marshall S 5-10 202 Sr.

Jahmel McIntosh S 6-1 205 So.

Spencer Pulley OL 6-4 300 Jr.

Darrius Sims DB 5-9 178 Fr. 22

Taylor Hudson P 6-3 225 So.

Brian Kimbrow RB 5-8 185 So.

Chris Martin FB 5-10 230 So.

Connor Morrison SN 6-0 235 So.

Latevius Rayford WR 6-1 180 Fr.

Carey Spear PK 5-10 194 Sr.

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Casey Hughes LB 6-1 218 Jr.

Derek King RB 5-11 208 So.

Jordan Matthews WR 6-3 206 Sr.

Jared Morse DT 6-2 302 Sr.

Patton Robinette QB 6-4 212 Fr.

Jimmy Stewart DE 6-4 245 So.

Alex Hysong CB 5-10 175 Jr.

Jonathan Krause WR 5-11 192 Sr.

Walker May DE 6-5250 Sr.

Tommy Openshaw PK/P 6-2 175 Fr.

Steven Scheu TE 6-4 255 So.

Landon Stokes DE 6-4 228 Fr.

Andrew Jelks OL 6-6 290 Fr.

Kenny Ladler S 6-1 205 Sr.

Kevin McCoy OL 6-5 295 Fr.

Gerald Perry WR 5-10 162 Fr.

Jacob Schultz SN 6-4 230 Fr.

Dane Stubbs CB 5-9 190 So.

Wesley Johnson OL 6-5 295 Sr.

Fritz Lassing FB 6-3 245 Sr.

Johnny McCrary QB 6-4 218 Fr.

Mack Prioleau SN 6-3 220 Fr.

Jake Sealand LB 6-2 230 So.

Patrick Sutton LB 6-0 220 Sr.

Wilson Johnson SN 6-1 210 Fr.

Nathan Marcus TE 6-5 235 Fr.

Torren McGaster CB 6-0 190 Fr.

Trent Pruitt WR 5-9 180 Jr.

Jerron Seymour RB 5-6 200 So.

Wesley Tate RB 6-1 224 Sr.

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Vanderbilt Players

Vince Taylor DT 6-2 308 Jr.

Ralph Webb RB 5-10 190 Fr.

Jaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;karri Thomas LB 6-1 225 Fr.

Chase White OL 6-5 290 Jr.

Joe Townsend OL 6-4 305 Jr.

Ryan White DB 5-9 182 Fr.

DeAndre Woods WR 6-3 212 Fr.

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Will Trepp OL 6-0 265 So.

Trey Wilkins WR 5-11205 Jr.

Jay Woods DT 6-3 292 Fr.

Dillon van der Wal TE 6-6 260 Jr.

Kellen Williams LB 6-1 225 Jr.

Jonathan Wynn DE 6-4 230 Fr.

Stephen Weatherly Mack Weaver DE 6-5 252 DE 6-5 260 Fr. Fr.

Andrew Williamson Kyle Woestmann S 6-1 210 DE 6-3 252 So. Jr.

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Vanderbilt 2013 Season in Review

anderbilt’s trip to the BBVA Compass Bowl marks a program-record three consecutive postseason bowl games under head coach James Franklin, following appearances in the 2012 Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl and 2011 AutoZone Liberty Bowl. Prior to Franklin’s arrival on campus, Vanderbilt had witnessed just four bowl appearances in 120 years of gridiron history. With their 8-4 record, Franklin has guided Vanderbilt to consecutive eight-win regular seasons for the first time since 1927-28. The Commodores are 15-4 in the last 19 games, the second best record among Southeastern Conference teams over that span.

Ole Miss 39, Vanderbilt 35 Senior Jeff Scott ran 75 yards for a touchdown with 1:07 left, giving Mississippi a wild 39-35 season-opening victory against Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt went up 35-32 on a 34-yard TD pass from Austyn Carta-Samuels to Steven Scheu with 1:30 left. But Scott beat the Commodores for a TD and the fourth lead change. Vanderbilt had a final chance to extend the Southeastern Conference’s longest winning streak, but Cody Prewitt intercepted a pass off Jordan Matthews’ hands with 26 seconds left.

Vanderbilt 38, Austin Peay 3 Austyn Carta-Samuels ran for two touchdowns and threw for another as Vanderbilt overcame a slow start to beat Austin Peay 38-3. Leading 3-0 at the end of the first quarter, the Commodores

opened the game up in the second, scoring touchdowns on four straight possessions.

South Carolina 35, Vanderbilt 25 Vanderbilt nearly overcame a four-touchdown deficit before falling 35-25 at South Carolina. The Gamecocks scored on their first four possessions as Connor Shaw threw for three touchdowns and Jadeveon Clowney forced a third-quarter fumble. South Carolina appeared to have this one finished early, building a 28-10 lead. It still led 35-10 when it opened the second half with Shaw’s final TD pass, a 33-yarder to Brandon Wilds. That’s when the Commodores threw a scare into the Gamecocks, aided by a fumbled kickoff and punt by South Carolina. Vanderbilt scored twice in a 13-second span of the fourth quarter to pull within 10 points.

Vanderbilt 24, Massachusetts 7 Austyn Carta-Samuels threw for two touchdowns and Vanderbilt used a pair of TDs in the fourth quarter to pull away in a 24-7 victory at Massachusetts. Carta-Samuels completed 18 of 27 passes for 219 yards and rushed for 38 more. He also caught a pass for a 21-yard gain that set up his 11-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Matthews to put the Commodores up 17-7 with 13:44 left to play. Vanderbilt gained 167 of its 406 total yards in the fourth quarter, wearing down the Minutemen after a tight first half and scoring twice in the final period. Jonathan Krause had 105 receiving yards on six catches, including a touchdown late in the first quarter.

Vanderbilt 52, UAB 24 Jerron Seymour ran for two first-half touchdowns to lead Vanderbilt to a 52-24 win over UAB. Seymour started the game’s scoring with a 7-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter. With just over nine minutes remaining in the second, Seymour took a direct snap and ran for a 58-yard score on the only play of that drive. It was the first career two-touchdown game for the sophomore, who set a career high with 107 yards rushing. Vanderbilt quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels ran for a touchdown and threw for two more, completing 23 of 29 passes for a career high 334 yards. Carta-Samuels’ second touchdown pass went to Jordan Matthews, who tied a Vanderbilt record with his 21st career touchdown reception.

Missouri 51, Vanderbilt 28 James Franklin threw for four touchdowns to lead Missouri to a 51-28 victory at Vanderbilt. Franklin guided Missouri on scoring drives on the first six Tiger possessions, which resulted in three touchdowns and three field goals. Missouri out-gained the Commodores 285-97 in the first half in taking a 30-7 lead. continued on page 28

2 014 B B VA C O M PA S S B O W L

• 520 Sixteenth Street North • Birmingham, AL 35203 • 866-328-9696 • www.bcri.org •

Vanderbilt Season in Review

continued from page 26

Vanderbilt 31, Georgia 27 Vanderbilt finally upset a Top 25 opponent under head coach James Franklin with a 31-27 win over No. 15 Georgia that had the Commodores singing with the band and dancing in the end zone. Jerron Seymour ran for a 13-yard touchdown with 2:53 left, and Vanderbilt rallied from a 13-point deficit by scoring 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. The Commodores hadn’t beaten a Top 25 team since Oct. 4, 2008, when they edged then-No. 13 Auburn in Nashville. They also got their first victory over Georgia in Nashville since 1991, snapping a six-game skid to the Bulldogs.

Texas A&M 56, Vanderbilt 24 Johnny Manziel threw for 305 yards and four touchdowns in less than three quarters to lead Texas A&M to a 56-24 victory over Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt’s Jordan Matthews had eight receptions for 92 yards to become the SEC’s all-time leader in career yards receiving with 3,172. Kenny Ladler had an interception and forced two fumbles for the Commodores.

Vanderbilt 34, Florida 17 Florida quarterback Tyler Murphy’s four turnovers led to three touchdowns, helping Vanderbilt defeat Florida 34-17 for the program’s first win in Gainesville since 1945. The Commodores also snapped a 22-game losing streak in the series. Head Coach James Franklin also notched another signature win, giving Vanderbilt victories over Southeastern Conference powerhouses Georgia and Florida in the same season for the first time in school history. The Commodores scored after each of Murphy’s three interceptions, building a 24-3 lead after getting the ball inside the 22-yard line three times. Vanderbilt finished with 12 first downs and 187 yards. Florida had 26 first downs and 353 yards.

Vanderbilt 22, Kentucky 6 Vanderbilt became eligible for a third straight bowl game for the first time ever with its 22-6 win over Kentucky. Brian Kimbrow scored on a 21-yard run for the Commodores and Jordan Matthews caught 12 passes for 141 yards in becoming the first Vanderbilt receiver with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.

Vanderbilt 14, Tennessee 10 Vanderbilt quarterback Patton Robinette couldn’t have imagined a happier homecoming. Robinette, who grew up about 20 miles from Tennessee’s campus in Maryville, Tenn., ran for a 5-yard touchdown with 16 seconds remaining as Vanderbilt rallied for a 14-10 victory over the Volunteers. Vanderbilt’s winning drive was kept alive after Tennessee’s fourthand-inches stop of quarterback Austyn Carta- Samuels in the final minute was overturned on replay, giving Vanderbilt a first down at the Tennessee 33. Vanderbilt overcame four turnovers to beat Tennessee for the second straight year, giving the Commodores consecutive victories over their in-state rivals for the first time since winning six straight over the Volunteers from 1920-26.

Vanderbilt 23, Wake Forest 21 Carey Spear kicked a 38-yard field goal with 39 seconds left and Vanderbilt rallied to beat Wake Forest 23-21 as the Commodores finished with their second straight 8-4 season. The Commodores turned the ball over twice, but Spear kicked two of his three field goals in the fourth quarter to give them their ninth straight win in November. Jordan Matthews set another Southeastern Conference mark as the league’s first receiver to top 100 catches. Matthews’ biggest catch came on the game-winning drive on fourth-and-11 as he hauled in a 25-yarder between two defenders hanging on him. 28

2 014 B B VA C O M PA S S B O W L

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Vanderbilt Depth Chart

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

SPECIALISTS

WIDE RECEIVER

DEFENSIVE END

PUNTER

87 9 17 84

92 Kyle Woestmann, 6-3, 252, R-Jr. 55 Caleb Azubike 6-4, 260, So. 54 Jimmy Stewart 6-4, 250, R-So.

29 Taylor Hudson, 6-2, 225, R-So. -or16 Colby Cooke, 6-3, 208, R-Fr.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

PLACEKICKER

97 Jared Morse, 6-2, 304, Sr. 44 Barron Dixon 6-4, 308, Jr.

39 Carey Spear 5-10, 194, Sr.

Jordan Matthews, 6-3, 206, Sr. Trent Pruitt 5-9, 180, R-Jr. Jonathan Krause, 5-11, 192, Sr. Jordan Cunningham,6-1, 175, Fr.

QUARTERBACK 6 Austyn Carta-Samuels, 6-1, 212, Sr. -or4 Patton Robinette, 6-4, 212, R-Fr.

RUNNING BACK 3 Jerron Seymour, 5-6, 200, R-So. 24 Wesley Tate, 6-1, 224, R-Sr. -or25 Brian Kimbrow, 5-8, 185, So.

FULLBACK 38 Fitz Lassing, 6-3, 245, Sr.

TIGHT END 81 Steven Scheu, 6-5, 255, R-So. 89 Dillon van der Wal 6-6, 260, Jr.

HALFBACK

53 Vince Taylor, 6-2, 312, R-Jr. -or69 Adam Butler 6-4, 305, R-Fr. 93 Ladarius Banks 6-2, 295, R-Fr.

Jake Bernstein, 6-3, 305, R-So. Chase White 6-4, 292, R-Jr. Spencer Pulley, 6-4, 300, Jr. Barrett Gouger, 6-4, 307, R-Fr. Kevin McCoy, 6-5, 295, Fr.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER 35 40 28 30

Darreon Herring, 6-2, 228, So. Ja’karri Thomas 6-1, 225, R-Fr. Karl Butler, 6-1, 218, Sr. Larry Franklin, 6-0, 214, R-So.

CORNERBACK 23 21 12 6 5

Andre Hal, 6-0, 185, Sr. Paris Head, 6-0, 182, R-Fr. Steven Clarke, 5-10, 195, Sr. Darrius Sims, 5-9, 178, Fr. Torren McGaster, 6-0, 190, R-Fr.

STRONG SAFETY 31 Javon Marshall, 5-10, 202, R-Sr. 27 Jahmel McIntosh 6-1, 205, R-So.

