2023 Houston Cougars football team

Last updated

2023 Houston Cougars football
Houston Cougars primary logo.svg
Conference Big 12 Conference
Record4–8 (2–7 Big 12)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Eman Naghavi (1st season)
Defensive coordinator Doug Belk (3rd, 5th overall season)
Base defense 4–2–5
Home stadium TDECU Stadium
Seasons
  2022
2024  
2023 Big 12 Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 3 Texas y$^  8 1   12 2  
No. 16 Oklahoma State y  7 2   10 4  
No. 15 Oklahoma  7 2   10 3  
Iowa State  6 3   7 6  
No. 18 Kansas State  6 3   9 4  
West Virginia  6 3   9 4  
Texas Tech  5 4   7 6  
No. 23 Kansas  5 4   9 4  
UCF  3 6   6 7  
TCU  3 6   5 7  
Houston  2 7   4 8  
BYU  2 7   5 7  
Baylor  2 7   3 9  
Cincinnati  1 8   3 9  
Championship: Texas 49, Oklahoma State 21
  • ^ College Football Playoff participant
  • $ Conference champion
  • y Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2023 Houston Cougars football team represented the University of Houston in the Big 12 Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cougars were led by Dana Holgorsen in his fifth season as their head coach. The Cougars played their home games at TDECU Stadium in Houston, Texas. The Houston Cougars football team drew an average home attendance of 36,020 in 2023. [1]

Contents

In September 2021, Cincinnati, BYU, Houston, and UCF accepted bids to join the Big 12 Conference. [2] On June 10, 2022, the American Athletic Conference and the three American Athletic Conference schools set to depart from the league (Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF) announced that they had reached a buyout agreement with the conference that would allow those schools to join the Big 12 in 2023. [3] BYU had previously operated as an independent prior to accepting a membership invitation to join the Big 12.

On November 26, head coach Dana Holgorsen was fired. [4] He finished with a record of 31–28 in five seasons.

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 26:00 p.m. UTSA * FS1 W 17–1437,862
September 96:00 p.m.at Rice *
NFLN L 41–43 2OT23,425
September 167:00 p.m. TCU
  • TDECU Stadium
  • Houston, TX
FOX L 13–3636,049
September 236:00 p.m. Sam Houston *
  • TDECU Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPN+ W 38–735,044
September 302:30 p.m.at Texas Tech FS2 L 28–4953,308
October 126:00 p.m. West Virginia
  • TDECU Stadium
  • Houston, TX
FS1W 41–3932,152
October 213:00 p.m.No. 8 Texas
  • TDECU Stadium
  • Houston, TX
FOXL 24–3142,812
October 2811:00 a.m.at Kansas State ESPN2 L 0–4151,928
November 42:30 p.m.at Baylor ESPN+W 25–24 OT41,180
November 116:00 p.m. Cincinnati Dagger-14-plain.png
  • TDECU Stadium
  • Houston, TX
FS1L 14–2434,312
November 183:00 p.m.No. 23 Oklahoma State
  • TDECU Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPN2L 30–4333,906
November 2511:00 a.m.at UCF FS1L 13–2743,610

    [5]

    Game summaries

    UTSA

    1234Total
    Roadrunners700714
    Cougars737017

    at Rice

    Houston Cougars at Rice Owls – Game summary
    Quarter1234OT2OTTotal
    Cougars070217641
    Owls217007843

    at Rice Stadium, Houston, Texas

    • Date: September 9
    • Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
    • Game weather: Sunny, 96 °F (36 °C)
    • Game attendance: 23,425
    • Referee: Derek Anderson
    • TV announcers (NFLN): Doug Sherman and Tyoka Jackson
    Game information
    First quarter
    • RICE – Luke McCaffrey 10-yard pass from JT Daniels (Tim Horn kick), 10:11. Owls 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards, 4:44.
    • RICE – Daelen Alexander 1-yard run (Tim Horn kick), 4:17. Owls 14–0. Drive: 7 plays, 39 yards, 4:08.
    • RICE – Luke McCaffrey 32-yard pass from JT Daniels (Tim Horn kick), 3:00. Owls 21–0. Drive: 3 plays, 69 yards, 0:50.

