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Issue 05, Volume 81

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Coming into his own

Junior quarterback Greg Ward, Jr. has been dynamic for the Cougars after taking over as the full-time starter. | PG. 15

SPORTS

Strong debut puts freshman in spotlight While it's only a few weeks into the season, freshman outsider hitter Brookah Plamer is already a leader for the Cougars. | PG. 12

NEWS

New budget promises improved services An approved allocation of $1.25 billion will go to financial aid and recruitment, among other services. | PG. 4

2 | Wednesday, September 16, 2015

NEWS

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Rebecca Hennes, Editor

CAMPUS

Growing pains: increased enrollment comes with a price

i

The Cougar

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ABOUT THE COUGAR The Cougar is published every Wednesday during the fall and spring semesters, and twice during the summer and online at thedailycougar. com. The Daily Cougar is supported in part by Student Service Fees. The first copy is free. Additional copies cost 25 cents.

COPYRIGHT No part of the newspaper in print or online may be reproduced without the consent of the director of Student Publications.

ISSUE STAFF COPY EDITING

Taelor Marquetti-Gadison CLOSING EDITORS

Sean Alder Mónica Rojas Glissette Santana

ABOUT THE COVER Junior quarterback Greg Ward, Jr. is ready to make a name for himself on the team. — Photo by Justin Tijerina

UH enrollment has increased signifcantly over the past year and it is beginning to take a toll on the campus. | Justin Cross / The Cougar

GABE LABOUNTY

NEWS WRITER

UH has grown from humble beginnings to a national powerhouse.

Over the past year, student enrollment has risen to approximately 42,738 from 40,914 students.

Jeff Fuller, director of student

recruitment, said he attributes the increase in student population to the strengthened culture of the university, as well as more on-campus activities.

“The office of admissions spearheaded efforts to connect with admitted students and their

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families about the strength in UH’s for parking and traffic at the academic and student success university. initiatives while demonstrating the “The school population is now benefits of student engagement at 42,000, yet the parking lots haven’t the same time,” Fuller said. changed and are becoming more Fuller said the increase in and more inadequate," Nguyen students originated from several said. "I think that the school can campus programs in Houston and afford to pay for a concrete parkabroad. ing lot.”

“Increased student enrollment Aside from parking, increased demonstrates that students choos- numbers could mean that locaing UH feel tions such as proud of their the library and decision,” Fuller the Student said. “They will Center get more become advofoot traffic, as cates for others well as classes to choose in general.

UH, which is “Inside some becoming a of my classes, more attractive there are more college that people than students select seats and that will lead that’s an issue,” them to both Abdelaziz said. their profes“I think that Omar Abdelaziz, Biology (the) lecture sional and sophomore halls aren’t personal goals.”

While Fuller adequate as believes there conductive are no downsides to an increase learning environments.” in population, some students are Despite the spike in admissions, noticing complications of a develsome students still question the oping campus. direction the university has taken.

Biology sophomore Omar Abdelaziz challenges the uniAbdelaziz said that maneuvering versity's decision to focus more campus has become an acquired money on athletics during a time skill. of growth.

“One thing I have noticed is "We (moved) into Tier One traffic, which has gotten much status,” Abdelaziz said. “Yet we just worse,” Abdelaziz said. “The roads shifted money from academics to and parking lots are more crowded athletics. Which one are we trying than last year's.” to promote?”

Chemistry junior Andrew Nguyen shares Abdelaziz’s concern news@thedailycougar.com

“One thing I have noticed is traffic, which has gotten much worse. The roads and parking lots are more crowded than last year's."

i

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ABOUT CSM The Center for Student Media provides comprehensive advisory and financial support to the university’s student-run media: The Cougar newspaper, Student Video Network and COOG Radio.

Part of the Student Life portfolio in the Division of Student Affairs, the CSM is concerned with the development of students, focusing on critical thinking, leadership, ethics, collaboration, intercultural competence, goal-setting and ultimately, degree attainment. While our students are engaged in producing and promoting media channels and content, our goal is to ensure they are learning to become better thinkers and leaders in the process.

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NEWS

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Rebecca Hennes, EDITOR

ACADEMICS

UH moves up in ranking, excels in other areas LEEM BASHARAT

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR @LEEENCUISINE

It’s that time of year again. U.S. News and World Report kicked off the fall semester by releasing their official rankings of universities.

UH ranked 187, rising two spots from last year’s 189 slot.

UH still trails behind three major Texas universities — Rice University (18), the University of Texas at Austin (53) and Texas A&M University (71).

UH had higher rankings in some subcategories, however, including the number one spot for the "Best Online Graduate Education Programs."

