Game Preview: TCU

HOUSTON – University of Houston Football begins a new era when it welcomes TCU to TDECU Stadium at 7 p.m., Saturday, for the Cougars' Big 12 Conference debut and first league game of the 2023 season.

GAME 3 - TCU

Houston (1-1, 0-0 Big 12) vs. TCU (1-1, 0-0 Big 12)
Saturday, Sept. 16 | 7 p.m. CT
TDECU Stadium | Houston, Texas
Broadcast: FOX
Radio: KPRC 950 AM

COOG FEST - PREGAME ACTIVITES

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. Don't miss James Kennedy preforming prior to the game at 5:45 p.m.!
- Cougar Alley includes:
  - The Bud Light Backyard
  - Fan Fest on Cullen
  - 1989 Heisman Trophy photo booth – stop and meet Andre Ware
Join the team for the Cougar Walk at 4:45 p.m.
Arrive early as enjoy the expanded Kids' Zone near Schroeder Gate 1.
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.

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 Swimming & Diving, Men's Basketball and the 2023 Hall of Honor inductees.
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

UH's 99 wins since the start of the 2011 season are tied with TCU for the most among Texas FBS programs. The schools are also deadlocked at 81 wins since 2013. The Cougars are 25-10 in the month of September since 2013 and 25-12 against in-state opponents since 2011.
Houston has a history of early success in new leagues. Houston won three of four Southwest Conference Championships when it entered the leagues including capturing the 1976 title during its first year in the conference. The Cougars also won the Conference USA Championship during their inaugural 1996 season. Houston entered The American in 2013, going 17-7 in league play during its first three seasons including taking home the conference title during Year 3 as part of its magical 2015 season.
Houston and TCU have competed in three different leagues: the Southwest Conference (1976-95), Conference USA (2001-04) and Big 12 Conference (2023-present). UH was 13-7 vs. TCU as co-Southwest Conference members. Houston had dropped eight straight in the series (1993-present) with the last matchup coming in a 2007 Texas Bowl which featured quarterbacks Case Keenum and Andy Dalton.
Houston is looking for its fifth consecutive victory in conference debuts. The Big 12 is the seventh league in which Houston has completed.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

Despite its first season in the Big 12, UH has no shortage of league experience. Current Cougars have played in a combined 220 games at Big 12 programs - DL David Ugwoegbu (51 games; Oklahoma), TE Mike O'Laughlin (32 games; West Virginia), RB Tony Mathis Jr. (31 games; West Virginia), QB Donovan Smith (21 games; Texas Tech), LB Jamal Morris (20 games; Oklahoma), DB Alex Hogan (18 games; Texas Tech), DB Noah Guzman (16 games; West Virginia), WR Stephon Johnson (10 games), WR Samuel Brown (9 games; West Virginia); DB Latrell McCutchin (9 games; Oklahoma), Ol Jaylen Garth (2 games; Texas) and OL Tyler Johnson (1 games; Texas).
The 2023 season is Head Coach Dana Holgorsen's 17th coaching in the Big 12 Conference. Holgorsen has coached four of the league's 14 schools, totaling a combined 74 Big 12 victories at West Virginia (2012-18), Oklahoma State (2010) and Texas Tech (2000-07), including a combined 18-9 conference record over his final three seasons with the Mountaineers.
Houston wide receiver Samuel Brown leads the Big 12 in receptions (15), receptions per game (7.5), receiving yards (244) and receiving yards per game (122.0). Brown's 244 receiving yards are the most for a Cougar through the first two games in the last 20 years.
Excitement for the 2023 season has been palpable - to the tune of 26,500+ season tickets, a TDECU Stadium record - including 7,800 new season tickets. Houston's fundraising arm, Cougar Pride, has received over $50 million for the Football Operations Center (FOC) which will break ground immediately following Houston's regular season home finale against Oklahoma State.
Houston continued its trend of playing more disciplined football last Saturday. The Cougars' 69 penalty yards and 34.5 penalty yards per game are fewest in Big 12. Houston's 69 penalty yards are its fewest through two games since 2009 (46 yards). Its nine penalties are tied for the second fewest by the program through two games in the last 20 seasons.

SCOUTING TCU

TCU went 6-0 in road games last season with its current six-game road winning streak tying for second nationally.
The horned Frogs held an opponent without an offensive touchdown for the first time since winning 17-10 at Texas on Nov. 12 of last season.
TCU became the first program from the state of Texas to reach the College Football Playoff and first from the Big 12 to play in the CFP National Championship. With its 51-45 semifinal victory over Michigan in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, TCU is one of seven programs nationally to win a CFP game.

LAST TIME AGAINST TCU

TCU won the 2007 Texas Bowl in Reliant Stadium 20-13 in a matchup of future NFL quarterbacks Case Keenum and Andy Dalton.
Houston quarterback Case Keenum finished 23-of-38 for a career best and Texas Bowl record 335 yards and a touchdown. He was sacked five times on the night. He also set bowl records for completions (23), attempts (38) and longest touchdown pass (67 yards).
Keenum connected with Andre Kohn for a 67-yard touchdown pass to open the scoring. Houston led 10-7 at the half.
TCU quarterback Andy Dalton, the Texas Bowl MVP, finished 20-for-30 for 249 yards and an interception. He also added 14 yards rushing and was sacked twice.

A HOUSTON WIN WOULD ...

Move Houston to 40-19-1 in conference openers all-time and has won six of its last eight (2015-present).
Move Houston to 25-10 against in-state opponents since the start of the 2011 season.
Snap an eight-game losing streak to TCU and be UH's first league win in the Big 12.
Make Houston 26-10 in the month of September since the start of the 2013 season.

TICKETS ON SALE
It's the Big 12! Cougar Nation has been wanting this for nearly 30 years. Now is the best time to enjoy the Cougars in action. Specially priced TCU tickets are on sale for just $20. To purchase, click here. Houston Football mini-plans available starting as low as $66.

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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Players Mentioned

Samuel Brown

Jaylen Garth

Noah Guzman

Alex Hogan

Stephon Johnson

Tyler Johnson

Tony Mathis Jr.

Latrell McCutchin Sr.

Jamal Morris

Mike O’Laughlin

Donovan Smith

David Ugwoegbu