Saturday, October 23
Houston, Texas
3 p.m.
University of Houston
vs
ECU
Game Primer: ECU
10/22/2021 1:27:00 PM | Football
Cougars, Pirates battle in Homecoming contest
GAME 7
East Carolina at Houston
Oct. 23, 2021 | 3 p.m. CT | TDECU Stadium | Houston, Texas
Broadcast: ESPNU
Radio: KPRC 950 AM
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
« Houston running back Alton McCaskill is second nationally among true freshmen in total touchdowns (9), rushing touchdowns (8) and scoring (54 points). His three rushing touchdowns at Tulsa on Oct. 1 matched a new program record for a freshman and marked the most for a freshman since Bryce Beall ran for as many on Oct. 18, 2008.
« Houston quarterback Clayton Tune ranks second in The American and 11th nationally with a 69.7 completion %. Tune ranks eighth in Houston career passing touchdowns (44). He is ninth in passing yards (5,634) and career completions (450).
« Houston senior Marcus Jones is tied for the national lead with two punt return touchdowns. He is the fifth player in school history and first since 1968 to record multiple punt return touchdowns in a season. Against Navy, Jones became the first Houston player since 2011 (Patrick Edwards) to record a receiving touchdown and punt return touchdown in the same game.
« The Cougars are among six schools nationally with multiple punt blocks (3) and multiple punt return touchdowns (2). Houston is joined by Alabama, Coastal Carolina, Indiana, San Diego State and Toledo. Houston's three blocked kicks ranks fifth nationally.
FOR FANS
« With staffing shortages affecting business and venue operations around the country, the Houston Athletics Department and its vendors are making every effort to improve service and appropriately accommodate our fans and guests.
« Fans attending Houston Football games this fall at TDECU Stadium are encouraged to arrive early and familiarize themselves with game day procedures and guidelines. Parking, tickets, tailgating, directions, and additional information can be found here.
« Saturday will serve as Homecoming for the Cougars. Houston is 37-33-5 all-time in Homecoming contests including wins in four of its last six games.
« During the first break in the second quarter, Houston will recognize the 2011 Cougar Football team on the field. The 2011 Cougars went 13-1, finishing the season ranked as high as No. 14 after defeating Penn State, 30-14 in the Ticket City Bowl.
« Due to the campus construction project on Cullen Boulevard, fans are encouraged to plan ahead and provide extra time while using alternative routes to avoid delays.
« Cougar Pride members giving at the Varsity Level and up are welcome to enjoy food, entertainment and family fun at the Cougar Pride Tailgate Takeover. To be located outside of TDECU at Gate 2 – southeast corner, the CP Tailgate will feature music provided by DJ Teddi and food by Oh My Gogi. Cougar Pride members will also be able to taste a wide variety of locally made wines thanks to Haak Vineyards & Winery.
GAMEDAY TIMELINE
11 a.m. – Ticket office, cash parking lots, kids' zone and tailgating opens
12:30 p.m. – Cougar Walk begins
1:30 p.m. – TDECU Stadium opens
3:02 p.m. – Kickoff vs. ECU
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
« Houston and ECU are meeting for the 15th time in the history of the programs (1997-present). The series is tied 7-7. The two teams have not met at TDECU Stadium since the Cougars defeated the Pirates, 52-27, on Nov. 4, 2017.
« Over its last five contests, Houston has limited opponents to 11.8 points per game. Houston's 97 points (16.16 per game) allowed are the fewest permitted through its first six games of a season since allowing 62 points (10.33) in 1989.
« Houston has outscored opponents 73-7 in the first quarter this season. Navy is the only opponent this season to score on the Cougars in the first quarter this season, coming on its third play from scrimmage on Sept. 25.
« Houston is 42-17 in the month of October since 2006 including a 23-9 mark at home.
«Houston's five-game win streak is its longest since winning as many consecutive from Sept. 22-Oct. 27, 2018. The Cougars last won six-or-more consecutive games from Nov. 27, 2015, to Sept. 29, 2016 (8 games).
