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Houston Cougars v. Arizona Wildcats: Keys, predictions, and more

By Talon Graff

HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 01: Ed Oliver #10 of the Houston Cougars rests on the sideline in the first half against the Rice Owls at Rice Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 01: Ed Oliver #10 of the Houston Cougars rests on the sideline in the first half against the Rice Owls at Rice Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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TUCSON, AZ – SEPTEMBER 01: Quarterback Khalil Tate #14 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts after rushing the football against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half of the college football game at Arizona Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ – SEPTEMBER 01: Quarterback Khalil Tate #14 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts after rushing the football against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half of the college football game at Arizona Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

The Houston Cougars and Arizona Wildcats square off with a major prospect on-hand

Head coach Major Applewhite and his Houston Cougars play host to the Pac 12’s Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, September 7. The Cougars are coming off a season-opening victory over Rice by a score of 45-27. Junior quarterback D’Eriq King threw for three touchdowns during his 320-yard day, and sophomore receiver Marquez Stevenson led the team with 107 yards through the air and a touchdown.

The defense was spearheaded by junior Ed Oliver as he racked up 12 total tackles and 3.5 for loss. In a lot of circles, he is considered a top five draft pick and he was as advertised. It took until the third quarter for Houston to run away from Rice.

Houston was actually playing from behind most of the game and at one point were down 27-17 but scored 28 unanswered points to take the win and go 1-0.

Arizona and their Heisman watch list quarterback Khalil Tate didn’t fare quite as well as their upcoming opponents. What was anticipated to be a potent offense turned out to disappoint in Kevin Sumlin’sdebut.

Going into halftime, the Wildcats held a 10-7 lead against BYU. Whatever was said at halftime didn’t work for Sumlin because BYU outscored Zona 21-0 in the third quarter.

Khalil Tate completed only 50% of his passes with 197 yards and a single touchdown. He also found paydirt on the ground but overall he did not display the same rushing ability we all witnessed last year.

Tate ended the game with 14 yards rushing for a total of 211 yards, a far cry for a Heisman candidate. Arizona has talent on both sides of the ball and should bounce back in week two.

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