CENTER

FREE SAFETY

57 Joe Townsend, 6-3, 305, Jr. 77 Spencer Pulley 6-4, 300, Jr.

1 Kenny Ladler, 6-1, 205, Sr. 32 Andrew Williamson 6-1, 210, R-So.

2 014 B B VA C O M PA S S B O W L

34 Andrew East, 6-2, 230, R-Jr. 61 Connor Morrison 6-0, 235, R-So.

39 Carey Spear, 5-10, 194, Sr.

36 Chase Garnham, 6-3, 235, Sr. 13 Jake Sealand 6-2, 230, So.

53 73 77 56 78

SNAPPER

KICKOFF

OFFENSIVE TACKLE

OFFENSIVE GUARD

29 Taylor Hudson, 6-2, 225, R-So.

90 Walker May, 6-5, 250, R-Sr. 45 Stephen Weatherly 6-5, 252, R-Fr.

MIDDLE LINEBACKER

Wesley Johnson, 6-5, 295, R-Sr. Will Holden 6-6, 302, R-Fr. Andrew Jelks, 6-6, 295, R-Fr. Chase White, 6-4, 292, R-Jr.

HOLDER

DEFENSIVE END

82 Kris Kentera, 6-4, 235, R-So.

67 74 50 73

NOSE TACKLE

KICKOFF RETURN 6 Darrius Sims, 5-9, 178, Fr. 24 Wesley Tate, 6-1, 224, R-Sr. 5 Torren McGaster, 6-0, 190, R-Fr.

PUNT RETURN 9 Trent Pruitt, 5-9, 180, R-Fr. 17 Jonathan Krause, 5-11, 182, Sr.

Vanderbilt Roster No. Name

Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown/HS/Previous

Kenny Ladler

Johnny McCrary

6-1 205

No. Name

Sr. Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson

Scot Aiello

DB 5-10 185

Barron Dixon

Jr. Franklin, Tenn./Centennial

QB 6-4 218

Fr. Decatur, Ga./Cedar Grove

DT 6-4 308

Jr. Alpharetta, Ga./Chattahoochee

3* Taurean Ferguson

DB 5-9 180

Fr. Jonesboro, Ga./Jonesboro

45* Joseph Hoffman

FB 6-0 220

So. Scarsdale, N.Y./Edgemont

Jerron Seymour

RB 5-6 200 R-So. Hialeah, Fla./Hialeah

Stephen Weatherly

DE 6-5 252 R-Fr. Snellville, Ga./Shiloh

Tre Bell

CB 5-11 168

Nigel Bowden

LB 6-1 235

Fr. Macon, Ga./Central

Patton Robinette

QB 6-4 212 R-Fr. Maryville, Tenn./Maryville

49* Josh Gregory

DB 5-11 178

Jr. Goodlettsville, Tenn./ Davidson Acad.

Torren McGaster

CB 6-0 190 R-Fr. Daphne, Ala./Daphne

Jonathan Wynn

DE 6-4 230 Fr. Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson

Austyn Carta-Samuels

QB 6-1 215 R-Sr. San Jose, Calif./Bellarmine

Andrew Jelks

OL 6-6 290 R-Fr. Paris, Tenn./Henry Co.

Darrius Sims

DB 5-9 178

Hunter Bowman

LB 6-0 220

Josh Grady

QB 6-0 202 R-So. Tampa, Fla./Armwood

Andrew Bridges

OL 6-6 285 R-Jr. Atlanta, Ga./Westminster

Trent Pruitt

WR 5-9 180 R-Jr. Fitzgerald, Ga./Fitzgerald

53* Jake Bernstein

Harding Harper

FB 6-2 240 R-Fr. Montgomery, Ala./Carver

Vince Taylor

DT 6-2 308 R-Jr. Hattiesburg, Miss./Oak Grove

Steven Clarke

CB 5-10 195

Sr. Lauderdale Lakes, Fla./Anderson

Jimmy Stewart

DE 6-4 245 R-So. Cape Coral, Fla./Island Coast

Jake Sealand

LB 6-2 230

So. Tucker, Ga./Tucker

Caleb Azubike

DE 6-4 265

Ryan White

DB 5-9 182

Fr. Louisville, Ky./Trinity

Darien Bryant

DE 6-4 230 R-So. Pickerington, Ohio/ No. Pickerington

Fr. Clay, Ala./Clay-Chalkville

56* Barrett Gouger

Fr. Union, N.J./St. Peter’s Prep

Fr. Memphis, Tenn./Whitehaven

Jr. Savannah, Ga./Country Day

OL 6-4 305 R-So. Lake in the Hills, Ill./Crystal Lake So.

So. Nashville, Tenn./McGavock

DeAndre Woods

WR 6-3 212

Colby Cooke

P/PK 6-3 208 R-Fr. Goochland, Va./Goochland

Joe Townsend

OL 6-4 305

Jr. Hendersonville, Tenn./ Hendersonville

16* Gerald Perry

WR 5-10 162

Fr. Memphis, Tenn./Whitehaven

Jacob Schultz

SN 6-4 230

Fr. Murfreesboro, Tenn./Siegel

Jonathan Krause

WR 5-11 192

Sr. Snellville, Ga./So. Gwinnett

Connor Morrison

SN 6-0 235 R-So. Edmond, Okla./Casady

17* Tommy Openshaw

PK/P 6-2 175

OL 6-4 307 R-Fr. Soddy Daisy, Tenn./Baylor

Fr. Jacksonville, Fla./Creekside

Delando Crooks

OL 6-5 290

Fr. Atlanta, Ga./Carver

WR 6-2 202 Fr. Alpharetta, Ga./Alpharetta

Will Trepp

OL 6-0 265

So. Greenwich, Conn./Greenwich

18* Patrick Sutton

LB 6-0 220

Sr. Charleston, S.C./Bishop England

Blake Fromang

OL 6-7 295 R-Fr. Orlando, Fla./Lake Highland Prep

C.J. Duncan

RB 6-0 188

Fr. Montgomery, Ala./St. James School

Wesley Johnson

OL 6-5 295 R-Sr. Nashville, Tenn./Montgomery Bell

Oren Burks

LB 6-3 210

Fr. Fairfax Station, Va./South Co.

Adam Butler

DT 6-4 305 R-Fr. Duncanville, Texas/Duncanville

Paris Head

CB 6-0 182 R-Fr. Lawrenceville, Ga./Buford

Sean Dowling

OL 6-6 280

Casey Hughes

LB 6-1 218 R-Jr. Reading, Pa./Governor Mifflin

Chase White

OL 6-5 290 R-Jr. Plano, Texas/Plano West

Andre Hal

Carlos Burse

Fr. Fallbrook, Calif./Fallsbrook Union

CB 6-0 185

Sr. Port Allen, La./Port Allen

Will Holden

OL 6-6 302 R-Fr. Green Cove Springs, Fla./Clay

24* Jalen Banks

DB 5-11 188

Fr. Markham, Ill./Thornton Township

Jay Woods

DT 6-3 292

Fr. Jackson, Ga./Jackson

Wesley Tate

RB 6-1 224 R-Sr. Hendersonville, Tenn./Hendersonville

Spencer Pulley

OL 6-4 300

Jr. Germantown,Tenn./Evangelical

Brian Kimbrow

RB 5-8 185

So. Memphis, Tenn./East

Kevin McCoy

OL 6-5 295 R-Fr. Tampa, Fla./Armwood

Ralph Webb

RB 5-10 190

Fr. Gainesville, Fla./Gainesville

Ryan Brockway

Jahmel McIntosh

Karl Butler

LB 6-1 216

Taylor Hudson

Larry Franklin

31 32

OL 6-4 285

Sr. Rolling Hills, Calif./Loyola

81* Alex Grecco

WR 5-10 175

So. Warwick, R.I./Bishop Hendricken

Steven Scheu

TE 6-5 255 R-So. Evansville, Ind./Reitz Memorial

Kris Kentera

TE 6-4 235 R-So. Colorado Springs, Colo./Pine Creek

LB 6-1 214 R-So. Vero Beach, Fla./Vero Beach

Nathan Marcus

TE 6-5 235

Javon Marshall

S 5-10 202 R-Sr. Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne

Jordan Cunningham WR 6-1 175

Fr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla./University School

Andrew Williamson

6-1 210 R-So. San Antonio, Texas/Stevens

Trey Wilkins

WR 5-11 205

Jr. Cordova, Tenn./St. Benedict

6-1 205 R-So. Cleveland, Miss./Cleveland Sr. New Orleans, La./Brother Martin

6-3 225 R-So. Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty

Fr. Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West

Derek King

RB 5-11 208 R-So. Nashville, Tenn./Brentwood Acad.

Latevius Rayford

WR 6-1 180

Fr. Memphis, Tenn./Central

Andrew East

SN 6-2 230 R-Jr. Indianapolis, Ind./North Central

Jordan Matthews

WR 6-3 206

Sr. Madison, Ala./Madison Acad.

35* Hasan Clayton

RB 5-11 190

Jr. Arlington Heights, Ill./Loyola Acad.

Erik Allen

WR 5-11 180

So. Charlottesville, Va./St. Anne’s-Belfield

Darreon Herring

LB 6-2 228

So. Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson

Dillon van der Wal

TE 6-6 260

Jr. Woodland Hills, Calif./Oaks Christian

Chase Garnham

LB 6-3 235

Sr. Fairhope, Ala./Fairhope

Walker May

DE 6-5 250 R-Sr. Birmingham, Ala./Briarwood Christian

Wilson Johnson

38* Alex Hysong

SN 6-1 210

Fr. Nashville, Tenn./Montgomery Bell

David Holtgrave

PK 5-9 165

CB 5-10 175

Jr. Bethesda, Md./Whitman

Kyle Woestmann

DE 6-3 252 R-Jr. Marietta, Ga./Walton

Fr. Louisville, Ky./Country Day

DT 6-2 290 R-Fr. Dallas, Ga./East Paulding

Fitz Lassing

FB 6-3 245

Sr. Nashville, Tenn./Montgomery Bell

Ladarius Banks

Carey Spear

PK 5-10 194

Sr. Mayfield Village, Ohio/Mayfield

Torey Agee

DT 6-4 285 R-Fr. Opelika, Ala./Opelika

39* Dane Stubbs

CB 5-9 190

So. Covington, La./St. Paul’s

Mack Prioleau

SN 6-3 220

Fr. Fort Worth, Texas/All Saint’s Episcopal

LB 6-1 225 R-Fr. Tallahassee, Fla./Godby

Gaither Barker

SN 6-2 220

Fr. Dunlap, Tenn./Sequatchie Co.

