UNLV Rebels @ Houston Cougars - Full Game Simulation - College Football 25

welcome to Houston Texas and the house bill yman and Andre we built home to the Houston Cougars where the fans are ready for liftoff maybe you need a little caffeine or maybe the sheer energy of this matchup will keep you wide awake as we know anything can happen when you kick off after dark as we'll see a squad from the Mountain West the unlb rebels taking on a team from the Big 12 the Houston Cougar for EA Sports college football Davis with you alongside David poock and Jesse Palmer and guys can't wait to get this one [Music] [Applause] started the rebels will kicking away to start here he comes from inside his own five didn't find any crease in that kickoff coverage and he'll be stopped at the 17 so the Houston cgar offense takes the field and here he is guys anytime he takes the field he is in complete control of this offense and David he gives defensive coordinators nightmares because of his ability they're going to have a hard time slowing him down no he just doesn't have those weaknesses those flaws the whole Playbook available and he is a dude may not be the most memorable play of the day but it's important as he gets him out to the 25 yd line well it's plays like that that will help this offense stay in Rhythm all game long if you can have that kind of success on first down running the football it just opens up your entire Playbook moving forward out of the gun the inside hand off to the running back out across the 30 mark down at the 35 after the 10 yard game and a great job by the offensive line you're going to run the ball right at the middle you better control the line of scrimmage you can see the center the guard The Tackle doing a good job getting on their guys just enough where this running back can get into space and make the big game they'll snap it on first down from the 35 on the run it's Jenkins good pick up on the ground and they'll Mark him down at the 39 it's just so nice to know you can start off on first down with positive plays positive yards hand the football off set up a good second down solid pick up of four on first down it's second and six fast motion from the offense Smith dropping to pass he'll take a shot and good coverage there to knock it away and deny the score and that's just a huge Miss opportunity on offense QB missed his guy wide open in the end zone you might not get another clean look like that in the rest of this game couldn't find his man last time and that leaves him with a third and six from the gun wants to pass unloads to the wide out fires the pass intercepted didn't let him get loose on the return but he'll take it as they have the ball at the 47 looks as if we have an injury on that last play and we'll take a break to check him out offense in a bunch formation they go to the ground able to pick his Way Forward for a decent game before the defense gets him down and that's the problem with blitzing on defense you live by the blitz you die by the blitz defense dialed up the pressure but the offense had a better play call they ran it away from the Blitz and that's why they were able to be successful halfway there on first down it's second and five off play Action Pressure coming and they couldn't hold off the heat and he goes down with a sack one of the tricky Parts with play action for a quarterback is that when you turn your back to the defense to sell the play fake you have no idea what's going on behind you you don't know what the coverage has become and you don't know which D linemen have won their one-on ones the worst thing is you turn around after the play fake and Bam that defender's riding the face now facing a third and long from the gun wants to pass he's got it they ripped off a big one and they get it down to the 27 this dude is just exceptional in every facet so fluid such a great route Runner and a big play there and money down third down find him I mean you want to find that matchup because he's going to win and gets a good release gets down the field you see his that's your playmaker that's your guy get it to him get the first down back to throw it's Fernandez got his man quickly really nice job there by both guys to throw and the catch to work that defense and get the first down and there was no question in that scenario that's where the quarterback was going he knew he had his receiver in a matchup that he liked running a route where he would find himself opening nice job between those two and the rebels are moving quickly down the field they're looking to pass from the Red Zone he's got and he will score touchdown unlb timing and better execution that is just what a quarterback and wide receiver need and and it's timing it's route running right you got to be precise you got to know exactly what yard you're running to the quarterback receiver on the same page that's why you get the touchdown he'll try to add another to their lead and he's got the extra point and it's seven nothing to start this one a very efficient five playay scoring drive and they top it off with a 14 yd pass for the touchdown the kickoff team out there set to booted away the he'll bring it back from inside to five and the return returner will be brought down the Houston offense ready to go back to work after that last pick David they really need to take care of the ball this time no doubt and Palmer I want to know what Spurrier said to you on the sideline after a pick do that again again and you'll be right here beside me for the rest of the game you got to go out you got to call your plays and I hope this coaching staff isn't going to be afraid to throw up this drive and that's what you're trying to do as a defense limit those damages when they run the football get them on the ground short gains to set your defense for positive situations down the road got three on first down it's second and seven give to the running back just a solid stop by this sophomore down at [Applause] thir and now on third down after that last run Smith wants to throw wide open downfield found a bunch of room and got it to the 44 yd line hard work off