SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2012

OVERTIMETHE DAILY COUGAR®

//////////////////////// INSIDE

Breaking down opening week // 3

//////////////////////////////////////Texas State brings

dynamic duo at RB // 7//////////////////////////////////////////

COVER STORY //////////////////////

BACK INCOMMANDPiland steps into starting role two years removed from last stint as starter

2 \\ Saturday, September 1, 2012 The Daily Cougar

Out with the oldWelcome to the first edition

of this fall’s Overtime, which is produced by The Daily Cougar and will be distributed outside Robertson Stadium at all home games. As the sports editor,

my goal is to provide fans all the insight necessary on the game.

We will look to provide not just what our readers want

to know, but also should know. From the Cougars starting lineup to the important matchups and features on those making a dif-ference in UH football, we’ve got everything you need.

In this edition, we chose to take a closer look at starting quarterback David Piland, a Southlake Carroll product who after a year in waiting is ready to call the air-raid offense his own.

Piland, like many before him, is responsible for taking over following the graduation of a record-setting quarterback.

In catching up with the Cou-gars quarterback, we got to know the signal caller on a personal level, getting his thoughts on the tradition at the quarterback position. We also learned how his experience at Southlake Carrol has helped his transition to start-ing quarterback at UH.

As we go throughout the year we will say goodbye to Robertson

Stadium and Conference USA, both of which has been the home to the Cougars since 1996.

Robertson has provided stu-dents, alumni and fans some of the most memorable experiences associated with the university and we will dive into those memories by taking with you the fans this fall.

As we look back, we will also take a look in the horizon to the Big East Conference as well as a new stadium for the Cougars to call home and examine what these changes mean to a pro-gram finding a way back on the national stage.

Stay tuned in the near future as well examine the culture sur-rounding Cougar football with a specific focus on how the influx of students living on campus in changing athletic support.

Most importantly, we want your feedback. What are your fondest memories of UH football at Robertson Stadium and what role does Cougar football play in your life?

We appreciate your readership and share your passion about Houston Cougars football. It is an honor covering such a tradition rich college athletic department and accordingly our goal is to provide the most comprehensive information regarding the team and upcoming game

You can also check us out online at thedailycougar.com/sports.

EDITOR’S NOTE

SECTION EDITORSAndrew PateChristopher Shelton

COPY EDITORSJason DornAshley Anderson

COVER PHOTOHendrick Rosemond

PRODUCTIONAndres GarciaFarah Hasnie

ABOUTOvertime is produced by The Daily Cougar, the offi cial student newspaper of the University of Houston. No part of the publication in print or online may be reproduced without the written consent of the Director of the Student Publications Department. To contact Student Publications, call (713) 743-5350.

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The Daily Cougar Saturday, September 1, 2012 // 3

UH 45-17

UH will win this game on the defensive end. Texas State’s option attack is formidable but UH’s front seven should overwhelm Texas State. The offense is in transition. The biggest question mark for the Cougars is their young personnel on offense. How much will Deontay Greenberry play? If Piland is effective in this offense, UH wins big.

Alabama 30-24

If this game were played in the Big House in Michi-gan, the ending may be different. Michigan’s electric quarterback, Danard Robinson, will keep this contest close, but Alabama’s defense will be too much for the Wolverines. If Michigan does pull of the win, Robinson instantly becomes the Heisman favorite.

Texas 24-10

The Longhorns are lacking a championship quar-terback. It is hard to replace Vince Young, but Texas had Colt McCoy waiting in the wings. David Ash showed fl ashes of good play but hasn’t wrangled the job completely from Case McCoy. I think Ash plays well against Wyoming and Texas cruises to victory.

Georgia Tech 21-20

This game has huge ACC implications. The winner of this game has reached the ACC championship game each year of divisional play. The Yellow Jacket’s senior quarterback Tevin Washington will make a play late that will give Tech a victory.

