Overtime — UH vs. BYU (Homecoming)

THE DAILY COUGAR

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17 , 2013

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COMMENTARY

Homecoming game offers boost for UH For the Cougars, the national stage is just within their grasp.

BYU (4-2) comes to town Saturday for a contest nationally televised on ESPNews at 2:30 p.m.

BYU is not only the deepest team UH has faced so far, but also the team with the biggest national profile.

BYU is a good measuring stick.

Christopher Though UH Shelton (5-0) is undefeated, BYU is the first squad on the schedule that is known for its football program.

Just this season BYU has defeated a talented Texas squad and Georgia Tech, though both games were at home.

Defeating BYU would probably mean a spot in the top 25 — UH is already receiving votes in both polls and is the only unbeaten team not currently ranked — and a new respect from the outside about its prospects for a conference title.

The game against BYU is the team’s chance to seize the respect it wants in front of a large crowd for Homecoming.

If UH can bypass the distractions of Homecoming and the external pressures of fans and media to win, the team would

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SECTION EDITOR Christopher Shelton COPY CHIEF David Bryant COPY EDITOR Joshua Cochran COVER PHOTO Justin Tijerina PRODUCTION Andres Garcia

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secure bowl eligibility — a feat it didn’t achieve in 12 games last season.

However, the BYU contest is just the beginning.

With an easier early schedule behind it, UH enters the heat of its schedule. Next up are American Athletic Conference matchups against contenders UCF, Rutgers, Cincinnati and Louisville.

On the field, UH can earn everything it lost and some since a 49-28 loss to Southern Miss cost the University a chance to participate in the Bowl Championship Series.

If UH wins the American, it will participate in a BCS bowl, though winning the conference is easier said than done.

Saying UH will win its conference doesn’t elicit laughs anymore — that’s a big change from last season’s 5-7 debacle.

In this issue of Overtime, you’ll find out what it will take for UH to secure a victory.

Also included is an in-depth look into head coach Tony Levine, his journey to UH and what has allowed him to guide the team to a 5-0 record after the adversity faced last season.

Keep flipping and you will see how UH stacks up against BYU at important position groups.

2013 SCHEDULE SOUTHERN W, 62-13 @ TEMPLE W, 22-13 @ RICE W, 31-26 @ UTSA w, 59-28 MEMPHIS W, 25-15 BYU Saturday @ RUTGERS Oct. 26 SOUTH FLORIDA Oct. 31 (Reliant) @ CENTRAL FLORIDA A Nov. 09 @ LOUISVILLE Nov. 16 CINCINNATI Nov. 23 (Rice Stadium) SMU Nov. 29 (Reliant)

Thursday, October 17, 2013 // 3

The Daily Cougar

MY FELLOW COUGARS Homecoming is a joyous time when our students, faculty, staff and alumni join together to celebrate our common commitment to the University of Houston and all that has been accomplished here.

This year, the Homecoming theme is “Welcome to the Red Age” and what a fitting theme that is. We are indeed ushering in a new era of UH distinction and excellence. We proudly welcomed a freshman class that is the strongest in UH history with an average SAT score of 1,139. And our $1 billion building program is transforming the University into a research hub with expanded labs and science facilities as well as a truly residential campus that includes two new leading-edge residential halls. UH has never been more vibrant.

Since our football stadium is still under construction, we will play this year’s Homecoming Game against BYU on October 19 in Reliant Stadium. I hope you will join me there. Of course, right here on campus we have a variety of Homecoming-related activities throughout the week and I urge you to take advantage of them.

This is a wonderful opportunity for the UH community, both present and past, to display our spirit and commemorate our Cougar pride. Go, Homecoming! Go, Coogs!

Renu Khator President

DISCOVER HOMECOMING FUN AT UH.EDU/HOMECOMING

The Daily Cougar

4 \\ Thursday, October 17, 2013

Homecoming festivities have added a buzz to 5-0 UH’s nationally televised game against Brigham Young, an established football program that earlier this season recorded a rout of Texas. | Carolina Trevino/The Daily Cougar

High-profile game brings Cougars a prime opponent Christopher Shelton Sports editor

University of Texas coaches still have nightmares about the team’s trip to Provo, Utah, for a contest against Brigham Young — UH’s next opponent.

