Week 1 UNLV Vs Houston 8/31/24 College Football 25 Simulation

welcome to Houston Texas and the house bill yman and Andre we built home to the Houston Cougars where the fans are ready for liftoffs there's just something about the night cap after a day of wall toall football it just seems this is when chaos ensues as we'll see a squad from the Mountain West the unlb rebels taking on a team from the Big 12 the Houston Cougars for EA Sports college football I'm Reese Davis David and Jesse Palmer with me guys it's time to get it going so Houston's offense will take the first swing of the game and here he comes guys the man who makes everything go everything in this offense is built around his ability he's got such great field Vision he's got it all on he is must watch TV let's not get it twisted people show up to this Stadium people are watching back at home because of this guy right here they'll line up for a second down play from the gun they'll try to impose their running game defense not budging he's still able to get two to the 29 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 they'll need three yards here on third down to keep this opening drive alive Smith dropping to pass now improvising and he Scoops his way to the first down and then slides to avoid the hit man this is an offense that's going to find a way to generate explosive plays because of their Playmakers at the skill spots but how about the speed by this guy and his ability on third down to extend scramble and go get a big pick up in chunk of yards for his offense Houston getting set looking at first and 10 he'll pull it on the read nice pick up there gets him the first down and sets him up at the 45 yd line well this is one of the fastest quarterbacks in college football and that's why the option's a good idea because if he can get out in space and he gets a chance to get down field he is really difficult to tackle and he's very difficult to catch as you saw in that last play getting a first down running back searching for a hole just a solid stop by this sophomore and it's just simple simple first down run showing your physicality setting your offense up in a good [Music] spot after the three- yd pick up they come to the line Second and seven they'll keep it on the ground tackle is made after the first down well the offense knew what they needed to get that first down so they dial up the running play and they get just enough to keep the drive alive ball is at the 35 it's first and 10 going to run it it's knee you'll take four yards on first down every time second and six 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 productive first down play it's second and six keeping it on the ground with the single back nowhere to run on that one he loses four on the carry I'll tell you this defensive end not only can he pass rush but he can play the run as well you see him beat the offensive lineman there trying to block him and get in the back field to make that tackle for loss that was impressive now the eight play of the opening drive but this time facing third and long Smith wants to throw and they can't make the play on third down I tell you what I don't know if the offense was expecting man coverage that time third and long in field goal range you're expecting it to be Zone instead they lock them up manto man everybody on an island everybody won they get the incompletion Now setting up for Houston sends the punt team onto the field he ought to be able to use his first punt to pin him deep no opportunity to run it back as the ball goes out of bounds so UNLV offense has the ball for the first time ball changes hands and the offense finds themselves backed up inside their own 10 the give to the tailb they make the Stop and this running game moves to change as they get the first down well I know this is an offensive line that has a ton of Pride and they want to come out each and every game and really impose their will on the dline they got just enough push there on that run play to pick up the first here's this offense with a fresh set of downs off the play fake on first down he lets it Fly he's got it down fi for a huge [Applause] game that's the end we've reached the end of the first quarter and it has been a defensive battle and the stats tell the tal so far let's see if the offenses can find a little rhythm here in the second it's a first and 10 where quarterback on the keeper pass the sticks and he may get more tackle was made at the 44 but he picked up 10 yards and enough for a first down how great is it to be an offensive coordinator having a quarterback like this because he can go and generate first downs with you throwing the ball and running the ball it seems like there's nothing this kid can't do from the 44 yd line the offense snaps it on first down they'll run it from the gun just what this offense was looking for sets him up at the 26 with the first down first down physicality wins football games being able to run the football and create balance and and right here just chews up another first down gives you another chance to maybe continue to run the football and I feel like this guy too is just an explosive play waiting to happen his vision his quickness and he's got a burst if you give this guy just a crease he's going to hit it and right now he's doing some damage on this defense pass complete to the L out gain of five second down coming up stuck with a running game on first down now here they come again looking downfield it's Fernandez using the quick game and they wrap him up but not before he gets enough on the catch for the first down you know sometimes even a short game like that can be used to set up something bigger later on no doubt Reese they can pump that and take a shot down the field and don't worry they're going to go back to that same play cuz they know this guy with the ball in his hands is dangerous he makes one guy Miss he can take it to the house give to the running back he locked up and held on to bring him down great job by the defense everybody firing off the ball hitting their guys holding their Gap running to the football nowhere to go the clock has stopped and we've reached a two-minute warning before halftime got stuffed on first down it's second and 10 he's looking to throw incompleted man is he lucky to get that one back defense that close to an interception and a golden opportunity Slips Away from the defense there that's one he'd love to have back he knows he should have come away with the interception there in the Red Zone they line up and it is a long way to the sticks from here on third down he drops to throw couldn't find a man and just had to throw it away to avoid a negative play and the offense got themselves in a tough situation third and long so hard to execute especially when the field starts to shrink but the good news is they got a field goal in their back pocket they'll send out the kicker to try to salvage this drive and he'll try this one from the left pass and 33 yds away kick is good the offense has three points to show for the drive foul wait a second there's a flag on the field let's check that one out might be