41* Chris Martin

FB 5-10 230

So. Princeton, N.J./Princeton

Jared Morse

DT 6-2 302

Sr. Oxford, Ala./Oxford

Zach Cunningham

LB 6-4 212

Fr. Pinson, Ala./Pinson Valley

Mack Weaver

DE 6-5 260

Fr. Collierville, Tenn./Harding Academy

Kellen Williams

LB 6-1 225

Jr. Winter Garden, Fla./West Orange

Landon Stokes

DE 6-4 228

Fr. Orlando, Fla./Lake Highland Prep

Ja’karri Thomas

* duplicate jersey numbers

Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown/HS/Previous

2 014 B B VA C O M PA S S B O W L

Houston Roster No. Name

Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown/HS/Previous

1 Greg Ward Jr. QB 5-10 175 Fr. Tyler, Tex. (John Tyler) 2 Donald Gage III WR 5-11 175 Fr. Zachary, La (Zachary) 2 Kent London DB 6-2 215 Jr. San Jose, Calif. (Foothill CC) 3 Deontay Greenberry WR 6-3 198 So.-1L Fresno, California (Washington Union) 3 William Jackson DB 6-1 175 So. Houston, Tex. (Wheatley HS/Trinity Valley CC) 4 Daniel Spencer WR 5-11 195 Jr.-2L Grandview, Tex. (Grandview) 4 Trevon Randle LB 6-2 218 So. League City, Tex. (Clear Springs/LSU) 5 John O’Korn QB 6-4 205 Fr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (St. Thomas Aquinas) 5 Turon Walker DB 5-11 190 Jr. Stockton, Calif. (St. Mary’s HS/Diablo Valley College) 6 William Moore DE 6-2 233 Jr.-2L Houston, Tex. (James Madison) 6 Larry McDuffey WR 5-10 162 So.-1L Galena Park, Tex. (North Shore) 8 Caleb Tucker LB 6-2 223 Fr. Monroe, La. (Ouachita) 8 David Piland QB 6-3 196 Jr.-2L Southlake, Tex. (Carroll) 9 Billy Cosh QB 6-1 202 Jr. Annapolis, Md. (Arundel/Butler CC) 10 Demarcus Ayers WR 5-10 173 Fr. Lancaster, Tex. (Lancaster) 10 Zach McMillian DB 5-10 178 Sr.-3L Missouri City, Tex. (Dulles) 12 D’Juan Hines WR 6-2 203 Fr. Spring, Tex. (Dekaney) 13 Thomas Bates DB 5-10 183 Sr.-3L Baytown, Tex. (Lee) 13 Kyle Postma QB 6-2 180 Fr. Katy, Tex. (Seven Lakes) 14 Jarrett Irving DB 5-10 191 RS-Fr. Spring, Tex. (Dekaney) 14 Aaron Johnson WR 6-0 207 Jr.-2L Longview, Tex. (Longview) 15 Richie Leone P/K 6-3 215 Sr.-3L Roswell, Ga. (Roswell) 16 Adrian McDonald DB 5-10 191 So.-1L Lawton, Okla. (Eisenhower) 17 Chauntez Jackson DE 6-4 254 Fr. Inglewood, Calif. (Inglewood) 18 Casey Martin WR 5-9 175 So.-1L Huffman, Tex. (Hargrave) 18 Lee Hightower DB 6-2 192 Jr. Inglewood, Calif. (Loyola/Boise State) 19 Shane Ros WR 5-10 200 Sr. Katy, Tex. (Cinco Ranch/Baylor) 19 Marcus Dillard DB 5-10 174 So. Duncan, S.C. (Byrnes/Butler CC) 20 Colton Valencia DB 5-11 189 Sr.-2L Missouri City, Tex. (Hightower/Tex. A&M) 21 Markeith Ambles WR 6-2 215 Jr. McDonough, Ga. (Arizona Western) 21 Eric Eiland DE 6-2 236 So.-1L Houston, Tex. (Lamar) 22 Ryan Jackson RB 5-10 183 So.-1L Angleton, Tex. (Angleton) 22 Mikeal Smith DB 5-8 180 So. Brazoria, Tex. (Sweeny/East Tex. Baptist) 23 Trevon Stewart DB 5-9 192 So.-1L Patterson, La. (Patterson) 24 Kent Brooks RB 5-11 206 Sr.-3L Humble, Tex. (Atascocita) 25 Alex Tillman DB 5-10 187 Jr.-1L Houston, Tex. (Northshore) 25 Casey Williams WR 5-9 175 Fr. Houston, Tex. (Alief Elsik) 26 Brandon Wilson DB 5-11 195 RS-Fr. Shreveport, La. (Calvary Academy) 27 Jalynn McCain RB 5-10 220 So. Houston, Tex. (George Bush/ San Jose State) 28 Tyler White DB 5-10 181 So. Missouri City, Tex. (Thurgood Marshall/ Utah) 29 Javin Webb RB 5-8 172 Fr. Shreveport, La. (Evangel Christian Academy) 30 Earl Foster DB 6-1 192 So.-1L Houston, Tex. (Lamar) 30 Greyson Hughes WR 6-0 179 So. Houston, Tex. (Cypress Falls/Kansas State) 31 Hayden Daniels WR 6-4 200 So. Naperville, Ill. (Naperville Central/Illinois) 31 Logan Piper P 6-1 200 Jr. Missouri City, Tex. (Hightower) 32 Damian Payne WR 6-0 210 Jr.-2L Houston, Tex. (Klein Forest/Utah) 34 Randall Hollimon RB 6-0 212 Jr. Houston, Tex. (Clear Lake) 34 Austin Potter LB 6-0 220 So. Huffman, Tex. (Hargrave/ West Tex. A&M) 35 Jeremy Johnson DB 6-0 192 Jr. Kountze, Tex. (Silsbee/West Virginia) 35 Kenneth Farrow RB 5-11 216 So.-1L Hurst, Tex. (L.D. Bell) 36 Nomluis Fruge DB 6-1 199 Fr. Houston, Tex. (E.L. Furr) 37 Luke Stice FB 6-0 218 So.-1L Midland, Tex. (Lee) 38 Dylan Seibert P 6-3 220 So. Tulsa, Okla. (Booker T. Washington/Ok.) 38 George Bamfo LB 5-11 218 Sr.-3L Rockwall, Tex. (Heath) 39 Steven Aikens DB 6-2 200 RS-Fr. Arlington, Tex. (Seguin) 39 Kyle Bullard K 5-11 170 So. Boerne, Tex. (Samuel V. Champion) 40 Sam Martin P 6-1 185 So. Tex. City, Tex. (Tex. City) 41 Steven Taylor LB 6-0 211 RS-Fr. Cedar Hill, Tex. (Cedar Hill)

No. Name

Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown/HS/Previous

41 Kelechi Ejekam WR 6-3 190 So. Houston, Tex. (Lamar) 42 Adrian Bennett LB 6-1 216 So. Houston, Tex. (Klein Forest/Tex. Southern) 43 Justin Hicks RB 5-6 191 So. Channelview, Tex. (Channelview) 43 Austin Wilson LB 6-0 225 Sr.-3L Tyler, Tex. (Lee) 44 Elandon Roberts LB 6-1 223 So. Port Arthur, Tex. (Port Arthur/Morgan State) 45 Tyler McCloskey FB 6-2 212 Fr. Houston, Tex. (Memorial) 45 Josh Pegrem TE 6-4 245 Jr. Dallas, Tex. (Tyler Street Christian/Tex. Tech) 46 Trevor Harris DE 6-5 233 Jr. Mount Dora, Fla. (Mount Dora HS/ASA College) 47 Ty Cummings K 5-10 164 Fr. Southlake, Tex. (Carroll) 48 Linell Bonner WR 6-0 191 Fr. Houston, Tex. (Dekaney) 48 Andrew Hogan LB 6-0 215 So. Keller, Tex. (Keller) 49 Derrick Mathews LB 6-0 214 Jr.-2L Houston, Tex. (North Shore) 50 Efrem Oliphant LB 6-1 230 Jr.-2L Houston, Tex. (Langham Creek) 51 Jon Witten DE 6-2 230 Jr. Houston, Tex. (Clear Lake) 53 Nolan Frese LS 6-2 230 So. Roanoke, Tex. (Keller) 54 Cameron Doubenmier LB 5-11 217 Fr. League City, Tex. (Clear Springs) 55 Davonte Thomas LB 6-0 210 RS-Fr. Aldine, Tex. (Eisenhower) 56 Vincent Hall DE 6-2 232 Jr. Missouri City, Tex. (Elkins/Lane College) 56 Damien Parris OL 6-5 310 Jr. Miami, Fla. (Contra Costa CC) 58 Bryce Redman OL 6-1 285 Jr.-2L Longview, Tex. (Longview) 59 Andrew Okonkwo DT 6-4 275 RS-Fr. Anambra State, Nigeria (St. Augustine’s Seminary) 60 Alex Cooper OL 6-4 285 So. Bellaire, Tex. (Second Baptist) 61 William Garrett OL 6-7 257 Sr. Tomball, Tex. (Tomball) 61 Jamal Baker DE 6-3 260 So. Houston, Tex. (Sharpstown/Tex. Southern) 63 Kevin Forsch OL 6-3 307 Sr.-3L Tomball, Tex. (Klein Oak) 64 Ty Cloud OL 6-4 314 Sr.-3L Highland Village, Tex. (Flower Mound Marcus) 66 Austin Lunsford OL 6-1 278 Jr.-1L Garrison, Tex. (Garrison) 67 Hank Granda OL 6-2 282 RS-Fr. Houston, Tex. (St. Pius X) 69 Ralph Oragwu OL 6-3 324 Sr.-3L Missouri City, Tex. (Marshall) 70 Mac Long OL 6-3 291 RS-Fr. Edna, Tex. (Edna) 71 Zach Johnson OL 6-6 301 So.-1L Norman, Okla. (Norman) 72 Emeka Okafor OL 6-5 322 So.-1L Sunnyvale, Tex. (Sunnyvale) 74 Rowdy Harper OL 6-6 295 Jr.-2L Broken Arrow, Okla. (Broken Arrow) 75 Josh McNeill DT 6-5 307 Sr.-2L Magnolia, Tex. (Magnolia/Blinn Jr. College 76 Ja’Braylin Thomas OL 6-5 358 Fr. Weimar, Tex. (Weimar) 77 Josh Thomas OL 6-5 327 Fr. Shreveport, La. (Evangel Christian Academy) 79 DeAnthony Sims OL 6-3 320 Sr.-3L Houston, Tex. (Westbury) 80 Cameron Oliver WR 6-2 175 RS-Fr. Richardson, Tex. (Canyon Creek Christian /UL Monroe) 81 Tyus Bowser DE 6-3 226 Fr. Tyler, Tex. (John Tyler) 82 Cameron Klapesky WR 5-11 171 RS-Fr. The Woodlands, Tex. (The Woodlands) 82 Carlos Luna K 5-10 180 So. Oxnard, Calif. (Channel Island/Ventura CC) 83 Andrew Rodriguez WR 5-10 175 RS-Fr. Allen, Tex. (Allen) 84 Wayne Beadle WR 5-11 178 Jr. Houston, Tex. (Westbury Christian) 85 John Leday WR 6-0 185 Fr. Port Arthur, Tex. (Memorial) 86 Chris Gudmundson K 5-10 200 Jr. Torrance, Calif. (Torrance/El Camino College) 86 Jack Thomas WR 6-4 195 Fr. Sugar Land, Tex. (Fort Bend Christian Acad.) 87 Derek McLemore WR 5-10 179 Fr. Southlake, Tex. (Southlake Carroll) 88 Xavier Maxwell WR 6-1 180 Sr.-1L Humble, Tex. (Humble/Blinn CC) 89 Byron Simpson LS/TE 6-4 222 Fr. Sealy, Tex. (Sealy) 90 Mike Mustafa DT 6-3 277 So. Katy, Tex. (Cinco Ranch/Oklahoma State) 91 Nick Thurman DT 6-3 285 Fr. Dallas, Tex. (Lake Highlands) 92 Joey Mbu DT 6-3 312 Jr.-2L Richmond, Tex. (Foster) 93 B.J. Singleton DT 6-4 285 RS-Fr. Destrehan, La. (Destrehan) 94 Cameron Malveaux DE 6-6 252 RS-Fr. Beaumont, Tex. (Hamshire Fannett) 95 Tomme Mark DT 6-3 288 So.-1L Lufkin, Tex. (Lufkin) 96 Jeremiah Farley DT 6-0 283 Jr.-1L Longview, Tex. (Longview) 97 Eric Braswell DT 6-5 268 Jr.-2L Killeen, Tex. (Shoemaker) 99 Melvin Holland DT 6-0 276 Jr. Missouri City, Tex. (Elkins/Navarro JC) * duplicate jersey numbers 2 014 B B VA C O M PA S S B O W L

Houston Depth Chart

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

SPECIALISTS

LEFT TACKLE

DEFENSIVE END

KICKER

79 DeAnthony Sims, 6-3, 320, Sr. 69 Ralph Oragwu, 6-3, 324, Sr.

97 Eric Braswell, 6-5, 268, Jr. 94 Cameron Malveaux, 6-6, 252, R-Fr.

39 Kyle Bullard, 5-11, 170, So. 15 Richie Leone, 6-3, 215, Sr.

LEFT GUARD

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

PUNTER

74 Rowdy Harper, 6-6, 295, Jr. 64 Ty Cloud, 6-4, 314, Sr.

92 Joey Mbu, 6-3, 312, Jr. 96 Jeremiah Farley, 6-0, 283, Jr.

15 Richie Leone, 6-3, 215, Sr. 38 Dylan Seibert, 6-3, 220, So.

CENTER

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

KICKOFF

58 Bryce Redman, 6-1, 285, Jr. 66 Austin Lunsford, 6-1, 278, Jr.

95 Tomme Mark, 6-3, 288, So. 93 B. J. Singleton, 6-4, 285, RS-Fr.

15 Richie Leone, 6-3, 215, Sr. 47 Ty Cummings, 5-10, 164, Fr.

RIGHT GUARD

DEFENSIVE END

KICKOFF RETURNER

63 Kevin Forsch, 6-3, 307, Sr. 72 Emeka Okafor, 6-5, 322, Jr.

10 Demarcus Ayers, 5-10, 173, Fr. 21 Markeith Ambles, 6-2, 215, Jr.

RIGHT TACKLE

46 Trevor Harris, 6-5, 233, Jr. -or21 Eric Eiland, 6-2, 236, So. 81 Tyus Bowser, 6-3, 226, Fr.

71 Zach Johnson, 6-6, 301, So. 60 Alex Cooper, 6-4, 285, So.

STRONGSIDE LINEBACKER

32 Damian Payne, 6-0, 210, Jr. 21 Markeith Ambles, 6-2, 215, Jr.

41 Steve Taylor, 6-0, 211, R-Fr. 42 Adrian Bennett, 6-1, 216, Jr.

HOLDER

3 Deontay Greenberry, 6-3, 198, So. 83 Andrew Rodriguez, 5-10, 175, R-Fr.

MIDDLE LINEBACKER

38 Dylan Seibert, 6-3, 220, So. 14 Jarrett Irving, 5-10, 191, R-Fr.

49 Derrick Mathews, y6-0, 214, Jr. 44 Elandon Roberts, 6-1, 223, So.

LONG SNAPPER

14 Aaron Johnson, 6-0, 207, Jr. 10 Demarcus Ayers, 5-10, 173, Fr.

WEAKSIDE LINEBACKER

53 Nolan Friese, 6-2, 230, So. 89 Byron Simpson, 6-4, 222, Fr.

HALFBACK

50 Efrem Oliphant, 6-1, 230, Jr. 38 George Bamfo, 5-11, 218, Sr.

4 Daniel Spencer, 5-11, 195, Jr. 84 Wayne Beadle, 5-11, 178, Jr.

CORNERBACK

10 Zach McMillan, 5-10, 178, Sr. 5 Turon Walker, 5-11, 190, Jr.

88 Xavier Maxwell, 6-1, 180, Sr. 21 Markeith Ambles, 6-2, 215, Jr.

STRONG SAFETY

QUARTERBACK

16 Adrian McDonald, 5-10, 191, So. 25 Alex Tillman, 5-10, 187, Jr.

5 1

FREE SAFETY

John O’Korn, 6-4, 205, Fr. Greg Ward Jr., 5-10, 175, Fr.