BYU tallied 550 rushing yards en route to a 40-21 victory against Texas on Sept. 7. Sophomore quarterback Taysum Hill used the zoneread option to gain positive chunks seemingly each time he touched the ball, with 259 rushing yards.

Through six games, Hill has 644 rushing yards. He is followed closely by sophomore running back Jamaal Williams, who has 543 yards for a team that has already churned out 1,577 net rushing yards and 4.9 yards per carry.

On Saturday, UH’s muchimproved defense gets its chance to keep BYU’s offense from rushing rampant in the Homecoming game at Reliant Stadium on Saturday.

Through five games, the Cougars are only allowing 19 points per game and 126.6 rushing yards per contest.

“We’ve got to keep them off balanced. We’ve got to tackle well. They are a big, physical team — even at quarterback,” head coach Tony Levine said. “It’ll be a great challenge for us. We’ve got to continue to create turnovers defensively.”

Though Hill is known for his feet, the Cougars are also concerned with the threat of his arm.

“He’s not a one-dimensional running quarterback,” Levine said. “He BYU continues on page 11

Thursday, October 17, 2013 // 5

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Linebackers lead defense’s dramatic turnaround Christopher Shelton Sports editor

Derrick Mathews, middle LB Junior leads the team with 49 tackles and has recovered two fumbles.

Efrem Oliphant, weak-side LB Junior ranks second on the team with 12 tackles and four for a loss.

Steven Taylor, strong-side LB Redshirt freshman leads the team with five pass breakups.

When Efrem Oliphant took a look at the spring two-deep depth chart, his name didn’t appear.

Though a junior, he was buried as the third strong-side linebacker. Just a few months later, after performing well in practice and during the first game, Oliphant’s name is at the top of the depth chart.

“You always preach to your team that everybody has a chance, and there you go. You’ve got a third teamer who … makes a lot of plays for us,” said defensive coordinator David Gibbs.

Oliphant is part of a trio of linebackers who are contributing to a turnover-happy defense that has improved vastly from last season, wherein the Cougars were statistically one of the worst in the nation.

With 18 forced turnovers, the Cougars now lead the nation.

“They haven’t really focused on Houston as being a defensive team, and that should open eyes that we are playing defense here now,” Oliphant said.

The Cougars’ starting linebackers have forced three turnovers, recovered four fumbles and have five tackles for a loss, while Oliphant and

Derrick Mathews (49) plays in the middle of a linebacking corps that has transformed the defense from one of the nation’s worst at forcing turnovers into the best. The Cougars’ 18 turnovers ranks first nationally. | Justin Tijerina/The Daily Cougar middle linebacker Derrick Mathews are learning new positions.

Mathews moved to the middle to replace Phillip Steward, who moved on to the NFL, while Oliphant began the spring as a strong-side linebacker

before moving to the weak side.

The third starting linebacker, Steven Taylor, has also played well, coaches said.

This season, the Cougars allow only 19 points per game and hold

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opponents to 3.5 yards per rush.

“They’re playing instinctive,” said head coach Tony Levine. “They’re forcing turnovers. I couldn’t be happier with the way that our linebackers are playing.”

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6 \\ Thursday, October 17, 2013

Levine’s attention to detail ha Coach narrowly chooses football over music and becomes the leader of the Cougars’ program Andrew Valderas Assistant sports editor

Tony Levine doesn’t bring his job home.

As head coach of a college football team, the time spent with his family is limited. He even spent the night once on his office couch after a late night of studying game film to prepare for his team’s next opponent. After returning from his office, he puts his cell phone away, tucks his four children into bed, walks the dog for 30 minutes and then spend time with Erin, his wife.

Levine’s family often stops by his office. Occasionally, his children will even stand next to him or sit on his lap as he addresses the

media after a game.

“Regardless of any occupation or profession, you’ve got to have balance,” Levine said. “It’s certainly not easy. It’s a lot tougher, especially during the fall months, because we’re in season, but (my family) understands. They enjoy the season as well and are around the office as much as they can.”

