We have waited all year for it, and then it’s gone. Saturday around 2:30, UH’s season will be 1/3 complete.
This week in practice, the punt returners were doing some different drills to help identify and catch the ball. Mekhi Mews, Joseph Manjack, and DJ Butler had their backs to the punt, only allowed to turn around when the ball hit its apex. Mews then caught a ball, then caught another with the first ball in his hands, then caught one with two balls in his hands, and nearly caught one with three balls in his hands but ended up dropping that one. I’d not seen UH run this drill.
Willie Fritz’s weekly schedule differs from Dana Holgorsen’s or Major Applewhite’s. Fritz gives the players Sunday off, and they come back Monday for meetings, film, and practice. That gives players a day off after a game. Previously, coaches had players in to watch film on Sunday and for a helmet-only workout before giving them Monday off.
I spoke to nine players this week about the schedule. Eight of the nine love the change, giving them a day to recover their bodies after a game. Willie’s schedule also allows coaches an entire day to watch film of the previous day’s game and begin watching film of the upcoming opponent and building a game plan (the 9th player, kicker Jack Martin, didn’t have an opinion about the change).
On Mondays, players meet with their position coaches and unit to discuss the previous game and to begin watching film of the next opponent. Willie considers Monday practices to be part of the recovery process. The players begin working on looks for the next opponent but do not go at normal speed. “Everything is live except speed,” Willie shouts out over his microphone. Communication, energy, and technique are expected to be live.
On Holman, next to the outdoor practice fields, is a billboard that has been used by Athletics for decades. Some years, it promotes football, others it’s been women’s sports, and prior to Kelvin, it was men’s basketball for a time, I believe.
Currently, the billboard is not in use and the vinyl wrap from last season has been removed. So what’s there now?
Remnants of the billboard from the 1994 season, promoting home games against Kansas, Missouri, Texas A&M, TCU, and Rice. The billboard also highlighted SWC titles, Cotton Bowl appearances, and other bowl appearances.
Houston is 14 in total defense, and 114 in total offense. 123 in third down conversions, but 27th in 3rd down conversion defense. 90th in passing offense, then 13th in passing defense. Red zone defense is 30, while red zone offense is 131.
This weekend is scheduled to be the men’s basketball team’s preseason retreat. An annual sign that practice will begin soon.
The Cougar After Thoughts Show (CATS!) will be live right after the Cincinnati game ends. Join us!