SCOUTING EAST CAROLINA
« East Carolina has forced a turnover in 14 straight games, and 25 out of the last 26.
« East Carolina has converted 18 of 20 of its 2021 red zone visits into points (10 TDs, 8 FGs)
« The Pirates are returning four 2020 All-AAC selections: RB Rahjai Harris (First Team), CB Ja'Quan McMillian (Second Team), WR/RS Tyler Snead (Second Team) and ILB Xavier Smith (Honorable Mention).
« Going into Saturday's matchup with Houston, East Carolina has won three consecutive games against opponents with a winning record.
LAST TIME AGAINST EAST CAROLINA
« The Cougars forced four East Carolina turnovers (three interceptions and a fumble) that led to 14 points in Houston's 42-20 win at ECU on Oct. 13, 2018.
« Houston limited the Pirates to 41 rushing yards on 31 carries. It was the lowest rushing total by an opponent since Memphis was held to only 30 yards on Oct. 19, 2017.
« Junior All-American Ed Oliver led the way for the Cougars with five tackles for losses, including a pair of sacks, a forced fumble and a quarterback pressure.
« Senior linebacker Emeke Egbule finished with five tackles and four quarterback pressures and added an interception and 5-yard fumble return for touchdown.
A HOUSTON WIN WOULD …
» Move Houston to 4-0 in AAC play, its best start since 2018 (4-0).
» Move Houston's win streak to six consecutive, the program's longest since Nov. 27, 2015-Sept. 29, 2016 (8 games).
» Move Houston to 33-12 at TDECU Stadium since the facility opened.
» Be Houston's fourth victory in its last five games against ECU.
» Make Houston bowl eligible, qualifying Houston for its 14th bowl game in the last 17 seasons (2005-present).
2021 TICKET INFORMATION
Houston Football mini-plans are still available alongside single-game tickets for remaining home matchups at TDECU Stadium. The Veer Package starts as low as $40 with fans choosing tickets to two Houston games. Fans can click here to purchase tickets.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Football on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarFB, and "Like" Houston Cougar Football on Facebook.
East Carolina at Houston
Oct. 23, 2021 | 3 p.m. CT | TDECU Stadium | Houston, Texas
Broadcast: ESPNU
Radio: KPRC 950 AM
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
« Houston running back Alton McCaskill is second nationally among true freshmen in total touchdowns (9), rushing touchdowns (8) and scoring (54 points). His three rushing touchdowns at Tulsa on Oct. 1 matched a new program record for a freshman and marked the most for a freshman since Bryce Beall ran for as many on Oct. 18, 2008.
« Houston quarterback Clayton Tune ranks second in The American and 11th nationally with a 69.7 completion %. Tune ranks eighth in Houston career passing touchdowns (44). He is ninth in passing yards (5,634) and career completions (450).
« Houston senior Marcus Jones is tied for the national lead with two punt return touchdowns. He is the fifth player in school history and first since 1968 to record multiple punt return touchdowns in a season. Against Navy, Jones became the first Houston player since 2011 (Patrick Edwards) to record a receiving touchdown and punt return touchdown in the same game.
« The Cougars are among six schools nationally with multiple punt blocks (3) and multiple punt return touchdowns (2). Houston is joined by Alabama, Coastal Carolina, Indiana, San Diego State and Toledo. Houston's three blocked kicks ranks fifth nationally.
FOR FANS
« With staffing shortages affecting business and venue operations around the country, the Houston Athletics Department and its vendors are making every effort to improve service and appropriately accommodate our fans and guests.
« Fans attending Houston Football games this fall at TDECU Stadium are encouraged to arrive early and familiarize themselves with game day procedures and guidelines. Parking, tickets, tailgating, directions, and additional information can be found here.
« Saturday will serve as Homecoming for the Cougars. Houston is 37-33-5 all-time in Homecoming contests including wins in four of its last six games.
