Ground game critical to Wave's upset bid

Notwithstanding Houston's quarterback situation, the biggest asset on Tulane's balance sheet going into Saturday's game seems to be run defense. The Green Wave (1-1) and the Cougars (2-1) represent the best and worst of Conference USA run defense, with averages of 78 and 182 yards allowed per game, respectively.
But with the nation's leading tackler (27), middle linebacker Trent nfl throwback jerseys
Mackey, still unsure if he can play and Houston's newly prioritized offense likely geared toward the running game, all bets are off.
Houston, under new defensive coordinator Brian Stewart, runs a 3-4 base defense that gets it strength from linebacker speed and athleticism. That means the Wave will need Orleans Darkwa and Albert Williams to bring every bit of explosiveness in their arsenals to effectively exploit the Cougars' scheme.
"In the 3-4 there are more bubbles because they have a better athlete as opposed to a defensive lineman playing," Tulane coach Bob Toledo said. "They have more speed on the field, but you run at speed with more speed."
Houston's scheme allows them to rush three and drop eight, which has augmented their pass defense without detracting from their pass rush. It's the first 3-4 Tulane will face this year, and it will need to run well enough to control the clock and keep its defense off the field.
On the flip side, the Wave will be contending with a solid 1-2 punch in Bryce Beall and Michael Hayes, and the highly touted running ability of freshman quarterback Terrence Broadway, a four-star prospect just a year ago.
Houston has always displayed exceptional athleticism against Tulane, according to Toledo, and Broadway's inexperience will dictate his reliance on it to make plays.
"They have a freshman quarterback who hasn't had an opportunity to get really familiar with all the passing game," Toledo said. "It's a lot easier for him to hand the ball off than to run it himself; they have two outstanding runners and their offensive line does a good job of blocking for the run, so I expect them to try to run the football."
With much preseason spotlight on Case Keenum's Heisman hopes and record-breaking bids (including all-time career passing yards, set by Hawaii's Timmy Chang in 2002), Houston's rushing accomplishments have been relatively inconspicuous this year.
But the fact remains: the Cougars' previous position atop the "points scored" column didn't come from passing alone.
Beall and Hayes have introduced a rushing attack with a 189 yard per game average and nine touchdowns to its credit, figures that rank 39th and 14th nationally. Ole Miss averages only 133 rushing yards per game, so containing the backs and Broadway may be the biggest test yet for Tulane's run defense.
Ultimately, it's the system that has accounted for so much offensive success, according to Colts jersey
Toledo, and that's what the Wave is preparing for.
"They're the old Texas Tech system," Toledo said. "They're three, four, five wide receivers, very simple running game; they get you spread out and isolate you."
Aerially speaking, Toledo expects the Cougars to duplicate last year's game-plan of implementing short routes, within 15 yards of the line of scrimmage, to exploit one-on-one matchups. Their ability to execute efficiently underneath and gain yardage after the catch will test Tulane's athleticism more than its physicality, the latter of which lacked for nothing against Ole Miss.
"We have to play their system; they're not going to change their system," Toledo said. "It doesn't matter who's at quarterback; Broadway will do what they've been doing, but they may tweak some things to take advantage of his athleticism."
Flanker Finalized
Joe Kemp will start at wide receiver on Saturday, his first start since quarterbacking the Wave midway through the 2009 season, ironically coming against the team that ended his 2008 season.
In his last appearance at Robertson Stadium a late hit by Houston defensive end Philip Hunt broke Kemp's collarbone, ending his redshirt freshman campaign.
Kemp has every reason to be playing with a chip on his shoulder, but knows this game is too important for two-year old personal qualms.
"It's just another game," Kemp said. "It's our first road game of the year and a chance to get a forward accomplishment, so a win would be the best revenge I could ask for."
Kemp's made visible strides towards becoming the Wave's long-ball guy throughout the fall, but has become an equally proficient blocker with his size (6-foot-4, 211 pounds), according to Toledo.
"I know what they [the coaches] expect out of me; they expect me to be a force in the run game, and besides that, just to go up and catch the deep balls, and that's what I plan on doing," Kemp said.
Redshirt freshman Wilson Van Hooser will back up Kemp at flanker after a productive debut against Ole Miss. The coaches expect him to get more touches against Houston and be particularly effective after the catch.
Defensive Changes
Darryl Farley will shift to middle linebacker if Mackey is deemed ineligible, giving true freshman Zach Davis the starting weak side job in the 4-3. A final decision regarding Mackey should come by Wednesday afternoon.
Both Davis and strong side linebacker Dominique Robertson have mild hamstring pulls, though both Cowboys jersey
are expected to start. Davis will be kept out of special teams play on Saturday to preserve the depth at will linebacker.
Dezman Moses will start at left defensive end and Ryan Travis at right cornerback in this defensive scheme.