In 10 seasons, Levine has coached at every level of football.

He went from being a high school coach to stints as a special teams coach at Auburn, Louisiana Tech, Louisville and the NFL’s Carolina Panthers before making his way to UH. After a disappointing 5-7 season during Levine’s first year at the helm, the Cougars are 5-0 and on the cusp of receiving national attention in a nationally televised game against BYU.

Courtesy of the University of Minnesota

But during those stints as an assistant, Levine always envisioned himself one day becoming a head coach.

“It’s always been a goal and a dream of mine,” Levine said. “Any clinic I’ve been to, any veteran coach I’ve been around and any chance I’ve had to grow professionally or learn from other (head coaches), I took advantage.”

Levine got his first gig as head coach of the freshman team at his alma mater, Highland Park High School in St. Paul, Minnesota, in Fall 1996.

Looking back St. Paul, in addition to being his hometown, was the place where he exercised his musical prowess in band.

Levine comes from a family of musicial gurus. His father, Marvin, was a big-band trumpet player and both his maternal and paternal grandmothers were proficient pianists.

Levine was a two-time musical high school all-American saxophone player, though he initially wanted to play trombone.

“When I was in the fifth grade, my arms weren’t long enough to hit the bottom note,” he said. “So they handed me the saxophone and that’s what I ended up going with.”

Levine received a number of musical scholarships — the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, North Texas, Indiana and the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire — all of which are nationally accredited jazz programs.

H o w e v e r, L e v i n e a l s o excelled as a football player.

Following his senior season, he was chosen for the Minnesota All-State team as a wide receiver. He was recruited by South Dakota State, formerly a Division I-AA, and Hamline, a Division III program — with no Division I offers.

In Spring 1990, with his high school graduation approaching, Levine was still undecided on what career path to choose, until a phone call changed his life.

A career path forms On an April night, Levine answered the telephone.

Assistant coach Dave Spiegler said, “This is coach

Head coach Tony Levine understands the pressures and stresses of being a studen

Tony Levine earned an athletic scholarship at Minnesota after walking on. His positi

Spiegler from the U University of Minnesota.”

Levine said he ini initially thought

it was one of his friends playing a joke on him.

“I was wondering if you made a

Thursday, October 17, 2013 // 7

The Daily Cougar

as UH jamming to new tune “Yes, I would love to…”

“Stop. Talk to your family and call me back and…

“No, I’d love to come. And I don’t need to talk to them.”

Levine said he chose to pursue football over the musical scholarships was because he felt he could always play the saxophone and enjoy music, but he didn’t want to have regrets or wonder if he could have played college football at the highest level.

nt-athlete because he played receiver in college. | Justin Tijerina/The Daily Cougar

on coach was former UH coach Kevin Sumlin. | Courtesy of the University of Minnesota

decision on where you wanted to go to college yet.”

“No, I had not,” Levine said.

“Would you be interested in coming to the University of Minnesota as a walk-on?”

Golden opportunity Levine stood 5-feet-10. Spiegler said he was “overlooked” from other programs and chose to take a chance on him.

“He had a bit of a chip on his shoulder. He had to go compete against teammates that were recruits on scholarship,” Spiegler said. “But he had a poised confidence, ran his routes and, no matter what, you could tell from the look of his eyes he was going to give a solid effort.”

Entering the 1993 season as a redshirt sophomore, Levine and Minnesota opened their first game at No. 17 Penn State. After the Golden Gophers’ star receiver Omar Douglass sustained a groin pull in the fourth quarter, Levine entered the game and pulled in his first two collegiate receptions.

The following week, Levine’s team played its home opener against Indiana. There, he was able to haul in seven catches for 141 yards and a touchdown in the 27-10 victory.

Five days later, head coach Jim Wacker called Levine into his office and awarded him with a full scholarship.

“It was a tremendous blessing,” Levine said. “I put in a lot of hard work, and that is something that I certainly will never forget.”

Levine graduated from Minnesota with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology with an emphasis in sports management and is tied for eighth all-time with three 100-yard receiving games in the program’s history.

