Houston Cougars quarterback Donovan Smith faced a tough challenge in Week 1 of the college football season, struggling on offense in a 27-7 loss to UNLV. Despite undergoing shoulder surgery during the offseason and being cautious during training camp, Smith managed to make it through the game physically unscathed. However, his performance was marred by self-inflicted errors that he and his teammates acknowledge were correctable mistakes.
Smith’s performance was his worst in 13 starts as a Cougar. He completed just 15 of 30 passes for 135 yards, with two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. The Cougars’ offensive woes were exacerbated by a reshuffled offensive line that had only one returning starter, leading to severe problems in pass protection. According to Pro Football Focus, Smith was pressured 17 times, ranking seventh among FBS quarterbacks in Week 1. He averaged just 2.72 seconds to throw on each dropback, disrupting pass route development and leading to six sacks, including two intentional grounding penalties.
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“We just couldn’t defend well,” UH coach Willie Fritz said of the offensive line’s inability to withstand UNLV’s pressure. Smith admitted he shares some of the blame, acknowledging he needs to better anticipate blitzes and manage the pocket. “I need to understand these situations,” Smith said, emphasizing the importance of avoiding costly penalties and making smarter decisions under pressure.
The Cougars’ offensive performance was disappointing, managing just 259 total yards, most of which came on the final drive led by third-string quarterback Ui Ale. The running game was almost nonexistent, with Houston managing just 38 yards on the ground, with the top three running backs combining for just eight runs. Smith stressed the importance of building a running game, noting that successful running with the ball helps build the passing game and vice versa.
Despite the poor offensive performance, Smith remained optimistic about his physical condition and said his surgically treated shoulder felt good. He did not participate in throwing during spring practice and was limited during preseason camp to manage his recovery. Second-year center Demetrius Hunter acknowledged the offensive line’s need for improvement, emphasizing their responsibility to protect Smith and give him more time in the pocket.
Smith is determined to learn from the first week’s difficulties and expects better results when the team faces No. 15 Oklahoma in its next game. He views the challenging opener as a learning experience for a new squad still getting used to playing together. “It was the first game for everybody,” Smith said. “We have to do things differently. We have to approach things differently. We have to play differently. We all acknowledged that in our team meeting and we’re ready to go.”
