QB decision to come soon
Allen may have edge, but battle still being waged
University of Houston football coach Major Applewhite said Saturday that he looks forward to the quarterback battle that will resume in August, although he won’t wait long to name a starter.
“We’re going to make that decision fairly early,” Applewhite said after the Cougars wrapped up spring workouts with the Red-White game at TDECU Stadium.
While Kyle Allen, a transfer from Texas A&M, is regarded as the likely choice, Applewhite said two injured candidates — D’Eriq King (knee) and Kyle Postma (foot) — will get a chance to challenge for the job early in camp before a decision is made on the starter for the Sept. 2 opener at UTSA.
Although there is no official post-spring depth chart, Applewhite indicated Allen is listed at the top based on taking a majority of the snaps in 15 spring workouts and Postma is No. 2 based on his previous experience. He called King a “sharp, productive player” who saw action at receiver and on kick returns as a freshman.
On Saturday, Allen was 12-of-18 passing for 62 yards with two interceptions and a 10-yard touchdown pass to Keith Corbin.
Allen sat out last season, serving as UH’s scout-team quarterback, after previously playing with the Aggies. He has not played in a game since the end of the 2015 season.
“I feel very comfortable,” Allen said. “I think that’s attributed to the reps I got this spring with a lot of guys out and being around the offense for a year and a half and being able to digest it.”
Asked what he thought it will be like to play in a game again, Allen said, “I feel like it’s going to be the same as when I stepped out there two years ago.”
Carr shows he’s in the mix at RB
Patrick Carr made a case for playing time in the backfield with a gamehigh 122 yards rushing and a touchdown.
Carr, who sat out last season after transferring from Colorado, is among several challengers at running back behind Duke Catalon and Dillon Birden.
“I left an impression for more work,” said Carr, who broke lose for a 52yard run late in the second half. “(But) there’s always room for more improvement.”
Running backs Kevrin Justice and Josh Burrell added 1-yard touchdown runs.
Stevenson out with knee injury
Sophomore receiver Marquez Stevenson will miss next season with a knee injury, the school announced.
Stevenson underwent surgery to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee that he injured during a non-contact drill in spring practice. This is yet another setback for Stevenson, who broke his collarbone before last season and played in only two games.
The school said three others players — tight end Alex Leslie (leg), center Will Noble (leg) and defensive end Jerard Carter (foot) — are expected to be back in time for the start of preseason camp in August after suffering “significant injuries” before or during the spring.
Leading receiver Linell Bonner also missed significant time this spring with a sports hernia.
Some starters see limited play
With so many players out this spring, coach Major Applewhite just wanted to make it through Saturday’s game without any additions to the injury report.
Several starters saw only limited action, including All-America defensive tackle Ed Oliver, who played only a few plays.
“You’re a fool if you lose a guy on April 15,” Applewhite said.
Players shifting positions excel
By all indications, two players who made position switches had successful springs.
Isaiah Johnson, who moved from receiver to cornerback, had an interception in Saturday’s game.
“It was a great opportunity to show what I have been working on,” Johnson said.
Austin Robinson, a former safety now playing linebacker, tied for second on the team with six tackles and also recorded a sack.
“It’s been a lot more physical,” Robinson said of the move. “I like it a lot, more contact and closer to the ball.
“I just have to work on a little technique this summer, but everything else I think is natural.”