Yet again the University of Houston had to shuffle the offensive line Saturday night.
With three players who have started a game this season already out for the season, right guard Colton Freeman was held out of the 34-0 victory over Vanderbilt with a neck stinger.
True freshman Kameron Eloph made his first career start.
Freeman suffered the stinger in last week’s victory at Central Florida. He underwent an MRI, which coach Tom Herman said “did not show anything permanent.”
“He had a lot of weakness and tingling in his arm and shoulder and just couldn’t go tonight,” Herman said. “Hopefully with that kind of rest and treatment, the signs point to getting him back next week. We have to make sure. Those things, if you come back too soon, they just reoccur and eventually take an entire offseason to rest those nerves. We have to be smart with him.”
The Cougars started two true freshmen (Eloph and center Will Noble) and one redshirt freshman (left guard Mason Denley).
• Before Saturday, the last time UH shutout an SEC opponent was Oct. 4, 1969, a 74-0 win over Mississippi State.
• Kenneth Farrow’s 15-yard touchdown in the third quarter was the 31st of his career, moving into a tie for second in school history with Jackie Battle (2003-06).
• Adrian McDonald recorded the 17th interception of his career, setting a new school record.
• UH joins Baylor as the only FBS schools with six wins by at least 21 points this season.
• UH has not allowed any points in the second half in three straight games.
• With 14 career wins, quarterback Greg Ward Jr. moved into a tie with Delrick Brown (1977, ’79) and Andre Ware (1987-89) for sixth in school history.
• Cornerback William Jackson III has 31 career pass breakups, tied with Johnny Jackson (1985-88) for fifth-most in school history.
• Ty Cummings’ 37-yard field goal in the second quarter was the longest of his career.
• Nick Thurman tied a career high with five tackles and recovered the first fumble of his career.
joseph.duarte@chron.com