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Friday, August 14, 1998
Cougars hoping to be carried by offense
By MICHAEL A. LUTZ AP Sports Writer
HOUSTON (AP) - The only consistency the Houston Cougars have
shown the last two seasons is bad defense.
The offense was able to overcome the defensive difficulties
in 1996 to win the first ever Conference USA championship. But
last year, the offense was almost as bad as the defense.
"This should be our rebuilding year, but since we screwed
it up so bad last year, we don't have time to rebuild," coach
Kim Helton said. "This team has to go get done what last
year's team didn't get done."
In 1996, the Cougars won close games. Last season, they lost
close games and they lost games they should have won, finishing
3-8.
This season, Helton expects a better performance than 105th
among NCAA Division I-A schools in scoring defense.
"Our defensive line looks good getting off the bus,"
Helton said. "We look like a big time football team."
But they'll have to prove it on the field if the Cougars expect
to return to title contention in C-USA.
Helton signed junior college prospects he hopes will infuse
the defense, especially Kenny Hill and Mike Davis.
"We have enough offensive firepower to make an exciting
game," Helton said. "To be successful, Kenny Hill has
to come be the corner. We didn't hire Kenny Hill to come in and
watch us play.
"Mike Davis needs to become the strong safety and either
support Stedmon (Forman) or beat him out."
Forman is among four returning defensive starters, along with
linebackers Micah Malone and Louis Hampton and cornerback William
Fields.
Offensively, the Cougars appear ready to return to their 1996
proficiency with a healthy Ketric Sanford at running back and
Jason McKinley more experienced at quarterback.
Sanford was the C-USA freshman of the year in 1996 but wasn't
at full strength last season after having his appendix removed.
Despite the setback, he rushed 636 yards and led the conference
with 140.8 all-purpose yards.
Vaughn Inniss returns at running back along with juco transfer
Mike Green, who gives the Cougars a big back look similar to Antowain
Smith in 1996.
"That gives us huge stable of running backs," Helton
said.
Helton feels solid with his offensive line with the exception
of center, where he must find a replacement for Ben Fricke.
"The only thing that we know for sure is I refuse to go
play it," said Helton, a former college center.
McKinley will be the starter at quarterback because he has
a stronger arm than backup Tyson Helton, the coach's son.
McKinley and Helton were co-starters through the first three
games last season because Helton didn't want his young quarterbacks
to feel too much pressure.
"I didn't want Jason McKinley or Tyson Helton going to
Birmingham, Ala. and opening the game saying 'Oh, my God, it's
all me. I've got to win the game,' " Helton said.
This year, McKinley has the job to lose.
"This season, I said 'Jason, you need to go play better
son, you need to win some games or we'll have to give the other
kid a chance even with the limited arm talent,' " Helton
said.
Helton clearly intends for the offense to score enough points
to allow the defense to improve.
"My expectations going into this season for our defense
is 'Y'all come on to the stadium and play as hard as you can play,'
" Helton said. "My expectation for the offensive football
team is 'Go to the stadium and score 35 points a game. That's
your task to win the game with that many points.' "
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