Levine then played in the Arena Football League for the Minnesota Fighting Pike. Against the Texas Terrors, he scored two touchdowns — one returned fumble and one receiving.

Hello, old friend After his one-year stay at Highland Park, Levine was hired at Southwest Texas, now Texas State, as an assistant coach for tight ends and wide receivers. One of his receiving pupils was Travis Bush, someone he would see again.

After Bush graduated in 2000,

A call from a then graduate-asssitant Dave Speigler with the offer to walk on, solidified head coach Tony Levine’s decision to play football at Minnesota. the two separated: Levine left to Auburn for a coaching job, and Bush made coaching stops at TCU, Texas State and UTSA. When Levine was hired as the head coach at UH in 2012, he thought of Bush.

“I had a list together of guys I’d like to have a part of my staff,” he said. “He was a top of my list. We’re fortunate that he is here with us … He was certainly an intelligent football player, and I knew he’d be a great coach.”

The feeling was mutual.

“He was a coach who I admired as a player. ( We) respected and played our tails off for him,” Bush said. “He was someone whom I kept in touch and tried to model (his) certain coaching philosophies. He’s the number one reason I came over here (at UH). I wanted to continue to work and learn from him.”

Bush was initially hired as the running backs coach, but after the team’s disappointing loss to — coincidentally — Texas State, a game in which the offense scored only 13 points, Levine promoted him to offensive coordinator.

Under Bush’s direction, the UH offense finished 15th nationally with an average of 479.6 yards per game, and the passing game ranked 11th nationally with 328.4 yards per game.

‘Attention to detail’ Levine, who has coached special teams for 10 years, said he prides himself on paying close attention to detail. And it’s resulted in making both his coaching staff and his players better.

“He really has. It’s always good to have someone there who knows a lot and gives you different ideas,” said special teams coach Jaime Christian.

“He’s made me become a better special teams coach through schemes and make me pay more attention to detail.

“I’m talking about a guy’s name spelled wrong on a depth chart to a line going over a whole punch. He wants everything perfect and holds everyone accountable.”

Levine said he credits his master’s degree as an educational specialist in adult education for making him not only a better coach, but also a better teacher toward his players. Senior cornerback Zachary McMillian, who was recruited by Levine to play special teams, said he’s one of a kind.

“I’ve never met a more prepared coach as far as knowing situations and what to do at the right time,” McMillian said. “When I graduate and leave, I would definitely say he’s meticulous and the most prepared coach in the game.”

More than a coach Other than his family at home, Levine has had to look out for another family — his players.

“We’ve got exactly 127 young men in our program,” Levine said.

“I’ve got a responsibility to not only help them become the best football player they can be, but to be the best student to get their degree, if one day they get married they can be the best husband and, if they have children, to be the best father they can be.

“It’s more to it than deciding if we’re going to punt or go for it on fourth-and-one as a head football coach,” he said.

During the season, Levine said he doesn’t get to play his saxophone as much; however, after an August practice last season, he walked toward the UH band to grant a few words of advice, and his “emotions got the best of (him)” as he grabbed a member’s alto saxophone and began to improvise a 14-second melody that had the members cheering.

“I guess when you get locked up in Minnesota during the winter, you learn to play saxophone,” Bush jokingly said.

The Daily Cougar

8 \\ Thursday, October 17, 2013

16 McDonald (SS)

23 Stewart (FS)

13 Bates (CB)

10 McMillian (CB) 50 Oliphant (WLB)

21 Eiland (DE)

41 Taylor (SLB)

54 Mathews (MLB)

95 Mark (DT)

92 Mbu (DT)

46 Harris (DE)

DEFENSE OFFENSE 79 Sims (OL)

74 Harper (OL)

58 Redman (OL)

63 Forsch (OL)

71 Johnson (OL)

05 O’Korn (QB) 88 Maxwell (WR)

03 Greenberry (WR)

27 Spencer (WR)

06 McDuffey (WR)

35 Farrow (RB)

TEAMLEADERS

UNDERTHEHELMET

// 2013 stats, UH vs.BYUstarters

// Getting to know the Cougars

PASSING Player

Cmp

Att.