    Second quarter

    • RICE – Braylen Walker 15-yard pass from JT Daniels (Tim Horn kick), 8:32. Owls 28–0. Drive: 11 plays, 92 yards, 6:14.
    • HOU – Matthew Golden 10-yard pass from Donovan Smith (Jack Martin kick), 2:42. Owls 28–7. Drive: 11 plays, 74 yards, 5:45.

    Third quarter

    • No scoring plays

    Fourth quarter

    • HOU – Donovan Smith 1-yard run (Jack Martin kick), 14:05. Owls 28–14. Drive: 6 plays, 64 yards, 1:24.
    • HOU – Stacy Sneed 14-yard run (Jack Martin kick), 3:46. Owls 28–21. Drive: 6 plays, 71 yards, 2:04.
    • HOU – Donovan Smith 1-yard run (Jack Martin kick), 0:15. Tied 28–28. Drive: 8 plays, 40 yards, 2:34.

    Overtime

    • HOU – Matthew Golden 2-yard pass from Donovan Smith (Jack Martin kick). Cougars 35–28. Drive: 5 plays, 25 yards.
    • RICE – Daelen Alexander 3-yard run (Tim Horn kick). Tied 35–35. Drive: 5 plays, 25 yards.

    Second overtime

    • RICE – Daelen Alexander 1-yard run (Daelen Alexander run). Owls 43–35. Drive: 4 plays, 25 yards.
    • HOU – Donovan Smith 2-yard run (pass failed). Owls 43–41. Drive: 5 plays, 25 yards.
    StatisticsHOURICE
    First downs2724
    Total yards443470
    Rushing yards18369
    Passing yards260401
    Turnovers12
    Time of possession28:1031:50
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    HoustonPassing Donovan Smith 24/42, 260 yards, 2 TD, INT
    RushingTony Mathis Jr.8 rushes, 60 yards
    Receiving Samuel Brown 9 receptions, 138 yards
    RicePassing JT Daniels 28/42, 401 yards, 3 TD, INT
    RushingDean Connors8 rushes, 48 yards
    Receiving Luke McCaffrey 7 receptions, 99 yards, 2 TD

    TCU

    1234Total
    Horned Frogs7139736
    Cougars3100013

    Sam Houston

    Sam Houston State Bearkats at Houston Cougars – Game summary
    Quarter1234Total
    Bearkats70007
    Cougars10147738

    at TDECU Stadium, Houston, Texas

    • Date: September 23
    • Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
    • Game weather: Sunny, 94 °F (34 °C)
    • Game attendance: 35,044
    • Referee: Tutashinda Salaam
    • TV announcers (ESPN+): Mark Neely, Ryan Leaf, and Shane Sparks
    Game information
    First quarter
    • HOU – Jack Martin 23-yard field goal, 9:05. Cougars 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 69 yards, 5:55.
    • SHSU – Trapper Pannell 2-yard run (Colby Sessums kick), 6:02. Bearkats 7–3. Drive: 7 plays, 83 yards, 2:58.
    • HOU – Parker Jenkins 4-yard run (Jack Martin kick), 1:47. Cougars 10–7. Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 4:08.

    Second quarter

    • HOU – Parker Jenkins 1-yard run (Jack Martin kick), 7:22. Cougars 17–7. Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 4:13.
    • HOU – Parker Jenkins 2-yard run (Jack Martin kick), 0:49. Cougars 24–7. Drive: 8 plays, 56 yards, 1:17.

    Third quarter

    • HOU – Matthew Golden 6-yard pass from Donovan Smith (Jack Martin kick), 2:59. Cougars 31–7. Drive: 15 plays, 86 yards, 8:42.

