Offense on Full Display at Red-White Game

When new University of Houston head coach Kevin Sumlin arrived last December, he promised the Cougars would be even more explosive than they were in the previous five years. He wasn't kidding.

In front of several thousand Houston fans who attended this year’s Red-White Game on April 12, the Cougars' offense was in hyperdrive, generating almost 660 yards and seven touchdowns through the air, as the White defeated the Red, 69-34.

"We've only had 15 practices, so we tried to get some practice work out of this even though it's a game situation,” Sumlin said. “I was really pleased with the quarterbacks and their accuracy today. They protected the ball pretty well."

Junior quarterback Blake Joseph looked quite comfortable in the UH spread offense, completing 37-of-41 passes for 421 yards and five touchdowns. Sophomore Case Keenum - the 2007 Conference USA Freshman of the Year – also performed well behind center, throwing for 205 yards and two touchdowns while completing 28-of 35 of his attempts.

Even though the Cougar defense gave up yards through the air, they were quite impressive against the run. The UH defenders held its offensive teammates to just 19 rushing yards on 36 carries, while racking up seven sacks, three tackles for losses, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Valis, Touchton Earn Weekly Honors
Jessica Valis Named C-USA Co-Hitter of the Week

University of Houston junior shortstop Jessica Valis was recently named the Conference USA Co-Hitter of the Week for the week of April 21. The award, announced by the conference office, is the first this season for the Shiner, Texas, native and the second of her career.

In five games last week for the Cougars, who are currently ranked No. 9 in the nation, Valis went 13-for-18 for a .722 batting average. Her performance at the plate improved her season batting average to .422 for a team best. She also registered a .944 slugging percentage and a .737 on-base percentage.

Valis went 10-for-11 in the three game series against Tulsa, notching a double and the two-run triple. With the triple, she now has a program record of 12 for her career. Valis passed the career previous record of 11 set by current assistant coach Kim Nesloney. She also has five triples this season, which is two shy of tying the single season record of seven she set in 2007.

UH baseball’s John Touchton, a sophomore right-hander, was also honored Monday with the first weekly honor of his career—Conference USA Pitcher of the Week.

Touchton made a pair of appearances last week for the No. 28 ranked Cougars, starting at Stephen F. Austin in a non-conference game and coming out of the bullpen during the middle game of the UAB series on Saturday to pitch a combined 9.1 innings.

The Kingwood High product recorded a career-high six strikeouts in both outings and allowed just one walk. He earned his third win at SFA, tossing six shutout innings while scattering only four hits.

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