University of Houston Athletics
Houston Continues Ascent in Latest Rankings
11/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
HOUSTON - After moving to 10-0 for the second time in program history with a 35-34 win over Memphis, the Houston Football program climbed three spots to No. 13 in the Associated Press poll and two spots to No. 14 in the USA Today Coaches poll.
Houston returns to action this Saturday when it travels to UConn at 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will air on ESPNU and KPRC 950 AM with the radio pregame show hosted by Matt Thomas kicking off at 1 p.m.
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Houston is one of five remaining undefeated teams across the nation and the lone unbeaten program in both the state of Texas and The American Athletic Conference. The 10-0 start is just the second of such in program history, joining the 2011 team that opened the year 12-0.
The only remaining undefeated coach in his first year with a program, Tom Herman became the first coach in Houston history to start his career 10-0, topping the previous best of 8-0 from John Jenkins in 1990.
Herman is just the fifth coach in NCAA history to start a career with wins in each of his first 10 games, joining Boise State's Chris Petersen (2006), Miami's Larry Coker (2001), Penn's George Woodruff (1892) and Yale's Walter Camp (1888).
With its comeback win Saturday night, Houston became the first FBS team in 282 tries to come back from a fourth quarter deficit of 20 points or more. Houston now owns the last two 20-point, fourth-quarter comebacks across the NCAA, having accomplished the feat with its 35-34 win over Pitt in the Armed Forces Bowl in January.
Houston has the nation's fourth-longest active winning streak at 11 games behind Ohio State (23), Clemson (13) and Oklahoma State (12).
Houston extended its program record with its 14th straight game with at least 30 points with its 35 points Saturday.
Houston is one of five teams in the nation to defeat six opponents by 21 points or more.
Ranking eighth in scoring offense (43.5 points per game) and 27th in scoring defense (20.2 points per game), Houston is one of three programs in the nation (North Carolina, Oklahoma) to rank in the top 10 in scoring offense and top 30 in scoring defense.
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Houston head coach Tom Herman has vowed Houston will be physical in the trenches and the numbers are reflecting it. The Cougars rank 13th nationally in rushing defense, allowing just 110.7 yards per game, while ranking eighth in rushing offense with an average of 255.3 yards per game. Houston is the only team in the nation to rank in the top 15 in both categories.
Houston leads the nation with a +18 turnover margin and 27 turnovers forced, and is seventh with nine turnovers lost.
Junior quarterback Greg Ward Jr. is sixth nationally with 16 rushing touchdowns and 12th nationally in points responsible for per game with 17.4 per game. Ward also ranks sixth nationally in completion percentage, 69.3 percent, hitting 169 of his 244 attempts.
Senior linebacker Elandon Roberts is second in the nation in solo tackles (7.6 per game) and is fourth in total tackles (11.7 per game).
Cornerback William Jackson III is fourth nationally with 14 passes broken up.
Junior receiver Demarcus Ayers ranks eighth nationally with an average of 7.4 receptions per game and is
15th nationally with an average punt return of 11.9 yards.
Junior linebacker Steven Taylor is 16th nationally with eight sacks.
2015 HOUSTON FOOTBALL SINGLE-GAME TICKETS
Single-game tickets for the 2015 Houston Football season are on sale via the Houston Athletics Fan Experience Headquarters. Single-game tickets to Houston's remaining home game start at just $25 and are available by calling the Fan Experience Headquarters at 713-462-6647 or by clicking here.
2015 HOUSTON FOOTBALL GROUP TICKETS
Single-game group ticket sales for the 2015 Houston Football season are on sale via Houston Athletics Fan Experience Headquarters. Groups of at least 10 or more can purchase tickets starting at just $17 per person to any of Houston's remaining home game by calling or texting Fan Experience Headquarters at 713-GO-COOGS or by clicking here.
