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Sports

UH won't allow rain to wreck plans

Team will reschedule scrimmage for Tuesday

by MARK SUAREZ
The Daily Cougar

Unfavorable weather conditions rumbled through the Houston area Saturday morning, forcing the Cougars to postpone their scrimmage at Robertson Stadium. 

The team took refuge indoors at the Yeoman Field House where it engaged in a full team practice. 

UH head coach Art Briles announced the team would move its scrimmage to Tuesday, despite the fact that rain remains in that day's forecast.

Despite the small inconvenience, Briles was pleased with the team's Saturday workout. 

"It was a good workout," Briles said. "Guys came in with a great attitude, we played at a high rate of speed, protected each other well, and that's the main thing. What we (have) got to do (now) is get out of (spring practice) healthy."

Sophomore quarterback Blake Joseph and freshman Case Keenum both took snaps during 7-on-7 passing drills. 

Joseph remains the projected starter and showed glimpses he is ready to come into his own, while Keenum demonstrated a knack for completing long passes. 

However, Briles cautioned that the Cougars are going to have to win the battle in the trenches in order for either quarterback to be successful next season.

"At times, both those guys were out there making plays," Briles said. "We just (have) got to continue to get better up front on both sides of the ball because that's how you win football games." 

Junior Day

While the Cougars mixed it up on the field, recruits from local area high schools observed from the sidelines as Houston hosted Junior Day.

The event allowed potential future Cougars to talk shop with current players and coaches, while giving the football program a chance to show student athletes what playing football at UH is all about.

"It's a great opportunity for the Houston area kids to come out and show their interest in the University of Houston and let them know we're greatly interested in these student athletes," UH director of high school relations Joe Alcoser said. 

Blast from the Past 

Former UH nose tackle and NFL prospect Marquay Love made an appearance Saturday, sharing advice and laughs with former teammates. 

After running a 5.0 in the 40-yard dash during UH pro day last Saturday, Love said he has continued to train diligently as the NFL draft on April 28-29 draws closer. 

"Now it's a process where you really have to train hard to make it to the next level," Love said. "Right now, you have to take every step; you can't (hold) back. 

"I talked to a couple of (defensive) line coaches and they're telling me I need to work on my feet work, maintain my weight, eat right and just work hard every day."

Teams that have shown interest in drafting Love include: Miami, Chicago and San Francisco. 

A coach in the making

Former UH standout Sterling Doty has traded in his helmet and pads for a cap and clipboard. The former All-Conference USA center is serving as an offensive line coach for UH this spring.

So far, he sees steady improvement from the line as spring practice moves along.

"SirVincent (Rogers) is doing his rehab and doing a good job with that, and he's coming around," Doty said. "(However), he probably won't be ready by next year."

"Sebastian Vollmer is working drills with us and he should be back going full speed during camp. We still have Mike Bloesch, Dustin Dickinson, Jeff Akeroyd … Carl Barnett at center, who took over for me, he's doing a real good job; it looks like it's all coming around." 

For Doty, his coaching role at UH will come to an end when he joins the Abilene Cooper High School staff this fall as an offensive line coach. He decided not to try his hand at the NFL for health reasons. 

"I was beat up after last season, and I had knee surgery," Doty said. "I've been in rehab so I didn't get a full chance to workout at Pro Day. My body told me my football (playing) days were over, so I want to be on the (coaching) side of it."
 

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