UH is coming off its most complete game of the Willie Fritz era after ripping Kansas State in Manhattan, 35-16. Don’t let the score fool you; this was an old-school beatdown. UH dominated every phase of the game and did whatever they wanted against the Wildcats.
The offense kept churning and got back its mojo in the red zone after a slow start against UCF. But the defense was the star of the show. They completely shut down Kansas State’s offense and dominated like we haven’t seen this year. This was easily the best game of the season and a highlight of the Willie Fritz era at UH.
After the first quarter of the season, we hoped to see better tackling and more pressure from the defensive line. That is exactly what UH gave us against Kansas State.
Coming into the game, Kansas State hadn’t given up a sack all season, but the Coogs got to Avery Johnson twice. More importantly, those sacks were a combined effort from guys in the front 4: Latraveon McCutchin, Khalil Laufau, Myles Parker, and Quindario Lee. According to PFF stats, UH had 18 pressures on the day, 11 of them coming from the front four.
UH is now 5-1 at the midpoint of the season. On the surface, the impressive game in Manhattan seemed a little surprising, with all units clicking in the same game. Looking deeper, something about the sixth game during Willie’s tenure at UH stands out. Over the last 3 seasons, game 6 has been the game when things start to come together.
In 2024, UH was struggling to start the season, to say the least. The team was shut out in back-to-back losses to Cincinnati and Iowa State. That team came into game 6 at TCU with a 1-4 record and left with a 30-19 win. It was the first indication that “Willie Ball” can win. That team laid an egg the next week at Arrowhead against Kansas, but then Kansas State and Utah back-to-back.
In 2025, UH started 4-0 but looked unimpressive doing it. The offensive line struggled, and the offense was a tough watch overall. They needed a big comeback at Oregon State to force overtime and win, but the next week at home, Texas Tech dominated them. In game 6 against Oklahoma State, the offense kicked into gear in the middle of the second quarter and manhandled the Cowboys. Oklahoma State wasn’t a good team, but it was the first real glimpse of the team that would finish the season 10-3 with a bowl win over LSU.
Here we are again, seeing things come together in game six; this time, the defense stepped up. That unit has struggled a bit early, and Kansas State was the first sign of what this team can really be this year. It is very similar to the process that UH basketball goes through every year.
Like basketball, we see clear evidence that the team is getting coached up. They make improvements week to week, and they are showing they’ll be tough to beat down the stretch.
