Speedster Jones struts his stuff on offense
HOUSTON — The Marcus Jones offensive experiment continued Saturday night.
For the second straight game, coach Dana Holgorsen inserted Jones into the University of Houston’s offensive game plan. But unlike the season opener against Texas Tech when he was used as a two-way player, Jones played exclusively on offense in the 44-7 win over Rice.
“We felt like we could handle Rice defensively without him,” Holgorsen said. “We were looking for a little spark on offense.”
Jones, considered one of the nation’s top cornerbacks and an All-american punt returner, finished with four catches for 51 yards. Most of his yardage came on a pair of big plays — 19- and 29-yard catches that set up a field goal in the first quarter.
“We couldn’t get him loose,” Holgorsen said. “We got him loose once on a vertical route. Him tracking the ball downfield is an impressive as I’ve seen. It’s why he’s such a good punt returner.”
Holgorsen said jokingly that Jones was bored on the sideline in the season opener when UH had a 16-play drive that chewed up 8½ minutes off the clock. There was plenty of work Saturday. Jones was targeted eight times by quarterback Clayton Tune, the second most on the team behind receiver Nathaniel Dell (10).
Holgorsen has never had a two-way player during his nearly 30-year coaching career. For that reason, he plans to remain cautious how much he uses Jones.
“It’s going to be a week-toweek thing,” Holgorsen said. “I wish we had two of him, where he could cover people all the time and we could use him at slot all the time. There’s only one of him. We’ve got to be careful with him. He helped us and made a couple of big plays.”
Jones played wide receiver in high school. He could not remember the last time he did not play defense in a game.
“I was excited being on the other side of the ball,” Jones said. “Some games if I have to play defense or offense, it’s whatever coach wants. Any way I can help the team I’m down for it.”
Improved depth at cornerback this season has allowed the Cougars to use Jones on offense. His replacement, Art Green, had an interception against Rice.
“We actually have depth at corner,” Jones said. “Corner is one of those positions you have to have a good mindset and have to be right mentally.”
Other takeaways from Saturday’s game at Rice Stadium:
Houston defensive lineman Sedrick Williams suffered a season-ending left leg injury in the first quarter. Williams was on the field for several minutes before he was carted off the field.
“He’s pretty emotional in there right now,” Holgorsen said. “I went and gave him a big hug.”
Williams, who opted out of last season due to COVID-19, started the first two games at tackle. The move allowed the Cougars to shift Logan Hall to the outside.
Houston beat crosstown rival Rice for the sixth straight time, tied for the longest winning streak in the 43-game Bayou Bucket series. The Cougars also won six in a row from 198792. UH leads the all-time series 32-11.