RUNNING BACK

23 Trevon Stewart, 5-9, 192, So. 30 Earl Foster, 6-1, 192, So.

35 Kenneth Farrow, 5-11, 216, So. 22 Ryan Jackson, 5-10, 183, So.

CORNERBACK

FULLBACK

13 Thomas Bates, 5-10, 183, Sr. 3 William Jackson, 6-1, 175, So.

37 Luke Stice, 6-0, 218, So. 45 Tyler McCloskey, 6-2, 212, Fr.

2 014 B B VA C O M PA S S B O W L

PUNT RETURNER

American Athletic Conference

ot entirely unlike the nation that provides games. The entire postseason tournament will be its namesake, the American Athletic Contelevised, including the championship game, which ference was born from an ideal in which will be either on ABC or ESPN. Sixty percent of members with ambitious goals are provided with the American’s women’s basketball games will be the means to succeed in their quests for excellence. carried on either national cable, regional sports networks or ESPN3. With roots that extend to three conferences, American Athletic Conference teams will have the American Athletic Conference membership in access to the pinnacle of college football’s post2013 — its debut season — consists of 10 institutions: the University of Central Florida, the Universeason structure, both in the coming season and sity of Cincinnati, the University of Connecticut, the beyond. In 2013-14, the league champion received University of Houston, the University of Louisville, an automatic bid for the final edition of the Bowl the University of Memphis, Rutgers University, Championship Series, including a spot in the VIZIO Southern Methodist University, the University of National Championship Game if it is ranked No. 1 or South Florida and Temple University. No. 2 in the final BCS standings. Moving forward, In 2014-15, East Carolina University, Tulane UniThe American champion would be chosen for the Mike Aresco versity and the University of Tulsa come aboard. College Football Playoff semifinals if it is among the Commissioner The 2015-16 season sees the U.S. Naval Academy top four teams following the regular season. Otherwise, the league would place its champion in either join the ranks in football only. The American, which the Cotton Bowl, Fiesta Bowl or Peach Bowl if it is operated as the Big East Conference from 1979 to ranked higher than the champions of Conference 2013, will immediately take a place at the forefront of USA, the Mid-American Conference, the Mountain Division I athletics, with schools that have played in West Conference and the Sun Belt Conference. a combined five Bowl Championship Series games, The American has additional partnerships with won four NCAA men’s basketball titles since 1999, a number of bowl games that match conference and won eight NCAA women’s basketball championships since 1995. teams against opponents from the Atlantic Coast Among the league’s 2013 members, seven of The Conference, the Big 12 Conference, the Southeastern Conference and Conference USA. American’s 10 football teams have been ranked in The Russell Athletic Bowl had the first selection of American the top 13 in the BCS since 2006. Eight of the 10 teams have been teams after the conference’s BCS representative is determined. The in the BCS top 25 in that span. The 2013-14 membership will also Atlantic Coast Conference will provide the opposition for the Russell include the most recent NCAA men’s basketball (Louisville) and Athletic Bowl, which is played in Orlando, Fla. women’s basketball (UConn) champions. The American also is a partner with the Belk Bowl in Charlotte, The 2013 season will mark the final year of a six-year arrangement with ESPN that gives The American national exposure on ABC N.C. Played in Bank of America Stadium, the Belk Bowl will select television and the ESPN family of networks. ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC its American Athletic Conference participant after the Russell Athletic Bowl with the ACC again providing the opponent. will carry a minimum of 19 American home football games each The American and the Big 12 conferences partner for the New season. Championship Week in December includes three American Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium in New York City. In the event games on either ABC, ESPN or ESPN2. At least four American that the Big 12 is unable to send an eligible team to the New Era games are featured on ESPN’s Thursday-night package. Pinstripe Bowl, Notre Dame could step in as the American team’s In addition, ESPN Regional Television will continue to produce opponent. and distribute its Game of the Week package to a nationally syndicated audience, reaching more than 30 million homes. Most of An American representative, Houston, will face an opponent these games also will be available as part of the ESPN GamePlan from the Southeastern Conference, Vanderbilt, as part of arrangements with the BBVA Compass Bowl in Birmingham, Ala., and the subscription service. Finally, a minimum of five home games will be AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis. carried on ESPNU. The league also holds a partnership with the Beef ‘O’Brady’s Following the 2013 football season, the American Athletic Conference enters new television partnerships with ESPN and CBS Bowl at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Beef ‘O’Brady’s Sports which will give the conference unprecedented national Bowl pairs the American representative against an opponent from exposure. The football portion of the contract, which begins in the Conference USA. 2014 season, calls for nearly 90 percent of conference-controlled The postseason lineup gives American Athletic Conference games on national broadcast or national cable platforms. The first teams access to at least six postseason games. American Athletic Conference Football Championship, which will be The American Athletic Conference administers to its membership played in 2015, will be carried either on ABC or ESPN on Champifrom a state-of-the-art office located in Providence, R.I. The location onship Saturday. of the conference headquarters — just steps from the city’s Amtrak In men’s basketball, the new television deal calls for all conferstation and 10 minutes from T.F. Green International Airport — gives ence-controlled games to be televised, with more than 63 percent the conference easy access to its member schools. slotted for national broadcast or national cable — a minimum of 107

2 014 B B VA C O M PA S S B O W L

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University of Houston

uch like the city whose name it proudly bears, the University of Houston is a dynamic, innovative and successoriented institution. Founded in 1927, UH is a Tier One public research university in the vibrant, international city of Houston. The 700-acre campus is a surprisingly lush, tree-filled oasis in the midst of a thriving metropolis, with fountains, extensive public art and manicured grounds providing a picturesque setting for the high-tech research facilities and academic buildings designed by such architects as Cesar Pelli and Philip Johnson. With an enrollment of nearly 40,000 students each semester — and more than 8,000 degrees conferred each year — UH plays a principal role in developing the skilled workers, scientists, executives and entrepreneurs crucial to the area’s robusit, knowledge-based economy. A recent Payscale/Forbes study places UH in the top ranks for Return on Investment on college costs while U.S. News and World Report rates the school among the Top 10 for students with the least amount of debt. Those students include a sizeable contingent of international enrollees, from about 140 countries, and there is no racial majority on campus, making UH the country’s second-most diverse research university. UH is the flagship institution in the University of Houston System, an affiliation of four universities and several branch campuses and teaching centers that is the largest provider of comprehensive higher education services in the region. Under the leadership of Renu Khator, who was appointed in 2008 to the dual positions of UH System chancellor and UH president, the university has experienced record-breaking research funding, enrollment and private support. In 2011, UH was designated a Tier One university, when the Carnegie Foundation elevated it into the top category of research activity. This elite classification makes UH one of only three Tier One state research universities in Texas

2 014 B B VA C O M PA S S B O W L

(joining Texas A&M and the University of Texas). During President Khator’s tenure, the campus has been undergoing a $1 billion construction campaign that is adding more than 20 new buildings and numerous renovation projects, including a new 40,000seat Football Stadium, an expansion of the 75-acre Energy Research Park and preparations for a major Health Science Center. Once perceived as primarily a commuter-oriented school, UH has been steadily transforming into a residential campus as student housing has been significantly increased. With more than 8,000 beds on campus, UH now has the second largest residential capacity in Texas. Nearly 400 student organizations, 16 intercollegiate sports teams and frequent artistic events contribute to a lively and engaging atmosphere on campus. More than 175,000 visitors come to campus each year to enjoy a wide array of performances and cultural exhibits. The 12 colleges at UH offer more than 300 undergraduate and graduate academic programs (on campus and online), including nearly four dozen doctorates as well as professional degrees in optometry, pharmacy and law. Reflecting its commitment to support and enhance those enterprises that contribute to the success of the city of Houston, UH emphasizes research and scholarship in the energy sector, health care and the arts. Although a relatively young school, UH enjoys a rich tradition epitomized by its Cougar mascot, Shasta, a proud legacy of accomplishment in athletics, continuing alumni engagement and, most recently, the adoption of Cougar Red Fridays, during which the campus community dons the school colors of scarlet red and albino white. Notable alumni include figures from the world of sports, such as Hakeem Olajuwon, Elvin Hayes, Clyde Drexler and Carl Lewis; the public affairs arena, such as Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings and presidential adviser Jack Valenti; and from media and entertainment, such as Jim Parsons, Dennis and Randy Quaid, Robert Wuhl, Loretta Devine, Julian Schnabel, and Jim Nantz.

Houston Athletic Director

have advanced to postseason competition 28 ack Rhoades became the 11th directimes, while 31 individuals have earned All-Amertor of athletics in University of Houston ica honors. history with his hiring in June 2009 The fall of 2011 season saw Houston reach after an award-winning career at the University heights it had never visited before as Houston footof Akron. ball set a season record with 13 wins and a No. 6 With his vision of an award-winning Athletics national ranking while the UH campus became the Department, both academically and athletically, first ever Conference USA program to have ESPN Rhoades has electrified the University and City of Gameday broadcast live from it. Houston with his bold plans for Houston Athletics Those accolades also extended into the classas its brand continues to spread nationally. room. The conclusion of the 2012 fall semester All of this has been done while remaining true saw Houston Athletics post record academic to the department’s core values: Accountabilachievements with its highest ever fall semester ity, Excellence, Inclusivity, Integrity, Loyalty and grade point average, 2.92, and its highest overall Sportsmanship. cumulative GPA, 2.87, to date. Working with Dr. Renu Khator, Rhoades sucIn addition to the best GPAs in program history, cessfully steered Houston into a new era as the Mack Rhoades a record 75 athletes were named to the UniverUniversity of Houston University was invited in December of 2011 to join sity of Houston’s Dean’s List, while the 13.9 hours Athletic Director The American Athletic Conference beginning with passed per student in the fall semester also the 2013-14 academic year. marked a UH best. Of the 344 student-athletes under scholarship One year later the demolition of Robertson Stadium signified at UH, 333, or 97 percent, are in good academic standing, also a another new period of Houston Athletics as it kicked off the condepartment record. struction of the $120 million, state-of-the-art, on-campus Houston Eight sports boasted record fall semester GPAs — baseball, men’s Football Stadium set to open in August of 2014. basketball, football, golf, softball, swimming and diving, tennis and — The facility will join the Dave Williams Golf Academy at Redstone while seven reached a program high in cumulative GPA — baseball, Golf Club as new structures under Rhoades’ watch, while planned football, golf, softball, swimming and diving, tennis and men’s track renovations of Hofheinz Pavilion and other facilities are currently in and field/cross country. the works. Rhoades also has been a leader in the development of the CouHis impact was immediately seen in 2009-10 during his first seagar Pride Leadership Academy. As one of just a handful across the son as he led the Athletics Department to unprecedented heights. nation, the program brings student-athletes together as freshmen Under his watch, the football program returned to the national rankthrough to graduation with activities that promote the complete ings — rising as high as No. 12 — the men’s track and field teams person. swept the indoor and outdoor titles and the men’s basketball team A leader among conference administrators as well, Rhoades won its first Conference USA Tournament crown. was selected to The American Athletic Conference TV Committee The three conference titles marked the first of eight in Rhoades’ after having served as the Conference USA chairperson for the first three years on campus. Under his direction, Houston teams Championship and Site Selection Committee.