“We’re really excited about the potential this allows for more people to become more educated, to become qualified and really be able to give back to the greater Houston community,” said Ginger Lucas, director of the online social work graduate programs.

“It is really exciting that the University of Houston (is) acting in such a progressive way because there are some many wonderful things to online education."

UH was also ranked number two in campus diversity, tying

"UH continues to reflect the diversity of our city."

Richard Walker, Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services

with Andrews University, St. John’s University and University of Nevada-Las Vegas.

“UH continues to reflect the diversity of our city," Richard Walker, vice president of student affairs and enrollment services, said in a press release. "We are proud to be a University where

students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds come to pursue their higher education dreams.

In recent years, we have made great strides to become more nationally competitive while maintaining the affordability, diversity and local relevance that are part of our core values.”

Additional programs that ranked in the top were UH’s intellectual property law in sixth place, health care law in eighth place, part-time Law in 11th place, social work in 37th place and pharmacy and part-time business MBA in 48th place in the nation.

Despite UH's lower overall ranking compared to its rival schools, several of its programs ranked in the top 100. news@thedailycougar.com Follow us on Twitter

UH’S TOP 100

Based on US News & World Report’s recent ranking, here are University of Houston’s programs and degrees that made the top 100

1 in Online Graduate Education Program 6 in Intellectual Property Law 8 in Health Care Law 11 in Part-time Law 37 in Social Work 48 in Pharmacy 48 in Business, Part-time MBA 59 in Best Law Schools 64 in Earth Sciences

68 in Political Science 70 in Clinical Psychology 72 in Economics 76 in Best Engineering Schools 84 in Chemistry 84 in Speech-Language Pathology 87 in Math 91 in English

Overall Ranking: 105 Top Public School 187 in the Nation

304 in the Globe

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NEWS

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Rebecca Hennes, Editor

CAMPUS

Budget aims to enhance campus initiatives The recently passed fiscal year budget allocates funds for services, but students would like to see the money spent on campus rennovations.

LIDIA HERRERA NEWS WRITER

In their last meeting, the Board of Regents approved a nearly $2 billion budget for the 20152016 fiscal year, of which UH main campus will receive $1.25 billion in funding to improve services such as financial aid, fellowships, recruitment and enrollment.

“There is a separate budget development process at each of the campuses, including participation of faculty and staff to prioritize funding needs at each campus (which is) approved by the University President and reviewed with the UHS Chancellor,” UH’s Chief Financial Officer, Jim McShan said. “Each campus budget and a combined system wide budget are presented to the Board of Regents for approval.”

The new budget will be divided among four campuses — the University of Houston Main Campus, UH Clear Lake, UH Downtown and UH Victoria.

Main Campus' budget allows for $21 million to go towards national competitiveness goals that include enhancing research facilities.

“I think the budget should go to speeding up the projects such as The Cullen Family Plaza Fountain and Reflecting Pool,” said creative writing junior Marissa Gonzalez.

“It’s an eyesore on campus and has such a significance to our University’s traditions.”

Other students think the budget should be used for their own benefit.

“I would have put some of the (money) towards the organizations at school and improving the parking lots,” communica-

tions junior Brittany Johnson said.

UH Clear Lake has entered its second year as a four-year institution and will receive $155 million to continue improving student success.

UHCL will use $7.7 million for financial assistance, student and academic support initiatives, hiring new faculty, staff retention and instructional support. This campus has also set aside $1.5 million towards recruitment, retention and development for faculty.

“UHCL provides an opportunity for students that may not meet the rigorous UH admission standards and (allows them to be able) to pursue a quality fouryear degree,” McShan said.

Over recent years, UH Downtown has seen an increase in both graduating classes and minority graduates.

According to the budget, UHD will receive a total of $191 million to support student success and national competitiveness initiatives. They will set aside $5.8 million in financial aid, student support, initiatives to increase student retention and graduation rates, academic facilities, such as libraries and labs, and equipment.

“I was a transfer student from UHD last year, so I think they should expand the food court variety and the parking lots,” human development and family studies junior Gabriela Pacheco said.

UH Victoria is receiving $80 million to help with its sixth year of downward expansion.

The budget plans to improve student recruitment, retention and graduation initiatives, academic programs, new faculty and increase the online curriculum.

UHV will also use $326,000 on national competitiveness efforts such as its Quality Enhancement Plan and bolstering faculty salaries.

The UH System expects to expand its campuses through $188 million in capital project expenditures in FY2016. news@thedailycougar.com

PARKING LOT REVAMP “I would have put some of the (money) towards the organizations at school and improving the parking lots.”

