Cougars to face Army’s potent rushing attack
In what seems like a fitting end to the season, the University of Houston’s bowl opponent likes to run. A lot.
The Cougars will face Army’s triple option offense in the Dec. 22 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth the school announced Sunday. The game will kickoff at 2:30 p.m. at TCU’s Amon G. Carter Stadium.
Army ranks third in Football Bowl Subdivision in rushing with an average 303 yards per game. Since Week 2, the Black Knights’ run game is averaging 316.5 yards and has scored 36of-41 offensive touchdowns.
The triple option won’t be completely foreign to the Cougars; they see a version of it each year against Navy.
“It will be a challenge,” UH coach Major Applewhite said.“(Defensive play-caller Dan Carrel) is in the office right now looking at some PlayStation plays.”
Facing another runheavy offense is not ideal for a banged-up UH defense that will also be without AllAmerica defensive tackle Ed Oliver, who will skip the bowl to prepare for the NFL draft. Three other starters on the defensive line — Jerard Carter, Isaiah Chambers and Payton Turner — are out with season-ending injuries.
UH (8-4) gave up 349 yards to Navy on Oct. 20, the last game with a healthy Oliver, and finished the final month being gashed by Temple’s Ryquell Armstead (210 yards, six touchdowns) and Memphis’ Darrell Henderson (178 yards, 2 TDs). Army is led by fullback Darnell Woolfolk, who leads Army with 823 yards and 14 touchdowns.
For the season, UH is allowing 197.1 yards on the ground, which ranks 97th nationally.
“Formidable opponent,” Applewhite said. “It’s a tough offense to get ready for. But we’ve got some extra practices to not only get ready for (Army) but also continue to develop depth on our roster.”
This is the sixth straight bowl appearance for UH, a program record, and 12th in the last 14 seasons. The current bowl streak includes an epic finish the last time the Cougars played in the Armed Forces Bowl. In 2014, the Cougars staged a 25point, fourth-quarter rally to beat Pittsburgh 35-34, the third-largest comeback in bowl history.
Once in contention for the American Athletic Conference title and New Year’s Six bowl after a 7-1 start, the Cougars stumbled down the stretch with injuries and a struggling defense — allowing at least 45 points in three losses over the final four weeks — that ultimately cost coordinator Mark D’Onofrio his job.
Army (9-2) wraps up the regular season Saturday with its annual game against archrival Navy, needing a victory for a second straight 10-win season. The Black Knights have won seven in a row since a 28-21 overtime loss at Oklahoma on Sept. 22.
“You saw what they did there in Norman, so you know you have a great opponent to go up against,” Applewhite said.
A year after traveling to Hawaii, the Cougars’ bowl trip will consist of a fourhour drive to the Metroplex.
“To be able to spend Christmas at home with family is certainly special for (our players),” Applewhite said.
UH is 11-14-1 all-time in bowls. The Cougars have lost the last two postseason games to San Diego State in the Las Vegas Bowl in 2016 and to Fresno State in the 2017 Hawaii Bowl.