Saturday, September 25
Houston, Texas
6 P.M.
University of Houston
vs
Navy
Gameday Primer: Navy
9/24/2021 8:19:00 AM | Football
Cougars, Midshipmen meet in American opener
GAME 4
Houston vs. Navy
Sept. 25, 2021 | 6 p.m. CT | TDECU Stadium | Houston, Texas
Broadcast: ESPNU
Radio: KPRC 950 AM
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
« In conjunction with Saturday's game, the Houston Football program will honor Vinny Robins and his family. Robins was paired with Houston by Team IMPACT. The Cougars will wear special Team IMPACT t-shirts during Cougar Walk. Houston Athletics will hold a special tribute in-game for Vinny and his family.
« Houston has scored 40-plus points and allowed seven-or-fewer points in consecutive games for the first time since Nov. 16-23, 1968. That season, the Cougars defeated Idaho, 77-3, on Nov. 16 and Tulsa, 100-6, one week later (Nov. 23).
« Saturday marks Houston's fourth consecutive game in the City of Houston to begin the 2021 season. The Cougars faced Texas Tech at NRG Stadium (Sept. 4) before visiting Rice (Sept. 11) and hosting Grambling (Sept. 18).
« Houston has won 12 of its last 15 conference openers and is 6-2 in American Athletic Conference openers. The Cougars are 39-18- 1 all-time in league openers including a 14-6 mark at home.
FOR FANS
« Before you head to the game, check out TDECU Stadium's gameday guidelines and procedures by clicking here.
« 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.
« Tickets are available by visiting UHCougars.com/tickets or calling 713 GO COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours. For just $60, fans can purchase four tickets, four hot dogs, four chips and four small sodas.
« 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: Powered by Skyward Financial. 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.
« Fans will enjoy the new Beer Garden located on Cullen Boulevard between Gate 1 and Gate 2 with tailgate games and a cash bar available.
« Houston's younger fans will enjoy the new Kids' Zone with inflatables, face painting, tattoos, tailgate games, and a Selfie station with our former student-athletes. Fans can find the new Kids' Zone between Gate 1 and Gate 4 on the north side of TDECU Stadium.
« TDECU Stadium has a clear-bag policy. For more information on Houston football's gameday procedures, click here.
GAMEDAY TIMELINE
10 a.m. – Fire Sale opens (Schroeder Gate 1)
2 p.m. – Ticket office, cash parking lots, kids' zone, beer garden and tailgating opens
3:45 p.m. – Cougar Walk begins
4:30 p.m. – TDECU Stadium opens
6:02 p.m. – Kickoff vs. Navy
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
« Houston has not allowed a first quarter point this season, outscoring opponents, 38-0 in the opening 15 minutes. Houston's defense has limited opponents to seven points or fewer in the first half in five of its last six games dating to Nov. 14, 2020.
« Houston ranks third nationally in passing yards allowed per game (122.0), fifth in first downs defense (33), seventh in third down conversion percent defense (.243), seventh in total defense (230.0) and 11th in red zone defense (.571).
« Houston has scored in 259 consecutive games, a mark that ranks ninth longest among active streaks in the FBS. The streak began Sept. 30, 2000. The Cougars have also scored 10-plus points in 87 straight games (Sept. 6, 2014-present).
« Houston's special teams has continued to shine. Mannie Nunnery is tied for first nationally with two blocked punts. Marcus Jones returned a 48-yard punt for a touchdown against Grambling. Dalton Witherspoon ranks third in Houston career history in field goal percentage (80.4). Laine Wilkins, who did not allow a positive punt return in 2020, ranks 12th nationally and second in The American, averaging 47.5 yards per punt this season.
« Against Rice, running back Alton McCaskill became the first UH true freshman to score three touchdowns in a game since Bryce Beall against Tulane on Nov. 8, 2008. Last Saturday against Grambling, McCaskill became the first UH freshman to rush for 100 yards (114) since Sept. 10, 2016 (Mulbah Car and Kevrin Justice).