— Brittany Johnson, communications junior

FOUNTAIN FACELIFT “I think the budget should go to speeding up the projects such as The Cullen Family Plaza Fountain and Reflecting Pool.It’s an eyesore on campus and has such a significance to our University’s traditions.”

— Marissa Gonzalez, creative writing junior

| Photos by Kyrie Bouressa/The Cougar

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Rebecca Hennes, Editor

“I was able to talk to people from different non-profit organizations and they were able to give me insight on the direction that I should go.”

Seante Johnson, UH alumni and community manner for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life | Dailey Hubbard/ The Cougar

NEWS

Engineering career fair brings opportunity The Cullen College of Engineering, in conjunction with three professional student organizations: Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, National Society of Black Engineers and Society of Women Engineers, hosts a Fall and Spring Career Fair today in the UH Hilton Hotel. This event is free to only engineering students from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. It’s platinum sponsors include Shell Oil, Enterprise Products and OneSubsea (A Cameron & Schlumberger Company).

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Date: 9/25/15 Time: 12:00pm – 4:00pm Location: Rockwell Career Center

6 | Wednesday, September 16, 2015

NEWS

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Rebecca Hennes, Editor

CITY

Candidate profile: Adrian Garcia focuses on balancing city budget

Garcia wants to create a linkage between the four pillars of the economy to help the education system, reaching out to young students. | Leen Basharat/ The Cougar

LEEN BASHARAT

NEWS ASSISTANT EDITOR @ LEEENCUISINE

As one of the candidates for Houston Mayor, former Harris County Sheriff and former councilman Adrian Garcia is focusing on a campaign that balances the city's budget. Garcia's plan

10043-Cougar News September 16 FINAL.indd 1

addresses how he will improve the city’s infrastructure, manage neighborhoods’ flood control and enhance quality of life.

“I think there’s a number of challenges," Garcia said. "We need to enhance our public safety resources, but we can’t get there without adjusting the

financial challenges that we have ahead us."

Garcia’s vision for the education system in Houston focuses on creating linkages to our four pillars of the economy: the aerial space system, medical center, business and petrochemical industries.

Through his role as potential mayor, Garcia plans to make firsthand opportunities for young students to learn and experience these pillars.

“I know well what happens when young people lose interest in their education," Garcia said.

"They become a drag in our economy, they become a part of our incarcerated community, and they become a loss of human capital.”

Garcia said his time serving as a council member taught him how to govern and legislate within a body of other councilmen to address serious issues.

One of his targeted problems is Houston’s traffic congestion, which he plans to address with a multimodal transit system. “(We need to be) making sure we are concentrating on our quality of life… the next level of evolution of our light rail… continuing expanding our hike and bike trails and our bike lanes," Garcia said.

Garcia’s experience as sheriff nurtured his strong emphasis on

Houston's finances. Garcia feels that his background is advantageous because the first issue to be dealt with, by whomever is mayor, is the city of Houston’s budget.

“I had nearly had 5,000 employees and an operating budget of almost half a billion dollars,” Garcia said. “I reformed it, I provided new technologies, a new direction for the organization, and I helped save a ton of money taxpayers wanted saved."

Although his service as Mayor White’s Mayor Pro Tempore fostered the idea of becoming mayor of Houston, Garcia’s family and childhood certainly cultivated him to pursue the American dream.

“Every one of them has contributed to the success I have enjoyed, and it is why I want to become the mayor of Houston.”

Garcia said. “I want to make sure that opportunity and those possibilities are still alive for the next generation.” news@thedailycougar.com

9/14/15 11:18 AM

Wednesday, September 16, 2015 | 7

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OPINION

opinion@thedailycougar.com

Anthony Torres, EDITOR

THE OCTOGENARIAN

EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR IN CHIEF

Glissette Santana

MANAGING EDITOR

Mónica Rojas

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Sean Alder

NEWS EDITOR

Rebecca Hennes CHIEF COPY EDITOR

Taelor Marquetti-Gadison COMMUNITY MANAGER

Jasmine Morris

SPORTS EDITOR

Bryce Dodds COOGLIFE EDITOR

Karis Johnson PHOTO EDITOR

Justin Tijerina OPINION EDITOR

Anthony Torres ASSISTANT EDITORS

Leen Basharat Efren Diosdado Sarah Kim Brittaney Penney Sonia Zuniga

STAFF EDITORIAL The Staff Editorial reflects the opinions of The Cougar Editorial Board (the members of which are listed above the editorial). All other opinions, commentaries and cartoons reflect only the opinion of the author. Opinions expressed in The Cougar do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Houston or the students as a whole.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Cougar welcomes letters to the editor from any member of the UH community. Letters should be no more than 250 words and signed, including the author’s full name, phone number or e-mail address and affiliation with the University, including classification and major.

