The Houston Cougars put up one of the more inept first half performances of bowl season to date, falling victim to Army’s option offense over and over again.
Army jumped out to a 42-7 lead by halftime of the Armed Forces Bowl, including two touchdowns in a three-play sequence that included a Houston fumble. The ground-heavy Black Knight option offense obliterated Houston over and over, as the Cougars didn’t even look prepared to cope with Army’s trademark style. Army had 254 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns at the half, four of them by quarterback Kelvin Hopkins Jr.
Twitter could hardly believe how bad Houston was, and how ill-prepared they were to deal with an Army offense that never made any secret of how it operated.
Houston needs to run the clock out on itself
— BUM CHILLUPS (@edsbs) December 22, 2018
Houston fans watching Army run all over their defense right now. pic.twitter.com/dUg3pdDAVM
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) December 22, 2018
I call Army “Navy” cuz it’s boat-racing Houston, folks.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) December 22, 2018
Houston is lining up like a yard off the LOS and allowing Army to get a head start. It’s not even moving forward on the snap. It’s trying to hold its ground.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) December 22, 2018
Halftime adjustments
Army: literally nothing. Maybe just pass the ball in the second half for fun
Houston: go home, find a new DC, ask your HC if he still wants to be here, try again next year
— Underdog Dynasty (@underdogdynasty) December 22, 2018
I think Houston is taking "Respect the Troops" a little too far here, Chief. pic.twitter.com/ASm73lJfYK
— Biscuit Extra Buttra (@BiggestBiscuit) December 22, 2018
Houston didn't watch one second of film on Army.
— Matt Hinton (@MattRHinton) December 22, 2018
live look at Army vs houston pic.twitter.com/nCgH6VtVfM
— Doug Keegan (@doug_keegan) December 22, 2018
The Cougars may not be perfectly equipped to face Army, and they’re without star defensive lineman Ed Oliver. Neither of those should count as an excuse for such a horrible performance.
