y at the track and 82nd of his career. He outran defending seaso

While dazzling quarterback Greg Ward Jr. has gotten the lions share of the attention during Houstons rise to prominence, the sixth-ranked Cougars have dominated this season behind one of the nations top defenses.That unit, led by linebacker Steven Taylor and freshman lineman Ed Oliver, has capitalized on turnovers and kept opponents out of the end zone.Houston (3-0) ranks 11th nationally in total defense (257.7 yards a game), 13th in scoring (13 points a game) and first against the run (38.3 yards). The Cougars returned two interceptions for touchdowns during the fourth quarter of a 40-16 win at Cincinnati last week. Houston limited Oklahoma to 70 rushing yards and Cincinnati to 30.Second-year coach Tom Herman, an offensive wizard who remains on everyones short list for prominent vacancies after the season, credits defensive coordinator Todd Orlando, who left Utah State in 2015 to join the Houston staff.I knew what kinds of defenses kept me up at night as an offensive coordinator, so I knew I wanted to run that kind of defense, said Herman, whose team is heavily favored in a nonconference game at Texas State on Saturday.Taylor, a senior, produced nine tackles, including two sacks, and returned an interception 74 yards for a touchdown at Cincinnati. Herman said the three-man defensive line creates situations for Taylor to excel.Steve gets to reap the benefits of the dirty work that those guys do, Herman said.Oliver, a five-star recruit from Houston, already has a reputation for energetic, relentless pursuit of ball carriers.He opens a lot of gaps for me, Taylor said. He is a blessing to the team.First-year Texas State coach Everett Withers noticed something unexpected while watching Houston defeat Oklahoma 33-23.I thought they physically beat Oklahoma, Withers said.Some things to look for when the Cougars and Bobcats kick off Saturday:ROUGH STRETCH: Houston is the highest-ranked Texas State opponent since the Bobcats moved to the Bowl Subdivision in 2012. This game comes a week after Texas State lost 42-3 at No. 17 Arkansas. Texas State received a reported $1 million for the game at Arkansas. Withers has others reasons as well for facing good teams.I think there is a lot of value in playing top-quality opponents, Withers said. You learn more about your team when you play teams that are elite. I dont necessarily like playing them back to back.WARD WATCH: Ward suffered an injury to his right shoulder in the season opener against Oklahoma. He sat out the next game, against Lamar, and then accounted for 399 yards and ran for two fourth-quarter touchdowns at Cincinnati. He received treatment on the sideline during the game. Herman said Ward would receive treatment and evaluations during the week.Hes one of the best competitors Ive ever been around, and hes taken a lot of big hits, Herman said.DEPTH CHART: Through three games, Texas State has used more than 30 freshmen and sophomores on offense, defense and special teams. Withers said he encourages his staff to take chances with younger players.Ive challenged every one of our assistants coaches; Ive challenged myself to get them on the field, Withers said. I keep asking, `Who you saving?BIG CROWD: Houston is expected to attract one of the top four crowds at Bobcat Stadium since the facility was expanded to a listed capacity of 30,000 for Texas States arrival in FBS. The top three: Texas Tech in 2012 (33,006), Navy in 2014 (32,007) and Southern Miss in 2015 (27,250).HERMAN, THE EARLY YEARS: Herman was an offensive graduate assistant at Texas in 1999-2000 when Withers was coaching the Longhorns defensive backs. They also worked together at Ohio State.He was one of those guys you knew was going to be a really good coach, Withers said. You could tell when guys are sharp, understand the game, understand how to build relationships with the players. Xander Bogaerts Jersey .Y. - Jerome Samson scored once in regulation and again in the shootout as the St. Chris Sale Jersey . Miikka Kiprusoff had just announced his retirement after a decade-long run in Calgary and it would be up to Berra and Ramo to fill the void. http://www.theredsoxteamshop.com/Red-Sox-Fred-Lynn-Kids-Jersey/ . Ivanovic was leading 7-5, 1-0 when Hantuchova withdrew after falling 0-40 behind in the second game. The match started slowly for Ivanovic, who surrendered her first two serves as Hantuchova took a 5-3 lead. Rusney Castillo Jersey . Hazard cut in from the left and scored with a swerving right-footed shot for ninth goal of the season, which proved to be enough for the victory despite Chelseas forwards again lacking a cutting edge up front. Boston Red Sox Jerseys . The 18th player to shoot 60 on the tour, Jamieson settled for par on the final hole when his 15-foot birdie chip grazed the edge of the hole and stayed out. After opening with rounds of 66 and 73 to make the cut by a stroke, he had 11 birdies in the bogey-free round. MORRISON, Colo. -- John Force and Tony Schumacher raced to their first victories of the season Sunday in the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway.The 67-year-old Force beat daughter Courtney in the Funny Car final between Chevy Camaros. He finished in 3.965 seconds at 319.45 mph to her performance of 3.963 at 314.75. It was his seventh victory at the track and the record-extending 144th of his career. He hadnt won since June 2015 in New Hampshire.I didnt have a monkey on my back, it was a gorilla, said Force, the 16-time season champion who became the oldest driver in NHRA history to win a Funny Car race.Lets face it, the competition is the best Ive ever seen. Its tough to race my little girl there and it was a close one. I can do this game. I love it. I dont have anywhere to go. I am going to keep doing this. I want to keep building this sport.Schumacher, an eight-time Top Fuel season champion, also busted a lengthy winless streak with his third victory at the track and 82nd of his career. He outran defending season champion Antron Brown in the final with a run of 3.dddddddddddd802 at 324.28. Schumacher hadnt won since July 2015 in Chicago.To win one of these trophies you have to beat some bad dudes, and we beat a bunch of them today from Doug Kalitta to Antron Brown, Schumacher said. Ive enjoyed great moments in racing during my career, but coming back from a huge deficit when people have counted you out like we have done this weekend is the most satisfying to me.Allen Johnson won in Pro Stock, and Andrew Hines in Pro Stock Motorcycle.Johnson won the event for a record seventh time in his 10th consecutive final round appearance at the track, also a record in his category. He powered his Dodge Dart to a 6.982 at 197.34 against Vincent Nobile.Hines became the winningest Pro Stock Motorcycle rider in history, capturing his 45th career win by outrunning teammate Eddie Krawiec. Hines took his third win of the season and fourth at the event with a track-record time of 7.134 at 188.33 on a Harley-Davidson. ' ' '