Anonymous letters will not be published. Deliver letters to N221, University Center; e-mail them to letters@thedailycougar.com; send them via campus mail to STP 4015; or fax to (713) 743-5384. Letters are subject to editing.

GUEST COMMENTARY Submissions are accepted from any member of the UH community and must be signed with the author’s name, phone number or e-mail address and affiliation with the University, including classification and major. Commentary should be limited to 500 words. Guest commentaries should not be written as replies, but rather should present independent points of view. Deliver submissions to N221, University Center; e-mail them to letters@ thedailycougar.com; or fax them to (713) 743-5384. All submissions are subject to editing.

ADVERTISEMENTS Advertisements in The Cougar do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the University or the students as a whole.

The Cougar is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press.

studentpress.org/acp

Mainstream journalism not what it used to be KEN LEVIN OPINION COLUMNIST

I

am mad as hell.

My anger is directed at members of a profession that I love and admire, the news gatherer and reporter.

Some 20 years back, a brave delegation of American women, led by then Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, went to China for a world conference on women and women’s issues. Among the delegates was Hillary Clinton, First KEN LEVIN Lady at the OPINION time, who COLUMNIST was to make a speech on the world stage.

There were three major groups who feared that speech, and none of the three knew in advance what the First Lady would say.

One group was the government of China. They even harassed delegates, including our secretary of state, to make it difficult for these women to attend.

The second group was the U.S. Congress. This was a Republican Congress, and many of you readers are too young to understand that Republicans were pretty moderate back then. But, the First Lady was a Clinton, and conservatives even back then considered anything Clinton as relish and sauce for their hate appetites.

The third was the executive branch, and I don’t know if even President Bill Clinton knew what Hillary was going to say. I happen to believe that one of the strongest pieces of cloth ever invented is the marriage pillow, so I know what I believe.

Much in the image of the great Eleanor Roosevelt, Hillary Clinton tucked her purse under her arm, thumbed her nose at the powers that be and went off to do her own thing.

Hillary gave her speech, and it was a kick-ass masterpiece that called on governments worldwide, especially China and even the U.S., to work towards ending the mistreatment of women.

This diminutive female grew to giant estimation as a human in my mind.

One Friday, I recorded Andrea Mitchell's interview with Hillary Clinton, now a presidential front-runner.

It was a great interview fol-

Clinton spoke to supporters earlier this year at TSU. | Mónica Rojas/The Cougar

lowed by the usual critique. That’s when I got angry.

Rachel Maddow, a reporter who, up until last week I respected for her reporting, caused me to constantly refer

back to the interview to see if we had watched the same interview.

That evening, I watched Rachel’s show and realized that she was misreporting the interview and was in reality reporting

more on Andrea Mitchell — her obvious hero — rather than the truth of what Hillary said.

It was obvious when the many self-proclaimed reporters unveiled the fact that, though their tongues were wagging, they hadn’t bothered to watch it. Few networks reported accurately, but they were in the minority.

I grew up in the days when you needed three reliable sources before you put your words on paper. Today, sadly, supposition and innuendo are considered reporting and the public is hurt by this.

Opinion columnist Ken Levin is a political science senior and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar. com

8 | Wednesday, September 16, 2015

OPINION

(713) 743-5304

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Anthony Torres, EDITOR

SOCIAL MEDIA

Online harassment needs to be treated more seriously SARAH KIM

ASSISTANT OPINION EDITOR

A

s social media becomes more prevalent, the question of what can be done when men and women receive threats or harassment online arrises.

The Supreme Court's silence is concerning for the 40 perSARAH KIM cent of people ASSISTANT who have OPINION EDITOR been harassed online.

“Rape,” he said. “rape sounds good.”

I received this disturbing facebook message earlier this week from a stranger. It was not the first time I’d ever received a message like this through social media. Friends of mine have received random revealing photos, being subjected to harassment that continues for days and more. It’s almost commonplace.

According to a 2014 Pew

Research survey, women who are 18 to 24 year olds are significantly more harassed.

Forty-seven percent of people responded by confronting the person, 44 percent (myself included) blocked or unfriended the person, 22 percent reported the person to the website, and five percent reported the person to the law enforcement.

Empowered and masked by anonymity, disturbing people share their crude messages. Types of harassment include physical threats, sexual harassment and stalking or harassment over a sustained period of time.

Unlike popular belief, they go beyond simple comments.

Last year, a man from Pennsylvania's wife filed a restraining order against him after he posted several threats on social media.

He didn't stop.

"Fold up your protective order, and put in your pocket. Is it thick enough to stop a bullet," he said online a week after filing the restraining order.