Guys these offenses work so hard week in week out working on those critical down and distances third downs and having that conversion this early in the game that's got to feel good for this offense Houston Going Up Tempo they'll throw it on first down and the defense gets to the quarterback not sure exactly what led to that whether the protection wasn't right or the quarterback just didn't see it but the result was a negative play in a sack one thing I do know is that quarterback had no chance to get that ball down field that pocket was breaking down and it was breaking down quickly there were just too many bodies in that back field for the QB to make anything happen first down sack pushes it back now it's second down on second down looking again to throw pulls it in it's Johnson and a good job in coverage there as they stop it after just a whistles have got to be going off in this quarterback's head now it's third and long so you know you're expecting pressure you got to know where your hot routes are you got to be able to read the coverage and make sure you get this football out of your hands quickly to not take a sack or Worse turn the football over on Third and long he's going to have to turn one loose down field and the incomplete pass will bring up fourth down we're already in the first quarter but already you get the feeling this could be a long day for this QB he's already been sacked he gets hit right there on the incomplete throw they've got to find a way to do a better job up front of protecting this guy or it's going to be difficult to put up points Houston will be forced to punt I wouldn't quite call it a shank but that's not exactly going to go on the resume reel you lb ready to go back to work on offense that last Drive really productive David wound up with a touchdown they'll try to do it again yeah so I don't expect this offense to change too much Reese they had a great Drive they got the touchdown everything working I would expect them to keep pushing this ball down here and just imagine if they could put another touchdown on the board right here they could capture so much momentum in this game with backto back TDS 8yd pickup on first down leaves him with second and short quickly complete able to work it to the 39 yd line and that'll be a first down man down on the play as the officials take a break to let him be checked out from the 39 yd line it's first and [Applause] 10 Ed the play fake now to throw he's has got an open man and perhaps a touchdown saving tackle as they gets him down at the 37 I love the anticipation on that throw by the QB on the out route you got to throw it before the receiver comes out of his break nice work the rebels in the hurry [Applause] up out of the gun they run it inside they finally get him on the ground with a big running play moves to change for the first down but with the weapons this offense has you knew it was just a matter of time in the Run game before someone was going to break a long one they' just been running into a wall they just couldn't seem to find their creases and get enough movement up front but they finally got it there picking up the first let's see what happens next off the play fake on first down to throw time running out and he goes down at the 34 playaction pass success has a lot to do with selling that fake you could tell defense was not buying it got in the back field got the big blood really need to pick up some yardage this time on second and long [Applause] off the play F finds his van it's Allen guys out of the back field now it's not just run the ball downhill anymore you got to be meral I got to be able to trust you in your pass game I got to be able to throw you the football you can do that right there I know you're going to catch it and I can depend on it and the rebels have pushed it inside the 20 back to pass it's Fernandez and it's incomplete on third down got to give the defense credit on that play taking everything away forcing the incompletion now it's decision time fourth and short in your in field goal range what do you do [Applause] here and on fourth down they'll try to salvage the drive with a field goal not a particularly long kick from 36 yds out but he'll have to guide it in from from the left hasch and the kicker delivers the three to salvage that drive and that will extend their lead even further they'll kick it away after putting up a field goal on that last Drive he'll start the return inside his five didn't find any crease in that kickoff coverage and he'll be stopped at the 17 Houston sending the offense back onto the field they just didn't quite find the Rhythm on that last Drive Jesse they had to punt it I think they got to be more physical Dave but I think up front they got to do a better job getting blocks and establishing this running game and how easy does football become if you're the more physical team if you can threaten the run and then then run play action it opens up the whole offense at your disposal halfway there on first down it's second and five they'll go to the ground gets it out to the 25 yd line a gain of three and those physical runs take a toll it might not be a big game now but down the road third fourth quarter late in the ball games they tend to turn into bigger runs so they're facing third and short from the 25 they'll try to run for it they get him on the ground but not before he gets enough for the first down and I just love when the eyes know exactly where the sticks are you could tell ran with purpose finished through the sticks and got just enough for the first down and a nice job up front too right good communication everybody knew where they had to go hat on a hat work the double teams and get some push off the play fake on first down gets it out fast you know the short passing game is a great go-to weapon for any offensive coordinator in the first quarter because it's reliable obviously but it also allows you to see how the defense is going to react and play so for coordinators this can really open up the your play for the rest of the game as they get set to snap it time winding down here in the quarter