First things first: Houston beat Rice, 34-27, in another bizarre ending for the Coogs. Rice hit a Hail Mary at the end of the game, and one second was put back on the clock after an “expedited review.”
Second thing: Expedited review isn’t a thing.
The TV clock isn’t the real clock, but there was a legitimate case to be made for a review.
But “expedited review” isn’t a thing in college football. The referee indicated, “after expedited review, there should be one second on the game clock.” They reviewed an end-of-game play without actually stopping the game. Never seen that.
At some point, someone has to address the final minute defensive lapses:
UTSA went 6 plays, 55 yards, 23 seconds
Tech went 6 plays, 46 yards, 34 seconds
Rice went 5 plays, 85 yards, 24 seconds
That’s 17 plays, 186 yards, in 81 seconds. Oof.
Donavan Mutin did not play tonight. Chidozie Nwankwo did not play. Other starters that Holgorsen mentioned were hurt during the game and did not return: Gervarrius Owens, Joseph Manjack, Patrick Paul, Derek Parish.
Parish did not return to the game after his injury just before halftime. That would be a big loss, and the short week (Tulane is Friday night) could be an issue with several starters getting right.
Tank Jenkins may have played some at RG, but I did not see him in the game. He is in the participation chart, but it’s pretty clear that the job is now Tyler Johnson’s.
Houston had 300 yards on 15 “big plays” (passes over 15 yards, rushes over 10 yards). Rice had 294 yards on 12 big plays.
Matthew Golden did not return kicks. Stacy Sneed was back with Peyton Sawyer. That’s new.
UH managed to commit only two penalties in the first half (25 yards) but then eight more in the second half (85 yards). The Coogs jump back into the national lead in penalties, penalties per game, and penalty yardage.
43 penalties, 384 penalty yards.
Which, I suppose, is the reason for this quote:
“A lot of stupid stuff, once again,” Dana says. “I ain’t taking responsibility for that.”
— GoCoogs.com (@gocoogs1) September 25, 2022
Dana says a lot of things in the postgame that you chalk up to frustration, but that one made me shake my head. Guessing he will address it Monday.
He also said this:
Houston coach Dana Holgorsen was unhappy with another close game, specifically late when the Cougars couldn’t close the door and Rice had one final chance: “I’ve coached the same way for 34 years. This shit is hard, and it’s getting irritating.”
— Joseph Duarte (@Joseph_Duarte) September 25, 2022
There’s always something new.
D’Anthony Jones had a fairly quiet night until he took over the game late in the fourth. Jones made back-to-back sacks, including a strip sack of Rice QB TJ McMahon. Nelson Ceaser scooped it up and scored on the play. After the game, Ceaser said of D’Anthony, “he’s a real dude, brings a lot of juice.
“He made a great play. He got off the rock. It’s what he’s known for.” Ceaser went on about Jones, saying he’s “a real good guy” and always looking out for his teammates.
It was the first one-score Bayou Bucket game since 2013.
McMahon had 334 yards, his second-straight 300-yard game. First time a Rice QB has done that since 2014.
Luke McCaffrey had 86 yards passing as the Rice starter last year.
Rice’s last starter that threw for 300 yards against Houston? Chase Clement in 2008. Clement went for 381 yards and 5 TDs that day in a 56-42 Rice win.
In Dana Holgorsen’s first year as UH OC, Case Keenum threw for 494 yards and 5 touchdowns.
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