Yards

Cmp% TD

John O’Korn

86

145

1131

59.3

Taysom Hill

90

191

1263

47.1

Int

Lng

11

1

61

5

5

60

VIDEO GAME

FOOD

MOVIE

RUSHING Player

Att.

Avg.

Yards

TD

Long

Ryan Jackson

76

5.1

391

6

44

Deontay Greenberry

Taysom Hill

90

7.2

644

7

68

WIDE RECEIVER CLASSIFICATION: SOPHOMORE AGE: 20

RECEIVING Player

Rec.

Avg.

Yards

TD

Long

Deontay Greenberry

39

15.5

606

4

61

Cody Hoffman

18

17.1

311

1

45

MAJOR: UNDECIDED

Madden

Enchiladas

The Sandlot

Thursday, October 17, 2013 // 9

The Daily Cougar

BIGBOARD

THE

AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

AP TOP 25 RK

TEAM

// College football at a glance

RECORD

PTS

1 Alabama (55)

6-0

1499

2 Oregon (5)

6-0

1438

3 Clemson

6-0

1352

4 Florida State

6-0

5 Stanford

Connecticut at Cincinnati

STANDINGS

NETWORK

TIME

ESPNU

11 a.m.

AMERICAN

W

L

W

L

Houston

2

0

5

0

Louisville

2

0

6

0

Southern Methodist at Memphis

ESPN3

11 a.m.

USF

2

0

2

4

1330

Army at Temple

ESPN3

noon

UCF

1

0

4

1

5-0

1242

BYU at Houston

ESPNEWS

2:30 p.m.

Cincinnati

1

1

4

2

6 LSU

6-1

1137

UCF at Louisville

ESPNU

7 p.m.

Rutgers

1

1

4

2

7 Texas A&M

5-1

1105

UCF at Louisville

ESPN

7 p.m.

SMU

0

1

1

4

8 Louisville

6-0

1077

Connecticut

0

1

0

5

9 UCLA

5-0

1017

Memphis

0

2

1

4

10 Miami (FL)

5-0

912

Temple

0

3

0

6

11 South Carolina

5-1

896

TV GUIDE

12 Baylor

5-0

849

SATURDAY, OCT. 19

NETWORK

TIME

13 Stanford

5-0

824

14 Missouri

6-1

749

South Carolina at Tennessee Georgia at Vanderbilt

ESPN CBS

11 a.m.

11 a.m.

15 Georgia

4-2

615

Texas Tech at West Virginia

FoxSports 1

11 a.m.

16 Texas Tech

5-0

590

TCU at Oklahoma State

FOX

11 a.m.

17 Fresno State

5-1

383

Minnesota at Northwestern

ESPN2

11 a.m.

18 Oklahoma

5-1

380

19 Virginia

6-1

352

20 Washington

4-2

355

Purdue at Michigan State Florida at Missouri Akron at Miami (OH)

BTN ESPN3 ESPN3

11 a.m.

11:21 a.m. noon

21 Oklahoma State 22 Florida 23 Northern Illinois

4-1 4-2 6-0

309 264 185

Ohio at Eastern Michigan

ESPN3

noon

Northern Illinois at Central Michigan

ESPN3

2 p.m.

Iowa at Ohio State

ABC

2:30 p.m.

24 Auburn

5-1

156

Auburn at Texas A&M

CBS

2:30 p.m.

25 Wisconsin

4-2

153

UCLA at Stanford

ABC

2:30 p.m.

Oklahoma at Kansas

ESPN

2:30 p.m.

Indiana at Michigan

BTN

2:30 p.m.

Maryland at Wake Forest

ESPNU

2:30 p.m.

Duke at Virginia

ESPN3

2:30 p.m.

Washington at Arizona State

PAC12

5 p.m.

SAY WHAT?

Arkansas at Alabama

ESPN

6 p.m.

LSU at Ole Miss

ESPN2

6 p.m.