SCOUTING NAVY
« Navy will play the third-toughest schedule in the country based on opponent winning percentage from 2020. The Mids' 12 opponents this fall combined for a 72-42 (.632) record last year. Only Arkansas (.644) and UMass (.644) have tougher slates based on last year's results.
« Senior safety Kevin Brennan, senior wide receiver Mychal Cooper, senior linebacker Diego Fagot and senior slot back Chance Warren have been selected as team captains for the 2021 season.
« Cooper was also chosen to serve as the Captain of the Captains by a vote of the team captains of all 33 of Navy's varsity sports. It's the second time in three years that a football player has been selected. Ford Higgins was the Captain of the Captains for the 2019-20 academic year
« Fagot is on the "Watch Lists" for the 2021 Chuck Bednarik Award (Maxwell Football Club) and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (Football Writers Association of America) which are presented to the top defensive player in college football.
LAST TIME AGAINST NAVY
« Junior quarterback Clayton Tune threw for 316 yards and three touchdowns, and senior wide receiver Marquez Stevenson hauled in nine passes for 129 yards and a pair of scores to lead the University of Houston Football team to a 37-21 win over Navy inside Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on October 24, 2020.
« The Cougars used an all-around effort from each facet of the game. Houston's defense limited the Midshipmen to 166 rushing yards and only one touchdown on the ground as the Cougars rallied from a 13-9 deficit late in the second quarter.
« Senior defensive lineman Payton Turner finished with eight tackles, including 2.5 tackles for a loss, and blocked a Navy PAT, while junior linebacker Donavan Mutin eight tackles, including six solo stops, with a sack.
A HOUSTON WIN WOULD …
« Move Houston to 40-18-1 all-time in conference openers and 7-2 in American Athletic Conference openers.
« Be Houston's first three-game win streak since winning five straight from Sept. 22-Oct. 27, 2018.
« Up Houston's all-time record to 6-2 against Navy including a 3-1 mark at TDECU Stadium.
Houston vs. Navy
Sept. 25, 2021 | 6 p.m. CT | TDECU Stadium | Houston, Texas
Broadcast: ESPNU
Radio: KPRC 950 AM
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
« In conjunction with Saturday's game, the Houston Football program will honor Vinny Robins and his family. Robins was paired with Houston by Team IMPACT. The Cougars will wear special Team IMPACT t-shirts during Cougar Walk. Houston Athletics will hold a special tribute in-game for Vinny and his family.
« Houston has scored 40-plus points and allowed seven-or-fewer points in consecutive games for the first time since Nov. 16-23, 1968. That season, the Cougars defeated Idaho, 77-3, on Nov. 16 and Tulsa, 100-6, one week later (Nov. 23).
« Saturday marks Houston's fourth consecutive game in the City of Houston to begin the 2021 season. The Cougars faced Texas Tech at NRG Stadium (Sept. 4) before visiting Rice (Sept. 11) and hosting Grambling (Sept. 18).
« Houston has won 12 of its last 15 conference openers and is 6-2 in American Athletic Conference openers. The Cougars are 39-18- 1 all-time in league openers including a 14-6 mark at home.
FOR FANS
« Before you head to the game, check out TDECU Stadium's gameday guidelines and procedures by clicking here.
« 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.
« Tickets are available by visiting UHCougars.com/tickets or calling 713 GO COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours. For just $60, fans can purchase four tickets, four hot dogs, four chips and four small sodas.
« 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: Powered by Skyward Financial. 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.
« Fans will enjoy the new Beer Garden located on Cullen Boulevard between Gate 1 and Gate 2 with tailgate games and a cash bar available.
« Houston's younger fans will enjoy the new Kids' Zone with inflatables, face painting, tattoos, tailgate games, and a Selfie station with our former student-athletes. Fans can find the new Kids' Zone between Gate 1 and Gate 4 on the north side of TDECU Stadium.