Victims have described their

Photo illustration by Justin Tijerina

experiences that are often life-threatening.

“I was threatened and told that if I stopped communicating with this man, that he would find me and rape me," an anonymous victim said.

One thing more disconcerting than being on the receiving end of these messages is the fact that little or nothing can be done about them.

The courts have clear standards in determining which types of actions qualify as harassment, battery, and assault. But less clearly understood are the threats and harassment found on social media. For those who use social media daily, this is an important distinction that needs to be made.

Should people be accountable for the words they post online, and if so, to what extent?

There are a few laws in place regarding social media. According to the Texas Penal Code § 33.07, it is illegal in Texas to engage in online harassment using another’s identity and soliciting from a minor. These laws, however, do not address the threats and harassment many face when using social media.

According the Pew Research Center, there is no clear legal definition of what constitutes

"online harassment." Notions of libel, slander and threatening speech are sometimes hard to apply in an online context.

Essentially, it comes down to the reasonable person standard.

If a reasonable person would feel sincerely threatened by an action, then an individual may be held accountable for this action in the court of law.

In June, the Supreme Court made it more difficult to prosecute threats and harassment on social media. The Supreme Court recently overturned the conviction of a Pennsylvania man who posted rap-like lyrics that suggested he intended to kill his estranged wife, federal law enforcement officers and even a kindergarten class.

But the court has avoided making a clear distinction on the legitimacy of threats on social media.

If people can be punished for verbal threats, online threats need to be treated exactly the same.

Going about politics the wrong way Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton has made big promises so far, but can she follow through? Read more at thedailycougar.com

Wednesday, September 16, 2015 | 9 713-743-5304

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opinion@thedailycougar.com

OPINION

Anthony Torres, EDITOR

CARTOON

Illustration by Tamor Khan

STAFF EDITORIAL

Day for Night: to expenisive for target demographic

F

ree Press Houston recently announced a new winter festival that will combine music with digital art.

Day for Night, a two-day concert set for Dec. 19-20, is the monthly publication's newest and biggest project.

The blind pre-sale general admission tickets start at $135 — the price of a textbook for some college students.

We appreciate that Free Press is trying new things, but those ticket prices are nothing to be excited about.

“We always knew we wanted to produce a large-scale winter event, but we don’t want to just put on another festival," Free Press Houston Publisher Omar Afra said in the announcement.

"This one has to be different.”

The idea for a digital-art music festival is creative. The fact that it's in the winter, when there are virtually no other festivals and not in the dreadful Houston heat is also great, but $135 is a lot to ask of a 20-something college student, living off Ramen noodles.

According to Free Press’ website, the festival definitely will be something different. Festival producers plan to use creative technology and interactive and experimental design to create “controlled environments with stages featuring live music performances.”

Free Press’ summer concert, Free Press Summer Fest, brings in tens of thousands of people and millions of dollars for the bayou city. According to an economic impact study conducted by UH and the Houston Business Journal, last year’s

summer festival brought in $14 million to the Houston economy.

Even the VIP passes, which cost $350, aren't worth it. The perks don't include meeting the artists, which to some defies the purpose of a VIP pass.

According to the Free Press

website, the winter festival “promises to be a visceral experience for the eyes and ears…

The festival will be focused on emerging technology and sound, and how audiences experience them.”

This festival will be a great

addition to the art scene in Houston. However, for the festival's targeted demographic, those ticket prices aren't worth it, especially if the lineup hasn't been released yet.

In its first year, Day for Night can't ask for so much without

the audience what they're in for.

If Free Press wants to cater to their audience, they should look at the whole picture.

— The Cougar Editorial Board

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SPORTS ROUND TABLE

Highlights from big win over Louisville Cardinals In this week's round table, The Cougar sports staff looks at who had the biggest day for the Cougars.

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Senior running back Kenneth Farrow broke out for his first over 100-yard rushing game of the season. | Michael Calderon/The Cougar

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4/23/15 2:35 PM

TEVIN MILLS Staff writer

What did the Cougars do well against the Cardinals?

They controlled the tempo and won the battle of possession. No factors are more important when playing in a hostile environment, other than maybe establishing an early rhythm (they did that scoring on the first drive). The Cougars outgained the Cardinals in total yardage, but the 226-70 discrepancy in rushing yards is where the game was won.

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What did the team do poorly?

Missed opportunities marred what could have been a blowout win for the Cougars. The team shot itself in the foot several times, including a turnover and a couple of missed field goals that prevented them from capitalizing on the four turnovers the defense came away with. Coming up with just three points on the Louisville turnovers essentially swung the momentum right back in the Cardinals’ direction.

Who was the player of the game?

