DL putting nation ‘on notice’
For a night, Sack Avenue supplanted Bourbon Street as Big Easy hot spot
NEW ORLEANS — About five miles away from the Tulane campus is Bourbon Street, one of the most recognizable pieces of real estate in the world.
The party Thursday night moved to Sack Avenue.
Jarring hits, not beads, were thrown around Yulman Stadium as the University of Houston’s defense sacked Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt eight times in a 40-22 victory.
“Eight sacks … it felt like more,” UH coach Dana Holgorsen said. “Their quarterback is one of the toughest quarterbacks that I’ve ever competed against. He got out of six or eight more sacks that could have happened. That’s kind of what we are becoming more.”
In the new era of name, image and likeness, UH’s defense could make a case for an Excedrin endorsement.
The sack total was the most for the Cougars since 11 against eventual Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson in 2016.
Earlier this season, UH’s defensive line branded “Sack Avenue” as the way to celebrate sacks. The coaching staff had a red street sign made that is visible on the sideline each game.
“Our guys pride themselves on making plays,” defensive coordinator/associate head coach Doug Belk said. “We just want those guys to be excited when they make plays.”
Of Thursday’s sack total, seven were courtesy of defensive linemen. With nine NFL scouts on hand, Logan Hall had two sacks and three tackles for loss. David Anenih, Derek Parish, Nelson Ceaser, D’Anthony Jones, Elijah Gooden and Latrell Bankston each contributed a sack.
“I have no words,” Hall said of the effort. “Relentless effort.”
One of the biggest plays of the game was delivered by Jones early in the third quarter. With the momentum shifting to Tulane, Jones delivered a crushing hit to Pratt to force the ball loose. Jones jumped on the ball, and the Cougars converted the turnover into a field goal to pull within 2220.
“It was a huge turning point in the game,” Holgorsen said.
Pratt, the Green Wave’s mobile quarterback, has been sacked 14 times in two career starts against the Cougars.
Holgorsen said the Cougars’ ability to get to the quarterback during the first half of the season has been helped by strong coverage in the secondary that puts teams in long-yard situations. UH has 24 sacks in six games.
After the game, Jones carried the Sack Avenue sign on the way to the locker room.
“PUTTING THE COUNTRY ON NOTICE,” Jones tweeted. “Like I said last week … keep an eye out.”
A few other takeaways from Thursday’s game:
Singleton comes home
Wide receiver Jeremy Singleton had a career-high two touchdowns in his return to New Orleans, where he played at Brother Martin High School. Singleton had a 17-yard touchdown in the first quarter and provided the go-ahead score with a 29-yard catch late in the third quarter.
“My second touchdown was right in front of my mom,” Singleton said. “I blew her a kiss.”
Patience is paying off for Singleton, who struggled through the pandemic last season and contemplated a transfer in the offseason. After a slow start this season — he had four catches in the first four games — Singleton has three touchdown catches in the past two games.
“That’s life,” Singleton said. “Football teaches you that. I was a little frustrated. I put my head down, kept working and stayed levelheaded.”
Singleton said he had 25 to 30 family and friends at Thursday’s game.
Special visitor
Former Cougar Payton Turner arrived just before kickoff and was on the sideline for the game. Turner plays for the Saints, who selected him in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft.
“He’s a loyal Cougar,” Holgorsen said. “The team loves him, he loves the Coogs. Playing in his city he’s going to come hang out with his guys.”
Time to rest
The open date comes at a good time for the Cougars, especially for quarterback Clayton Tune. Tune has been dealing with a nagging hamstring injury since Week 2.
UH’s next game is at home Oct. 23 against East Carolina.
“I think it’s going to be huge for my recovery,” Tune said. “I plan on resting as much as I can and getting this thing as healthy as I can.”