I went back in to the offensive and defensive coaches and said ‘When you go make your adjustments be positive, we’re winning the football game. It doesn’t feel like it in the locker room right now.’ — Tony Levine, on the message the coaching staff sends

Iowa State at Baylor

ESPNU

6 p.m.

USC at Notre Dame

NBC

6:30 p.m.

Florida State at Clemson

ABC

7 p.m.

Wisconsin at Illinois

BTN

7 p.m.

Nevada at Boise State

CBS

7 p.m.

Troy at Mississippi State

ESPN3

6:30 p.m.

Rice at New Mexico State

ESPN3

7 p.m.

Washington State at Oregon

FOX Sports 1

9 p.m.

UNLV at Fresno State

CBS

9 p.m.

Utah at Arizona

PAC12

9 p.m.

Oregon State at California

ESPN2

9:30 p.m.

Others Receiving Votes: Michigan 118, Nebraska 94, Michigan State 69, Utah 47, Notre Dame 39, Oregon State 21, UCF 19, Texas 16, Northwestern 7, Arizona State 7, Houston 3, Rutgers 1

at halftime.

FLASHBACK

1976 Houstonian

HOUSTON 29 SMU 6

Cougars take down in-state rival On October 16, 1976, the Cougars’ first year in the old Southwest Conference, the team stomped in-state rival SMU 29-6. UH’s ‘Mad Dog Defense’ forced six turnovers.

The win kept the Cougars in first place in the South West Conference Conference standings. The Cougars would go on to defeat No. 4 Maryland in the Cotton Bowl — Harrison Lee

10 \\ Thursday, October 17, 2013

The Daily Cougar

Practice makes perfect ABOVE: Lineman engage in a drill during Tuesday’s practice in preparation for the Homecoming game against BYU. TOP LEFT: The offensive and defensive line prepare for the challenge BYU presents to each unit — the opponents boast a strong running attack that will challenge the defensive line and a fierce pass rush that will test the offensive line.

MIDDLE LEFT: Punter/kicker Richie Leone fires off his punt in time to beat the rush during special teams drills.

BOTTOM LEFT: Freshman quarterback Kyle Postma displays his arm strength in an exercise with offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Doug Meacham.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Concussions forced him to end his days as a quarterback earlier this month, but David Piland, left, remains involved with the team.

Photos by Justin Tijerina/The Daily Cougar

Thursday, October 17, 2013 // 11

The Daily Cougar

BYU continued from page 4

throws the ball as well. He’s got five touchdown passes.”

To stop Hill, who leads BYU in rushing and passing, the defense will need to play in a disciplined manner and continue to force turnovers, said defensive coordinator David Gibbs.

The biggest threat that the read option poses to defenses is the pass game because all of the plays give the defense a similar look before and after the ball is snapped.

“It’s impossible (to stop) a guy who can run like he can run and throw it like he throws it. He’s got great weapons around him,” Gibbs said. “He’s such a big physical running quarterback that can throw that you obviously have to take the running game away without giving up the big pass plays.”

On offense, UH will face a BYU defense that includes All-American senior linebacker Kyle Van Noy. Levine said the offense will remain aware of where Van Noy

lines up each play because he can disrupt an offensive game plan.

He is especially adept at getting to the quarterback — Van Noy has 10 quarterback hurries and four sacks this season.

“Kyle Van Noy is as good as an outside linebacker, rush-type guy as I’ve ever seen,” Levine said.

But for UH, it’s also an opportunity to improve its national profile.

Though UH has an undefeated record, BYU is the team’s highestprofile competitor so far this season. BYU has already taken down talented teams Texas and Georgia Tech.

UH has received votes in the Associated Press college football poll and remains the only unbeaten team outside the rankings. A victory against BYU could mean a top 25 ranking.

“It’s going to be a great challenge for us,” said junior offensive lineman Bryce Redman. “Any time you play a team that has respect around the country, it’s a good thing. I know we’re all excited to have a chance to play a real quality opponent, and a team that beat Texas is always a bonus too.”

