UH cruises past UAB, improves to 3-3

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By the fourth quarter Saturday, the University of Houston defense had been in Austin Brown's face enough to be on a first-name basis.

The Cougars' swarming defense recorded eight sacks, and kicker Matt Hogan set a Conference USA and school single-game record with six field goals in a 39-17 victory over Alabama-Birmingham at Robertson Stadium.

Houston won its third consecutive game to climb to .500 for the first time this season while improving to 2-0 in C-USA play.

"We know that when there's pressure on the quarterback, he gets uncomfortable and starts throwing the ball everywhere," said UH linebacker Phillip Steward, who had a team-high 13 tackles, 2 ½ sacks and an interception.

The Cougars had Brown, a redshirt freshman quarterback making his third career start, on the run most of the game with blitzes from all angles. Along with the eight sacks, the Cougars had 11 quarterback hurries. Linebacker Derrick Mathews had a sack, two tackles for loss and four quarterback hurries.

Late in the fourth quarter, the Cougars' relentless pursuit produced three sacks in the span of eight plays.

Houston wide receiver Shane Ros celebrates with running back Charles Sims and quarterback David Piland after scoring on a 25-yard pass during the first quarter. Houston wide receiver Shane Ros celebrates with running back Charles Sims and quarterback David Piland after scoring on a 25-yard pass during the first quarter. Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 17 Caption Close UH cruises past UAB, improves to 3-3 1 / 17 Back to Gallery

"He's as tough a quarterback as I've seen because he took some shots and kept getting up," UH coach Tony Levine said of Brown.

The Cougars needed the strong defensive showing with the offense suddenly developing a phobia of the end zone. UH had to settle for field goals on five trips inside the UAB 10-yard line.

Hogan made field goals of 23, 27, 23, 29, 52 and 26. The 52-yard attempt was the longest of his career, and the 26-yarder with 12:50 remaining in the game broke the conference mark.

"It's nice to have one of the best kickers in the nation, but we would prefer seven (points) over three," Levine said. "We have to do a better job of that, and I give UAB credit. They weren't going to let us run the ball. When you get inside the 10 and the field is condensed, your passing game is limited. We've got to do a better job of finishing and executing blocks in the red zone."

UH scored on its opening drive of the game when quarterback David Piland hooked up with Shane Ros for a 25-yard touchdown. Ros became the latest wide receiver to step up for the Cougars, finishing with career-high seven receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown.

On the ensuing drive, UAB (1-5, 0-2 C-USA) converted a pair of third downs, took advantage of a roughing the passer call and capped the drive with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Brown to Jay Davis.

Two plays later, Charles Sims fumbled the ball to give the Blazers the ball at the UH 34. But, with the scored tied at 7, the Cougars came up with a big defensive stand that ended when Jeremiah Farley and William Moore combined for a sack on fourth down. UH scored on three of the next four possessions, all Hogan field goals.

"I thought that was as big a play and series as there was the entire game," Levine said.

Ahead 16-10, the Cougars broke the game open by scoring on all five of their third-quarter possessions – a 1-yard run by Kenneth Farrow, a 10-yard run by Ryan Jackson and three field goals.

Sims had a game-high 133 yards for the Cougars, his third straight game with at least 100 yards. During UH's three-game winning streak, Sims has 502 yards.

Piland was 32-of-44 for 362 yards with a touchdown. The Cougars outgained UAB 566-374 in the game.

The Cougars held UAB to 35 rushing yards and did not allow a second-half score until Greg Franklin's 4-yard touchdown with 4:37 remaining. Jamarcus Nelson had six receptions for 106 yards for UAB.

joseph.duarte@chron.com

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