Smith dropping to pass using the quick game there to make the stop but he is a weapon out of the back field in the short passing game and they've got a first down guys that's the end of the quarter and unlb has the edge and that was an impressive and dominant first quarter let's take take a look at the stats before we move on now the challenge here they've taken a punch but they can't let it get out of hand as we start the second the G nice solid form tackle from this sophomore nice run there on first down you know this is a running back that gets better as the game goes on so they're going to want to make sure they keep feeding him the football let him get lathered up after the three- yd pickup they come to the line Second and seven hand off from the gun sweet feet on the Move still on his feet at the 45 seizing that open space an opportunity all the way inside the Red Zone they'll mark it at the 19 those outside runs if they can get the edge like they do great job by the Right Guard right tackle getting the edge and now what do this do this makes cornerbacks come up and Tackle safeties come up and Tackle as opposed to linebackers and big defensive players you get your guy out in space where he can use his speed and his physicality against guys that usually cover and don't come up and make tackles the Cougars want to pick up the tempo [Applause] hand off from the shotgun a seven yd pickup it'll be second and three going to work in the Red Zone they can't pick up the first down without getting it into the end zone They believe they can run right here he's knocked down in the back field he'll lose a couple it's hard to run on a defense that comes off the ball like that and runs to the football like that good luck no holes anywhere boy they'd love to pick up this conversion and go to work with a first and goal Smith wants to throw and makes the grab in the end zone touchdown Houston and it's so underrated that the relationship between a QB and a wide receiver the timing the ability to know where he's going to be and be accurate in the football that's what leads to nice touchdowns Jess well the chemistry between these two guys has to be great when you're throwing in because coverage is going to be tight the throw might not be perfect but this is something these two guys have been repping in practice over and over and over and it's paying dividends now on game ready to try the point after extra point and it's up and good as they draw Just a Touch closer they go 83 yds on the drive and they top it off with a 14 yd pass with the touchdown they're just about ready to kick it away kick he'll bring it out from inside his own 10 he was looking for more Running Room but none to be found as he stopped at the 2 three the unlb offense ready to return to the field they've got the lead here last time they settled for a field goal but David got to find that balance between being aggressive and careful and I think they'll take that I got the lead Palmer I got the football I got to take care of the football put a nice drive together and just get some kind of points on this drive no doubt lots to be happy about right now if you're this team I think for this one though on this drive it's about finding the one-on-one matchups that are in your favor and then exploiting them on the option the pitch runs ahead and Powers his way for four yds out to the 30 I think that was an example of the offensive coordinator trying to help out his quarterback he's trying to keep these third Downs manageable you know you throw the ball on second down and it's incomplete now you've set up third long and now you're set up def fil ball sitting right at the 30 it'll be third and short dropping back it's Fernandez throws for the tight end finds a man in the middle and the explosive play and they're on the move all the way to the 44 a big gain there as they did a tremendous job working the middle of the field yeah and if you're going to complete that throw ree quarterbacks have got to play with anticipation you've got to get it out of your hands early and give your receiver an opportunity before the defense gets to the ball the give on the inside and they're able to shove him to the turf as they stop him for a short gain the big defensive tackles in the middle they're not always the best pass rushers but they are strong and I say country they put their hands on you you feel it they lock people out on the line of scrimmage they create separation they wrap running backs up and usually they don't get out of the midst of those big boys and the Freshman does a great job using his technique in getting the man on the ground now the Run game just has not been working for this offense all game long saw it on that last play as well just not getting enough push up front on the offensive line they haven't been physical they'll need to get the ball to the 34 to convert this third down from the gun wants to pass that's reeled in it's Thomas good tackle there to stop him short of the first down it'll bring up a big decision they allowed the completion but this defense was swarming to keep him away from that first down line yeah and you allow completions in those third down situations underneath the sticks and you come up and rally and everybody flies to the football that's great execution by this defense fourth down and the punt team sends it the other way the Houston offense comes onto the field they put it in the end zone the last time they had it and now an opportunity to really take control of this game you can feel the momentum shifting if they were able to take the football here drive it down the field score again David they would have all of that momentum on side and there's nothing about momentum that you can quantify like I I don't understand it but once it gets going in One Direction a lot of times it's so hard to swing it back the other direction the momentum is real and they got it nyd pickup on first down and now they can take a shot on second and short keep it on the ground and the Cougars get up for the first down well need2 yards for that first down running back doing just enough to