Junior corner back Brandon Wilson.

Not only did he have a good day on defense, with eight tackles and one pass defense, but he had the 100-yard kickoff return touchdown that really sparked the team. It gave Houston a ton of momentum, when it looked like Louisville might be able to pull away. It really changed the tenor of the game.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015 | 11

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SPORTS

sports@thedailycougar.com

Bryce Dodds, EDITOR

FOOTBALL

The good, bad and ugly: Quarterback play leads to victory over Louisville MICHAEL CALDERON

STAFF WRITER

@ MWC0052

With the football team taking the 34-31 victory over the University of Louisville Cardinals Saturday afternoon to push their record to 2-0 to start the season, it’s time to take a closer look at the good, the bad and the ugly from the game.

The Good: grabbing a piece of national relevancy The Cougars came into the game as 13-point underdogs to the Cardinals, according to the odds makers in Las Vegas.

That was not lost on head coach Tom Herman, who used his team’s position as an underdog to motivate his players all week before the game.

Herman urged his players to steal a little national notoriety by taking down a team from a Power 5 conference on the road.

Not only did Herman’s squad defeat the Cardinals, they looked like the superior team on the

Head coach Tom Herman is off to a successful start, going 2-0 so far, with an upset over the University of Louisville Cardinals | Justin Tijerina/The Cougar

field in doing so.

On offense, the Cougars outgained the Cardinals 462 total yards to 395, ran the ball hard for 226 team rushing yards and converted 50 percent of their third-down attempts.

Defensively, Houston was able to hold Louisville to just 70 rushing yards on the afternoon and

came away with four quarterback hurries, two sacks and four turnovers.

The Bad: quarterback Ward was a ‘bad man’ Saturday Though his performance was far from perfect, junior quarterback Greg Ward, Jr. stepped up in his tenth start.

Ward picked up where he left off last week, leading his team on a six-play, 51-yard drive, capped off with a 29-yard touchdown pass to junior receiver Steven Dunbar on the opening possession against Louisville.

After a rough patch in the middle of the game, Ward rebounded in dynamic fashion.

Ward led the offense on three consecutive scoring drives for 17 fourth-quarter points, including the game winning score after the defense gotthe ball back with an interception by senior safety Trevon Stewart, After seeing the Louisville defense line up in a similar formation earlier in the game, Ward checked to a new call when they showed the same front again and hit junior receiver Demarcus Ayers for a 15-yard touchdown pass along the sideline.

Ward finished the game with 236 yards and three scores through the air to go along with 21 rushes for 98 yards.

The Ugly: missed opportunities The missed opportunities by the Cougar offense are too glaring to ignore.

The defense had its share of struggles on the afternoon, giving up 325 passing yards, but they gave the offense plenty of chances to gain ground with two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

Of the four extra possessions, the team scored just three points on a field goal after getting the ball at the Louisville 27-yard line to start the drive.

The Cougars got the first signature win of the Tom Herman era with a strong performance against a good team and will have a bye week to work on their offensive efficiency. They take the field again when the Texas State Bobcats come to town on Sept.

26. sports@thedailycougar.com

STRENGTHENING THE PRIDE INTRAMURAL SPORTS

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

SPORT REGISTRATION EVENT TIME 7v7 Flag Football 8/24 - 9/17 @ 12p 9/21 - 10/29 Racquetball Singles 8/24- 9/18 @ 3p 9/18 from 3p-6p 4v4 Sand Volleyball 8/24- 9/24 @ 12p 9/27 - 10/4 Wallyball Doubles (CR) 9/21 - 10/6 @6p 10/6 from 6-10p 6v6 Volleyball 9/21 - 10/7 @12p 10/11 - 11/12 Wallyball Doubles (M/W) 10/5 –10/21 @ 6p 10/21 from 6p-10p 9-Ball Pool Singles 10/5 – 10/23 @ 3p 10/23 from 3p-6p Bowling Doubles 10/19 – 11/13 @ 3p 11/13 from 3p-7p, SC PS4: Madden 16 Football 11/2 – 11/16 @ 6p 11/16 from 6p-11p,SC Winter Sprinter Swim Meet 11/2 – 12/3 @ 6p 12/3 from 6p-9p Register on imleagues.com or IM full listings uh.edu/recreation

Galveston Beach Trip Saturday , October 3rd $25 - UH Student

AQUATICS

HIRING LIFEGUARDS For those interested in beconming a lifeguard, visit: www.uh.edu/recreation

On this beach trip participants will learn how to surf and stand up paddle board (SUP). Other activities including beach games will also take place. All equipment and lunch is included. No experience is necessary. The deadline to sign up for this trip is 9/28 at 5pm.

