Bowl game just a break
in training for CougarBrandon Middleton is turning
a stellar senior season into a shot
at the NFL combine
Training doesn't end for University of Houston wide receiver Brandon Middleton after tomorrow's Hawaii Bowl.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound senior doesn't plan to go home and enjoy his vacation once the Cougars depart on a 10 p.m. flight after the game. The first-team all-conference performer has professional plans and a work ethic to match his goals.
Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
Who: Hawaii Warriors (8-5) vs. Houston Cougars (7-5)
When: Tomorrow, 3 p.m., Hawaii time
Parking lot opens at 11 a.m., turnstile gates at noon
Where: Aloha Stadium
TV: Live, ESPN
Radio: Live, KKEA 1420-AM
Tickets: Available at Aloha Stadium and Stan Sheriff Center. Or call (808) 944-2697 or etickethawaii.com on the Internet. Tickets are $40 (premium), $25 (general) and $15 (special).
"I plan on being there," Middleton said. "As soon as I get home, I'm going to start working out and getting ready for the pro combine."
Middleton has caught 52 passes for 1,225 yards with 14 TDs this season. He has become the Cougars' big-play receiver and a favorite target of freshman quarterback Kevin Kolb.
"Brandon has all the intangibles to compete at that level. Hopefully, he gets the opportunity to do that." said wide receivers coach Jason Phillips, who played with the Detroit Lions and the Atlanta Falcons. "His stats indicate that he's a deep threat. His work ethic is suitable for that. He's a tough kid. "
Middleton has endured a tough career with the Cougars. The fifth-year senior has been through more lows than highs with Houston. He was named to Conference USA's freshman team in 1999 and was ready to improve in 2000. But Middleton didn't get the chance after breaking his arm in the third game of the season against Army and receiving a medical redshirt. His return in 2001 was the no-win year as the Cougars went 0-11.
A year ago, Middleton led the Cougars in receiving but his numbers (28 receptions, 674 yards, 6 TDs) were hardly eye-popping. In his final season, Middleton piled up more receptions and yardage than in the last two campaigns combined. Middleton is sixth in the nation in receiving yards and is just the seventh player in school history to break the 1,000-yard mark in a single season.
This year has been a testament to Middleton's perseverance and a change in the team's attitude overall.
"I have great confidence in this team. We've just come together," he said. "The coaches have done a great job directing us and getting us better as football players and being more responsible, mature players.
"That's the biggest difference about the team from the past. We're a more mature team and more responsible. It doesn't surprise me that we've had this type of season. This was our goal going into our senior year. With me being a senior, I refuse to have a losing season again."
Feeling antsy: By the time kickoff rolls around tomorrow at 3 p.m., it will have been nearly a month since the Cougars last played a game. They defeated Alabama-Birmingham on Nov. 29.
Practices have gone well and have been high-energy, but Houston is getting a bit antsy to compete.
"We've been doing this for a while. We're about ready to play," Houston coach Art Briles said yesterday at the start of the Cougars' two-hour practice. "We're ready to get on the field and play a little ball."
The 25-day break between games has allowed the Cougars to heal up.
Briles said fullback Jackie Battle (foot injury), defensive tackle Matt Bentley (sprained knee) and Kendrick Goss (two sprained ankles) are 100 percent and ready to go.