make sure he keeps this drive alive [Applause] first bill snap it from the 36 they've got a first down one back in the back field he gets the carry not a whole lot of room there three yards maybe second and seven and offenses continue to feature the Run they want balance even if it's not super successful you can take it little bit at a time just to keep that defense got three on first down it's second and seven motion from the offense softened him up with a run and now to throw makes his connection and that play just looked to be a mess from the snap and he's right out of bounds behind the line of scrimmage up third down if they can convert here that type of play can really give you a shot of momentum Smith dropping the pass looking to the big tight end oh he dropped it he had the pick in his hands and a chance for one of his patented big plays and he couldn't hang on it'll be fourth down wow that quarterback is lucky there if you're going to take a chance like that on third down in your end of the field you better be right because that should have been picked and returned for a touchdown this offense is lucky now they're getting a chance to punt this ball away fourth down and the punt team sends it the other way he'll call for the fair catch here guys the Running Rebels offense ready to go back to work they'll have another opportunity to extend this lead after punting last time David and it's important to put that punt behind you it's it's oh look out there he goes b a bunch of room and got it to the 44 yd line yeah defensively you better be ready to run east and west when you're playing against this offense and they running game that time the offense was able to outflank the defense to the right side for a big play the rebels want to crank the [Applause] tempo and it's incomplete if you're going to take a hit like that you might as well hang on to the ball and there's so much for a quarterback to think about stick it out in the belly do I pull it now when I pull it oh I got to get my feet set make an accurate throw to the right guy so a lot of things going on and I think that you saw that led to a little bit of inaccuracy after the incompletion it's second [Applause] down he's looking to throw makes the grab oh grabing and they'll finally get him down after a terrific pick up it is so good for an offense R the game to get in a rhythm and to start stringing first downs together it makes the game really easy and puts that defense in a situation where they're starting to get tired they want to sub they want to get other guys on the field stringing first downs together like this makes it hard to defend to the air on first down release to the back he got a hand in there knocks it away incomplete good job on defense getting a hand on it tipping it up in the air they weren't able to pick it off but they do Force the [Applause] incompletion second and 10 after the previous play from the gun the running back looking for room and he's brought down after a nice game that has got to be demoralizing if you're on defense because they just ran the ball right up the middle down your throat and they gashed you and the rebels have it with a first and 10 he'll do it himself and a nice run there before the defense finally makes the stop it's a two-minute warning and we'll see if the offense can tack a little something extra on their lead before the break [Applause] operating in the Red Zone here on second down back to throw it's Fernandez it's complete and he was straining for the goal line but the defense stopped him short this defense now is just getting gashed and if you're the defensive coordinator you might now want to think about being aggressive changing up your play calls and maybe breaking your own Tendencies because you have got to stop this offense just marching down the field the rebels have it in scoring position on first and goal that play just never had a chance they knock him down for a loss of five this ain't good for the offense when you get down close to the goal line you don't want to be going backwards they can't sustain more negative plays man what a huge play from this defense everything looked Bleak now they've completely flipped this situation around and put the offense a little bit behind the a [Applause] on second down just keeps firing and it'll be intercepted In The End Zone never a good time for a turnover but it always seems a little worse when you're about to knock on the door of the end zone no doubt about it and it's this area of the field grease where your execution really has to be great because down in the Red Zone the windows to throw into it for a quarterback they're smaller and they close a lot quicker so you really have to be on the same page as your wide receiver and that time the offense and the QB simply were not here comes the Houston offense once again this lead in the half you're behind you'd love to create something before the break to build momentum Jesse well you've also had some miscues on offense a big part of why you're losing the game right now i' take it into halftime make my adjustments and come out ready in the second half yeah I'm going to take it in halftime too PA but I'm trying to put some points up right here be aggressive set the tone be like Hey listen this is what you're going to get in the second half so find something really quickly you can go to hit hard just as he released it on first down and just couldn't get it to the receiver doesn't take this defense a lot of time to get to the quarterback man they've got speed all over the place they hit him so quickly and because of that the ball Falls incomplete now on second down after the incompletion Smith wants to throw fires to the middle and the ball is intercepted just a short return but that would have been icing on the cake they've got it first down at the 42 and this is obviously not a great start for this quarterback here two interceptions already in this game he's got to do a much better job with his decision making UNLV ready to go back to work on offense boy they had that last Drive moving a little bit David but then the mistake just