2 014 B B VA C O M PA S S B O W L

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Houston Head Coach

ony Levine is in his second season as the assistant strength and conditioning coach. While at head coach at the University of Houston Carolina, Levine coached one of the best specialist Football. units in the NFL in kicker John Kasay, punter Jason Introduced as the 12th head coach in Houston Baker and long snapper Jason Kyle. In 2006, the history on Dec. 22, 2011, Levine made an emphatic Panthers led the NFC with a net punting average national statement in his opening game as the UH of 38.8 yards while Baker’s 39.0 net punting average set a Panthers team record. Baker’s 31 punts head coach, belting No. 22 Penn State, 30-14, in inside the 20 were also tops in the NFC, and he the 2012 TicketCity Bowl. ranked second overall with a 45.7-yard gross averLevine took over at UH two weeks before that age. Kasay produced his most accurate season as Jan. 2 bowl contest in Dallas and unveiled a prepared squad that held Penn State to just two scores well in 2006, converting a career-best 88.9 percent of his field goals (24-of-27). and produced a Cotton Bowl Stadium record 532 Prior to Carolina, Levine coached at the Univeryards of passing vs. the nation’s No. 4-ranked pass sity of Louisville, where he played an integral role defense. The victory helped UH to a school-record in the Cardinals’ success for three seasons. Dur13th win (tops in the nation) and first January bowl ing his stay in Louisville, the Cardinals posted an victory since the 1979 campaign. Levine led the Tony Levine impressive 29-8 overall record, including an 11-1 Cougars to an end-of-season national ranking for University of Houston record and a No. 6 national ranking in 2004. the first time since 1990 and was the first UH head Head Coach Levine began as director of football operations coach to open his career with a win vs. a nationallyat Louisville in 2003, where he was responsible for the overall dayranked opponent since Harold Lahar in 1957. to-day operation of the school’s football program in coach Bobby The St. Paul, Minn., native directed Houston in its final season Petrino’s first year as head coach. In 2004, he was named special of play in Conference USA and led the team’s transition into the teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach and made an American Athletic Conference in 2013. Levine led Houston to its immediate impact on the field. Under Levine’s tutelage, the Cardi16th eight-win season in program history as it opened the season nals ranked near the top in Conference USA in almost all special 5-0 for just the fifth time in program history. UH led the nation with teams statistics, while Louisville’s defense finished 15th nationally a +25 turnover margin and 40 turnovers gained. Seven players in total defense, 18th in rush defense, 24th in scoring defense and received postseason honors from the American, including freshman Demarcus Ayers being named the league’s Co-Special Teams 30th in pass defense. Player of the Year and John O’Korn being named Rookie of the As special teams coordinator at Louisiana Tech in 2002, Levine Year. coached Josh Scobee, who earned All-WAC second team honors While 2012 was Levine’s first full season as head coach, he was and was selected by Jacksonville in the 2004 NFL draft. Offensively, Louisiana Tech ranked 19th nationally in total offense (417.9 no stranger to Houston. The former collegiate wide receiver spent ypg) and 10th in passing (302.8 ypg). the four seasons before his promotion on the UH staff, including his Levine spent the 2000 and 2001 seasons working as the offenfinal two as assistant head coach. sive graduate assistant at Auburn, where he coached the tight ends The 40-year old has spent 18 years in the coaching ranks, including stints at all levels of football, from a high school stop in his home and worked closely with special teams. During those two seasons, state of Minnesota, to a two-year stop with the Carolina Panthers the Tigers compiled a 16-9 overall record while winning back-toof the NFL. back SEC West Division titles. Robert Johnson, Lorenzo Diamond The 2012 season saw 13 Houston players earn All-Conference and Cooper Wallace, three of the tight ends Levine worked with, USA honors and Trevon Stewart named to the FWAA Freshman went on to earn roster spots in the NFL. All-American team. Three Houston players — D.J. Hayden (intercepPrior to Auburn, Levine worked as an assistant coach at Texas tions per game), Richie Leone (punting average) and Phillip Steward State, assisting with the wide receivers in 1997 before coaching the (sacks) led the Conference in their respective categories. Leone tight ends in 1998 and 1999. tied the Houston single-season record with an average of 45.5 A walk-on at the University of Minnesota, Levine became a threeyards per punt while Matt Hogan set the Conference USA career time letterwinner at wide receiver for the Gophers and was twice scoring record with 405 points. named to the Academic All-Big Ten Team. In November 2011, CBSSports.com’s Bruce Feldman named In addition to earning a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology with an Levine one of the nation’s 10 fastest-rising assistant coaches. emphasis in sports management from Minnesota, he also holds During Levine’s tenure at UH, the special teams units has a master’s degree in physical education from Texas State and an reached unprecedented heights, highlighted by 20 blocked kicks, educational specialist degree in adult education from Auburn. His nine kickoff returns for touchdowns and six forced turnovers. Those playing resume also includes one season as a wide receiver for the groups also have tied/broken seven NCAA records and set 11 Minnesota Fighting Pike of the Arena Football League. school marks. Levine and his wife, Erin, have three sons, Benjamin, Asher and Before coming to Houston, Levine spent two seasons with the Eli, and a daughter, Willa. NFL’s Carolina Panthers, serving as the assistant special teams and

2 014 B B VA C O M PA S S B O W L

National Collegiate Athletic Association Official Football Signals 1

Ball ready for play *Untimed down

Loss of down

Incomplete forw ard pass Penalty declined No play, no scor e Toss option delayed

Offside defense or free kick team Encroachment (NF)

Illegal participation

Illegal shift - 2 hands Illegal motion - 1 hand

Delay of game

Substitution infraction

Sideline interference

Running into or roughing kicker or holder

Illegal batting Illegal kicking (followed by pointing toward toe for kicking)

Illegal fair catch signal (NF) Invalid fair catch signal (NF)

Personal foul

Clipping

Blocking below waist Illegal block

Failure to wear required equipment

Illegal helmet contact

Forward pass interference Kick-catching interference

Chop block

Illegal touching or 30-second timeout First touching (NF)

Sideline warning

First down

End of period

Ineligible downfield on pass

False start Illegal formation Encroachment offense

Ball dead Touchback (move side to side)

Safety

Disregard flag

Touchdown Field goal Point(s) after touchdown

Inadvertent whistle (Face Press Box)

TV/Radio time-out

Legal touching of forward pass or scrimmage kick

Uncatchable forw ard pass

Time-out Discretionary or injury time-out (follow by tapping hands on chest)

Start clock

Holding/obstructing Illegal use of hands/arms

Illegal pass Illegal forward handling

Roughing passer

Unsportsmanlike conduct Noncontact foul

Intentional grounding

Illegal block in the back Helping runner Interlocked blocking

Grasping face mask or helmet opening

47 (NF) High School Note: Signal numbers 25 and 26 are for future expansion.

Tripping

Player disqualification

www.ncaa.org 2 014 B B VA C O M PA S S B O W L

Houston Coaching Staff

David Gibbs

Defensive Coordinator

Vernon Hargreaves Assistant Coach Linebackers

2 014 B B VA C O M PA S S B O W L

Travis Bush

Jamie Christian

Ricky Logo

Brandon Middleton

Assistant Head Coach Offensive Coordinator Quarterbacks

Assistant Coach Defensive Line

Special Teams Coordinator Inside Receivers Tight Ends

Assistant Coach Outside Receivers

Glen Elarbee

Assistant Coach Offensive Line

Zac Spavital

Recruiting Coordinator Defensive Backs

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2 014 B B VA C O M PA S S B O W L

Houston Players

Steven Aikens DB 6-2 200 Fr.

Adrian Bennett LB 6-1 216 So.

Ty Cloud OL 6-4 314 Sr.

Eric Eiland DE 6-2 236 So.

Nomluis Fruge DB 6-1 199 Fr.

Rowdy Harper OL 6-6 295 Jr. 46

Demarcus Ayers WR 5-10 173 Fr.

Linell Bonner WR 6-0 191 Fr.

Alex Cooper OL 6-4 285 So.

Jeremiah Farley DT 6-0 283 Jr.

Donald Gage III WR 5-11 175 Fr.

Trevor Harris DE 6-5 233 Jr.

2 014 B B VA C O M PA S S B O W L

Jamal Baker DE 6-3 260 So.

Tyus Bowser DE 6-3 226 Fr.

Billy Cosh QB 6-1 202 Jr.

Kenneth Farrow RB 5-11 216 So.

William Garrett OL 6-7 257 Sr.

Justin Hicks RB 5-6 191 So.

George Bamfo LB 5-11 218 Sr.

Eric Braswell DT 6-5 268 Jr.

Ty Cummings K 5-10 164 Fr.

Kevin Forsch OL 6-3 307 Sr.

Hank Granda OL 6-2 282 Fr.

Lee Hightower DB 6-2 192 Jr.

Thomas Bates DB 5-10 183 Sr.

Kent Brooks RB 5-11 206 Sr.

Marcus Dillard DB 5-10 174 So.

Earl Foster DB 6-1 192 So.

Deontay Greenberry WR 6-3 198 So.

Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Juan Hines WR 6-2 203 Fr.

Wayne Beadle WR 5-11 178 Jr.

Kyle Bullard K 5-11 170 So.

Cameron Doubenmier LB 5-11 217 Fr.

Nolan Frese LS 6-2 230 So.

Vincent Hall DE 6-2 232 Jr.

Melvin Holland DT 6-0 276 Jr.

Houston Players

Randall Hollimon RB 6-0 212 Jr.

Zach Johnson OL 6-6 301 So.

Austin Lunsford OL 6-1 278 Jr.

Joey Mbu DT 6-3 312 Jr.

Josh McNeill DT 6-5 307 Sr.

Efem Oliphant LB 6-1 230 Jr. 48

Jarrett Irving DB 5-10 191 Fr.

Cameron Klapesky WR 5-11 171 Fr.

Cameron Malveaux De 6-6 252 Fr.

Tyler McCloskey FB 6-2 212 Fr.

William Moore DE 6-2 233 Jr.

Ralph Oragwu OL 6-3 324 Sr.

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Chauntez Jackson DE 6-4 254 Fr.

John Leday WR 6-0 185 Fr.

Tomme Mark DT 6-3 288 So.

Adrian McDonald DB 5-1 191 So.

Mike Mustafa DT 6-3 277 So.

Damien Parris OL 6-5 310 Jr.

Ryan Jackson RB 5-10 183 So.

Richie Leone P/K 6-3 215 Sr.

Casey Martin WR 5-9 175 So.

Larry McDuffey WR 5-10 162 So.

John Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Korn QB 6-4 205 Fr.

Damian Payne WR 6-0 210 Jr.

William Jackson DB 6-1 175 So.

Kent London DB 6-2 215 Jr.

Derrick Mathews LB 6-0 214 Jr.

Derek McLemore WR 5-10 179 Fr.

Emeka Okafor OL 6-5 322 So.

David Piland QB 6-3 196 Jr.

Jeremy Johnson DB 6-0 192 Jr.

Mac Long OL 6-3 291 Fr.

Xavier Maxwell WR 6-1 180 Sr.

Zach McMillan DB 5-10 178 Sr.

Andrew Okonkwo DT 6-4 275 Fr.

Kyle Postma QB 6-2 180 Fr.

Houston Players

Bryce Redman OL 6-1 285 Jr.

DeAnthony Sims QB 6-2 215 Sr.

Davonte Thomas LB 6-0 210 Fr.

Caleb Tucker LB 6-2 223

Austin Wilson LB 6-0 225 Sr.

Elandon Roberts LB 6-1 223 So.

B. J. Singleton DT 6-4 285 Fr.

Jaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Braylin Thomas OL 6-5 358 Fr.

Colton Valencia DB 5-11 189 Sr.

Brandon Wilson DB 5-11 195 Fr.

Andrew Rodriguez WR 5-10 175 Fr.

Daniel Spencer WR 5-11 195 Jr.

Jack Thomas WR 6-4 195 Fr.

Turon Walker DB 5-11 190 Jr.

Shane Ros WR 5-10 200 Sr.

Trevon Stewart DB 5-9 192 So.

Josh Thomas OL 6-5 327 Fr.

Greg Ward Jr. QB 5-10 175 Fr.

Dylan Seibert P 6-3 220 So.

Luke Stice FB 6-0 218 So.

Nick Thurman DT 6-3 285 Fr.

Javin Webb RB 5-8 172 Fr.

Byron Simpson LS/TE 6-4 222 Fr.

Steven Taylor LB 6-0 211 Fr.

Alex Tillman DB 5-10 187 Jr.

Casey Williams WR 5-9 175 Fr.

Jon Witten DE 6-2 230 Jr.

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Houston 2013 Season in Review

oach Tony Levine’s second season at the helm of Houston produced the Cougars’ 22nd bowl appearance and their eighth in the last 11 seasons. The Cougars started fast this season, going 5-0 while winning seven of its first eight games. Houston stumbled in three closes losses to Central Florida, Louisville and Cincinnati, but the Cougars bounced back to win their final game of the regular season against SMU to finish with an 8-4 overall record and a 5-3 mark in the American Athletic Conference. Houston finished fourth in its inaugural season in the American.

Houston 62, Southern 13 Ryan Jackson rushed 10 times for 120 yards and two touchdowns and Daniel Spencer added three more scores as Houston opened the 2013 campaign with a convincing 62-13 victory over Southern at Reliant Stadium. The Cougars rolled up 672 total yards, including 372 on the ground. Meanwhile, they forced four turnovers and allowed the fewest points since Nov. 19, 2011. Senior defensive back Zach McMillian and junior linebacker Derrick Mathews had nine tackles each.

