Stewart played nearly the entirety of last week’s game after starting quarterback Riley Ferguson left in the first quarter with an undisclosed injury. Coach Mike Norvell declined to specify the nature of Ferguson’s injury, or whether he would be ready to play against Houston.
“It (the game) was today, probably not,” Norvell said. “We’ve got a couple days before Friday, so we’ll be able to see how he progresses. I know our athletic training staff is going to do everything in their power to get him in a position to be ready, but we’re going to see how his body and everything progresses.”
Long said the Tigers will try to negate Houston’s pass rush by moving the pocket and throwing the ball quickly. But establishing the running game, he said, is far more important, because it keeps a defense off balance.
“You watch the Louisville game, they struggled to run the ball and then they got down quick,” Long said. “You’ve just got to maintain your composure. They’re going to make plays. They’re a great team. We’re going to make plays. You’ve just got to help neutralize (the pass rush) to where it’s not a downhill event.”