STAFF PICKS UH vs. Texas State

8 Michigan vs. 2 Alabama

Wyoming vs. 15 Texas

Ga. Tech vs. 16 Va. Tech

UH 41-14

The Cougars will open the 2012 season the same way they did in 2010 — with a large victory over Texas State. Expect big things from UH’s new look defense against the Bobcats’ dual quarterback system. Texas State’s defense will continue its struggles and give up 40 plus against the Cougars.

Alabama 28-21

The defending national champions will stay on top — at least for another game — against the Michi-gan Wolverines. Despite a new face at quarterback, the Tide will be able to put up enough points to take down Michigan and dynamic quarterback Danard Robinson.

Texas 42-10

For at least one game, the Longhorns will look good enough to compete with the Sooners for the Big XII title. Wyoming does not pose much of a threat, especially on the road in this one.

Virginia Tech 28-17

Blacksburg is one of the toughest places to play in college football and that will continue against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in their season opener. The Hokies have a real reason to believe they can win the ACC this year and will prove it in its opener.

Christopher SheltonAssistant sports editor

Andrew PateSports editor

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4 \\ Saturday, September 1, 2012 The Daily Cougar

Just like he did when Case Keenum suffered a season-ending injury,David Piland will take the helm of UH’s high-powered offense.This time, it’s permanent.

Replacing a legend — againChristopher Shelton Assistant sports editor

Although many are uneasy about the transition from former UH legendary quarterback Case Keenum to this year’s starter, sophomore David Piland, the Cou-gars do not share that concern.

“The last time people saw (Piland) play in a college football game was November 2010,” head coach Tony Levine said. “So with his growth mentally, physically, as a leader, I can’t wait to see him play on Saturday night. I have 100 percent confidence in him.”

Piland spent last season as a redshirt while taking snaps with the first team and being bred to become the Cougars starter head-ing into 2012.

‘Quarterback U’Piland joins a long line of quar-

terbacks at UH who have followed in the footsteps of record setters before them.

Five years ago, Keenum stepped on the field as a redshirt freshman and many wondered how the team would replace Kevin Kolb, a quarterback who threw for nearly 13,000 yards in his career.

Redshirt sophomore tackle Rowdy Harper believes Piland will have the same productivity as his predecessors.

“You love to block for the great ones and that’s what we think he will be,” Harper said. “It’s not much of a change to us at all. He’s a great signal caller.”

Déjá VuPiland maintains a high level

of competitiveness and expecta-tions that stem from his high school days at Southlake Car-roll — a school where replacing an accomplished quarterback is almost second nature

Before following Keenum, Piland led the same huddle that college quarterbacks like Chase Daniel and national champion Greg McElroy commanded as a Carroll High School Dragon.

“Just seeing the guys that were great before you — you want to be as great as they are,” Piland said. “They made great plays and played well. They expect the same of you.”

After a year in waiting, Piland will take the reigns of the offense understanding what lies in front of him.

“I’m really excited to go into it, knowing that it is my team,” Piland said. “I’m excited to humbly go into it and know that I’m in control, I’ve got the team and everyone knows that you’re the guy.”

The Daily Cougar Saturday, September 1, 2012 // 5

DEFENSE

OFFENSE

90 Riser (DE)

76 Ashworth (LT)

27 Spencer (WR) 4 Williams (WR)

64 Cloud (LG)

82 Blackmon (WR) 18 Roberts (WR)

63 Forsch (C)

8 Piland (QB)

5 Sims (RB)

69 Oragwu (RG) 74 Harper (RT)

99 Miller (NT) 95 Scypion (DE)

54 Daniels (LB)42 Steward (LB)

24 Brooks (FS) 17 Cermin (SS)

2 Hayden (CB)

10 McMillian (CB)

45 Allen (DE)

49 Mathews (LB)

UNDERTHEHELMET // Getting to know the Cougars

Favorite Movie Favorite Food Favorite Athlete

Rowdy Harper

David Piland

300 Chicken FriedSteak

Michael Jordan

Step Brothers Steak Tom Brady

Passing Player Cmp. Att. Yards Cmp% TD Int RatDavid Piland (2010) 201 354 2,641 58.3 24 14 137.4

