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Saturday, October 25, 1997

Louisville tries to snap four-game skid while Houston keeps bowl hopes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Louisville has revamped its porous defense in hopes of ending a four-game skid on Saturday.

The Cardinals (1-6, 0-2 Conference USA) had last weekend off in order to make the adjustments while preparing to entertain Houston (2-4, 1-0) at Cardinal Stadium.

Among the changes are fullback Otis Floyd to linebacker, wide receiver Yeasive Ware to safety, Derrick Kennedy from defensive end to tackle, Courtney Dinks from safety to cornerback and freshman Xavier Burrell starting at free safety.

"We added speed to the defense," Ware said. "Myself, when I get in the huddle, I'm so loud. I'm trying to keep everyone up. Whatever it takes, I'll do it to help us win."

Louisville ranks No. 107 in the nation in total defense (479.3 yards), No. 103 in scoring defense (39.6 points) and No. 100 in rushing defense (229.1).

Floyd, who has been in the offensive backfield for two seasons, apparently likes the new position.

"It's more fun than offense," he said. "You get to be wild. You get to hit people instead of get hit."

Houston coach Kim Helton is concerned about how his team's defense is going to stop Louisville's passing attack, which ranks seventh in the nation (308.0 yards).

"They've proven that they're impossible to cover," he said. "All you can do is give it your all and hope to create some turnovers. That team has had some tough losses and there's no way I'm looking past this weekend."

There's reason for Helton's concern because Houston ranks last in CUSA in pass defense, allowing 279.2 yards a game. The Cougars are third against the run, with 148 yards.

Louisville quarterback Chris Redman is the conference's leader in passing efficiency (141.5), completing 161 of 258 passes for 2,016 yards and 16 touchdowns. He is coming off a school-record 428 passing yards in a 64-33 loss to Tulane two weeks ago.

Redman's favorite receivers are Miguel Montano (36-538), Ibn Green (31-445) and Arnold Jackson (28-469).

Houston, which is coming off a 41-38 overtime victory over Cincinnati, is second in CUSA in total offense with 366 yards -- 148 on the ground and 218 through the air.

Freshman Jason McKinley has hit on 67 of 131 passes for 955 yards and five touchdowns, including 18-of-32 for 298 and two scores in the victory over Cincinnati.

Houston's Vaughn Inniss is second in CUSA in rushing, picking up 74.8 yards a game.

Houston holds a 5-2 series advantage, including a 38-7 victory last season that clinched the conference championship and a trip to the Liberty Bowl for the Cougars.