Opener vs. Rice moved up two days to Sept. 3
The University of Houston opens American Athletic Conference play Sept. 19 at defending champion Memphis, according to the finalized 2020 schedule released by the league on Tuesday.
UH’s non-conference schedule underwent two date changes: the season-opening Bayou Bucket Classic against crosstown rival Rice was moved up two days to a Thursday night spot on Sept 3 at TDECU Stadium, and the game at BYU will be played on Friday, Oct. 16.
The home schedule includes a non-conference game against North Texas (Sept. 26) and AAC games against Tulane (Oct. 8), a Thursday night, Central Florida (Oct. 31), South Florida (Nov. 14) and Tulsa (Nov. 28) to end the season.
Along with a non-conference game at Washington State (Sept. 12), the Cougars have league road games against Navy (Oct. 24), Cincinnati (Nov. 7) and SMU (Nov. 21).
Eight of UH’s opponents participated in bowl games last season and five won 10 or more games.
Dawson earned coordinator job
Coach Dana Holgorsen said the work done by Shannon Dawson last season made for an easy decision to promote him to offensive coordinator during the offseason.
Dawson, a former offensive coordinator at West Virginia, Southern Miss and Kentucky, worked with tight ends last season and was integral in game preparation and in-game playcalling.
“It was clear to me he was the most knowledgeable guy in the room,” Holgorsen said. “So, the most knowledgeable guy in the room is going to coach the quarterbacks. That makes things easier for me.
“He was the one I listened to last year. He was the one upstairs calling a majority of the plays, the guys that helped me game plan the most.”
Anderson, Car to sit during spring drills
Safety Deontay Anderson (ankle) and running back Mulbah Car (back) will be held out for the spring as they recover from injuries, coach Dana Holgorsen said.
Wide receiver Bryson Smith (ankle) will be “touch-and-go” and the Cougars plan to “be careful” with center Braylon Jones and guard Dennis Bardwell, Holgorsen said, along with defensive lineman Atlias Bell.
Linebacker Jordan Carmouche, who missed all but two games with a shoulder injury, is limited to individual work.
Linebackers Terrance Edgeston, Elijah Gooden and Grant Stuard are considered day-today. Stuard, the team’s leading tackler with 97, underwent offseason surgery for a sports hernia.
Cornerback Colin Samuel, who transferred from UCLA before last season, is participating in spring workouts and is expected to apply for a waiver after missing last season with a knee injury.
Offensive line needs much more depth
With several players recovering from offseason medical procedures, coach Dana Holgorsen said depth on the offensive line will be tested during the spring.
Holgorsen said the Cougars remain thin on the offensive line with only 11 players and expect to add more before the start of preseason camp this summer.
“We’ll bring in nine more,” Holgorsen said. “We’re thin. We need 20. We have to be careful there.”
The additions include incoming freshmen Derek Bowman and Ugonna Nnanna and Reuben Unije, who began his career at Illinois and played last season at Coahoma Community College.