« During the first break in the second quarter, Houston will recognize the 2011 Cougar Football team on the field. The 2011 Cougars went 13-1, finishing the season ranked as high as No. 14 after defeating Penn State, 30-14 in the Ticket City Bowl.
« Due to the campus construction project on Cullen Boulevard, fans are encouraged to plan ahead and provide extra time while using alternative routes to avoid delays.
« Cougar Pride members giving at the Varsity Level and up are welcome to enjoy food, entertainment and family fun at the Cougar Pride Tailgate Takeover. To be located outside of TDECU at Gate 2 – southeast corner, the CP Tailgate will feature music provided by DJ Teddi and food by Oh My Gogi. Cougar Pride members will also be able to taste a wide variety of locally made wines thanks to Haak Vineyards & Winery.
GAMEDAY TIMELINE
11 a.m. – Ticket office, cash parking lots, kids' zone and tailgating opens
12:30 p.m. – Cougar Walk begins
1:30 p.m. – TDECU Stadium opens
3:02 p.m. – Kickoff vs. ECU
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
« Houston and ECU are meeting for the 15th time in the history of the programs (1997-present). The series is tied 7-7. The two teams have not met at TDECU Stadium since the Cougars defeated the Pirates, 52-27, on Nov. 4, 2017.
« Over its last five contests, Houston has limited opponents to 11.8 points per game. Houston's 97 points (16.16 per game) allowed are the fewest permitted through its first six games of a season since allowing 62 points (10.33) in 1989.
« Houston has outscored opponents 73-7 in the first quarter this season. Navy is the only opponent this season to score on the Cougars in the first quarter this season, coming on its third play from scrimmage on Sept. 25.
« Houston is 42-17 in the month of October since 2006 including a 23-9 mark at home.
«Houston's five-game win streak is its longest since winning as many consecutive from Sept. 22-Oct. 27, 2018. The Cougars last won six-or-more consecutive games from Nov. 27, 2015, to Sept. 29, 2016 (8 games).
SCOUTING EAST CAROLINA
« East Carolina has forced a turnover in 14 straight games, and 25 out of the last 26.
« East Carolina has converted 18 of 20 of its 2021 red zone visits into points (10 TDs, 8 FGs)
« The Pirates are returning four 2020 All-AAC selections: RB Rahjai Harris (First Team), CB Ja'Quan McMillian (Second Team), WR/RS Tyler Snead (Second Team) and ILB Xavier Smith (Honorable Mention).
« Going into Saturday's matchup with Houston, East Carolina has won three consecutive games against opponents with a winning record.
LAST TIME AGAINST EAST CAROLINA
« The Cougars forced four East Carolina turnovers (three interceptions and a fumble) that led to 14 points in Houston's 42-20 win at ECU on Oct. 13, 2018.
« Houston limited the Pirates to 41 rushing yards on 31 carries. It was the lowest rushing total by an opponent since Memphis was held to only 30 yards on Oct. 19, 2017.
« Junior All-American Ed Oliver led the way for the Cougars with five tackles for losses, including a pair of sacks, a forced fumble and a quarterback pressure.
« Senior linebacker Emeke Egbule finished with five tackles and four quarterback pressures and added an interception and 5-yard fumble return for touchdown.
A HOUSTON WIN WOULD …
» Move Houston to 4-0 in AAC play, its best start since 2018 (4-0).
» Move Houston's win streak to six consecutive, the program's longest since Nov. 27, 2015-Sept. 29, 2016 (8 games).
» Move Houston to 33-12 at TDECU Stadium since the facility opened.
» Be Houston's fourth victory in its last five games against ECU.
» Make Houston bowl eligible, qualifying Houston for its 14th bowl game in the last 17 seasons (2005-present).
2021 TICKET INFORMATION
Houston Football mini-plans are still available alongside single-game tickets for remaining home matchups at TDECU Stadium. The Veer Package starts as low as $40 with fans choosing tickets to two Houston games. Fans can click here to purchase tickets.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Football on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarFB, and "Like" Houston Cougar Football on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
LB
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CB
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RB
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QB
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