THE DAILY COUGAR
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 ®
The Big Board // 8
OVERTIME
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Under the Helmet: Get to know your Coogs // 9 //////////////////////////////////////// //
Battle for the Bucket Andrew Pate Sports editor
For the UH football program, Saturday’s game against crosstown rival Rice University provides a multitude of opportunities. In addition to seeking the first win of the season, head coach Tony Levine recognizes the history of the rivalry. “It’s definitely not just another game,” Levine said. “It’s unique that we’re right across town. It’s something that the team that comes out on top has that edge about them for the next 12 months.” The Cougars and Owls have met 39 times since 1971, with UH holding a 27-11 all-time advantage. However, since 2008, the Bayou Bucket Classic has made a handful of trips across the city with the home team winning the last four. Redshirt sophomore quarterback David Piland will be facing the Owls for the second time. In his first matchup, Piland threw for three touchdowns, but the game is ultimately remembered for a fumble under center that may have cost the Cougars in the 34-31 loss.
“It’s always a thought in the back of your head,” Piland said. “It definitely stays with you, but it puts that much more on the excitement of this game and preparing for it.” Last season, the Cougars got their redemption in the form of 656 total offensive yards and a 73-34 rout, although Levine suggests that past results in this matchup mean nothing now. “It’s a completely new season, it’s a completely new team and coaching staff on our end,” Levine said. “What happened last year has no effect. The four seasons I’ve been here, they’ve won two and we’ve won two and what happened the year before made no difference the following season.” This year, the Bayou Bucket will be played at Reliant Stadium for only the second time — the first came in 2004 when the Owls edged out the Cougars 10-7. For Levine and his coaching staff, the major stage draws ample anticipation. “It’s always nice playing in a big stadium,” said senior linebacker Phillip Steward. “The pros play there so you feel like you’re a pro when you’re out there.”
Offense pushes tempo, seeks consistency Christopher Shelton Assistant sports editor
The Cougars and Owls will compete Saturday at Reliant Stadium for the Bayou Bucket. UH leads the overall series 27-11. | Nine Nguyen/The Daily Cougar
sports@thedailycougar.com
For the past three games, UH’s offense has not been where David Piland wants it to be. Piland, the team’s starting quarterback, said the the Cougars must build a new norm to attain their goals. “If you’re day started at 9 a.m., now you need to be up at 5 a.m. and be up here by 6 a.m. In that three hours you can (be) doing stuff up here to get better for the game,” Piland said. “If you have time for lunch you should lunch up here and watch film. If you have extra time after practice, where you would just go home and watch TV, do it up here. ” This year UH’s offense has been up and down, filled with inconsistent bursts. Against Louisiana Tech, the Cougars scored 49 points, with 22 in the fourth quarter. In two other games, UH scored 19 points combined. In all three losses, Piland orchestrated explosive scoring plays to different weapons. In the opening game against Texas State, it was a 64-yard touchdown pass to receiver Larry McDuffey. Amid Piland’s four touchdown passes versus Louisiana Tech OFFENSE continues on page 10
COUGARFLASHBACK UH COUGARS VS RICE OWLS THROUGH THE YEARS. Since 1971, the cross-town rivalry between the UH Cougars and Rice Owls has provided its fair share of games for the ages. The squads have faced off at four different venues including Robertson Stadium, Rice Stadium, Reliant Stadium and the Astrodome. The Cougars hold the all-time series record 27-11. Here are a recap of the five greatest UH victories over Rice in no particular order.
1971
1989
1972 Houstonian
1990
1990 Houstonian
1995
1991 Houstonian
1999
1996 Houstonian
2000 Houstonian
HOUSTON 23, RICE 21
HOUSTON 64, RICE 0
HOUSTON 24, RICE 22
HOUSTON 18, RICE 17
HOUSTON 28, RICE 3
In front of 62,000 at Rice Stadium, UH won the inagural game against the Owls, a year before the Cougars joined the Southwest Conference.
Under the direction of Andre Ware, UH put up the most lopsided victory to date in the rivarly in part to Ware’s 400 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Trailing 22-7 in the third, David Klinger orchestrated two fourth quarter touchdowns and Roman Anderson kicked a 32-yard field goal with 10 seconds left.
In the final game in Southwest Conference history, the Cougars trailed 17-3 before scoring two TD’s and a two-point conversion in the fourth for the win.
After a three-year absence in play following the disbanding of the SWC, UH beat Rice in the first matchup between the two at Robertson Stadium. -ANDRES GARCIA