In Monday’s pep rally, junior receiver Daniel Spencer and teammates took the stage in Lynn Eusan Park to encourage students to come to the Homecoming game against BYU on Saturday. | Carolina Trevino/The Daily Cougar

THE OPPOSITION

BYU bounces back from a rough start Jackson Urquhart The Universe

The Cougars say they are a much better team than when they opened the football season with a disappointing loss on the road against Virginia.

Taysom Hill’s efficiency has drastically improved. The rushing game is averaging 4.9 yards per attempt.

Kyle Van Noy has been recognized in a CBS poll as a top eight Heisman candidate. Most importantly, BYU has won three games in a row by an average of 21 points.

“The team is improving in all areas,” said head coach Bronco Mendenhall.

BYU’s rough start to 2013 is in the rearview mirror as the team heads into a difficult stretch of its schedule, featuring games against Boise State, Wisconsin and Notre Dame.

“We’re gaining momentum and looking forward to our next game,” Mendenhall said.

BYU’s next game is Saturday against the undefeated Houston Cougars. Taking place in Reliant Stadium — home of the NFL’s Houston Texans — the game will feature two teams playing well halfway through the season.

The Houston Cougars are 5-0.

Their schedule up to this point has been relatively soft, but they’ve racked up big yardage offensively and are scoring 39.8 points per game.

Typical of Houston teams in recent years, this year’s team likes to get it done in the passing game. They pass for 288 yards per game and have thrown 12 touchdown passes.

“They like to throw the ball a lot,” said BYU safety Daniel Sorensen. “It’s going to be a challenge for us.”

If BYU’s “bend, but not break” defense has a weakness this year, it’s defending opponents’ star receivers.

Michael Davis of Texas reeled in two touchdowns and 114 yards against BYU, while Utah’s Drez Andersen torched the Cougars for 144 yards.

Houston’s go-to guy is sophomore Deontay Greenberry, who has accumulated 606 receiving yards already this season.

Houston also boasts a muchimproved defense from prior years.

It relies on big plays to stop its foes’ drives. The team has forced 18 turnovers thus far in 2013.

Previously suspended BYU linebacker Spencer Hadley played extensively in the second half against Georgia Tech on Oct. 12. Mendenhall said he hasn’t made a decision about whether or not Hadley will start against Houston. All starters on BYU’s banged-up offensive line are finally healthy and ready to play.

Jackson Urquhart is a staff writer at the Digital Universe, the student newspaper at BYU.

LSS WORKSHOPS FALL 2013

FREE TUTORING www.las.uh.edu

LOCATION: N112 Cougar Village (Building 563) REGISTER: “Workshop Signup” at www.las.uh.edu/lss On-line registration is necessary to obtain a spot.

Problems registering? Call Laura Heidel 713.743.5439 or Jason Yu 713.743.1223

WEEK TOPIC

TIME #1

8

Overcoming Procrastination

Fri. 10/18 @ 3pm

TIME #2

9

Critical Thinking

Tues. 10/22 @ 11am

Wed. 10/23 @ 4pm

10

Giving Professional Presentations

Tues. 10/29 @ 1pm

Wed. 10/30 @ 5pm

11

Getting Organized

Tues. 11/5 @ 1pm

Wed. 11/6 @ 1pm

12

Motivation

Mon. 11/11 @ 3pm

Thurs. 11/14 @ 11am

12

Improving Your Memory

Tues. 11/12 @ 1pm

Tues. 11/12 @ 5pm

12

Improving Your Memory

Fri. 11/15 @ 3pm

13

Coping with Finals

Wed. 11/20 @ 11am

Fri. 11/22 @ 10am

13

Time Management

Wed. 11/20 @ 3pm

Sat. 11/23 @ 11am

14

Meditation to Deal with Academic Stress

Tues. 11/26 @ 9am

Tues. 11/26 @ 1pm

15

Coping with Finals

Mon. 12/2 @ 10am

Tues. 12/3 @ 10am

15

Overcoming Procrastination

Wed. 12/4 @ 3pm

Thurs. 12/5 @ 11am

**Workshops will be added when necessary throughout the semester.

Please visit the “Workshops Signup” link on the LSS website www.las.uh.edu/lss for the most up to date information.

12 \\ Thursday, October 17, 2013

The Daily Cougar

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