Shaun Rutherford 91 156 1,227 58.3 12 4 144.7

Rushing Player Att. Avg. Yards GP/GS TD LongCharles Sims 110 821 821 13/9 9 72

Terrence Franks 146 77 863 12/7 9 82

Receiving Player Rec. Avg. Yards Long TDCharles Sims 51 11.3 575 84 4

Isaiah Battle 27 13.6 368 50 5

TEAMLEADERS2011 stats for UH, Texas State starters

6 \\ Saturday, September 1, 2012 The Daily Cougar

THEBIGBOARD // College football at a glance

COUGARFLASHBACK

2006 Houstonian Yearbook

OREGON 38, HOUSTON 24

Ducks defeat CoogsOn this day seven years ago

the Cougars opened the season with a 38-24 loss against the Ore-gon Ducks at Reliant Stadium.

UH opened up strong scoring 21 points in the first quarter but failed to score again until kicking a field goal with three seconds remaining.

Quarterback Kevin Kolb threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns including a 70-yard touchdown pass and 62-yard TD to Anthony Alridge on the last play of the first quarter.

The Cougars would go on to finish the season at 6-6 following a 42-13 loss against Kansas in the Fort Worth Bowl.

— Andrew Pate

RK TEAM RECORD PTS

1 USC (25) 0-0 1445

2 Alabama (17) 0-0 1411

3 LSU (16) 0-0 1402

4 Oklahoma (1) 0-0 1286

5 Oregon 0-0 1274

6 Georgia 0-0 1107

7 Florida State 0-0 1093

8 Michigan (1) 0-0 1000

9 South Carolina 0-0 994

10 Arkansas 0-0 963

11 West Virginia 0-0 856

12 Wisconsin 0-0 838

13 Michigan State 0-0 742

14 Clemson 0-0 615

15 Texas 0-0 569

16 Virginia Tech 0-0 548

17 Nebraska 0-0 485

18 Ohio State 0-0 474

19 Oklahoma State 0-0 430

20 TCU 0-0 397

21 Stanford 0-0 383

22 Kansas State 0-0 300

23 Florida 0-0 214

24 Boise State 0-0 212

25 Louisville 0-0 105

Others receiving votes: Notre Dame 83, Washington 55, Auburn 53 25, North Carolina 32, Utah 30, Geor-gia Tech 25, Brigham Young 22, Tennessee 15, South Florida 11, Baylor 9, Texas A&M 5, UCF 4, Missouri 3, North Carolina State 3, Cincinnatti 3, Houston 1, Louisiana Tech 1, Mississippi State 1, Northern Il-linois 1

SATURDAY, SEPT. 1 NETWORK TIME (CT)Notre Dame vs. Navy CBS 9a.m.

Buffalo at No. Georgia SEC Network 11 a.m.

Ohio at Penn State ESPN 11 a.m.

Northwestern at Syracuse ESPN 2 11 a.m.

Appalachian State at East Carolina FSN 11 a.m.

Marshall at West Virginia FX 11 a.m.Western Michigan at Illinois ESPN U 11a.m.Southern Miss at Nebraska ABC 2.30 p.m.

Miami, Fla. at Boston College ABC 2.30 p.m.

Eastern Kentucky at Purdue BTN 2.30 p.m.

Northern Iowa at Wisconsin BTN 2:30 p.m.

Bowling Green at Florida ESPN 2:30 p.m.

Iowa vs. Northern Illinois at Chicago BTN 2:30 p.m.

Tulsa at Iowa State FSN 2:30 p.m.

Colorado State vs. Colorado at Denver FX 3 p.m.

Clemson vs. Auburn at Atlanta ESPN 6 p.m.

North Texas at LSU ESPNU 6 p.m.

Jackson State at Mississippi State FSN 6 p.m.

Hawaii at USC FOX 6:30 p.m.

Alabama vs. Michigan at Arlington ABC 7 p.m.

Indiana State at Indiana BTN 7 p.m.

Rutgers at Tulane CBSSN 7 p.m.

Wyoming at Texas ABC 7 p.m.

