San Marcos — Back in the 1980s, the Houston Cougars were nationally known as one of the top offensive powers in Division I-A football.

Thanks to Jack Pardee’s run-and-shoot offense — one that was successsfully inheirted by John Jenkins — the Cougars were well known for putting up big offensive numbers. So big that quarterback Andre Ware picked up a Heisman Trophy while at Houston, and David Klingler was a Heisman finalist.

Now with offensive guru Kevin Sumlin at the helm, the Cougars are right back where they were 20 years ago as one of the top offensive programs at the FBS level.

A fact not lost upon Texas State head coach Brad Wright and his coaching staff, whose Bobcats open the season at Houston Saturday night.  

“They are very good and averaged more than 42 points per game last year, which was No. 1 in the nation,” Wright said. “Obviously they are very good, but the scary part for us is what they are doing on defense.”

While Wright and his staff are well aware of the Cougars’ offensive prowless (led by Heisman-hopeful quarterback Case Keenum and a trio of 1,000-yard receivers), what Houston is up to on the defensive side of the ball remains a question. The Cougars’ defense is under the direction of first-year defensive coordinator Brian Stewart, who spent the past seven years coaching in the NFL.  

Stewart’s NFL past has made it difficult for Wright and his staff to figure out exactly what the Cougars’ defense will look like Saturday night.

“He’s been at the NFL level for a while and those guys don’t throw around film,” Wright said. “We could find film if they were from the college ranks, but this is a little bit different.

“We know what a 3-4 is, but that’s basically all we know at this point. Just because you run a 3-4, is it a blitzing 3-4 or is it a sit-back-and-read 3-4 or is it a zone blitz 3-4. You just don’t know what they are doing, but it’s one of the hazards of the trade.”

UH returns seven starters on defense, but several switched positions in order to adapt to Stewart’s 3-4.

While David Hunter and Tyrone Campbell stay at defensive end for the Cougars, linebackers Matt Nicholson and Sammy Brown changed roles. Brown moved to the outside while Nicholson takes over in the middle.

“It’s a little different (moving inside),” Nicholson said. “I feel more comfortable on the inside anyway so I’m more excited. I’m just excited to get out there and get started playing.”

When the Cougars take the field, their defense might be different but their offense remains the same. Keenum will sling it out to his receivers (James Cleveland, Tyson Carrier and Patrick Edwards) and let them beat an opposing defensive back with their speed.

Ultimately, that’s what the Bobcats will need to contain if they want to have any success Saturday night.

“We’re going to have to match Southland Conference speed with Conference USA speed,” Texas State defensive coordinator Fred Bleil said. “If we can do that and win the turnover battle, we’ll be fine. Without a doubt though, this is the toughest offense I’ve had to game plan against in my now three years here.”



Bush is good to go for the ’Cats

Texas State learned Wednesday morning senior running back Karrington Bush was cleared by the NCAA to compete in 2010. Bush, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2009, had battled academic troubles in the spring and summer but was granted a waiver by the NCAA to play in 2010.

Bush led the Bobcats with 1,065 rushing yards in 2008.