the worst case scenario for this defense thought they'd held them to three now the offense with a chance for more looking downfield it's Fernandez looking to the end zone the pass is incomplete but there's a flag in the back field and that shot the quarterback took might have been a little too much I bet it felt good to hit that quarterback late until you got an earful from the coach and cost your defense 15 from the gun he'll try to to throw he caught it and he will score touchdown Rebels timely decisions effective play management helps him get in the end zone after that marathon drive and every time the offense needed a play Boom they got it I mean you think about it whether it's was a small run small pass whatever they needed they got it done and they popped it in for the score lining up for the pat for the extra point and with the extra point they get the first seven of the game so it's an 80 yd drive and they cap the drive with a four yd touchdown pass the kickoff team out there and ready to go set to kick it off on the run from inside his own five really disciplined job by the coverage unit to get down there and make the stop at the 19 here comes the Houston offense once again they hope to be able to cash in on this drive David after having to punt it last time yeah and I think this offense needs to started get the first play you need to be successful and productive on that first play and it gets you in less predictable situations No Doubt to don't you just feel like there's a little bit more sense of urgency on this drive it just feels like they've got to be able to put some points up on the board here couldn't make the connection last time let's see if they throw it again Smith dropping the pass quickly out to the tight end and good coverage by the defense just a short gain know I know it seems like an easy pitch and catch but for the tight end there that route potentially changes if it's man coverage so good job by him knowing it zone I'm just going to sit down this is basically like a checkdown right let's just take the easy pitch and catch and keep this drive going on Third and long trying to have a big completion here got a man it's Johnson he steps out of bounds but he's got a first down on the play that is just an awesome job in pass Pro there on third down giving the quarterback an opportunity to scan the field and step in to his throw Houston coming to the line with a new set of downs motion from the offense he wants to throw it again quickly complete and he is run out of bounds as they go backwards there and just avoided the contact down coming up here comes the offense on second down he's looking to throw gets it out fast there's a timeout called as this offense tries to find a way to draw a little closer passing game very effective on second down what about here on third from the gun wants to pass and a missed opportunity on third down as it defense knocks it free and fourth down is coming up Houston will be forced to punt this will be the second time they've had to kick it away fair catch called for but there is a flag on the play we'll have to sort it out personal foul ring the kicker defense [Applause] defense the officials offer the deal and the coach accepts it they will take the penalty wide receiver now comes in motion trying to find his man on first down that's caught it's Jenkins he will step out of bounds but not before the big pick up man a first down for this offense yeah and you see running backs in today's football they play wide receiver BAS basically for you but you got to find a guy that you can throw it to and you know he's going to catch the ball consistently the offense lines up at the 40 they've got a first down he's going to pass always a welcome play for the defense as they get a sack at the 47 we've got a timeout here late in the first half and they'll try to get more points on the board before the break Smith wants to throw he's brought down quickly minimal gain there still a bit short of the first down offense calls a timeout here critically important to make sure they have the right play called and everyone on the same page here trying to move the sticks on third down through the air oh picked off the return never really got started but boy he has set his team up at the 28 defensive backs have tough J jobs I mean you think about whether you play nickel whether you play dime whatever it is you put more DBS on the field it's more speed it's more guys that can cover but they also got to cover that ground but to cover the ground and make the Pick A lot of times you don't see that superb effort by that guy UNLV ready to go back to work on offense David they' love to do what they did last time and put this one in the end zone you ain't lying they did a great job the offense was clicking everything went well home where they executed and got the touchdown and they really were in a nice Rhythm as well and I'd love to see that here on the next drive too just keep doing what you're doing everything seems to be working and you seem to have this defense on their heels franking up a drive like that can really get you going it's first down from the 44 feeling some heat and the Freshman will talk up a sack the offense calls timeout it's the second one they've used this half 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 sa one thing I do know is that quarterback had no chance to get that ball downfield that pocket was breaking down it was breaking down quickly there were just too many bodies in that back field for the to make anything smart offensive coordinators they're going to throw deep BS especially those 5050 balls you hear about all the time my wide receiver is better than your DB not on this play just a few seconds remaining here as they try to put something up before halftime using his legs it's Thomas still on his feet at the 45 big big gain on that one as he steps out of bounds with a first down and how about this offense what are you thinking as a defense right now I'm thinking pass pass bringing in guys making sure I stay deep playing for the pass and they run the run right at him kind of catch him off guard get the big yardage big play first down for this offense and the rebels have it with a first and 10 to the air it's Fernandez throws to the wide out got him downfield he gets it all the way down to the 5 yd line a terrific k catch and run before he stopped quick timeout called by the offense after the play and as the first half draws near to a close here comes the field goal unit he'll boot one from the right hash he ought to be able to navigate that angle from this distance and the try is no good and the margin is still seven after the Miss guys [Music] first half in the books time now to join Kevin Connors in our halftime update second half just about ready to start and Houston will kick it off and he takes this from inside the five he was hoping for something a little more Dynamic but they get him on the ground 20 the UNLV offense ready to return to the field starting this third quarter on the ground they'll wrestleing down just short of the first down I don't even think they're going to