QB Case Keenum (ICON SMI Photo)
2010 SCHEDULE
9-4-10 TEXAS STATE
9-10-10 UTEP (Fri.)
9-18-10 at UCLA
9-25-10 TULANE
10-9-10 MISSISSIPPI STATE
10-16-10 at Rice
10-23-10 at SMU
10-30-10 at Memphis
11-5-10 UCF (Fri.)
11-13-10 TULSA
11-20-10 at Southern Miss
11-27-10 at Texas Tech
Coach: Kevin Sumlin
18-9, 2 years

2009 Statistics

2009 RESULTS: 10-4
NORTHWESTERN ST WON 55-7
at Oklahoma State WON 45-35
TEXAS TECH WON 29-28
at UTEP LOST 41-58
at Mississippi State WON 31-24
at Tulane WON 44-16
SMU WON 38-15
SOUTHERN MISS WON 50-43
at Tulsa WON 46-45
at UCF LOST 32-37
MEMPHIS WON 55-14
RICE WON 73-14
C-USA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
at East Carolina LOST 32-38
ARMED FORCES BOWL
Air Force LOST 20-47

2009 Final Rankings
AP-UR, Coaches-33, BCS-UR

 

Projected 2010 record: 9-3

WR James Cleveland (ICON SMI Photo)
HOUSTON
2009 Statistical Rankings
OFFENSE
 
National
Conf.
Rushing:
83
9
Passing:
1
1
Total Off:
1
1
Sacks Allow:
24
3
DEFENSE
 
National
Conf.
Rushing:
115
12
Passing:
72
2
Total Def:
111
9
Sacks:
85
8
RETURNING LEADERS

Passing: Case Keenum, 492-700-15, 5671 yds., 44 TD

Rushing: Charles Sims, 132 att., 698 yds., 9 TD

Receiving: James Cleveland, 104 rec., 1214 yds., 14 TD

Scoring: James Cleveland, 14 TD, 84 pts.

Punting: Case Keenum, 2 punts, 28.0 avg.

Kicking: Matt Hogan, 12-12 FG, 38-43 PAt, 74 pts.

Tackles: Marcus McGraw, 156 tot., 75 solo

Sacks: Marcus McGraw, David Hunter - 4 each

Interceptions: Jamal Robinson, 5 for 42 yds., 1 TD

Kickoff Returns: Tyron Carrier, 34 ret., 29.0 avg., 4 TD

Punt Returns: Tyron Carrier, 7 ret., 10.4 avg., 0 TD

 

 
HOUSTON
2010 College Football Preview
OFFENSE - 9
----RETURNING STARTERS----
DEFENSE - 5
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Chaz Rodriguez-WR, Tim Monroe-WR, Carl Barnett-C, Jarve Dean-OT
DEFENSE: Tyrell Graham-DE, C.J. Cavness-WLB, Brandon Brinkley-CB, Carson Blackmon-SS, Chase Turner-P

 

2010 OUTLOOK
C-USA Coach of the Year Kevin Sumlin has created an offense that eerily reminds fans of the record-breaking units Andre Ware and David Klingler operated from behind center in 1989 and 1990. More recently, the baton was passed from Kevin Kolb to Case Keenum in 2007, and the Cougar’s superior aerial assault (No.1 pass offense in the nation) continues again in ‘10. Keenum led the nation with 5,671 yards passing - no other quarterback threw for more than 4,300. The Cougars also welcome back all three of last year's 1,000-yard receivers in Tyron Carrier, James Cleveland and Patrick Edwards. To demonstrate how dangerous these receivers can be, Carrier is a Preseason All-American at NationalChamps.net returning punts after taking four of them in for six points last fall. There is also a steady 1-2 combination at running back where both Charles Sims and Bryce Beall were former C-USA Freshman of the Year honorees. Despite having All-Conference tackle Jarve Dean kicked off the team, this offensive line if full of experience but now needs to start playing better. This offense is obviously premised on throwing the ball almost every down. Keenum's quick release and ability to read the blitz combined with a four receiver base package makes this one of the most difficult offenses to prepare for and contain.

