Third is the word for UH

[smupony94]

Third is the word for UH
Cougars look to tighten defense on crucial down


Brian Stewart had a defensive play call he liked for the situation and went with it. As the play began to unfold, like was blossoming into love.

The Houston Cougars had a four-point lead against the Rice Owls with less than five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Rice ball at the UH 13-yard-line. Third down, eight yards to go.

Stewart sent more UH blitzers than the Owls had blockers, leaving inside linebacker Matt Nicholson with a clear path to Rice quarterback Nick Fanuzzi. Stewart involuntary clenched his right fist, ready to punch the air in triumph, as Nicholson flattened Fanuzzi.

Fanuzzi got rid of the ball just in time to float it to the back right corner of the end zone. Vance McDonald beat UH safety Nick Saenz to the spot, catching the winning touchdown in a 34-31 Rice victory on Saturday.

"We knew they couldn't block it," said Stewart, who is in his first season as the UH defensive coordinator. "They didn't. We just had to cover it. They did a good job of chucking and ducking."

Stewart wasn't alone among a UH contingent that wanted to upchuck. Instead of enjoying a comeback from deficits of 13-0 and 27-7, the Cougars carry a two-game losing streak heading into Saturday's Conference USA tilt with the SMU Mustangs in Dallas.
Taking it personally

The decisive touchdown was the last in litany of third-down lapses by the UH defense. The Owls converted five of their first seven third-down attempts on the way to scoring touchdowns on their first four possessions. The Owls' fourth touchdown, a 59-yarder, came on a third-and-10. And the decisive touchdown, of course, came on a third-down play in which the Cougars (3-3, 2-1 C-USA) should have had the upper hand.

"Third down," Stewart said, "is killing us."

The Cougars rank 116th out of 120 Division I-A teams in third-down conversion rate allowed (47-of-94, 50.5 percent). On Stewart's watch, UH has shaved 54.3 yards per game off what it was allowing at this point last season and improved from 120th in tackles for losses (3.17) to 31st (7.00).

Still, UH's points-allowed average has climbed from 28.0 to 31.1 (No. 96 in the nation).

"I take that personally; I really do," Stewart said. "Third down is probably the Achilles heel that we're fighting right now. I personally want to be not good, but great, on third down."

In an era when the average offense generates 28 points and 383 yards per game, Sumlin considers a defense's performance on third downs to be one of the most telling statistics of all. The Cougars limited Rice to 2.7 yards per rush. But on 18 third-down snaps, the Owls gained 150 yards, drew one pass-interference penalty and punted once.

"It's something we've discussed, we've stressed," Sumlin said. "We're getting people in those positions. We've just got to understand the urgency of the situation to get off the field."

"It's something we've discussed, we've stressed," Sumlin said. "We're getting people in those positions. We've just got to understand the urgency of the situation to get off the field."

Two of the Cougars' third-down stops set up fourth-and-goal at the 1, and the Owls punched the ball into the end zone both times. The Owls converted third downs from 13, 6 and 13 yards during a second-quarter touchdown drive. They converted three more third downs during the winning drive.

"There are times when guys have to get off a block and make a play," Sumlin said. "Or be aligned correctly. Bad defense is usually not a complete team effort. It's one or two guys on a certain play."
Staying aggressive

If the culprit were one consistent thing or person, Stewart said, "That's easy." Though the last two Rice touchdowns came against blitzes, Stewart said he won't back off the aggressive approach he vowed to bring to UH.

"It hasn't scared me off," Stewart said. "I'm still going to keep attacking. I think I owe it to players to still be aggressive."

On one side of Stewart's UH business card is the standard contact information. On the back is an emphatic message: No Excuses.

"We're going to be better on third down," Stewart said. "I'm not going to jump on the table like (Tim) Tebow, but that's our deal: Be better on third down."

[mrydel]

Just do not even let it get to third down. 10 yards or more every one or two plays. They can have the third down trophy.

[smupony94]

I thought bird is the word

[tristatecoog]

3rd Ward

[smupony94]

3rd Ward

I saw a midget bicycle gang there one time. They were all riding tricked out bikes. I got lost coming out of downtown.

[DiamondM75]

I thought bird is the word

You might have to explain this to the youngins.

[smupony94]

I thought bird is the word

You might have to explain this to the youngins.

They should understand the reference since it was in a recent Family Guy episode

[Peruna_Ate_My_Rolex]

3rd Ward

I saw a midget bicycle gang there one time. They were all riding tricked out bikes. I got lost coming out of downtown.

Was Bushwick Bill with them?

[smupony94]

3rd Ward

I saw a midget bicycle gang there one time. They were all riding tricked out bikes. I got lost coming out of downtown.

Was Bushwick Bill with them?

Unfortunately not. I almost ran up on the curb I was trying to figure out what the hell I was seeing

[htownponyfan]

I thought bird is the word

More like, turd is the word. Geldings will strike again on Saturday

[35straight]

I thought bird is the word

You might have to explain this to the youngins.

They should understand the reference since it was in a recent Family Guy episode

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WNrx2jq184