    Fourth quarter

    • HOU – Stacy Sneed 58-yard pass from Ui Ale (Jack Martin kick), 10:06. Cougars 38–7. Drive: 1 play, 58 yards, 0:10.
    StatisticsSHSUHOU
    First downs827
    Total yards178538
    Rushing yards52186
    Passing yards126352
    Turnovers20
    Time of possession25:0534:55
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    Sam Houston StatePassing Grant Gunnell 14/22, 100 yards, INT
    RushingTobias Weaver6 rushes, 18 yards
    ReceivingJohn Gentry5 receptions, 32 yards
    HoustonPassing Donovan Smith 31/40, 294 yards, TD
    RushingParker Jenkins20 rushes, 105 yards, 3 TD
    Receiving Matthew Golden 9 receptions, 92 yards, TD

    at Texas Tech

    Houston Cougars at Texas Tech Red Raiders – Game summary
    Quarter1234Total
    Cougars14140028
    Red Raiders14217749

    at Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, Texas

    • Date: September 30
    • Game time: 2:30 p.m. CDT
    • Game weather: Sunny, 85 °F (29 °C)
    • Game attendance: 53,308
    • Referee: David Alvarez
    • TV announcers (FS2): Dan Hellie and Petros Papadakis
    Game information

    West Virginia

    1234Total
    Mountaineers10072239
    Cougars7772041

    No. 8 Texas

    Team1234Total
    No. 8 Texas1473731
    Houston0147324
    • Date: October 21, 2023
    • Location: TDECU Stadium (Houston, TX)
    • Game start: 3:05 p.m.
    • Game attendance: 42,812
    • Game weather: Sunny, 93 °F (34 °C), wind SW at 5 mph (8.0 km/h)
    • Referee: Michael VanderVelde
    • TV announcers (FOX): Tim Brando and Spencer Tillman
    Pregame lineOver/under
    Texas -23.561 [8]
    StatisticsTexasHouston
    First downs1920
    Plays–yards69–36065–392
    Rushes–yards37–14119–14
    Passing yards219378
    Passing: compattint25–32–032–46–1
    Time of possession31:5828:02
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    TexasPassing Quinn Ewers 23–29, 211 yards, 2 TD
    Rushing Jonathon Brooks 20 carries, 99 yards
    Receiving Xavier Worthy 6 receptions, 92 yards, 1 TD
    HoustonPassing Donovan Smith 32–46, 378 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
    RushingParker Jenkins9 carries, 23 yards
    ReceivingJoseph Manjack IV6 receptions, 88 yards, 1 TD

    at Kansas State

    1234Total
    Cougars00000
    Wildcats7217641

    at Baylor

    Houston Cougars (3–5) vs. Baylor Bears (3–5)
    Quarter1234OTTotal
    Houston0737825
    Baylor00710724

    at McLane StadiumWaco, TX

    • Date: Saturday, November 4, 2023
    • Game time: 2:30 p.m. CDT
    • Game weather: sunny • Temperature: 73°F
    • Game attendance: 41,180
    • Referee: Derek Anderson
    • TV: ESPN+
    • Pregame line: Baylor –2.5
    StatisticsHoustonBaylor
    First downs2122
    Plays–yards59–36672413
    Rushes–yards32–13035150
    Passing yards236263
    Passing: compattint21–27–229371
    Time of possession26:3933:21
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    HoustonPassing Donovan Smith 21–27, 236 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
    RushingDonovan Smith20 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD
    Receiving Samuel Brown 9 receptions, 86 yards, 1 TD
    BaylorPassing Blake Shapen 29–37, 263 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
    RushingDominic Richardson11 carries, 51 yards
    ReceivingDrake Dabney4 receptions, 76 yards, 1 TD

    Cincinnati

    Game Ten – Cincinnati Bearcats at Houston Cougars
    Quarter1234Total
    Bearcats773724
    Cougars070714

