Updates with coordinators Scott Symons, Casey Woods

[PonyPride]

Defensive coordinator SCOTT SYMONS:

• The defensive line is "the deepest spot of our team. We've kind of said that all season."

• Biggest issue is when runs "pop" — when a play that should be an eight-yard run ends up as a 40- or 50-yard run. The second and third level (of the defense) making plays in space — "that's what we've got to get better at." Says the issue is simply missed tackles.

• (NT Terrance Newman) "dominated (Tulsa) up front — I thought he absolutely dominated their center. Best game he has played since we've been here."

• (S Brandon) Crossley "played his best game of the season — by far. He was good in coverage, he was physical on some stuff."

• Houston QB Clayton Tune is "so experienced. I was telling (the players) I think his first college start was when I was at Memphis. D'Eriq King went down, we played them at our place — it was 2018. We won't see as good of a quarterback as him all season. He's experienced, keeps plays alive. Him and Preston (Stone) are really similar, as far as the ability to keep plays alive. Lot of moxie, can step in and make every throw, has good wideouts around him, good decision maker, takes care of the football — all those things. He's a big-time challenge for us, for sure."

Offensive coordinator CASEY WOODS:

• (On QB Kevin Jennings' first appearance against Tulsa): First college snap — just went in there and stone-cold nailed the fade, then got in there and threw the out-cut to our tight end, had a big third-down conversion to Dylan Goffney ... it was incredible. I'll tell you what was incredible, too, our receivers, our defense ... everyone was going up to him. We (coaches) didn't provide it. (We have) got a great culture here... 'We've got your back, we're going to perform for you.' They went out and did, and he went out and did. It was a really exciting testament to (QBs) Coach (Jonathan) Brewer and what he's established in that room and a testament to Kevin."

• "We knew we were going to have to out-physical (Tulsa) and run the ball. That last drive took, I think, 8:17 off the clock, maybe 16 plays, and nine of the 16 plays we ran a split zone and just mashed them. That was awesome to see."

• "I really hate it for Preston, because he's such a good kid and he works so hard. But given the situation, I think it's the best-case scenario for the situation. Clean situation, clean fix, he'll be back ready to go. I think there were flashes in the first half of what he can look like in the future, which is really exciting.

"And ... Kevin stepped in. As he bears the weight of more offense, this happens all the time to freshmen: everybody gets really excited about freshmen, and then they've got to digest the offense, and they're operating in it and that's the old 'sophomore slump.' So we've got to be mindful with his load, what it is that he can control. But he's a confident kid. When you look him in the eye in the huddle, he's ready for it, and that's exciting about him."

• C Brandon Hickman missed last week with "a finger thing (on his left — non-snapping — hand) he suffered in practice last week" but is back and ready to go, so Jaylon Thomas, who played center in Hickman's absence, 'will start some other position this week, I'm sure." Thomas has played four of five offensive line positions this season.

• "I think (QB Tanner Mordecai) feels as good as he has felt in a few weeks. Dude's a gritty dude — he ain't going to let us know too much, anyway — but he looked like he had a good step today."

• (Houston's defense is) "fast and athletic, a scrappy bunch. There's mistakes that happen, but boy, they make up for a lot of it. There seem to be these big holes that close really fast. They play with a lot of confidence. Their defensive line may be the best defensive line we've played. Cincinnati was pretty good, TCU obviously was pretty good, but (Houston) may be the best one we've played."

• (WR) Rashee (Rice) "is a first-round draft pick" because of talent on the field and the way he works and carries himself off the field.

[Pony4Life]

I admit I didn't realize Newman had that great a game individually, but today would be great time for another. He and Levelston and Chatman and the rest need to collapse the Houston pocket and force Tune to throw on the run.

[PK]

I admit I didn't realize Newman had that great a game individually, but today would be great time for another. He and Levelston and Chatman and the rest need to collapse the Houston pocket and force Tune to throw on the run.

That would have been much easier to do if the UH offensive line didn't hold on so many plays. Their left tackle, #76, was holding on almost every play that I could actually see him at work. The officials totally ignored it and never flagged him for it.