It’s impossible to put into words what everyone saw Thursday night. There are a million angles to go with, but we’ll hit on as many as possible over the next few days.
the daily #74 | 10/13/2023 | Archives
Stephon Johnson. Here’s a guy who’s so laid back; he has a great nickname (Boogie) and doesn’t even know where it came from. He transferred in from Oklahoma State, a decision he said was made by him and his family. Johnson showed self-confidence after the game when he said he came to Houston, not in a hurry. He would patiently wait for the situation to play out for him.
When asked if UH had terminology for the play, Johnson shook his head and said, “It’s just Hail Mary. Go get the ball,” he started laughing.
After the game-winner, he just wanted to find his mom.
Johnson also said one of the best parts about playing in Houston was that his grandmother now gets to see him play in person.
He’s another UH guy that few know much about. But when he sits down to talk, he opens up and has a great story.
Donovan Smith. The transfer QB had his breakout game. Sitting in the stadium, you almost didn’t realize it but his last seven drives were incredible. But a lot of things happened:
1. UH scored a TD on a two-minute drill to end the half. Repeat for those in the back: UH scored a TD on a two-minute drill to end the half. They got it done after frustrations on that scenario in several games over the last few minutes.
UH gives the ball to Parker Jenkins on first and second downs, then faces a 3rd and 5 with 1:19 left. Dana calls timeout so he and QB coach Mike Burchett can talk it over with Smith. Over the course of the next 31:19, Donovan:
– throws four touchdowns;
– runs for another;
– leads his team to a two-minute drill score;
– doesn’t turn it over;
– wins the game on a Hail Mary; and
– completed 16 of his last 16 throws.
Before the two-minute drill, Houston had punted on their first four drives of the game (21 plays for 67 yards on 8:58 TOP). Miserable. Pitiful. Smith was 5/11 for 41 yards at that point.
But something clicked on the last drive of the half and through the end of the game. In those seven drives, the Cougars ran just 32 plays but scored five TDs.
This goes beyond a Hail Mary. It goes beyond the crazy end of the game. It goes beyond getting your first-ever Big 12 win. That’s a QB that finally had it click and put his team on his back. That can change an entire season.
The next two games will be difficult, but Donovan Smith grew on Thursday night. He took a big step. That’s encouraging. The team is watching game film and reviewing mistakes Friday before getting the weekend off.
Come Monday, it’ll be time to start working on that next big step.
Check out the Cougar After Thoughts Show (CATS) following the WVU game
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