    at TDECU StadiumHouston, Texas

    • Date: Saturday, November 11, 2023
    • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT
    • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: • Wind:
    • Game attendance: 34,312
    • Referee: David Alvarez
    • TV: FS1
    • Pregame line: • FPI odds to win: • Game summary:
    Game information
    First quarter
    • (8:43) CIN – Ryan Montgomery 7-yard pass from Emory Jones (Carter Brown kick) (Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 6:17; Cincinnati 7–0)
    Second quarter
    • (14:04) HOU – Joseph Manjack IV 7 yard-pass from Donovan Smith (Jack Martin kick) (Drive: 12 plays, 83 yards, 4:57; Tied 7–7)
    • (8:04) CIN – Corey Kiner 1-yard run (Carter Brown kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 93 yards, 2:17; Cincinnati 14–7)
    Third quarter
    • (8:25) CIN – Carter Brown 31-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 37 yards, 6:28; Cincinnati 17–7)
    Fourth quarter
    • (8:47) CIN – Corey Kiner 5-yard run (Carter Brown kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 3:14; Cincinnati 24–7)
    • (3:22) HOU – Joseph Manjack IV 2-yard pass from Donovan Smith (Jack Martin kick) (Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 5:25; Cincinnati 24–14)
    StatisticsCINHOU
    First downs2212
    Plays–yards71–36851–241
    Rushes–yards48–20423–139
    Passing yards164102
    Passing: compattint17–23–016–28–0
    Time of possession36:5523:05
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    CincinnatiPassing Emory Jones 13/16, 131 yards, 1 TD
    Rushing Corey Kiner 23 carries, 129 yards, 2 TD
    ReceivingBraden Smith5 receptions, 69 yards
    HoustonPassing Donovan Smith 16/28, 102 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
    RushingDonovan Smith13 carries, 88 yards
    ReceivingJoseph Manjack IV4 receptions, 22 yards, 2 TD

    No. 23 Oklahoma State

    No. 23 Oklahoma State Cowboys (7–3) vs. Houston Cougars (4–6)
    Quarter1234Total
    No. 23 Oklahoma State316141043
    Houston1490730

    at TDECU StadiumHouston, TX

    • Date: Saturday, November 18, 2023
    • Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
    • Game weather: • Sunny Temperature: 74 °F (23 °C)
    • Game attendance: 33,906
    • Referee: Stephon Baron
    • TV announcers (ESPN2): Dave Flemming (play-by-play), Brock Osweiler (analyst) Kayla Burton (sideline)
    Game information
    First Quarter
    Second Quarter
    Third Quarter
    Fourth Quarter
    StatisticsOKSTHOU
    First downs2818
    Total yards501393
    Rushing yards153130
    Passing yards348263
    Passing: Comp–Att–Int29–43–118–30–2
    Time of possession32:1227:48
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    Oklahoma StatePassing Alan Bowman 29/43, 348 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
    Rushing Ollie Gordon II 25 carries, 164 yards, 3 TD
    Receiving Brennan Presley 15 receptions, 189 yards
    HoustonPassing Donovan Smith 17/29, 235 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
    RushingDonovan Smith13 carries, 63 yards, 1 TD
    ReceivingJonah Wilson1 reception, 60 yards, 1 TD

    at UCF

    Houston Cougars at UCF Knights
    Quarter1234Total
    Cougars1000313
    Knights6714027

    at FBC Mortgage Stadium, Orlando, FL

    • Date: November 25, 2023
    • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
    • Game attendance: 43,610
    • TV announcers (FS1): Eric Collins, Devin Gardner
    • Gamecast
    Game information
    StatisticsHOUUCF
    First downs1723
    Total yards259476
    Rushing yards94223
    Passing yards165253
    Turnovers10
    Time of possession27:0432:56
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    HoustonPassing Donovan Smith 12–20, 161 yards, 1 TD, I INT
    RushingStacy Sneed3 carries, 33 yards
    ReceivingJoseph Manjack IV4 receptions, 74 yards
    UCFPassing John Rhys Plumlee 23–27, 253 yards, 1 TD
    Rushing R. J. Harvey 21 carries, 136 yards, 2 TD
    Receiving Kobe Hudson 9 receptions, 98 yards

    References

    1. "2023 FBS Attendance Trends". D1.ticker. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
    2. "Big 12 Conference Adds Four New Members". Big12Sports.com. Big 12 Conference. September 10, 2021.
    3. "American Announces Agreements With UCF, Cincinnati and Houston on Departure" (Press release). American Athletic Conference. June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
    4. "Houston Fires Coach Dana Holgorsen After Loss to UCF".
    5. "2023 Houston Football Schedule". FB Schedules. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
    6. "Texas (6-1, 3-1) -vs- Houston (3-4, 1-3)". Austin, Texas: The University of Texas at Austin Athletics. October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
    7. Schultz, Brad (October 19, 2023). "College Football 2023: Week 8 Announcer Pairings". Saturday Blitz. Minute Media. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
    8. "Texas vs. Houston odds, spread: 2023 college football picks, Week 8 predictions from proven computer model". CBS. CBS Interactive. October 20, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2023.