crushed them yeah and those mistakes are going to happen you going to throw the football you're going to throw interceptions but I think I stay aggressive with this offense I get back to what I did in the first part of that drive what made me successful I agree David just turn the page if you're a quarterback right on this drive you did a lot of good things there leading up to that pick forget about it move on play the next quarter can't find his man as he took a shot trying to deliver that football and it'll be second down and that Defender was just smothering the quarterback on that screen attempt you know the QBs Tau to hold on to it till the last possible second he had no shot trying to negotiate that defend they'll line up for a second down [Applause] play after the incompletion they go back up top caught in the back field it's Thomas the defense wouldn't let him loose and even though it's a completion they lost yardage the offense waste no time getting the timeout call third and long from the 30 yd line in this defense hoping to knock them out of field goal range from the gun wants to pass throws to the tight end got him down field a quick tackle made but he's got ready for the first down this offense is clicking and clearly everything is working the offensive coordinator's calling good plays the quarterback in his unit is executing and this def right now they have no answers just inside the Red Zone first and 10 from the 19 he's looking to throw it grabbed over the middle it's Thompson that completion will take it close to the 5 yd line they'll mark it at the they'll use a timeout right before halftime Maybe time for one or two more plays and here comes the field goal unit for the second time tonight and he'll try to knock through a short one is second of the day this one from 23 kick is good the offense has three points to show for the drive so they got the late field goal right before the half and not much time after this kickoff for an answer from inside the 15 chance for a good return they'll knock him down and that'll take us to halftime we played two quarters here time to go to Kevin Connors in our halftime update all right guys thanks looks like we've had ourselves a very enjoyable first half so far and there is no better place to start this halftime than by reviewing how this wide out has been a Onan Wrecking Crew the kid's been everywhere and I love how he's willing to go across the middle but that he also has the Jets to burn these DBS on the Deep ball if this defense wants to actually come back in this one they better hide his cleats and with that let's send it back to the guys in the cage in South East [Music] [Applause] Texas second half just about ready to start and Houston will kick it [Applause] off on the move from inside is five really disciplined job by the coverage unit to get down there and make the stop at the 19 the UNLV offense ready to return to the field to the air it's Fernandez bakes to grab on the left a quarterback droing back understanding I'm getting Zone coverage all I got to do is be a little bit patient manipulate that defense a little bit my wide receiver runs that drag and I get the first down still some work to do after that last completion it's second down leaves it with the back they get him on the ground but it's a first down this is a guy that can find you the hit yardage that play he just pushes the pile to get that first down [Applause] they'll snap this one from the 32 it's first down goes to the option found a little space and he's got four to the 35 small game I know but again the defense knows he's going to run the football he's willing to run the football not just drop back and pass make him on to the Run game you got to do a lot of this after the productive first down play it's second and [Applause] six they'll run it out of the shotgun he's run out of bounds but he's got enough to move the sticks I love when players understand situations and they understand where the first down marker is and they understand where I got to get to a lot of people you'll see run north south and try to bounce out wide and make big plays sometimes it's not about making big plays sometimes it's about getting that first down to make sure I get an extra set of downs instead of trying to make those big touchdown runs looking for a physical attack from the gun y didn't get much on first down it's second and nine they'll try the Run nice gain of six leaving them with third and four I know the passing game sells the passing game is exciting but it's not exciting to get five or six yards a pop on the ground but it will be very successful now on third down for this offense dropping back it's Fernandez just threw that one away to avoid disaster really nice job by the defense playing aggressive understanding it could be a running situation but still playing disciplined enough to play the pass and be successful on that third and short and the rebels will punt it away on fourth down this will be the second time they've had to kick it away wanted to make sure not to give them a chance for a return as it goes out of bounds the Houston offense ready to go back to work one of the most valuable things a quarterback can have David shortterm memory just forget that last pick you dang right clear the mechanism it's over moving behind some players can't do that real well and it leads to more mistakes Jess you got to just forget about it and move on and I think the coaching staff can help him too David I think you can get the running game going here and also give him some easy throws got eight on first down now looking at a second and two going to the running game and he's down at the 41 that's a first down R offense you've got to love the way your offensive line is playing in this game they're getting tremendous movement Up Front Climbing in the second level and really giving these backs and ball carriers a lot of room to run all game long the offense lines up at the 41 with a first and 10 used the play fake now to throw Miss senior quarterback a little too bold there and he's lucky he didn't get picked off throwing into double