NCAA 2004: Prestige to Challenge

[Bonez420]

Update
The Houston Cougars got on track with a big 30-6 win over Memphis. Everyone on the team had a pretty decent day except for QB Aaron Anderson, who once again threw three interceptions but zero touchdowns. LB Jason Mullins had a monster performance-- 10 tackles, 6 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. What a day for that young kid.

Straight From the Coach
"That freshman linebacker (Jason Mullins) keeps on putting up big numbers and keeping this team in games. He is also a real team leader. If he stays here all four years, watch out, cause he is only going to get better.

Houston Cougars: 5-2
Next Game: at TCU (6-2)

[Bonez420]

Houston (5-2) at TCU (6-2)
It was a rainy day of football. The opening kickoff went to TCU but it was fumbled and Houston recovered at the 11 yard line. Houston was able to take a quick 3-0 lead. Would the defense respond well to the lead? The Houston defense did indeed as they forced a 3-and-out. A nice long drive that went late into the 2nd was finished off with RB Teddy Stewart diving into the endzone for a touchdown. 10-0, Houston had a decent lead over a viable opponent. All on national TV! Halftime score-- 10-0. Houston would get the ball first in the second half. Midway through the 3rd quarter an Anderon to Chance Brown pass helped make it 17-0. Houston had a comfortable lead now. A fumble in the endzone put TCU on the scoreboard. 17-7. Thorburn gave them another fumble just at the start of the 4th quarter. On 4th down, TCU made it 17-14. WR Dillard fumbled yet again at the same place. Houston was breaking down and it was downright pitiful. But wait! The Houston defense forced a fumble themselves! Redemption was sweet. TCU would get the ball back. They got a first down and then they threw deep-- intercepted by CB Beard at the Houston 30 yard line. Anderson fumbled inside the 20. Unbelievable. But alas-- Anderson would be saved... by Zach Lane. A tipped interception at the 5, returned to the 25, set up Houston for running off a lot of the clock. Failed execution, however, gave TCU the ball with 1:30 left. With 51 seconds left, Houston defender Olson made all of TCU's dreams die with an interception at midfield. TCU actually had one last chance with 18 seconds. But on their first play, FS Jeremy Duncan made a sliding interception to absolutely nail the coffin shut.

FINAL: Houston wins 17-14
Greatest Games Score: 274

PLAYER of the GAME
This goes to the entire Cougar defense for one great performance.

SURPRISE of the GAME
Outstanding defense and four players making four crucial interceptions led to Houston upsetting TCU.

Straight From the Coach
"What a game. Anderson wasn't too bad, although his td/int ratio at 1/2 was still less than desirable. The defense did a great job containing TCU's offense for the majority of the game. This is a huge win for this team. A real motivator."

Houston Cougars: 6-2 - Riding high after defeating TCU...
Next Game: at #25 Southern Miss (7-1) - Hey, Houston is ranked #40 in the nation!

Upset Update!
Indiana beat #1 ranked Ohio State 28-21

[Bonez420]

Rumor Update!
Rumor has it that the coach was informed of many organizations being interested in his abilities. Could this possibly help in getting him an extension offer? Only time will tell...

[GSW]

this is the best journal, good job man keep up the good work,i really enjoy reading it.

[Bonez420]

Thanks for the compliments GoldenstWarrior. I'm glad I'm able to make it enjoyable and again I appreciate the compliments.

[Bonez420]

Houston (6-2) at #25 Southern Miss (7-1)
After last year's game between these two teams, the Houston head coach has been itching for a rematch. Last season he felt his Cougars matched up better and lost a game they should've won. This year he was hoping to have the opposite outcome, but ranked at #25 and looking strong, USM would not go down easily. Also new this year, however, was most of Houston's defense which had the potential to shut down offenses, but also had plenty of vulnerability. Houston won the toss and chose to kick. It proved to be a good strategy. As LB Jason Mullins charged USM QB Sands, he forced a bad throw that the defender Olson caught and ran back to the 13 yard line after stepping out of bounds. Anderson threw an INT at the 10. At least the defense would force a 3 and out. Anderson would put it on the ground to dash Houston's field goal hopes. Unbelievable. A new quarterback would be key to the recruiting needs. Mullins came up with a big sack on 3rd down to force a punt. At the end of the first quarter there was still no score. After squandering their first two red zone opportunities, Houston hit it big with about 3 minutes left in the first half. They appeared down and out with a 4th & inches from the 2 yard line, but the head coach and QB Aaron Anderson took the risk and punched it into the endzone. 7-0 Cougars with 2:56 left in the first half. The defense was vicious and forced a bad pass resulting in an interception by freshman FS Jake Weese inside the 30 yard line. With a minute left, Adam Varnado put Houston up 10-0. Late in the 3rd quarter, Houston struck again as John Thorburn charged up the middle with 1:25 left to give Houston a 17-0 lead. Could Houston win twice in a row on regional television AND upset a #25 ranked team in the process? Only one quarter to play. A Chance Brown touchdown reception on 4th & Goal from the 4 would basically seal the game by putting Houston up 24-0 with just under two minutes left. LB Clemens took the ball away with an INT on USM's first play. A late garbage TD put USM on the board 24-6 as the 2 pointer failed. A failed onside kick would do it.

FINAL: Houston upsets #25 24-6

PLAYER of the GAME
Second straight week- it's got to go to the defense. Only giving up 6 points- which came at the end, mind you- against a #25 ranked team. What an upset. What a performance.

SURPRISE of the GAME
Both the spectacular play of this young, hungry defense and the fact that the offense efficiently put up 24 points against a top 25 team.

Mentionable Performances
QB Aaron Anderson - 102.6, 32/51, 250 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 1 Rush TD
RB John Thorburn - 35 att, 101 yards, 1 TD, 2 fumbles
TE Chance Brown - 13 rec, 71 yards, 1 TD
WR Lawrence Dillard - 8 rec, 93 yards, 0 TD
WR B.J. Morgan - 8 rec, 67 yards, 0 TD
LB Jason Mullins - 2 tackles, 2 sacks

Comments
An unbelievable upset is going to really boost the confidence of this team. Two straight wins on regional TV isn't too bad, either.

Houston Cougars: 7-2 - Coming off of two huge wins...
Next Game: vs Army (2-8)

HOUSTON COUGARS - Ranked #29 in the nation!

[Bonez420]

Straight From the Coach
"I am more than pleased with the recent win over #25 ranked Souther Miss. Not only was it an upset a top 25 team, it was also a conference game and the result bumped us to second in the C-USA. Only problem is-- #1 is TCU, who is 7-3 and has one loss to us. Why are they ranked ahead of us? Some calls will be made and I guess we'll just have to show how serious our team is this week when Army comes to town."

[Easton]

Wooo hoooo....congrats on the big wins. You should be able to keep rolling against Army.