Game Preview: Texas

HOUSTON – Houston Football has waited 22 years to host Texas on campus and it will get its shot at the #8 team in the country on Saturday at 3 p.m. in TDECU Stadium with the game airing on FOX.

GAME 7 – TEXAS

Houston (3-3, 1-2 Big 12) vs. #8 Texas (5-1, 2-1 Big 12)
Saturday, Oct. 21 | 3 p.m. CT
TDECU Stadium | Houston, Texas
Broadcast: FOX
Radio: KPRC 950 AM

COOG FEST – PREGAME ACTIVITIES

First 10,000 fans receive a FREE rally towel!
Red out TDECU Stadium by wearing all red.
Tailgating parking lots open at 8 a.m.
Grab your friends and enjoy all the fun at Fan Fest in Cougar Alley. This area features a huge LED TV, interactive games and activities.
- Cougar Alley includes:
  - The Bud Light Backyard
    - Take your picture with Andre Ware in the Bud Light Backyard (2-3 p.m.)
  - Fan Fest on Cullen
Join the team for Cougar Walk at 12:45 p.m. Cougar Walk will be led by the UH Helmet Car with Shasta and Sasha. Plus, you will enjoy performances by the Spirit of Houston, UH Cheerleaders and the Cougar Dolls!
The student tailgate, sponsored by H-E-B, Dean of Students Office and SGA: All students are invited to stop by the student tailgate outside Gate 2. Spend time with friends and enjoy tailgating games, TVs, video games, food and giveaways.
Military jet flyover after National Anthem by the 80th Flying Training Wing, from Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas.
Raising Canes and Takis samples
Stop by The Porch by H-E-B for interactive games and samples.
J Bar M on site selling BBQ.
Come on out and meet some players from the Sabercats Rugby team.

IN-GAME ACTIVITIES

Performances by the Spirit of Houston!
Get your Video Done at the 360 Video Booth behind Section 138.
On field recognitions include Houston Baseball.
Cheerleaders and Cougar Dolls on hand to entertain you!
DJ Yobi Yobz mixin' it up in the student section!
Join the Light Show in the 4th Quarter with Cougar Lights in the Houston Athletics app!

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Houston and Texas are meeting for the 26th time in the history of the programs and first since Sept. 21, 2002, in Austin. The matchup is the first between the programs as league members since Nov. 11, 1995. As co-members of the Southwest Conference from 1976-95, the teams met 20 times.
The Cougars are riding momentum into Saturday thanks to a thrilling, 41-39 victory last time out against West Virginia. Houston quarterback Donovan Smith, who completed his final 16 pass attempts of the game, found wide receiver Stephon Johnson in the endzone on a 49-yard Hail Mary as time expired to lift Houston to its first Big 12 Conference win.
UH's win last time out against West Virginia was not only the Cougars first Big 12 Conference victory, it was the first league win for any of the conference's new three members from The American and the first by any of the four newcomers against a preceding Big 12 program.
Saturday's contest is officially sold out (capacity: 40,000). The Cougars set a TDECU Stadium record with 26,500+ season tickets including 7,800 new season tickets during their first Big 12 Conference season. UH is 41-16 all-time inside TDECU Stadium including 3-1 this season.
Houston's eight-game win streak in October (Oct. 1, 2021-present) is the longest for the program since winning nine straight from Oct. 29, 1977-Oct. 27, 1979). UH is 47-18 in October since 2006 including 27-9 at home. Its last loss came on Halloween 2020 vs. UCF (44-21).

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

Houston quarterback Donovan Smith, a three-year letterwinner at Texas Tech (2020-22), led the Red Raiders to a 37-34 victory against #22 Texas a season ago. Smith, who threw for 331 yards and totaled three scores, is one of six quarterbacks in the last 20 years to complete 30 passes, throw for 300 yards, toss two touchdowns and rush for a touchdown in a single game against the Longhorns.
Houston left guard Tyler Johnson, a 2023 PFF Preseason All-Big 12 Conference honoree, spent three seasons at Texas (2019-21). He made one appearance, earning the start at right guard in the 2020 Alamo Bowl vs. Colorado, playing 61 snaps. Fellow offensive lineman Jaylen Garth spent two seasons at Texas (2020-21), playing two games during the 2021 season.
Houston Assistant Head Coach Corby Meekins spent three seasons with the Longhorns including coaching fullbacks/tight ends in 2017 and coaching wide receivers from 2018-19. Meekins oversaw one of the most prolific pass-catching units in Texas history as the duo of Lil' Jordan Humphrey and Collin Johnson combined for 2,161 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns during the 2018 season.
Houston sophomore Matthew Golden leads the FBS with two kickoff return touchdowns this season – a 100-yard return against West Virginia and a 98-yard return against TCU. Last time out against the Mountaineers, Golden became the eighth Cougar all-time with a 100-yard return. Houston leads the country with eight kickoff return touchdowns since 2019 and ranks second with 20 kickoff return touchdowns since 2008.
Houston has not turned over the ball in four of its six games this season. The Cougars, who registered one interception last time out vs. West Virginia, have not lost the turnover battle through six games this season. Houston is one of five teams nationally without a fumble lost. Houston ranks second nationally in fewest turnovers lost (3), trailing only Oregon (1), and are eighth in turnover margin (1.17).

SCOUTING TEXAS

Texas exploded for 661 yards of offense against Kansas in the Big 12 Conference home opener.
The 661 yards were the sixth-most in program history and the most since totaling 689 yards against UTEP in 2020.
UT's 661 yards were the most in a Big 12 game in program history, topping the previous mark of 658 in 2016 against Texas Tech.
Texas rushed for 336 yards and threw for 325 yards in the victory over Kansas. It marked the seventh time in program history the Longhorns rushed and passed for over 300 yards in the same game and the first time since 2021 against Texas Tech.
The Longhorns have tallied at least 500 yards of offense in each of the last three games (503 - at Baylor; 661 - Kansas; 527 vs. Oklahoma), equaling the longest stretch in UT history for the first time since 2018.

LAST TIME AGAINST TEXAS

Texas' Cedric Benson ran for 160 yards on 37 carries and Chris Simms passed for two touchdowns as third-ranked Texas defeated Houston 41-11 Sept. 21, 2002.
Houston scored its lone touchdown in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard rush. The Cougars scored the two-point conversion.
Texas and Houston played in front of 82,936 fans at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial stadium.
Hanik Milligan led the Cougars with seven tackles and Victor Malone returned an interception 57 yards.

A HOUSTON WIN WOULD ...

Snap a seven-game losing streak against the Longhorns (1992-present).
Be Houston's ninth straight in the month of October, the longest streak for the Cougars since winning as many between Oct. 29, 1977-Oct. 27, 1979.
Be Houston's 20th against a Top 10 team and third against a Top 10-ranked Longhorns team.
Be Houston's first against a Top 10 ranked Longhorns team since Nov. 10, 1984.
Move Houston to 4-1 at TDECU Stadium this season and 42-16 since the facility opened in 2014.

TICKETS ON SALE
Be part of history this fall by purchasing tickets for Houston Football's inaugural season in the Big 12 Conference. Single-game tickets are available for Big 12 matchups against Cincinnati and Oklahoma State by clicking here.

SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win in the Big 12. Click here to rise and be counted.

JOIN The 46ers and The HUDDLE
Fans are invited to join the 46ers and the Huddle to directly support Houston Football. Members provide financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond operating budget. For more information about the 46ers and the Huddle, call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684) or click here.
 
STAY CONNECTED 
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.

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