coverage oh man the quarterback almost just threw his second interception on his many drives he's trying to fit that football in there it gets tipped up in the air he's lucky that wasn't picked off after misfiring it's second down power football with the run and they'll bring him to the ground after a short gain some third down conversions tougher than others this one a long one on third down from the 43 Smith dropping to pass fires to the wide out it's caught and he'll ramble to the 34 before he finally knocked down well look that wasn't a touchdown but that was a massive play for this offense they needed some momentum they needed to find a rhythm in what better way than converting on third down awesome job by the quarterback getting through his progression Houston wants to play fast from the gun they'll try to impose their running game and he was able to get away from one tackle but plenty of help was on the way decent pick up on that play Hey that would be the definition of first down success putting yourself in a good position it's second and inches I can do whatever I want next I can take a shot down the field I can run the football and get a new set of downs like nice first down execution from the gun the running back tries to hit the hole tackle is made but not until he gets the first down all right nothing flashy there he just did what it took to get the first down and a first Houston getting set looking at first and 10 he's going to pass and he throws another interception his third one of the night takes it the other way the 30 he's at the 10 touchdown Rebels what a great play by the defense and paying it off with the interception return what a play by this defense with the pick six and how about the defender exactly what you're supposed to breaks on the football makes the interception everybody on defense we turn to offense go lay some blocks so my guy can get it and take it back to the house play the analytics here and you go for two looking to pass it's Fernandez got his man on the right oh and he's out of Bounds at the one right on the doorstep after an electric return they're lining up to kick it off after the pick six and that defense will come out feeling it kick and he takes this from inside the five didn't find any crease in that kickoff coverage and he'll be stopped at the 17 Houston sending the offense back onto the field that last pick six after a drive like that David can swing the momentum of a game the defense is still celebrating I mean such a big play I mean they they gave up some yards but did what they're supposed to do now now Jesse this offense has to put a drive together yeah they have to recapture some momentum here what they can't do is go three and out and give the ball right back didn't get much done on that first play of the drive it's second and 11 here's the handoff slams into the pile he'll get one to the 17 and this offense can ill afford to come up empty on this drive already trailing by multiple possessions the playaction fake and the quarterback goes down at the 11 yd line good disciplined defense on that play it's third and long right you're not going to bite on a play fake nobody's going for that everyone knows it's a passing situation they use their speed to get to the QB Houston sends the punt team onto the field doesn't say much for your drive when you're looking forward to the punt a fair catch is called for and made just across the 50 yd line guys the Running Rebels offense ready to go back to work off play action on first down and find his man as he took a shot trying to deliver that football and it'll be second down well this defense felt coming into the game that if he was going to try to throw from the pocket they could get to him and affect his accuracy and they did on that last play after the quarterback and receiver couldn't connect it's second and 10 from the gun the G looking for R and these defensive tackles just eat people they swallow human being when you get so big so strong those guys those running backs coming they just need a mid they put one mid on a running back and he usually falls to the ground just because there's sheer mass and strength a third and long coming up here dropping back it's Fernandez throws to the wide out a strike downfield he's all the way down to the 27 yd line and they are threatening just beautiful great feeling as a quarterback when you make that throw keeps your offense on the field keeps the offense in Rhythm obviously not as good as throwing a touchdown pass but I'll tell you this way better than having to trot up over to the bench and wait for your turn to get another [Applause] shot they'll run it from the gun really nice stop there from this senior leader tight gain of one second down coming up here comes the offense on second down wide receiver coming across in motion from the gun running back gets to give finally stopped at the 20 yd line after a pick up of six I like this guy as a running back because he can run between the tackles and he can also go outside he can really do it all a manageable distance on third down as they try to convert from the 20 to the ground to try to pick up the first nowhere to run on that when he loses four on the car maybe that stop shows this defense is tightening up especially in the Run game the offense frankly they've been able to do whatever they want to do they just handed the ball off this guy's having success left and right no sir no boss getting together and they'll run the field goal unit back out there this kicker has already banged a couple through right down the boulevard it's good and now the lead is extended away from Houston so after the last Drive ended with a field goal the kickoff team out there to send it away on the run from inside zone five not a lot of space to be found good Hustle by the coverage team and they stop him at the 21 the Houston offense comes onto the field last time David it was one two three kick the last drive that three and out sometimes that puts your defense in a bad spot and you got to get it drive together here so you don't wear the defense out I just think dve