« TDECU Stadium has a clear-bag policy. For more information on Houston football's gameday procedures, click here.
GAMEDAY TIMELINE
10 a.m. – Fire Sale opens (Schroeder Gate 1)
2 p.m. – Ticket office, cash parking lots, kids' zone, beer garden and tailgating opens
3:45 p.m. – Cougar Walk begins
4:30 p.m. – TDECU Stadium opens
6:02 p.m. – Kickoff vs. Navy
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
« Houston has not allowed a first quarter point this season, outscoring opponents, 38-0 in the opening 15 minutes. Houston's defense has limited opponents to seven points or fewer in the first half in five of its last six games dating to Nov. 14, 2020.
« Houston ranks third nationally in passing yards allowed per game (122.0), fifth in first downs defense (33), seventh in third down conversion percent defense (.243), seventh in total defense (230.0) and 11th in red zone defense (.571).
« Houston has scored in 259 consecutive games, a mark that ranks ninth longest among active streaks in the FBS. The streak began Sept. 30, 2000. The Cougars have also scored 10-plus points in 87 straight games (Sept. 6, 2014-present).
« Houston's special teams has continued to shine. Mannie Nunnery is tied for first nationally with two blocked punts. Marcus Jones returned a 48-yard punt for a touchdown against Grambling. Dalton Witherspoon ranks third in Houston career history in field goal percentage (80.4). Laine Wilkins, who did not allow a positive punt return in 2020, ranks 12th nationally and second in The American, averaging 47.5 yards per punt this season.
« Against Rice, running back Alton McCaskill became the first UH true freshman to score three touchdowns in a game since Bryce Beall against Tulane on Nov. 8, 2008. Last Saturday against Grambling, McCaskill became the first UH freshman to rush for 100 yards (114) since Sept. 10, 2016 (Mulbah Car and Kevrin Justice).
SCOUTING NAVY
« Navy will play the third-toughest schedule in the country based on opponent winning percentage from 2020. The Mids' 12 opponents this fall combined for a 72-42 (.632) record last year. Only Arkansas (.644) and UMass (.644) have tougher slates based on last year's results.
« Senior safety Kevin Brennan, senior wide receiver Mychal Cooper, senior linebacker Diego Fagot and senior slot back Chance Warren have been selected as team captains for the 2021 season.
« Cooper was also chosen to serve as the Captain of the Captains by a vote of the team captains of all 33 of Navy's varsity sports. It's the second time in three years that a football player has been selected. Ford Higgins was the Captain of the Captains for the 2019-20 academic year
« Fagot is on the "Watch Lists" for the 2021 Chuck Bednarik Award (Maxwell Football Club) and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (Football Writers Association of America) which are presented to the top defensive player in college football.
LAST TIME AGAINST NAVY
« Junior quarterback Clayton Tune threw for 316 yards and three touchdowns, and senior wide receiver Marquez Stevenson hauled in nine passes for 129 yards and a pair of scores to lead the University of Houston Football team to a 37-21 win over Navy inside Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on October 24, 2020.
« The Cougars used an all-around effort from each facet of the game. Houston's defense limited the Midshipmen to 166 rushing yards and only one touchdown on the ground as the Cougars rallied from a 13-9 deficit late in the second quarter.
« Senior defensive lineman Payton Turner finished with eight tackles, including 2.5 tackles for a loss, and blocked a Navy PAT, while junior linebacker Donavan Mutin eight tackles, including six solo stops, with a sack.
A HOUSTON WIN WOULD …
« Move Houston to 40-18-1 all-time in conference openers and 7-2 in American Athletic Conference openers.
« Be Houston's first three-game win streak since winning five straight from Sept. 22-Oct. 27, 2018.
« Up Houston's all-time record to 6-2 against Navy including a 3-1 mark at TDECU Stadium.
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
CB
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RB
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LB
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LB
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WR
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QB
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DL
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P
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K
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