bring out the change to measure this one man when I can run the football like that on first down and create second and inches and stay way ahead of the sticks and and be in a position now where I can throw the football or run I will have a lot of success on the offensive side of the football back to the ground with the running back they work their way to the 35 yd line it's a gain of five you know you start day one of training camp running your base runs you need a few yards you run these plays you need a first down you run these plays you rep them over and over and over again they're not sexy they're not pretty but in the end they're effective and they get you that new set of downs when you need them and the throw out to the sideline good just a few yards caugh by the receiver heun at the second down coming up let's see what they've got on second down on the option good pick up there he gets it up for the first down this quarterback does an outstand job in his preparation watching film and understanding when he has to pull the ball on these types of run plays great job keying on the defender and quickly making the right decision to pull it and then go get North and get the first he'll ride his man on the option and a pick up of eight opens a world of opportunities on second and two that's what's so great about these QB runs they just chip away at the defense and as this game goes on these little QB runs they're going to help keep third Downs manageable for this offense now on second down and short to the ground with the back they get him on the ground but not before he gets enough for the first down well this defense is on its heels right now especially trying to stop the run they just not being physical enough they give up another run right there for a first down someone's going to have to step up and make a play it's first and 10 from the 38 yd line looking for a physical attack from the gun never gives anyone a clean shot at him he's down to the 34 hey five to six yards a pop I don't know if you guys are really good at math but that usually equals a first down every couple carries so don't forget about the Run game keep them honest pound that rock halfway there on first down it's second and five they'll go to the ground they bring him down and he's going to lose a yard on that one 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 in eighth play of the drive coming it'll be a third and six looking to throw it's Fernandez released to the back oh they really could have used that catch there physical pass defense it brings up a fourth down yeah and third and short that choose not to run throw the football and I think a lot of that has to do with they know they're in field goal range they can take the three points on the board and for the second time tonight they'll try out the field goal kicker it is true as he puts three on the board and now the lead is even bigger well that kid just showed off his hammer for a leg 50 plus and he did it with ease [Music] so after the made field goal they'll kick it away and rely on their defense he'll bring it back from inside his spot nice job by the kickoff team everybody stayed in their lanes and they'll stop him at the 16 Houston sending the offense back onto the field from the shotgun they'll run it they are trailing by 10 here here Jesse but this is the type of team that seems comfortable in an offensive shootout you got to hold serve at this point right you got to drive the field put some more points up on the board yeah they just scored you can answer that now and keep this thing close David and I think you're used to that as offense like football is so fast-paced now and you score so quickly it's not that big of a deal to get down 10 you keep being you keep being aggressive complete to the left he was just a breath from taking that one all the way in and he'll run that momentum right into the fourth quarter guys at the end of the quarter and unlb has the edge they're sitting in a strong position here with the lead let's take a look at our game summary one quarter to go and might we have the makings of eight classic fourth quarter finish looking to go up top on first down he finds his man this offense has their work cut out for him man because the coverage has been so 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 the Cougars want to move quickly Smith dropping to pass unloads to the wide out picked off takes it the other way and they capitalize not only on the pick but on the great return to improve this field position nice job by the this defense that might be the exclamation point fourth quarter I got a lead you bring on the nickel defense you know they're passing the football for plays just like that to make the int and almost put this one away guys the Running Rebels offense ready to go back to work and when your defense is performing like this pitching a shut out you want to find a way to reward them and help them out a little bit David and I guess that's the upside for this offense their defense has been so good man oh man they've got to find something Jesse that they can hang their hat on something they can do to move the football it just feels like at this point they kick one more field goal in this is ball game because of how well their defense is playing so I think offensively just don't do anything stupid and give the game away they'll probably bleed every second possible off this clock before they snap it they'll try to keep this clock moving on the ground he's dropped behind the line of scrimmage that'll be a loss of three it's going to be tough sledding for the offense here they're trying to ice this game by running the football and bleeding the clock they've got a pretty good lead here late in the game but the defense knows the run is coming right so they're going to be loading the line of scrimmage getting stops like what they just did interesting to see what the offense does on this next one on Third and long a check down would be the last resort all kinds of room to throw that one in there and they'll finally get him down after eight terrific pickup we reached the two-minute warning and this offense is that much closer to salting away a victory the rebels have it with a first and [Applause] 10 they think there's room to run to the right here quick timeout called by the defense stopping the clock to save as much time as possible for their offense you got to believe they just want to run it take care of the football and keep that clock moving on second and nine the give to the B they bring him down and he's going to lose a yard on that one defense uses a timeout quickly trying to get that ball back and preserve time for their offense they're close enough for a makeable field goal from the 26 but they love to convert this third and long give to the back and they'll finally get him down after a terrific pickup timeout called there by the defense desperate to get the ball back and save as much time as possible to have any chance in the world this defense has to come up with a stop on first and goal and with the game all but decided this quarterback will take a knee [Music] [Music]