The defense has a new coach bringing in a new 3-4 alignment. Former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Brian Stewart has been given the task of fixing a defense that ranked 111th in the nation a year ago. Up front, JUCO transfer Matangi Tonga is expected to install some much needed muscle. Losing starting defensive end Zeke Riser with a torn ACL this spring did not help though. Linebacker Marcus McGrown recorded an amazing 156 tackles last fall and continues to lead the defense from his new Middle Outside linebacker spot. The secondary has a few holes to fill but return a key component in cornerback Jamal Robinson, who led the team with five interceptions last year.

Some things never seem to change for this team and that’s true on both sides of the ball. That ultimately means their porous defense will continue to hold Houston back from climbing as high as some of the other recent BCS Busters. This offense is so explosive that it will continue to overcome those defensive struggles…it's that good. But saying UH will win every game - with this defense and such a challenging non-conference schedule - is a stretch. At the very least, Houston has to be considered a/the favorite to win C-USA. Coach Sumlin has the lofty goals that Boise State and a few other Mountain West Conference teams now have, of annually earning his Cougars the same levels of achievement and respect for a mid-major program. Keep working on that defense coach.

 

2010 OFFENSE

 

 

 
HOUSTON 2010 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Case Keenum-Sr (6-2, 210) Cotton Turner-Jr (6-0, 190)
RB Charles Sims-So (6-0, 195) Bryce Beall-Jr (5-11, 209)
Justin Johnson-Jr (6-1, 223)
WR Patrick Edwards-Jr (5-9, 175) E.J. Smith-Jr (6-1, 185)
WR Tyron Carrier-Jr (5-8, 162) Demetrius Woods-So (6-0, 190)
WR James Cleveland-Sr (6-2, 205) Ronnie Williams-So (5-11, 188)
WR Kierrie Johnson-Sr (5-10, 170) Chance Blackmon-So (6-1, 197)
Tyler Chambers-So (6-4, 240) (TE)
OT Jacolby Ashworth-So (6-4, 290) Isaiah Thompson-Sr (6-4, 300)
OG Jaryd Anderson-Sr (6-4, 288) Ty Cloud-RFr (6-4, 315)
C Jordan Shoemaker-Sr (6-3, 280) Blake Sargent-So (6-3, 297)
OG Chris Thompson-Jr (6-2, 285) Kevin Forsch-RFr (6-5, 301)
OT Roy Watts-Sr (6-5, 315) Ralph Oragwu-RFr (6-3, 295)
K Matt Hogan-So (6-1, 196) Jordan Mannisto-Jr (6-1, 205)

 

2010 DEFENSE

 

 

 
HOUSTON 2010 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE David Hunter-Jr (6-2, 290) DeAnthony Sims-So (6-3, 305)
NT Tyrone Campbell-So (6-1, 287) Matangi Tonga-Sr (6-2, 290)
DE Matangi Tonga-Sr (6-2, 290) Radermon Scypion-So (6-4, 242)
SLB Phillip Steward-So (6-2, 220) Brian Williams-Jr (6-1, 214)
MO Marcus McGraw-Jr (6-0, 210) Jeremy Smith-Sr (6-0, 200)
MLB George Bamfo-RFr (5-11, 210) John McIntyre-Jr (6-0, 227)
WLB Sammy Brown-Jr (6-3, 232) Kelvin King-So (6-2, 256)
CB Loyce Means-Sr (5-11, 179) Thomas Bates-RFr (5-9, 175)
CB Jamal Robinson-Sr (5-11, 185) Devin Mays-Sr (5-11, 173)
SS Jacky Candy-Sr (5-11, 193) Jeffery Lewis-So (5-9, 182)
Roisean Haynes-Jr (5-11, 191)
FS Nick Saenz-Jr (6-1, 185) Jacky Candy-Sr (5-11, 193)
P Jordan Mannisto-Jr (6-1, 205) Matt Hogan-So (6-1, 196)