Cincinnati plays host to Houston for AAC title
Cincinnati defeated USF 45-28 on Nov. 12, the Bulls’ senior day. The Bearcats will look to make it 2-for-2 this season on crashing senior day parties when they face Houston for the American Athletic Conference championship on Saturday in Cincinnati.
3 keys to victory for the Bearcats
1. Establish the run: Houston has a tremendous defensive front that ranks third nationally in team sacks per game (3.58). The group racked up seven sacks and 14 tackles for loss last week at Connecticut.
In order to keep the Cougars out of Ridder’s back pocket, Cincinnati offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock will need to get running back Jerome Ford going early.
After missing a game and a half with an ankle injury, Ford appeared to be back to full health, averaging 84 yards and a score on 20 carries over the past two weeks.
2. Avoid Marcus Jones: Houston may have the most dangerous return specialist in the nation. Marcus Jones, a 5-foot-8, 185-pound senior, has been named a finalist for the Paul Homung Award, presented annually to the most versatile player in college football.
Jones’ nine career return touchdowns (six kickoff and three punt) are tied for the most in NCAA history. Jones leads the nation in punt return touchdowns (two) and is second in kick return touchdowns (two). The Troy transfer ranks fourth in the nation in punt return average (14.4) and fourth in combined kick return yards (778).
Jones had a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown with 17 seconds left to lift Houston to a 44-37 win over then-no. 19/16 (Associated Press/coaches polls) Southern Methodist on Oct. 30. It was the Cougars’ only matchup against a ranked opponent this season.
Don’t kick the ball to Jones.
3. Protect the kicker: The kicking game has been a real issue for Cincinnati this season. Cole Smith, the hero of last season’s AAC championship game, lost the starting job earlier this season. His replacement, Alex Bales, has since had his own struggles. It won’t get any easier for the UC kickers on Saturday.
Houston leads the nation in blocked kicks (six) and blocked punts (four). Cougars 6-foot-6, 275-pound defensive lineman Logan Hall blocked a field goal last week at Connecticut.