In 2021, the Houston Cougars racked up 43 sacks on the season, good enough for a tie for 6th in the FBS. And for every sack they made they raised a red street sign in celebration. That street sign read “Sack Avenue.”
Sack Avenue
Houston was 12-2 last season and were the runners-up to Cincinnati in the AAC. They turned loose a defensive unit that ranked in the Top 20 in several categories, in addition to the aforementioned sacks:
- Tied for 12th in tackles for loss with 98.
- 10th in rushing defense at 108 yards per game allowed.
- 19th in scoring defense at 20 points per game.
- 19th in pass defense at 194 yards per game.
But when it came to sacking the quarterback, the Cougars struck hard and fast. They posted multiple sacks in a game 10 times last season. And in three games in 2021, the Cougars sacked opposing quarterbacks four times.
Over their final five games, Houston racked up 12 sacks. Their sack totals led the AAC, and they averaged three sacks per game.
Against Tulane, the Cougars might as well have planted a sign post at midfield at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans. Green Wave QB Michael Pratt was running for his life all game long as he was sacked a whopping eight times in a 40-22 victory. It was the most sacks in a game by Houston since 2016.
The Cougars racked up seven sacks against UCONN.
Six players return on defense in 2022 that represent 23.5 sacks of the 43 posted from last season:
- D’Anthony Jones: 6 sacks, Jones is a disruptor that is freakishly athletic. He posted 2 sacks against UCONN. He is regarded as one of the best defenders in college football in 2022.
- Derek Parish: 5 sacks
- Donovan Mutin: 2 sacks
- Atlias Bell: 3.5
- Nelson Ceaser: 3.5 sacks
- Latrell Bankston: 3.5 sacks
This defense will be tested right out of the gate when they take on the UTSA Roadrunners on September 3rd at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
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