predictable that last Drive they got to do something here to get this defense on the heels Houston Going Up Tempo caught behind the line it's Williams and as they get him to the ground clock running looks as if time will expire here in the third if you like old school running games this has been the game for you and a couple of guys who starred through the first three periods one more quarter to play it might be unlikely but hey it's college football comeback happen Smith wants to throw quick strike complete still running at the 40 and he was Off to the Races finally tripped up at the 36 and no messing around right now if you're on offense this is the time where execution has got to be out of Premium you need to hit completions David they need some big plays and you just want to keep pressuring them and keep making them use the clock give them the underneath stuff and again when they drive the football down the field I just can't give up touchdowns field goal at this point is not going to hurt my defense the Cougars will line it up on First and 10 Ed the play fake now to throw got his man to the left and the defense makes immediate tackle but he has enough for the first down I know it's something we take for granted guys but the Q did a great job there with the playaction fake he really took his time and sold it and that's what froze the linebackers in the second level of the defense to help make that completion a whole lot easier they'll Run play action throws for the tight end touchdown Houston hello that is the ultimate Gra have and go for the score let's see he can block he can catch he can run yeah let's just forget about the blocking for now the catching the running the scoring is dangerous and they do the dirty work but this is what they would prefer to do these guys want to catch touchdown passes most of these guys were wide receivers in high school and they show you why they'll go up get that football make plays for their quarterback and with the lead sitting at nine they'll try to make it a one possession game and with the extra point every little bit counts as they get closer a very efficient five-way scoring drive and they finish things up with a dart from 24 yds out about to kick it away after scoring the touchdown here he comes from inside his own five nice job executing all of the assignments that they put a stop to that return at the 22 unlb ready to go back to work on offense from the shotgun the hand off to the back really nice job to squirt his way up to the 31 yd line when the offense can run the football and you can feature a guy like this that will get more yards than his block that you can really depend on hangs on to the football like it makes offense super easy especially down the stretch when you want to eat that clock and you want to possess the football just nice to have that kind of guy leaves it with the running back the rebels are stopped but not before getting it past the sticks well the defense didn't Blitz they didn't have everybody in gaps and the offensive line took advantage at the point of attack getting some push opening up a hole and the offense ripping off a nice run there with a first down they'll snap it from the 32 from the gun the running back has it finding a way to put that foot in the ground and get it up to the 37 yd line it's a point in the game I think as a coaching staff where you really challenge your offensive line to go win the football game right we've got to lead late we're going to run the football and the defense and everybody in the stadium knows that's what's going to happen can we run the ball down their throats and impose our will that's what this offense right now was trying to do pretty good effort on that one to work his way up to the 42 I think he run that play so you stay out of third and long third and long is not where an offense ever wants to drive third and medium hey good defense you r that play to make sure you're set up for a good third down ball is at the 42 yd line close to four down territory here's third and short they'll try to pick it up on the ground they'll move the chain at after he gets it to the 43 yd line third Ines everybody knows what's coming but it's so dang hard to stop and you better get penetration with that defensive line they didn't do a good enough job running back Falls forward and does his job and the rebels are moving quickly down the field they're going to go right back to him on first down and he found plenty of Running Room on that one before the def def was finally able to get it down well right away after picking up a first down they go right back to their playmaker at running back and I love the push they got up front getting a hat on a hat opening a huge hole for the back and you become so hard to defend when you can run the football successfully on first down you're starting like that now what opens up play action now you're making me play pass and run this offense if they can create that run physicality now it opens up everything else [Applause] didn't get much on first down it's second and [Applause] nine out of the shotgun they go to the ground that's what you expect from a senior don't give them any extra yards great tackle there [Music] third down conversions are a huge stat and this one would be a doozy if they can pull it off looking for a man it's Fernandez it's complete on the right side deep to shallow that's I have to understand that as a defensive guy I take away those passes beyond the sticks and I react to those quick throws they have to the running back it's my athlete versus yours the defense won that battle so here we are on fourth down and this field goal kicker is going to face all the pressure in the world absolutely perfect and now the lead is even bigger how nice is it as a head coach to have a kicker like this makes these decisions on fourth down so much easier just trut him out there and let him stroke it through the upright so they're lining up to kick it off after that last Drive put a three spot on the board and now the defense will try to shut him down he'll bring it back from inside his SP couldn't find a way