Houston 22, Temple 13 Houston’s Richie Leone kicked five field goals and Ryan Jackson’s 8-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown helped the Cougars to a 22-13 victory at Temple in Philadelphia, Pa., in the American Athletic Conference debut for both teams. Houston had its troubles in the red zone, going 1 for 8 without scoring a touchdown. But the Cougars’ defense staved off a Temple drive when Adrian McDonald intercepted a pass in the closing minutes.

Houston 31, Rice 26 Freshman quarterback John O’Korn threw for 281 yards and three touchdowns, and Houston overcame a slow start to turn back Rice 31-26. Alex Lyons returned a blocked field goal 61 yards for a touchdown with 2:19 to go in the game to get Rice close, but the Owls missed on the two-point conversion. Rice recovered the ensuing onside kick at its 47-yard line but was unable to score. Deontay Greenberry and Ryan Jackson each caught a touchdown in the second half to help lead the Cougars. Greenberry finished with 146 yards receiving on six catches.

Houston 59, UTSA 28 Houston’s B.J. Singleton blocked a field goal that was returned for a key touchdown late in the third quarter and later intercepted a pass that helped the Cougars stay undefeated in a 59-28 victory over UTSA. Houston’s defense entered the game ranking No. 15 in the NCAA in forcing turnovers with nine. The Cougars forced five in the fourth quarter for their 12th consecutive multiple-turnover performance.

Houston 25, Memphis 15 John O’Korn threw for 198 yards and a touchdown and Kenneth Farrow ran for two second-half touchdowns as Houston overcame a slow start to defeat Memphis 25-15. The Houston defense forced multiple turnovers for the 13th straight game, coming up with four takeaways, including three in the first half. Efrem Olipant led the Cougars in tackles with 13 stops and forced a fumble in the third quarter.

BYU 47, Houston 46 In a game featuring offensive fireworks, Taysom Hill hit Cameron Ridley for an 11-yard touchdown pass for Brigham Young University to claim a 47-46 comeback road win over Houston. Alani Fua iced the game, intercepting John O’Korn to end Houston’s hopes. The teams combined for 1,164 yards with only one drive longer than three minutes. Houston scored via the big play, including a 95-yard kickoff return by Demarcus Ayers.

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Houston 2013 Season in Review

Cincinnati 24, Houston 17 Brendon Kay threw for 386 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another as Cincinnati defeated Houston 24-17. John O’Korn struggled in the wet, dreary conditions finishing 13 of 30 for 171 yards and a touchdown.

Houston 34, SMU 0

Houston 49, Rutgers 14 Freshman John O’Korn threw for career bests of 364 yards and five touchdowns and Houston forced a season-high six turnovers in routing error-prone Rutgers 49-14. Sophomore receiver Deontay Greenberry also had a career day for Houston, catching eight passes for 168 yards and three touchdowns. The yardage and TDs were personal bests.

Freshman quarterback John O’Korn threw for 245 yards and two touchdowns on 25 of 41 passing, while the Cougar defense forced four turnovers, as Houston cruised to a 34-0 victory over instate rival SMU at Reliant Stadium. For the Cougars, the win gave them their 16th eight-win season in program history, while the defense recorded its first shutout since blanking Georgia State 56-0 on Sept. 24, 2011. The 25 completions for O’Korn moved him past Kevin Kolb for tops on the school’s all-time freshman completion list with 239, while the two passing touchdowns gave him 26, which is also a new single-season freshman school record. Senior defensive back Zach McMillian recorded two interceptions in a game for the first time in his career, while senior running back Kent Brooks rushed for a touchdown on a career-best 38 yards with a career-high eight carries in their final home games of their careers.

Houston 35, South Florida 23 John O’Korn was 22 of 27 for 263 yards and three touchdowns and Houston forced a late fumble to beat South Florida 35-23. O’Korn threw for at least three touchdowns for a third consecutive game. Deontay Greenberry caught four passes for 106 yards and a touchdown, and Kenneth Farrow rushed and caught touchdowns for Houston.

Central Florida 19, Houston 14 Moving the ball was not a problem for Houston, but finishing drives and turning those into points eluded the Cougars as they fell to the UCF Knights 19-14. Houston turned the ball over twice and came up empty on two passes inside the 10 in the closing seconds to suffer their first American Athletic Conference loss. Houston forced three UCF turnovers, but converted only one into points.

Louisville 20, Houston 13 It was a close game in the first meeting between Houston and Louisville in five years. The Cardinals held the Cougars to just 41 second-half yards to pull out a 20-13 victory. Efrem Oliphant led the Houston defense with 13 tackles and Trevon Stewart finished with 12 stops and one fumble recovery. Houston scored all 13 of their points in the second quarter. 2 014 B B VA C O M PA S S B O W L

“It doesn’t get any better than this.” BY LYN SCARBROUGH |

Cour tesy of Alabama Med

TONY NATHAN

ia Group

Golden Flake Legend of Birmingham

Lindy’s Sports Publications

igh school football in Birmingham and Jefferson County in the late 1960s and early 1970s was a lot different that it is today. Those were the days before games were televised, before ESPN had national games of the week. Before there even was an ESPN. It was before players barely in the teenage years were given four stars and five stars by national recruiting services. Before you had a Super Six played in Tuscaloosa or Auburn to determine the prep state champions. What you had was hard-nosed, explosive football played by longstanding rivals, in games attended by passionate fans. There

was West End and Phillips, Jones Valley and Banks. Schools that no longer exist. Players like Pat Sullivan of John Carroll, Johnny Musso of Banks, Mike Kolen of Berry … and Tony Nathan of Woodlawn. One of the biggest high school games ever played in the Birmingham area happened in that setting. The year was 1974 and the Banks Jets, coached by legendary George “Shorty” White, were coming off back-to-back state championships. The team was led by quarterback Jeff Rutlege, who would later lead the Alabama Crimson Tide to the national championship. Standing in the way of another state title was the Woodlawn Colonels, coached by another area icon, Tandy Geralds, and led by Nathan, who had been chosen as Parade All-American during his junior campaign the year before. A four-sport athlete (football, basketball, baseball, track), the star runner had put up 44 points in one game, scoring seven touchdowns in a 61-12 win over the Ramsay Rams. When the Jets and the Colonels met at Legion Field, a record crowd estimated at over 42,000 was in the stands. Nathan, the Woodlawn workhorse, carried 31 times for 112 yards and a touchdown, but it wasn’t enough as Banks won, 18-7. Still today, 40 years after the classic showdown, Birmingham area fans consider it among the greatest prep games of all-time. Nathan went on the play for Alabama, where he helped the team to Southeastern Conference and national titles. He was chosen by Miami in the third round of the 1979 NFL Draft, playing nine years for the Dolphins, including Super Bowl XVII and Super Bowl XIX. In recognition of his achievements, Tony Nathan is the recipient of the eighth Legend of Birmingham award, given annually to honor a Birmingham resident, past or present, for accomplishments which have brought recognition to the Magic City. He joins Sullivan, Musso and Kolen on the list of recipients, which also includes Bobby Humphrey, Al Del Greco, Jack Crowe and Bobby Bowden. “To be on this list of honorees is a dream come true for me,” Nathan said. “As a little kid growing up in Birmingham, I used to throw the ball around the yard which led to playing touch and flag football in elementary school. My friends and I had dreams of continued page 54

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continued from page 52

playing football in the NFL one day, but I’m sure that’s every kid’s dream.” Nathan later realized that his dream might come true. “As my love for football spilled over into my high school years at Woodlawn, I started believing that I could actually attain that dream of a football career,” he said. “God blessed me with becoming a member of the Roll Tide organization and being a part of a legacy of great men and players.” There were many great football Saturdays during Nathan’s years in Tuscaloosa. He saved the best for his last game for the Tide on January 1, 1979 when he carried the ball 21 times for 127 yards in a 14-7 Sugar Bowl win over No. 1 Penn State to claim the national championship for Alabama. “There are a lot of top memories from my playing days at Alabama,” Nathan recalled. “First, we never lost to Auburn in my four years and we won four bowl games. The famous goal-line stand against Penn State (in the 1979 Sugar Bowl) is a most memorable play.” Nathan finished his Alabama career with 1,997 rushing yards, scoring 29 touchdowns and averaging 6.4 yards per carry. He had 3,362 all-purpose yards. Even though they were in the same Crimson Tide backfield, Nathan said that he and Rutledge seldom talked about that classic Woodlawn-Banks match-up from 1974. “I rarely discussed the game due to the fact that I was always on the losing end,” he said. But, Nathan didn’t experience much losing at Alabama or with Miami. Despite not being the biggest or fastest Dolphin player, his ability to elude tacklers and find seams, plus his pass-catching ability, made him a vital part of the team. In his third NFL season, he ran for 782 yards with a leagueleading 5.3-yards per carry average. He scored five touchdowns rushing, along with three more receiving, and was named team Most Valuable Player. The following season, he was a starter in Super Bowl XVII, a 27-17 loss to the Washington Redskins. In Super Bowl XIX, at the end of the 1984 season, Nathan led Miami with 10 receptions for 83 yards in a loss to the San Francisco 49ers. During his NFL career, he ran for 3,543 yards, caught passes for 3,592 yards and scored 33 touchdowns. Joining him on those Dolphins rosters were former Alabama teammates Dwight Stephenson, Don McNeal, Bob Baumhower

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and Barry Krauss. “Playing for Coach (Don) Shula was very much like playing for Coach (Paul “Bear”) Bryant,” Nathan said. “They were men who devoted their lives to making sure you as a player had respect for yourself and others, and that you played the game with passion.” After his playing days, he was on Shula’s staff at Miami and served on Tony Dungy’s staff with Tampa Bay. He was also the running backs coach at Florida International under head coach and former Miami teammate Don Strock. He used what he had learned from Shula and Bryant in his approach to coaching. “I gave my players respect and in return, I received the same from them,” he explained. “This set an atmosphere for getting a job well done. I strongly emphasized, ‘You play the way you practice’.” Nathan is currently a bailiff in Dade County Court in south Florida, working with Judge Ed Newman, another former Dophins teammate. He also serves as deacon at New Testament Baptist Church in Miami, where McNeal is the pastor. His experiences in Birmingham have been significant throughout his life, according to Nathan. “Being raised in the South, especially during that time, there were many issues and situations that I faced,” he said. “Integration, racism and self-esteem. Being part of a sports team helped me deal with those issues. There were blacks and whites on our teams. We played together and did not see color, only ability. We helped each other and had to rely on one another, putting a true meaning in the word team.” And, he still credits Geralds, his high school coach. “He was my mentor and brought out things in me that I was never aware of,” he said. “He emphasized believing in myself and my capabilities. He stressed respecting and never underestimating your opponent. This type of teaching, coaching and mentoring allowed me to become the player and coach that I became.” Nathan said being named a Legend of Birmingham is an honor and a career highlight. “To be included in this list of legends of the great city of Birmingham, it doesn’t get any better than this.” And, in the history of football in the city of Birmingham, it doesn’t get much better than Tony Nathan.

Watson Brown Courtesy of Alabama Media Group

Vanderbilt Memories and a Legion Field Legacy BY CARY ESTES

he last time Vanderbilt played in a bowl game at Birmingham’s Legion Field — on Dec. 31, 1982 — the Commodores ushered in the New Year by giving people a glimpse of football’s future. During a period when many teams still utilized a three-yardsand-a-cloud-of-dust brand of football, Vandy was spreading the field and slinging the ball all over the place 40 to 50 times a game, which was unheard of in the early 1980s. It was a style of play that led to an 8-3 regular season — with victories over Florida and Tennessee — and a trip to Birmingham to play Air Force in the Hall of Fame Bowl. “We were doing things then that everybody is doing now,” said Watson Brown, who was Vanderbilt’s offensive coordinator at that time and currently is the head coach at Tennessee Tech. “We were throwing the ball a bunch, spread all over the field, running option plays with a quarterback who could run and throw. It’s kind of like what football is today.” There was one distinct difference between then and now for Vandy. These days, the Commodores are becoming bowl game regulars, with the BBVA Compass Bowl marking their third consecutive postseason appearance. In 1982, however, such games were still a rarity for Vanderbilt. The Hall of Fame Bowl

was only the program’s third bowl game in history. So the Vandy fans flocked to Birmingham that year, helping put approximately 70,000 people inside Legion Field. “It was a great atmosphere,” Brown recalled. “The whole week was wild. The Vanderbilt fans were just crazy. They were staying at the same hotel with us, and you couldn’t even walk through the lobby. There were people everywhere.” The sight of Vandy fans at a bowl game wasn’t the only unusual occurrence that week. In fact, the oddities surrounding the game began more than a month earlier on the other side of the country. Originally, the Commodores’ opponent in the Hall of Fame Bowl was going to be Stanford, led by quarterback John Elway, setting up a game between two of the top passing offenses in the country. With a 5-5 record, Stanford had to beat California to be bowl eligible, which it appeared was going to happen when the Cardinal kicked a field goal with four seconds left to take a 20-19 lead. Then the band came out on the field, football history was made with an absolutely crazy ending, Cal won the game, and Air Force wound up being Vanderbilt’s opponent in Birmingham. Shortly thereafter, legendary Alabama head coach Paul “Bear” Bryant announced that he was retiring at the end of the season. continued page 56 2 014 B B VA C O M PA S S B O W L

Brown said that Legion Field was one of the primary appeals to playing in the Hall of Fame bowl. continued from page 55

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After the game, Brown told The Birmingham News, “It hurts to go out like this. I wanted so much for us to win today. I can’t tell you how bad it hurts right now. It just hurts so bad to know these guys have worked so hard to turn things around and … they deserved to go out winning.” More than 30 years later, Brown has a more positive attitude toward that game and season. “It was disappointing to lose, but we had a fantastic year,” he said. “We had really good players and really good people on that team. So many of the kids on that team have become very successful people in life, and you knew they would be. It was that type of team.”