Arkansas State at Oregon ESPN 9:30 p.m.

Oklahoma at UTEP FSN 9:30

SUNDAY, SEPT. 2 NETWORK TIME (CT)Bethune-Cookman vs. Alabama State at ESPN 11 a.m.

Kentucky at Louisville ESPN 2:30 p.m.

USC at California ESPN 5:30 p.m.

MONDAY, SEPT. 3 NETWORK TIME (CT)Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech ESPN 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 6 NETWORK TIME (CT)Bowie (Md.) State at Benedict (S.C.) CBSSN 7 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati ESPN 7 p.m.

SATURDAY NETWORK TIMETulsa at Iowa State FSN 11 a.m. CT

Appalachian State at East Carolina FSN 11 a.m. CT

Troy at UAB FCS 11 a.m. CT

Marshall at West Virginia FX 11 a.m. CT

Southern Miss at Nebraska ABC 3:30 p.m. CT

Rutgers at Tulane CBSSN 8:00 p.m. CT

EAST W L W L

Marshall 0 0 0 0

East Carolina 0 0 0 0

Southern Miss. 0 0 0 0

UCF 0 0 0 0

Memphis 0 0 0 0

UAB 0 0 0 0

WEST W L W L

Houston 0 0 0 0

Rice 0 1 0 0

SMU 0 0 0 0

Tulane 0 0 0 0

Tulsa 0 0 0 0

UTEP 0 0 0 0

I was in my mid 20s there and was really getting introduced to the profession there. I don’t have time to talk about what I’ve learned since 1997 or we’d miss the game on Saturday.

— Tony Levine, fi rst year head coach on starting his career at Texas State and what he’s learned since then

AP TOP 25 C-USA MATCHUPS

TV GUIDE

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SAY WHAT?

11 players. 100 yards. 140 characters at a time. Follow @thedailycougar on Twitter.

The Daily Cougar Saturday, September 1, 2012 // 7

Andrew PateSports Editor

With the Cougars set to open their final season of Conference USA, the Texas State Bobcats are beginning their first season as a member of the dissolving Western Athletic Conference before join-ing the Sun Belt Conference in fall 2013.

At the helm for the Bobcats is Dennis Franchione who has been the head coach for TCU, Ala-bama and most recently a largely unsuccessful stint at Texas A&M. Franchione comes to San Marcos following the Bobcats 6-6 season a year ago.

The biggest strength for Texas State will be the dynamic tandem of Marcos Curry and Terrence Franks, who return after com-bining for more than 1,500 yards a season ago. In a game against Southeastern Louisiana, Franks

rushed for 234 yards, the eighth best single-game mark in program history.

Offensively, Texas State will employ a two-quarterback system with Shaun Rutherford and Tyler Arndt exchanging time under center. Rutherford threw for 1,227 yards and 12 touchdowns to go along with four interceptions through 11 games. Arndt com-piled 576 yards passing alongside three touchdowns and three interceptions.

De f e n s i v e l y, t h e Bo b c a t s struggled last season, allowing 505 yards and 50 points in their opener against Texas Tech. The squad finished the season allow-ing 235 yards per game on aver-age through the air. Another sign of misfortune for the Bobcats was being outscored 109-62 in the fourth quarter.

Texas State does have one thing going for it against UH, however.

The Bobcats hold a 3-1 all-time advantage against the Cougars, although all three wins came in the first three seasons of UH’s existence.

Most recently, UH defeated Texas State 68-28 at Robertson Stadium in 2010. Former Cougar quarterback Case Keenum passed for five touchdowns and UH took a 54-7 lead heading into halftime.

With a new receiving corps and the task of replacing Keenum, it is a guessing game as to whether the Cougars will replicate the offen-sive numbers of the previous two seasons, although Texas State’s defense will have it’s handful against Piland who started eight games in 2010.

The move into FBS football along with a schedule slated with the likes of UH and Texas Tech has Bobcat faithful excited for a new era to begin, although it may be a rocky one.

Texas State running game only potential problem Bobcats boast tandem RBs and dual-threat QBs who drive offense

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