Houston’s D looks to
step into spotlightSafety Jermain Woodard and
the Cougars want to show they're
more than an offensive team
Respect is a theme heard often about the Houston Cougars.
This is a team that was picked to finish near the bottom of Conference USA, but finds itself with a 7-5 record and in a bowl game.
Houston's offense, which averages 453.4 yards and 33.3 points per game, has received plenty of positive attention lately.
But the defense still hopes to prove itself. It has been woeful at times, yielding 50 or more points in three losses. Players like senior safety Jermain Woodard want to show Hawaii and an ESPN audience that the Cougars are much more than an offensive show on Thursday in the Hawaii Bowl.
"Offense did a real good job all year," Woodard said before yesterday morning's practice at Aloha Stadium. "But the defense is picking it up where it used to be at the beginning of the season. We kind of lost track a little bit, now we're back on track. We're looking to make a lot of big plays on Christmas Day. The coaches are really having us focus on what we need to do to be big contributors in the game."
That includes trying to take the ball away from the Warriors. The Cougars forced 18 turnovers and gave it up 24 times this year.
"Our main focus this game is to make tackles and create turnovers. That's a big key for us every game. Try to keep our offense on the field because they can put points on the board."
Woodard had a career-high 92 tackles this season, including 12 against Michigan and Alabama-Birmingham.
Surf's still up: It's 50-50 if Houston defensive tackle Matt Bentley will play after Saturday morning's surfing accident, Cougars coach Art Briles said.
"He might not have started, but he's definitely a guy who plays a lot," Briles said.
Bentley needed 17 stitches to close a cut caused by a surfboard fin.
Briles said he didn't restrict his players from the water after the mishap.
"We're gonna still let them have some fun, they'll take care of themselves," he said.
Woodard said the players will just use common sense.
"We're just taking a little more precaution," he said. "There's a lot of coral and rocks out there. So we're mainly trying to stay in the beach area and not go too far out."
Good times: Both coaches said their teams have enjoyed their bowl experience so far. There was a beach party Saturday and a luau last night in addition to other events.
"It's been a lot of fun," Hawaii coach June Jones said. "The Sheraton people have done a great job with this bowl. It's one of the most well-run.
"I'm glad they (Houston) had an opportunity to come. This is the best bowl game to play in for both conferences. I'm sure they'd rather be here than in Mobile, Ala."
Said Briles: "It's gone really well. It's a beautiful place. The people are absolutely, unbelievably friendly and we're just happy and proud to be here."
All business: Hawaii senior safety Hyrum Peters said playing before the Aloha Stadium crowd one last time will be all the more special to him because he missed last year's Hawaii Bowl.
"Because I was injured last year I'm trying to practice hard and be focused despite all the distraction of Waikiki," he said. "It's fun, but there's work to do, too. We've been pretty busy anyway. Last night we had meetings until 10:30."
Congratulations: Hawaii practiced at Saint Louis yesterday because of graduation at the Manoa campus.
Offensive lineman Shayne Kajioka (English) and linebacker Keani Alapa (psychology) received bachelor's degrees.
Short yardage: Houston plays on natural grass at home. This will be its fourth game on FieldTurf this season. The Cougars beat Army and lost to Louisville and Michigan on the surface.