to create that broken field as he stopped at the 25 here comes the Houston offense once again how about that last drive just carved him up in the air David yeah and how about that quarterback you gave him the ball and he delivered the goods great job taking the on that last dri he really did David I mean that was a master class in just reading coverage and being accurate Houston was to play [Applause] Fast the give to the right and they'll wrestle him to the ground after a short gain up didn't get much on first down it's second and nine Smith dropping the pass just flying through the air like a superhero to make the grab well down two possessions good news is you get the completion bad news though did not get out of bounds you know right now saving the clock that is at a premium for this offense Houston coming to the line with a new set of downs wants to throw on first down finds a spot in the middle what a throw not a lot of room he fits it in beautifully they've got it at the 30 Zone coverage means everybody's looking at the quarterback so now when I'm a wide receiver I got to make sure I know I fit in the hole between these zones I know where they're dropping to and I know where I need to get to great job by the wide receiver finding that hole and the quarterback throwing a strike looking to go up top on first down and this will be incomplete a big hit there forces second down what a hit by the defender that's a good throw and that was going to be caught but how about the defender dislodging the football from its intended target nice job second down coming up looking to throw it again quickly and he'll make his way out of bounds after the solid pick up well you can tell those two have been practicing the out route all offse long they look like they could have completed that in their sleep headed to the line at the 23 trying to convert this third and short from the gun wants to pass with the catch it's Jenkins and they gave him no chance to get loose and they for a fourth down this offense has their work cut out for him man because the coverage has been so tight and if you're not throwing to the sideline or you're not getting past the sticks this defense is going to tackle you inbounds like they just did on that last play and bleed the clock down in the fourth quarter it's too late for empty possessions they'll go for it on fourth down avoids pressure he's got him and they convert he steps out of bounds but it will be enough for a first down on love that play call on fourth down you know the entire defense was zoning in on that running back thinking he was maybe going to get a handoff but they're able to sneak and leak him out of the back Field behind the defense he makes the catch and keeps the drive alive trying to cap this drive with a pass right down the middle touchdown Houston and they add six more to the board with that trip to the house well how about that and after that touchdown we might have a finish after all Jesse I love it Reese and this team is not quitting yeah they're down on the scoreboard right now but they are clawing and they are scratching their way back in this game they're going to keep going hard until this clock reachs all zeros [Music] so the first part of the job is done they got the touchdown now for the two to make it a field goal game Smith wants to throw fires into traffic intercepted inside the 50 at the 30 the T he just set sail for the End Zone after the pick and turns it into a two-point return theore UNL 27 Houston almost ready to kick it away after scoring the touchdown he'll start the return inside his spot really disciplined job by the coverage unit to get down there and make the stop at the 19 the UNLV offense ready to return to the field they'll keep it on the ground trying to milk the clock that keeps the running game churning pick up of five to the 23 yeah a nice job by this defense this is critical moment right we got to get the football back they're backed up thank goodness force a punt here get the football back so we can make some magic here in this fourth quarter we have arrived at the two-minute warning a onep possession game as this offense tries to hold [Applause] on no reason to do anything here except keep it on the ground on second and and five they'll leave it with him fighting off the defender nowhere to run on that one he loses four on the carry defense uses a timeout quickly trying to get that ball back and preserve time for their offense this is a big third down if they can move the chains they can just about salt this game away from the gun they'll try to impose their will they stop him after a short game probably just wanted to mitigate the losses with fourth down coming timeout called there by the defense desperate to get the ball back and save as much time as possible the rebels will call on their punt team fair catch called for and take it at the 30 yd line here comes the offense on first [Music] down Smith dropping the pass got his man down the middle and it's a first down they'll mark it at the 44 hey he created some great momentum getting the stop forcing the punt now getting it back to your offense your offense starting to get in a Groove late in the game you need some big plays you just wonder how much Panic there is right now in the defensive side of the football too because of what you just said David they can feel and sense the momentum leaving them right now with the lead so someone defensively better step up here soon and make a play make the stop at the 41 but it's a 15yd pickup and they're rolling with a first down linebackers moving trying to confuse the quarterback sprinting to the line to try to get this one off clock's running he'll come out throwing on first down and man oh man he is in the dark tonight his fourth reception and he's wrapped up after a solid return on the pick when you're down late in the game when you got to make plays it's really tough not to force the football you could tell quarterback forces the football defense comes up with a huge interception on first down here comes this offense quarterback's just going to take a knee [Music] [Music]