Visit the website for more information on OA demos and trips: www.uh.edu/recreation

AMERICAN RED CROSS TRAINING The American Red Cross Lifeguard training provides individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to keep patrons of aquatic facilities safe in and around water.

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REGISTER BY

9/18-9/20

9/16

10/2-10/4

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11/4

Friday 3pm - 10pm Saturday and Sunday 8am- 6pm Price: $225.00

FITNESS + JOIN GROUP GoPro

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Stop by the Fitness Zone Help Desk on the second floor of the CRWC to complete a Group Fitness Participant Waiver. Please have your Cougar One or membership card ready.

GET CERTIFIED TO BECOME A PULSEPOINTE BARRE INSTRUCTOR Sunday October 18 from 9am-10pm in the CRWC Multipurpose Room 1. Register at www.pulsepointebarre.com

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12 | Wednesday, September 16, 2015

SPORTS

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VOLLEYBALL

Team finds offensive firepower in freshman

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W W W . S M O K E A L L E Y . C O M Freshman outside hitter Brookah Palmer leads all Cougars on offense,with 151 kills. | Bryce Dodds/The Cougar

TEVIN MILLS

STAFF WRITER

Entering this season, the presumed top priority for the volleyball team was replacing the production the team lost after last year.

Little did they know, a big source of production would be found in freshman outside hitter Brookah Palmer.

Head coach Kaddie Platt chose to place Palmer as the outside hitter from the beginning of the season. Palmer has responded exactly how the coaching staff and her teammates hoped she would.

“She’s come in and made a really big impact,” senior libero Olivia O’Dell said. “We lost Kadi [Kullerkann], who was our huge hitter last year, so we really

needed someone to step into that role. She’s really stepped up and taken it on.”

Palmer leads the team in kills and has already notched an American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week award this season.

There are a few essential elements athletes need to excel in their given sport, like athleticism or talent, but what sets Palmer apart is her drive to become the best player she can.

“I don’t really have many other interests,” Palmer said. “I just focus on volleyball and school.”

Her teammates credit her calm demeanor for her successful transition from high school to the NCAA so quickly.

“Rarely does she get down on herself, especially in a game,”

Follow us on Twitter Palmer and the Cougars are off to a strong start this year with an 8-2 record and one tournament title already won. | Bryce Dodds/The Cougar

O’Dell said. “She’s always on point and if she messes up, she’s right back in it and ready to get the next kill.”

Coach Platt credits Palmer’s hunger to become a better player and overall knowledge of the game for her early success.

“It’s a blend of her work ethic, her IQ and her talent that balances it all,” Platt said. “She is a hard-worker. She has talent, but in sprints, she’s the first one done. Every day, she goes hard.”

A major contribution to Palmer’s early success is the team's chemistry, which Platt praised as the best she has had in her four years at Houston.

“When you’re blending underclassmen with upperclassmen, a lot of that falls on the upperclassmen to grab them and bring them to be a part of it,” Platt said.

“The team has generally had really good attitudes, they want to improve, be good teammates and help each other along. The upperclassmen have been gems this year.”

If the early season is any indication, Palmer is going to be a strong talent that helps the Cougars for years to come.

“We keep saying it over and over, we want to go 100 percent and we want to get 1 percent better every day,” Platt said.

“Another thing we’re sticking to is never stop improving. Never settle for where you are.” sports@thedailycougar.com

Wednesday, September 16, 2015 | 13 713-743-5303

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sports@thedailycougar.com

SPORTS

Bryce Dodds, EDITOR

TRACK AND FIELD

Second-ranked recruiting class brings deep talent to UH PETER SCAMARDO STAFF WRITER

All-Americans, state champions, national champions, international competitors and record holders. This is what comprises the No. 2-ranked track and field recruiting class of 2015, according to Flo Track.

Head coach Leroy Burrell and his staff have worked on finding a talented pool of athletes that will try to keep the Cougars in national contention for the next four years.

Freshmen Marcus McWilliams (110-meter hurdles), Gerald Mills (200-meter dash) and John Lewis III (100-meter dash) comprise the MileSplit All-American members of the incoming class.

The three have the honor of holding the fastest times in the state for each of their respective competitions.

“They’re certainly a very talented group of young men and women who’ve had a lot of experience at the national level and who’ve had a great deal of success,” Burrell said. “We think

that they bring a great deal to the program and we feel they’re still young but they certainly will help us push the program forward.”

For the coaching staff, they also have the advantage of grabbing athletes who were competitors in high school and have already been pushing each other to be better athletes.

In some cases, they have the luxury of recruiting both the first place finisher and the runner up at high level competitions.

