Game Preview: Kansas State

MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Houston Cougars travel across state lines for the first time in 2023 to face defending Big 12 Conference Champion Kansas State at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in the Cougars' earliest game this season at 11 a.m. Saturday on ESPN2.

GAME 8 – KANSAS STATE

Houston (3-4, 1-3 Big 12) at Kansas State (5-2, 3-1 Big 12)
Saturday | 11 a.m. CT
Bill Snyder Family Stadium | Manhattan, Kansas
Broadcast: ESPN2
Radio: KPRC AM 950

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Houston and Kansas State are meeting for the first time in the history of the programs on Saturday. The trip is the Cougars first outside the state of Texas this season and first to The Sunflower State since visiting Kansas on Sept. 23, 1995. It is Houston's eighth all-time trip to the state of Kansas. Houston visited Wichita State six times between 1950-59 as co-members of the Missouri Valley Conference.
Houston's 10 road victories since the start of the 2021 season rank tied for fifth nationally. The Cougars, who are in search of their first Big 12 Conference road win after falling, 49-28, at Texas Tech (Sept. 30), are 10-4 (.714) on the road since 2021.
Houston quarterback Donovan Smith, who spent three seasons at Texas Tech (2020-22), was the lone Big 12 Conference quarterback and one of 10 Power 5 quarterbacks to complete 70% of his passes with a minimum of 45 attempts in a single game a season ago, doing so at #25 Kansas State (Oct. 1). Smith finished 34 of 48 (70.8%) for 359 yards with two passing touchdowns and one rushing score.
No two teams have been more consistently impressive on kickoff return than Houston and Kansas State. The Cougars lead the FBS with eight kickoff return touchdowns since the start of the 2019 season, followed by Kansas State with six. Kansas State's 26 kickoff return touchdowns since the start of the 2008 season lead the country while Houston ranks second with 20. Houston's 25.50 kickoff return average ranks 15th nationally this season highlighted by an FBS-best two kickoff return touchdowns from sophomore Matthew Golden.
The Cougars rank fifth nationally in turnovers lost (5) and 22nd nationally in turnover margin (0.71). Last Saturday against #8/8 Texas marked the first time Houston had lost the turnover battle. Houston was one of five teams nationally without a fumble lost before a Longhorns strip sack with 7:36 to play in the third quarter.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

Houston's top five leaders in all-purpose yardage are all underclassmen. Of Houston's 3,250 all-purpose yards, 2,928 (90.1%) are courtesy of freshmen or sophomores. Sophomore wide receiver Matthew Golden (679), sophomore wide receiver Samuel Brown (629) and freshman running back Parker Jenkins (437) lead the way.
Despite a 1-3 mark in Big 12 play, Houston has remained competitive. The Cougars were unable to convert a 4th-and-1 at the Texas' 10-yard line with 1:03 to play last time out, falling 31-24 to the #8/8 Longhorns. Houston trailed by seven points at the half in Big 12 losses to TCU and Texas Tech. With its win over West Virginia on Thursday, Oct. 12, Houston remains the only Big 12 newcomer from the American Athletic Conference to register a league victory (UCF: 0-4; Cincinnati: 0-4).
After playing five of its first seven games at home, and six of its first seven in the City of Houston (at Rice on Sept. 9), Houston closes its season with three of five on the road including consecutive road tilts at Kansas State (Oct. 28) and Baylor (Nov. 4) over the next two weeks.
UH has converted on 12 of 14 (85.7%) red zone opportunities over its last four games including 2 of 3 vs. a Texas defense ranked 13th nationally in red zone defense. The turnaround comes after UH managed to score on just 9 of 14 (64%) chances in its first three games.
Houston quarterback Donovan Smith has been among the biggest transfer portal pickups nationally under center this season. Among first-year transfer quarterbacks, Smith ranks third in points responsible for (120), fourth in passing yards (1,979), fifth in passing touchdowns (16) and fifth in completion percentage (66.8).

SCOUTING KANSAS STATE

The Cats currently rank 13th nationally and second in the Big 12 by scoring 36.9 points per game while also checking in at No. 3 in rushing at 232.7 yards per game – which also ranks tops among Power 5 programs. Since Collin Klein took over as offensive coordinator for the 2021 Texas Bowl, K-State is averaging 34.2 points per game on offense, which includes five games this season of 38 or more points.
Senior Will Howard and freshman Avery Johnson both directed a K-State offense last week that produced 41 points and 587 total yards, including 406 yards in the first half. Howard threw for three touchdowns for the third time this season, while the week prior at Texas Tech, Johnson tied a school record with five rushing touchdowns en route to Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honors.
Last week against TCU, the K-State defense limited a potent Horned Frog offense to just three points and 300 yards, with 68 of those yards coming on the last drive of the game. Coming into the contest, TCU was averaging 33.1 points per game and 488.4 yards of offense. Over the last two seasons, K-State has held 13 of its 14 Big 12 opponents under its season scoring averaging entering the game Texas Tech has not allowed any points on the opening drive of the game or the second half this season. In fact, the Red Raiders have surrendered just four first downs in those situations.
The K-State defense enters the week ranked in the top 25 nationally in third down defense (15th – 30.0%), scoring defense (19th - 18.1 ppg), rushing defense (23rd – 108.9 yds/gm) and tackles for loss (24th – 6.9 TFLs per game). Since the Cats switched to a 3-3-5 alignment to start the 2021 season, K-State has allowed just 20.8 points per game to rank 20th in the nation and second in the Big 12.
Kansas State has been one of the best Big 12 teams since the inception of the conference in 1996. The Wildcats are third with 136 conference victories, trailing only Oklahoma and Texas.

LAST TIME AGAINST KANSAS STATE

This is the first meeting between the Cougars and Wildcats.

A HOUSTON WIN WOULD

Be Houston's first Big 12 road win and second overall league victory.
Be UH's fourth on the season with four remaining opportunities to reach the six-win mark for bowl eligibility.
Be Dana Holgorsen's fourth consecutive victory against Kansas State as a Head Coach, dating to the 2016 season at West Virginia. Holgorsen enters Saturday 3-4 all-time against the Wildcats.
Be the University of Houston's first Big 12 win against Kansas State (soccer: 1-0 loss on Oct. 5 in Manhattan, Kan.; volleyball: regular-season finale on Nov. 25 in Houston).

COOGS ON THE ROAD

The UH Alumni Association and Cougar Pride invite you to hit the road with us as we rally to support the Cougars as they take on the Kansas State Wildcats. This is your chance to experience the camaraderie, excitement and spirit that comes with being part of the Cougar community.
- Welcome Reception - Friday, Oct. 27
  - Location: Norsemen Brewing Company
  - Topeka, Kan.
  - Time: 6-8 p.m.
- There will be no game day tailgate for this Coogs on the Road event.
Kansas State Gameday A-Z Guide.

TICKETS ON SALE
Headed to Manhattan for game day? Snag a ticket and cheer on the Coogs by purchasing tickets for the first out-of-state road game of the year by clicking here.

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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Samuel Brown

Matthew Golden

Parker Jenkins

Donovan Smith

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