/The University of Houston Cougars fell to the UNLV Rebels, 27-7, at their season opener in the Third Ward, this past Saturday. New head coach Willie Fritz's team introduced a revamped offense under offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay. While it will take time for the Cougars to gel with their new identity, they have the personnel to make a solid impact on the offensive side of the ball.
Houston’s offensive line struggled to create a consistent rhythm in their season opener. With only returning starter Tank Jenkins and a mix of transfers, the unit faces a learning curve. While the line is physically imposing, they'll need time to develop cohesion. The UNLV Rebels defense capitalized on their early struggles, recording five sacks, two interceptions, and numerous quarterback hurries and tackles for loss. Despite the challenges, the Cougars' offensive line showed flashes of potential. They created running lanes and provided solid pockets for their quarterbacks on certain plays, indicating their future promise.
Three quarterbacks saw action in Kevin Barbay's new offense. Donovan Smith, the returning starter, struggled to find a rhythm against UNLV, completing 15 of 30 passes for 135 yards with two interceptions. The absence of key receivers like Joshua Cobbs, Matthew Golden, and Sam Brown contributed to his difficulties. Transfer Zeon Chriss made his Houston debut, showcasing his running ability with an 18-yard gain. Sophomore Ui Ale entered the game late, completing 7 of 8 passes for 74 yards and Houston's lone touchdown.
The Cougars' running game struggled to gain traction. Parker Jenkins, Re’Shaun Sanford, and Stacy Sneed combined for eight carries and 33 yards. The entire offense, including running backs, receivers, and quarterbacks, totaled only 50 rushing yards. The inability to move the ball effectively both on the ground and through the air limited the Cougars' offensive output. They converted only two of 15 third downs, which is a significant challenge to overcome. Despite the struggles, there were encouraging signs. The team recorded three runs of 10+ yards and four passing plays of 20+ yards, indicating their potential for explosive plays.
This is just the beginning of a Coogs team that has room for exponential growth. The offensive line will come together and that will cause a domino effect for the offense. Coach Barbay thrives off a high-tempo balanced attack, so look for Donovan Smith to become more comfortable in the pocket, allowing the timing with he and the receivers to mature. Watch Zeon Chriss get his bearings and start creating more highlight plays. Finally, let that running back trio flourish under an offensive line that is firing on all cylinders. All is well in Houston and growing pains are real.