Case in point: hurdlers McWilliams and freshman Amere Lattin, former rivals who are now teammates.

“It’s great because not only did he help me get better throughout the season,” McWilliams said.

“Now, he can help me compete in practice, so it’s a building process for each other. It’s just great.”

Lewis III expects the incoming group to help each other build every time they step on the track.

“It gives us a little extra edge,” Lewis III said. “Not only will we have fast kids competing, but

we’ll be fast at practice as well so each of us will make each other better.”

The coaching staff has also used their international connections to snag a couple of athletes from Barbados: Mario Burke and Tristan Evelyn, sprinters in the men’s and women’s 100-meter dash, respectively.

One thing the coaches made clear was that a little bit of luck went their way for the recruiting class turning out the way it did.

“This year was there was a pretty good amount of talented athletes in the Houston area that were interested in us because we were interested in them early when they were younger,” Burrell said. “It was a combination of really good fortune and really hard work among my staff and having a good story to sell.”

The coaches have no doubt that the 29 incoming athletes will be able to score points for the team immediately. But the coaches also have their eye on the national stage and what they can do for these players.

Head coach Leroy Burrell, left, is looking to continue UH's winning ways, adding to the second-ranked recruting class in the nation. | Courtesy of UH Athletics

“The kids that we found first and foremost all (were) very successful this year, so at that point we just recruited them (and) told them what we’re trying to do at Houston,” associate head coach

Will Blackburn said. “If you come here, you train here and you stay here, and we’ll help you make the Olympic team." sports@thedailycougar.com

14 ||Wednesday, 14 Wednesday, September September 16, 16, 2015 2015

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SPORTS

Bryce Dodds, EDITOR

FOOTBALL

Quarterback looking to step into leadership role for Cougars MICHAEL CALDERON

STAFF WRITER

@MWC0052

After stepping in as the starting quarterback midway through the 2014 season, junior Greg Ward, Jr. led the Cougars to a 6-2 record, including a comeback win over Pittsburgh Panthers in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl.

Since then, the Houston football program has undergone a lot of changes and The Cougar caught up with Ward to get his take on the 2015 season and more.

The Cougar: Last year, when they called your number, you came in and provided a spark to the offense at the quarterback position.

How would you grade your own performance in 2014?

Greg Ward, Jr.: My performance last year wasn’t good. All I was doing was trying to help the team win and that didn’t happen enough. I didn’t prepare myself like I do this year, so my performance this year will be way better.

TC: Heading into the offseason and training camp, what aspects of

your game did you want to improve for the 2015 season?

around everyday. You have to build a friendship, a family really, so we all have to be close. We all stayed up here during camp, going over film, routes or anything we needed to work on and that has really helped us gel.

GW: I would say being a more vocal leader. I’m a quiet guy and as a quarterback, the coach is always enforcing that I need to be more vocal. I need to be loud and come out of my comfort zone, so that’s what I’m working on right now.

TC: What goals or benchmarks have you set for yourself in the 2015 season?

TC: What have been your impressions of head coach Tom Herman after spending time with him at camp?

GW: I haven’t really set any goals for

GW: He is a great guy. He cares about the players, he actually loves the players.

He changed the culture, not just on the field but in the classroom and everything else here as well. He really enforced how important all the little things are and I think that will make a huge difference.

Junior quarterback Greg Ward, Jr. has been stepping up as a leader for the Cougars this season. | Michael Calderon/The Cougar

TC: How has bringing in a coach like Major Applewhite helped improve your technique and overall understanding as quarterback?

TC: When Herman came to Houston, he said that he would not hand the starting job to you; the starter needs to earn that spot. How has the quarterback competition with guys like Adam Schulz helped push your game?

TC: After losing several of the top receiving targets from last season, how has your relationship developed with the guys trying to step up?

GW: The competition helps keep me from slacking, not even one day. Everyday

GW: I have a real good relationship with all of the guys, we all joke

TL: He played Division I football at the University of Texas and he was a great quarterback. He played the position so he knows how to relate to us young quarterbacks. With all of

his knowledge, combined with Tom Herman’s experience as a quarterback’s coach too, you can’t beat it.

you have to come out here and work.

Knowing that the guy next to you is going to work just as hard and match your intensity helps push your play to a whole other level.

myself. I just want to go out and win every game no matter what it takes. I want to take the season one game at a time and do whatever it takes to beat the team in front of us.

TC: Come the end of the season, how do you expect Houston to stack up next to the other schools in the American Athletic Conference?

GW: I don’t know what the future holds, but we are just working on winning every single game when they come to us and we’ll see where we stand at the end if the season.

sports@thedailycougar.com

16 | Wednesday, September 16, 2015