CORVALLIS - Oregon State may have a new name to account for when it lines up against No. 23 Houston on Saturday, and that name carries plenty of production.
The Cougars added former Arizona State safety Myles “Ghost” Rowser last month, bringing in the third team all-Big 12 honoree after a Texas court granted a group of players a temporary restraining order for a fifth year of eligibility. Rowser put together an 84-tackle season last year, including four tackles for loss, along with three pass breakups.
He went undrafted after the season and received a mini-camp invitation from the Seattle Seahawks, but he did not sign a contract. That left the door open for Houston, which did not list him on its online roster until Tuesday.
Houston coach Willie Fritz said he wants to be “1,000% sure” before using Rowser and receiver Stephon Johnson, who is also eligible through another legal case, as early as the season opener against Oregon State.
For the Beavers, the timing makes preparation tricky. With so little runway to study Rowser in Houston’s system, Oregon State is leaning heavily on the defensive structure already on film and projecting where he fits.
“We watched his tape and he obviously fits what they’re trying to do,” offensive coordinator Mitch Dahlen said. “They felt he was a needed addition. That’s where we look at the scheme and look at what he did well in his past and marry the two together as we’re looking at him.”
Rowser’s resume gives Houston plenty to work with. He has 295 tackles across four seasons, with the last two coming at Arizona State.
Before that, at New Mexico State in 2023, he limited opponents to 48.1% completions, the lowest mark among Conference USA safeties and 13th nationally. He also gave up only 13 catches when targeted, which ranked fourth among FBS safeties.
That kind of addition only deepens an already strong Houston secondary, and Oregon State is treating it that way.
“We’re focusing on making sure our players know this is what you should see on Saturday,” Oregon State coach JaMarcus Shephard said.
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