Courtesy of Alabama Media Group

His final game would be at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, two days before the playing of the Hall of Fame Bowl. And then the day before the Hall of Fame Bowl, it was announced that Brown would be leaving Vanderbilt to take the head coaching job at Cincinnati. It was the beginning of what has become a nearly 30-year head coaching career for Brown, which included 12 seasons back in Birmingham with the UAB Blazers. In 1982, UAB had a fledgling athletic program and was still nearly a decade away from starting NCAA-sanctioned football. “I didn’t even know there was a UAB at that point,” Brown said. “Obviously, I had no idea that I’d be back in Birmingham coaching many, many more games at Legion Field.” Brown said that Legion Field was one of the primary appeals to playing in the Hall of Fame Bowl. At that time, the Alabama Crimson Tide annually played two or three of their biggest games of the season at the stadium, and Legion Field had become one of the most famous football facilities in the country. “Playing at Legion Field was exciting to us,” said Brown, who in 1969 as the Vanderbilt quarterback had helped the Commodores upset the Crimson Tide in Nashville. “We had never played either Alabama or Auburn at Legion Field. We all grew up watching games at Legion Field, watching Coach Bryant. It was a great place to play, and a great bowl to play in. They did a fantastic job with all the different things they did for us all week.” The game itself also was memorable, though the final memories turned out to be bad ones for Vanderbilt. Led by the passing of All-SEC quarterback Whit Taylor, the Commodores built a 28-17 lead entering the fourth quarter. But in the fourth, Air Force’s wishbone offense produced three rushing touchdowns, capped by a 46-yard scoring run from quarterback Marty Louthan (who was called “Marty the Magician”), giving the Falcons a stunning 36-28 victory. After the game, Air Force coach Ken Hatfield said, “This win ranks with any I have ever been associated with anywhere. I just told the team in the dressing room that if heaven is any better than this, then take me tomorrow.” The Commodores, of course, were devastated about the sudden turn of events. Taylor had completed 38-of-51 passes for 452 yards and four touchdowns, and Norman Jordan caught a staggering 20 passes for 173 yards and three scores. Yet Vanderbilt was done in by five turnovers (three interceptions and two fumbles) and the inability to slow down the Air Force wishbone, which accumulated 315 yards on the ground.

Today’s Game

Vanderbilt vs. Houston BY BEN COOK |

Lindy’s Sports Publications

oday’s BBVA Compass Bowl game has the potential of being a classic shootout — Houston’s high-powered offense against Vanderbilt’s SEC-toughened defense. “Our current student-athletes have been to a number of bowl games, but they’ve never been to one outside the state of Texas,” said Houston coach Tony Levine, who was a graduate assistant under Tommy Tuberville at Auburn in 2000-01. “We like to be close to home for our fan base and students, but it’s an opportunity for our student-athletes to get on an airplane together one more time and come to a place where the vast majority of them have never been, spend five days and enjoy the city, and then play a great football game. “Vanderbilt has had an outstanding season and I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Franklin and his staff. Playing at Legion Field will provide a great atmosphere for our fans.” Houston rolled through the season with an 8-4 record and a fourth place finish in the American Athletic Conference, while Vanderbilt also posted an 8-4 record which was good for a fourth place finish in the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division. One of the most interesting subplots in today’s game will be the play of true freshman quarterback John O’Korn. O’Korn got his chance to start for the Cougars after starting quarterback David Piland had to give up football because of injuries. “We start a true freshman at quarterback in John O’Korn,” said Levine. “We entered this season with a returning starter, David Piland, who had started eight games for us. In the second game of the year, he suffered a career-ending head injury. And 18-yearold John O’Korn was thrown out onto the field and started the rest of the season for us and did a really good job.” O’Korn stepped in and assumed the starting duties against Rice. He threw for 281 yards and three touchdowns against the Owls, and the Cougars offense didn’t miss a beat the rest of the season. Freshman Greg Ward also took snaps for the Cougars, but it was O’Korn who would grab the primary reigns for the rest of the season. O’Korn would go on to complete 239 passes of 399 attempts for 2,889 yards and 26 touchdowns against only eight interceptions. O’Korn also rushed for 66 yards and one touchdown. Ward would play sparingly, but effectively, in nine games. O’Korn’s primary target is Deontay Greenberry, who caught 76 passes for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns. Daniel Spencer

added 50 receptions for 764 yards and six touchdowns. Xavier Maxwell caught 28 passes for 405 yards, but found the end zone four times. The passing game is Houston’s strength, but when the Cougars do run the football Ryan Jackson and Kenneth Farrow are the big threats. Jackson finished the season with 644 yards on 137 carries for six touchdowns, while Farrow ran the ball 95 times for 486 yards and five scores. Defensively, the Cougars are led by Efrem Oliphant who had 123 tackles including 12.5 tackles for losses of 54 yards. He had three sacks and two forced fumbles. Oliphant was not the only standout on the Cougars defense. Derrick Mathews had 110 tackles, including 12 tackles for losses of 63 yards and he had seven sacks for 53 yards in losses. He had one interception and two forced fumbles. Trevon Stewart had 99 tackles, four passes intercepted, six fumble recoveries and nine passes defended. Adrian McDonald had 91 tackles, five interceptions and eight passes defended. Jeremiah Farley added nine sacks and Trevor Harris had 7.5 sacks. Tyus Bowser led the team with 11 quarterback hurries. Greenberry and kick returner Demarcus Ayers were named to the All-AAC first team while Ayers was named the American’s Co-Special Teams Player of the Year. O’Korn took home Rookie of the Year honors. Offensive tackle DeAnthony Sims, cornerback Zach McMillian, Stewart and senior punter Richie Leone continued page 58 2 014 B B VA C O M PA S S B O W L

continued from page 57

were all named to the league’s second team. The program’s Andre Ware Offensive MVP, Greenberry led the league with an average of 100.5 receiving yards per game despite leaving one game early in the first quarter and missing Houston’s regular-season finale vs. SMU. Greenberry’s 10 touchdown receptions ranked second in the league. O’Korn and the Cougars offense will be up against a Vanderbilt defense that ranked fifth in the SEC in pass defense, fifth in total defense, fourth in rush defense and 13th in kickoff return defense. “You look at the history of Vanderbilt football – four bowl games in 122 years — and now we are going to our third straight bowl game and have a chance to be successful on national television. Our players and coaches couldn’t be more fired up. We’ve very, very excited,” said Vanderbilt coach James Franklin. “The state of Alabama has been unbelievable to Vanderbilt (in recruiting). Jordan Matthews (from Madison), who I think is the best wide receiver in the country, starting linebacker Chase Garnham (from Fairhope), Jared Morse (starting DB from Oxford). I could go on and on and on. For those guys to be able to come back as kind of a homecoming is great for them. “Recruiting in this state has changed dramatically for us. Three years ago, it was a different situation when Vanderbilt came into a high school (in Alabama). It wasn’t a big deal. Now, for kids in this area, Vanderbilt is three hours from home, so it’s an opportunity to play in the SEC, get a world-class education and do it somewhat close to home,” Franklin said. Franklin credits his current senior class for the consistent success in playing in the postseason. “I’m just so proud of them,” said Franklin. “I was their third head coach in four years; to think about all those experiences all those things they have been through that’s the thing I am most proud of. Watching those guys walk into the indoor facility knowing they built it. All the success we’ve had this season. It’s about them. It always has been and always will be.” For one of those senior leaders, finishing his career in Legion Field is only fitting. Matthews, who led the SEC in receiving with 107 receptions for 1,334 yards and five touchdowns, is excited about playing in Legion Field.

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“It’s going to be cool,” said Matthews. “Growing up in Alabama, Legion Field was always where the state championship game was played. It’s definitely going to be an emotional game, especially going out with all these seniors who have become my brothers in a sense. I take a lot of pride beside the bowl games. Everything we set out to do when we came in we’ve accomplished it. Now we’ve got one more test — to get a win over Houston. I think the guys are excited.” “It’s very cool,” said senior defensive end Walker May, a Birmingham native. “It’s one of those things where you are going to end where it started. So it is special. The seniors came in with these guys and we wanted to win. Everybody bought into what Coach Franklin and the staff was selling and we just kind of did it one step at a time.” Vanderbilt is led by quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels, who threw for 2,268 yards and 11 touchdowns. Patton Robinette played in nine games and threw for 488 yards and two touchdowns. Jerron Seymour led the Commodores in rushing with 627 yards and 13 touchdowns. Wesley Tate rushed for 353 yards and four touchdowns. Vanderbilt also got 11 rushing touchdowns from the quarterback position as Robinette scored six times and Carta-Samuels also scored five touchdowns. Jonathan Krause was the Commodores’ second leading receiver with 41 catches for 703 yards and three touchdowns. Vanderbilt’s defense is led by Kenny Ladler with 87 tackles and five interceptions. Caleb Azubike led the team with 9.5 tackles for loss followed by May with eight tackles for loss and Karl Butler with eight.

SMU Season Stats

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Fred Sington Most Valuable Player

Bo Wallace, 2013 MVP

BOWL HISTORY

he teams selected for the 2013 BBVA Compass Bowl entered the game with totally different perspectives. For the Pittsburgh Panthers, it was like a trip back home. It was the third consecutive trip to Birmingham for the bowl game at Legion Field. The first was a 27-10 win over Kentucky, but the second ended with a 28-6 loss to the SMU Mustangs. For the Ole Miss Rebels, it was the first winning season since 2009. The past two teams from Oxford had won a total of six games with a 1-15 combined mark in Southeastern Conference contests. “We’re excited, thrilled to be here,” head coach Hugh Freeze said at the press conference before the game. The excitement from his Rebel team, hungry for a bowl victory, was evident from the opening kickoff. Less than five minutes into the game, quarterback Bo Wallace hit wide receiver Ja-Mes Logan with a 14-yard touchdown pass. The lead was 7-0 and the SEC team never looked back. Five minutes later, Wallace threw a 27-yard scoring strike to former quarterback Randall Mackey. Then, after a Pittsburgh touchdown narrowed the margin to seven points, Wallace completed an 18-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Vince Sanders, making the score, 21-7. Ole Miss stretched the lead to 38-10 in the fourth quarter before the Panthers scored a consolation touchdown with just 2:23 left in the game. It was the first win for a Southeastern Conference team in the BBVA Compass Bowl after back-toback losses. For the game, Wallace completed 22 of 32 passes for 151 yards and three scores with two interceptions. He connected on his first eight throws of the game and carried the ball eight times for 27 yards. The 6-5, 210-pound sophomore from Pulaski, Tenn., was named Most Valuable Player. He was the first quarterback to be named MVP since Rutgers’ Mike Teel in the Scarlet Knights’ win over North Carolina State on December 29, 2008. Wallace, along with most in the record-setting crowd of 59,135 fans, was delighted with the victory. But, he was already looking ahead. “This is a great offense with so much energy,” he said.” When we go with tempo, that’s when we’re comfortable. We can get better at it. We’ll work on that in the offseason and come out even better.” But on that day, there was only reason to celebrate the impressive turnaround season for the Rebels.

