Its Been a Long Time

Back in the late 1980s and into the 1990s the Houston Cougar football team was one of the most explosive and powerful teams in the country. They even reached the #1 ranking in the land before being humbled in a loss at Miami. That, and some questionable methods by head coach John Jenkins' staff ultimately led to probation...no live TV... and helped contribute to a lack of interest by the soon to be formed Big 12 toward extending an invitation to the league. I had a chance to do the play by play for a number of Cougar tape delayed telecasts in those days. Jack Pardee's and later John Jenkins' Run 'n Shoot offense made for wild excititing times. Some big wins resulted, too. With Heisman Trophy winner Andre Ware and David Klingler leading the way, the Cougars picked up big and one sided wins over Texas on at least three occasions and had the number on just about everyone in the old Southwest Conference except the famed Texas A&M Wrecking Crew. The Aggies were the class of the league and their defense just gave the Cougars fits.

How things have changed. It has been years since the Aggies have been a factor in their league. The Cougars only started to turn the corner about three years ago.

For Houston it sure was great for awhile back in the day.

Playing in the Astrodome in those days Houston Cougar football would often have crowds in the high 30,000-to 40,000 range. But when the trouble started and a parade of coaches began a move back to the campus made a lot of sense. Not only would it be less expensive for the school to play home games at home, but Robertson Stadium had more than enough in capacity.

Saturday night's win was perfectly situated in a stadium that for once was too small. Crammed to over 32,000 wild fans decked out in red (some were Tech fans admittedly since red is one of their predominant colors too) the atmosphere--as I am told and have heard-- was red-hot!

Seeing the game left fans with many memories. There were superb defensive stops. There were great passes and receptions and some strong runs. There also were just enough mistakes to bring groans. All of this added to a game for the ages at Robertson.

With the win the Cougars now have to "hold service" in Conference USA. They are capable, but they are also human and losing somewhere on the road is certainly not out of the question. Remember, Houston is now the hunted and not the hunter. They are ranked and won't be playing any more teams will bigger names or leagues. It is not humanly possible to sustain the emotion and concentration over a full season to the level it was shown vs Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. What the Cougars have shown, however, is the talent that exists in the Kevin Sumlin directed program. And that there is a lot of heart with the players wearing the bright red jerseys.

OTHER STUFF
The Rice Owls were not so fortunate in their much less attended game at Rice Stadium. Vanderbilt took their measure. The fact the Owls are off to a rough start should be no surprise. A lot of talent departed after last season's superb team finished. The staff will get them back to respectability soon...perhaps as soon as C-USA play begins.

AND THE ASTROS
Playing out the string. There is no uglier sentence in sports. Unfortunately, that is what I seem to be witnessing every night these days. The pitching has put the club in holes that even if all hitters were concentrating all the time would be hard to dig out of. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a lot on concentrating going on. First hittable pitch? That's what is being attacked too often. Situations or what the hurler on the mound has been doing? Ah, forget it.

There is one notable exception and that is Miguel Tejada. You know, the player lots of fans and sports reporters want benched so rookie Tommy Manzella can get some starts. All Tejada did last night was go 4-4 with a homer. He leads the NL in doubles and now has 186 hits on a quest for 200. Personally, I'd rather see that than someone who won't hit nearly that well and may have plenty of time at shortstop next spring and season. Tejada's finish is certainly going to make him "free agent interesting" for more money that the Astros likely will or should pay for a player of his age on a team that almost certainly can't contend in 2010. Right now, though, Miguel Tejada is the most interesting player to watch on the Astros.