Stevenson savors big moment
Junior nets 2 TDs in first significant action of career
Marquez Stevenson has waited, then waited some more, for the chance to finally be healthy.
The first two years of his collegiate career wiped out by freakish injuries, the speedy junior receiver said the road to Saturday’s season opener was “a painful journey.”
“Good to be back,” Stevenson said after producing two touchdowns to help the University of Houston rally for a 45-27 win over Rice. “I knew at the end of the road there was some light.”
There was plenty of daylight between Stevenson and Rice defenders on two of the biggest plays Saturday. He scored on a 51-yard reverse in the second quarter and added a 57-yard touchdown catch to give the Cougars the lead for good late in the third quarter.
Stevenson, who was also used on kickoff returns, finished with 203 all-purpose yards.
Both times, Rice had no defenders able to keep up with Stevenson, a former prep track star who is one of the fastest players on the UH roster.
“I knew he was going to have a big game because they haven’t really seen him,” said receiver Courtney Lark, who also added a pair of touchdown catches.
Forgettable first 2 years
Stevenson’s career has been derailed by freakish injuries the past two seasons. As a freshman, Stevenson suffered a broken collarbone in preseason camp and returned to play in two games. Last season, Stevenson suffered a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament in spring practice.
As a precaution, the UH coaching staff monitored how much work Stevenson got in camp in August.
“With his past injury history, we definitely want to be smart with him,” receiver coach Kenny Guiton said. “We know how explosive he can be, how fast he is and a great guy with the ball in the open field.”
On the reverse, Stevenson took the pitch, split a couple defenders and hit another gear over the final 40 yards. He was used out of the slot on his touchdown catch, taking a perfect pass across the middle from D’Eriq King, getting several steps on the nearest defenders and scoring untouched.
“I just had to wait for my moment,” said Stevenson, who finished with five catches for 107 yards.
Strong start for WRs
The emergence of Stevenson, along with productive games from Lark and Keith Corbin, may provide early answers at one of the UH’s most questionable positions entering the season.
Graduation took its toll with the departure of Steven Dunbar and Linell Bonner, who combined for 156 catches for 1,959 yards and eight touchdowns. And with King moving to quarterback late last season, the Lark and Corbin entered this season as the Cougars’ top returning receivers statistically-speaking with a combined 23 catches.
“I knew from the get-go all those guys can play,” said King, who was 17-of-24 for 320 yards and three touchdowns and no turnovers in the debut of UH’s up-tempo spread offense.
Lark hauled in a 40-yard touchdown just before halftime and 18-yard strike to begin the fourth quarter. Corbin’s 46-yard catch helped spark the Cougars’ comeback from a 10-point deficit in the third quarter, eventually leading to a 4yard scoring run by King.
“Those guys have waited patiently,” coach Major Applewhite said. “I’m so excited for how those guys played. They’ve waited their time.”