2013 — January 5, 2013

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Ole Miss 38, Pittsburgh 17 MOST VALUABLE PLAYER Bo Wallace, Ole Miss Quarterback ATTENDANCE 55,099

2012 — January 7, 2012 SMU 28, Pittsburgh 6 MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

Darius Johnson, SMU Wide

Receiver ATTENDANCE

29,726

2011 — January 8, 2011 Pittsburgh 27, Kentucky 10 MOST VALUABLE PLAYER Dion Lewis, Pittsburgh Running Back ATTENDANCE 41,207

2010 — January 2, 2010 Connecticut 20, South Carolina 7 MOST VALUABLE PLAYER Andre Dixon, Connecticut Running Back ATTENDANCE 42,610

2008 — December 29, 2008 Rutgers 29, North Carolina State 23 MOST VALUABLE PLAYER Mike Teel, Rutgers Quarterback ATTENDANCE 36,387

2007 — December 22, 2007 Cincinnati 31, Southern Mississippi 21 MOST VALUABLE PLAYER Ben Mauk, Cincinnati Quarterback ATTENDANCE 32,959

2006 — December 23, 2006 South Florida 24, East Carolina 7 MOST VALUABLE PLAYER Benjamin Williams, South Florida Running Back, and Bobby Good, East Carolina Wide Receiver ATTENDANCE 28,527

BBVA Compass Bowl Records

TEAM RECORDS

Most Punts: 7 by South Carolina, 1/2/10

RECEIVING

Most Points: 38 by Ole Miss vs. Pittsburgh, 1/5/13

Fewest Points Allowed: 6 by SMU vs. Pittsburgh, 1/7/12

Most Yards Gained Receiving: 126 by Jarvis Williams, NC State vs. Rutgers, 12/29/08

Fewest Points: 6 by Pittsburgh vs. WMU, 1/7/12

Most Kickoff Returns: 7 by NC State vs. Rutgers, 12/29/08

Most Receptions: (tied) 7 by Devin Street, Pittsburgh vs. Ole Miss, 1/5/13; by Darius Johnson, SMU vs. Pittsburgh, and Cole Beasley, SMU vs. Pittsburgh, 1/7/12; Damion Fletcher, Southern Miss vs. Cincinnati, 12/22/07; by Dominick Goodman, Cincinnati vs. Southern Miss, 12/22/07; by Jarvis Williams, NC State vs. Rutgers, 12/29/08

Most First Downs: 23 by Ole Miss vs. Pittsburgh, 1/5/13 Fewest First Downs: 12 by Pittsburgh vs. SMU, 2/7/12; USF vs. East Carolina, 12/23/06; South Carolina vs. Connecticut, 1/2/10 Most Yards Rushing: 261 by Pittsburgh vs. Kentucky, 1/8/11 Fewest Rushing Yards: 10 by Pittsburgh vs. SMU, 1/7/12 Most Rushing Attempts: (tied) 49 by Ole Miss vs. Pittsburgh, 1/5/13; and by Southern Miss vs. Cincinnati, 12/22/07 Most Rushing Touchdowns: (tied) 2 by Ole Miss vs. Pittsburgh, 1/5/13; and by SMU vs. Pittsburgh, 1/7/12 Most Passing Yards: 334 by Cincinnati vs. Southern Miss, 12/22/07 Fewest Passing Yards: 96 by Pittsburgh vs. Kentucky, 1/8/11 Most Pass Completions: 30 by Cincinnati vs. Southern Miss, 12/22/07 Most Pass Attempts: 52 by Cincinnati vs. Southern Miss, 12/22/07 Most Touchdown Passes: 4 by Cincinnati vs. Southern Miss, 12/22/07 Most Points Scored in a Quarter: 21 by SMU vs. Pittsburgh, 1/7/12 Most Points Scored in a Half: (tied) 24 by Ole Miss vs. Pittsburgh, 1/5/13; and by USF vs. East Carolina, 12/23/06 (first half) Most Offensive Yards: 437 by Rutgers vs. NC State, 12/29/08 Fewest Offensive Yards: 205 by Pittsburgh vs. SMU, 1/7/12; South Carolina vs. Connecticut, 1/2/10

Most Kickoff Return Yards: 125 by Pittsburgh vs. SMU, 1/7/12 Most Punt Returns: 6 by Connecticut, 1/2/10 Most Field Goals: 3 by Rutgers vs. NC State, 12/29/08 Most Field Goal Attempts: 4 by Rutgers vs. NC State, 12/29/08 Most Fumbles Lost: 2 by East Carolina vs. USF, 12/23/06

Most Touchdown Receptions: 2 by Dominick Goodman, Cincinnati vs. Southern Miss, 12/22/07 RETURNS

Most Points Combined: 55 by Ole Miss (38) and Pittsburgh (17), 1/5/13

Longest Kickoff Return: 51 by TJ Graham, NC State vs. Rutgers, 12/29/08

INDIVIDUAL RECORDS

Longest Punt Return: 28 by Ean Randolph, USF vs. East Carolina, 12/23/06

Longest Completed Pass: 50 yards, J.J. McDermott to Darius Johnson, SMU vs. Pittsburgh, 1/7/12 Longest Touchdown Pass: 50 yards, J.J. McDermott to Darius Johnson, SMU vs. Pittsburgh, 1/7/12 Most Times Intercepted: 3 by Jeremy Young, Southern Miss vs. Cincinnati, 12/22/07; by Ben Mauk, Cincinnati vs. Southern Miss, 12/22/07 RUSHING Most Yards: 155 by Damion Fletcher (29 att.), Southern Miss vs. Cincinnati, 12/22/07 Most Attempts: 33 by Andre Dixon, Connecticut vs. South Carolina, 1/2/10 Longest Rush From Scrimmage: 62 by I’Tavius Mathers, Ole Miss vs. Pittsburgh, 1/5/13 Longest TD Rush From Scrimmage: 62 by I’Tavius Mathers, Ole Miss vs. Pittsburgh, 1/5/13

PUNTING Best Individual Punting Average: 48.3 by Matt Yoklic, Pittsburgh vs. Ole Miss, 1/5/13 Longest Punt From Scrimmage: 60 yards, Ryan Dougherty, East Carolina vs. USF, 12/23/06 Most Punts: 7, Spencer Lanning, South Carolina vs. Connecticut, 1/2/10 KICKING Most Field Goals: 3 by San San Te, Rutgers vs. NC State, 12/29/08 Most Field Goal Attempts: 4 by San San Te, Rutgers vs. NC State, 12/29/08 Longest Field Goal: 50 by Craig McIntosh, Kentucky vs. Pittsburgh, 1/8/11 Most Points After a Touchdown: 5 by Bryson Rose, Ole Miss vs. Pittsburgh, 1/5/13 POINTS

PASSING

Most Points: 12 by Rishaad Wimbley, SMU vs. Pittsburgh, 1/7/12; Dominick Goodman, Cincinnati vs. Southern Miss, 12/22/07; by Benjamin Williams, USF vs. East Carolina, 12/23/06

Most Yards Gained Passing: 334 by Ben Mauk, Cincinnati vs. Southern Miss, 12/22/07

Most Points by Kicking: 11 by San San Te, Rutgers vs. NC State, 12/29/08

Most Rushing Touchdowns: 2 by Rishaad Wimbley, SMU vs. Pittsburgh, 1/7/12; Benjamin Williams, USF vs. East Carolina, 12/23/06

Most Pass Completions: 30 by Ben Mauk (52 att.), Cincinnati vs. Southern Miss, 12/22/07 Most Pass Attempts: 52 by Ben Mauk (30 comp.), Cincinnati vs. Southern Miss, 12/22/07

OTHER Most Yards of Total Offense: 375 by Ben Mauk, Cincinnati vs. Southern Miss, 12/22/07 Most Offensive Plays: 64 by Ben Mauk, Cincinnati vs. Southern Miss, 12/22/07 Most All-Purpose Yards: 205 by Damion Fletcher, Southern Miss vs. Cincinnati, 12/22/07

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Houston’s Middleton

back for another go-round at

Legion Field BY RUBIN E. GRANT

Cougars assistant made his first college reception at storied stadium

randon Middleton doesn’t remember all the specifics, but he is quite certain that his first reception as a college player came at Legion Field. Middleton was a freshman receiver for the Houston Cougars in 1999. He didn’t play in the Cougars’ first three games that season, including a trip to Legion Field to play Alabama in Houston’s second game. Finally on Sept. 25, 1999 at Legion Field against UAB, Middleton made his college debut. “I remember it being a nice stadium, a big stadium,” Middleton said. “It was my first collegiate game and I made my first collegiate catch there.” Middleton finished the game with three receptions for 34 yards in a 29-10 loss to the Blazers. The next time Middleton and Houston made the trek to Birmingham to face UAB came during the 2002 season. Middleton had only two receptions for 46 yards in a 51-34 setback after the Cougars squandered a 28-13 halftime lead. “I remember going against some tough competition,” Middleton said, “and I remember it being a great atmosphere for college football.”

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He played against current Atlanta Falcons receiver Roddy White and quarterback Darrell Hackney. “UAB always had some good players,” Middleton said. “They had Roddy and those two big defensive tackles, Shamar Abrams and James Malone.” Now, a decade later Middleton is returning to the storied stadium on Graymont Avenue with the Cougars for the BBVA Compass Bowl as an assistant coach. Middleton is in his second season coaching outside receivers on head coach Tony Levine’s staff. “It’s great coming back to a stadium I’m familiar with and a great city,” Middleton said. “This time I’ll be able to enjoy the city instead of just coming to play a game. I can experience all that the city has to offer this time.” Middleton is overjoyed to be associated with the Houston football program again, judging from his remarks when he was hired. “This is such an exciting time in my life for me and my family, and I just want to thank Coach Levine for this incredible opportunity to come back to my alma mater and continue my coaching career,” Middleton said. “There is such a great feeling around this program and I have of course followed Houston ever since I

“I love being back as a coach at the university I love.” graduated. It’s truly an honor to come back to UH and be a part of this great program once again.” Middleton had plenty of on-field success with the Cougars during his playing days. He finished his Houston career with 137 catches for 2,873 yards and 24 scores. One of the most explosive receivers in school history, the Houston native averaged 21.0 yards per reception for his career, second in school history (Elmo Wright, 21.9 ypc). He also produced 11 career 100-yard receiving games (fourth all-time), including a career high 232 yards on six catches and two scores against No. 15 TCU on Oct. 25, 2003. He ranks among the Top 10 in school history with 2,873 receiving yards (sixth) and 24 touchdown catches (fifth). His top season came as a senior in 2003 when he made 55 grabs for 1,250 yards and 14 touchdowns, earning All-Conference USA honors. The yardage ranks seventh all-time in single-season history, while the 14 scores ranks fourth. It was also during that season that he finally enjoyed some success against UAB. In a game at Houston, he caught five passes for 108 yards, including a 53-yard touchdown reception from then-freshman quarterback Kevin Kolb, in the Cougars’ 56-28 victory over the Blazers. Middleton played only one season with Kolb, but it was memorable as Houston earned a berth in the Hawaii Bowl. “He was cool and collective as a true freshman,” Middleton said of Kolb. “His demeanor in the huddle was always relaxed. He wasn’t a yeller or screamer. He allowed the seniors to lead and just played his game. He did his job at a high level.” Although Middleton was undrafted, he played five seasons in the National Football League, including the final two with the Detroit Lions. His top game in “Motown” came Dec. 16, 2007 at San Diego, when he made four grabs for 32 yards and a nineyard TD reception. Middleton began his career as a free agent and saw time in Dallas (2004), St. Louis (2004-06) and Detroit (2007-08). He credited his time at Houston for preparing him for the NFL, although it was a tumultuous time for the Cougars’ football program. Middleton played for three head coaches and four offensive coordinators in his career at Houston. “It was a great experience and it taught me a lot about adjusting and quickly learning new systems,” Middleton said. “In the NFL, things are always changing with coaches and players and being in different offenses, so I was ready for that.” After his playing career ended, Middleton went into coaching. Former Houston coach Art Briles, who coached Middleton his senior year, was instrumental in his decision to coach. “I always had a passion for coaching,” Middleton said. “Coach Briles came up to me one day when we were practicing for the Hawaii Bowl and asked me what I wanted to do after I finished playing. Without hesitation, I told him I wanted to coach.” Before joining Levine’s staff at Houston, Middleton helped Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport, La., reach the Louisiana Class 2A state playoffs in 2011 and to the state championship in

2010. During that 2010 championship run, Middleton’s top-three receivers combined for 148 catches, 2,386 yards and 30 scores in 2010 as Evangel went 12-2 en route to the state crown. Houston is home though and being a part of the Cougars’ staff is something Middleton relishes. “I love being back as a coach at the university I love,” Middleton said. “It’s a way for me to give back and help young guys, give them some stability at Houston that I didn’t have. “It’s been a great experience. Last year obviously was a little bumpy, but this year is everything I envisioned it being. I’m also excited about next year and the future with a new stadium and new practice facilities. It’s what I always thought UH football should be in the first place.” In Houston’s preparation for the BBVA Compass Bowl, Middleton passed on his wisdom about playing at Legion Field. “I talked to them a little bit about the things to expect and the history of Houston playing in that stadium, giving them a little refresher,” he said.

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On Behalf of ESPN and the BBVA Compass Bowl We Thank You for Your Support

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hampton inn and suites

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