Game Preview: Cincinnati

HOUSTON – Feel the pageantry of Homecoming as Houston Football welcomes longtime rival Cincinnati to TDECU Stadium for a 6 p.m. Saturday kick on FS1.

GAME 10 – CINCINNATI

Houston (4-5, 2-4 Big 12) vs. Cincinnati (2-7, 0-6 Big 12)
Saturday, Nov. 11 | 6 p.m. CT
TDECU Stadium | Houston, Texas
Broadcast: FS1
Radio: KPRC 950 AM

COOG FEST – PREGAME ACTIVITIES

Saturday Game Day Timeline

8 a.m. – Parking lots open; tailgating opens
11:30 a.m. – Fertitta Center box office opens
12:30 p.m. – Men's Basketball tips off vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi; Cullen Blvd. closes
2 p.m. – Fan Fest at Cougar Alley opens; Kids' Zone opens; TDECU Stadium box office opens
3 p.m. – Cougar Pride tailgate begins
3:45 p.m. – Cougar Walk underway at Gate 14
4:30 p.m. – TDECU Stadium opens / happy hour (4:30-5:15 p.m.) starts
5:45 p.m. (approx.). – Red Bull Airforce jumps into TDECU Stadium
6:05 p.m. – Football kicks off vs. Cincinnati
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
  - Fan Fest on Cullen
Join the team for Cougar Walk at 3:45 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.
Stop by The Porch by H-E-B for interactive games and samples.

IN-GAME ACTIVITIES

Performances by the Spirit of Houston!
Get your Video Done at the 360 Video Booth behind Section 138.
On field recognitions Men's Golf during the first quarter.
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 Cincinnati are meeting for the 29th time in the history of the programs and first since the 2021 American Athletic Conference Championship on Dec. 4, 2021, in Nippert Stadium. The Cougars lead the all-time series 15-13 including a 10-5 mark at home.
On Saturday, Houston celebrates its 78th edition of Homecoming. The tradition dates to 1946. As student enrollment surged following World War II, Homecoming arose as one of many traditions that enlivened the campus. Houston is 39-33-5 all-time on Homecoming with victories in six of its last eight matchups (2015-present) including three consecutive (2020-present).
Houston outlasted Baylor, 25-24, in overtime last time out in Waco, thanks to a go-ahead, game-winning, 2-point conversion from junior quarterback Donovan Smith. The result marked the Cougars first Big 12 Conference road victory.
The Cougars, among four Big 12 newcomers, are finding out first-hand the strength of the league this season. At 2-4 in league play, Houston owns two wins against teams previously in the conference (West Virginia and Baylor). Fellow newcomers BYU, Cincinnati and UCF have gone a combined 1-13 against preceding league members with the lone victory courtesy of BYU's 27-14 win vs. Texas Tech.
Houston expects to return an abundance of production in 2024. Student-athletes anticipated to be back (with eligibility remaining) have accounted for 97% of points scored, 94% of total offense, 94% of receiving yards and 83% of rushing yards. Houston's top four leaders in all-purpose yards are all underclassmen.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

14 student-athlete who logged snaps the last time UH and Cincinnati met as part of the American Athletic Conference Championship remain on Houston's roster: linebacker Hasaan Hypolite, defensive lineman Sedrick Williams, punter Laine Wilkins, linebacker Malik Robinson, defensive lineman Hakeem Ajijolaiya, defensive lineman Chidozie Nwankwo, defensive back Alex Hogan, long snapper Gavin Gately, offensive lineman Max Banes, offensive linemen Jack Freeman, offensive lineman Patrick Paul, offensive lineman Tank Jenkins, tight end Matt Byrnes, and defensive lineman Nelson Ceaser.
The Big 12 is the fourth different league UH and Cincinnati have competed in together. The two schools were co-members of the Missouri Valley from 1957-59; co-members of Conference USA from 1996-04; co-members of the American Athletic Conference from 2013-22 and on July 1, 2023, each joined the Big 12. Houston went 3-0 vs. Cincinnati in the Missouri Valley, 2-5 in C-USA and 2-5 in The American. As part of the conference's 2024-27 schedule matrix, which was unveiled last week, the two teams will meet three times over the next four years (2024 - at Cincinnati; 2026 - at Houston; 2027 - at Cincinnati).
After snapping their two-game losing streak last Saturday, the Cougars need to win two of their final three games to reach their 31st bowl all-time. Houston's 15 bowl appearances since 2005 rank tied with TCU for the most in Texas.
Houston ranks seventh nationally in fumbles lost (2) and 25th nationally in turnovers lost (9). The Cougars' nine turnovers match their second fewest through the first nine games of the season since 2000. The total trails only the 2021 squad's eight given up. The two fumbles lost match the 2021 squad for the fewest through nine games since 2000.
Houston's defense stepped up in a major way in the Cougars' 25-24 overtime victory at Baylor last Saturday. The Cougars, which had allowed an average of 30.3 first half points during their first three road games, blanked the Bears over the first 30 minutes. It marked the first time since Dec. 12, 2020, vs. #22 Oklahoma State, that the Bears were held scoreless at home in the opening 30 minutes.

SCOUTING CINCINNATI

Cincinnati ranks second in the Big 12 and sixth nationally with 224.5 rush yards per game, up from 93rd last year at 129.7. UC has run for 200 or more yards in seven of nine contests, including 248 versus UCF, 288 against Baylor and 277 at Oklahoma State in its last three outings.
Four different Bearcats have rushed for 100 yards in a game this season: Corey Kiner (four times), Ryan Montgomery (twice), Myles Montgomery (once) and Emory Jones (once).
Running backs Ryan Montgomery and Corey Kiner both rushed for 100 yards, but UCF held on for a 28-26 victory on Saturday at Nippert Stadium.

LAST TIME AGAINST CINCINNATI

#3 Cincinnati scored 21 third quarter points and held off #16 Houston for a 35-20 American Athletic Conference Championship win in 2021.
Houston junior QB Clayton Tune passed for 250 yards with two touchdowns and an interception as Houston lost for the first time since dropping its season-opener to Texas Tech on Sept. 4, 2021.
Tank Dell finished with nine catches for 152 yards and a touchdown that gave Houston its last lead at 10-7 in the first quarter.

A HOUSTON WIN WOULD ...

Move Houston to 16-13 all-time against Cincinnati and snap the Bearcats three-game win streak.
Be Houston's fifth on the season with two remaining opportunities to reach the six-win mark for bowl eligibility.
Move Houston to 4-2 at TDECU Stadium this season and 42-17 all-time at the facility.
Give Houston its first win against Cincinnati since Sept. 15, 2016, at Nippert Stadium.
Mark the Cougars' first against the Bearcats at home since Nov. 7, 2015.

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 
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Players Mentioned

Hakeem Ajijolaiya

Max Banes

Matt Byrnes

Nelson Ceaser

Jack Freeman

Gavin Gately

Alex Hogan

Hasaan Hypolite

Tank Jenkins

Chidozie Nwankwo

Patrick Paul

Malik Robinson

Donovan Smith

Clayton Tune

Laine Wilkins

Sedrick Williams

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