Game Preview: Sam Houston

HOUSTON – The University of Houston wraps up its non-conference slate with a 6 p.m. kick against Sam Houston on Saturday in TDECU Stadium as the Cougars celebrate Family Weekend on campus.

GAME 4 - SAM HOUSTON

Houston (1-2, 0-1 Big 12) vs. Sam Houston (0-2, 0-0 C-USA)
Saturday, Sept. 23 | 6 p.m. CT
TDECU Stadium | Houston, Texas
Broadcast: Big 12 Now on ESPN+
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.
- Cougar Alley includes:
  - The Bud Light Backyard
  - Fan Fest on Cullen
Join the team for the Cougar Walk at 3:45 p.m. Cougar walk will be lead by the UH Helmet Car with Shasta and Sasha. Plus, you will enjoy performances by the Spirit of Houston, UH Cheerleaders and Cougar Dolls!
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.
Join us for an epic tailgate with fun games and cold refreshing Bud Light at The Bud Light Backyard at Cougar Alley. Bud Light...Easy to Drink, #EasyToEnjoy.
Come out for a big Houston send off for Jermell Charlo! Before being honored on the field during an in-game timeout, Charlo will hold a boxing clinic for kids from the Stafford Boys & Girls Club from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. at the Cougar Alley pre-game tailgate area on Cullen Blvd!

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 Tennis.
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 Sam Houston meet for the first time since Sept. 10, 2005, when the Bearkats head to TDECU Stadium on Saturday. The Cougars have won four consecutive in the series (1948-present) and lead the all-time set 4-2. The two teams squared off in each of Houston's first three seasons of existence (1946-48) but have matched up in just three games since.
Houston defensive back Malik Fleming is tied for the national lead with three interceptions in as many games. Fleming's six interceptions since the start of the 2022 season rank tied for eighth nationally. All six of those interceptions have come in the last 10 games.
Cougar wideout Samuel Brown paces the Big 12 Conference in receiving yards (343), receiving yards per game (114.3) and receptions per game (6.7). His 20 receptions are tied with Cincinnati's Xzavier Henderson for the most in the league. Brown's 343 receiving yards are the most for a Cougar through the first three games since Deontay Greenberry totaled 381 in 2013. The 343 receiving yards are the second most for a Houston player in the last 20 years.
Houston ranks 11th nationally in turnovers forced (7), 11th in interceptions (5) and 15th in turnover margin (1.33). The Cougars are one of 23 teams without a fumble lost on the season. The Cougars' seven turnovers forced and five interceptions are the most for the program through three games since 2015 (9 turnovers forced; 5 interceptions).

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

Houston is looking to jumpstart its offense after failing to score offensively in a 36-13 loss to TCU in its Big 12 Conference debut last Saturday. The Cougars' 13 points came by way of a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown from sophomore Matthew Golden (junior Jack Martin extra point) and two 44-yard field goals from Martin. The Cougars, who scored 41 points a week prior at Rice, ranked 11th nationally in points scored (971) and 23rd in total yards (11,734) between 2021-22.
Houston sophomore Matthew Golden is one of 12 players nationally and is the lone Big 12 Conference player and Texas FBS player with a kickoff return touchdown. Golden raced 98 yards for the score last week against TCU. The Cougars lead the nation with seven kickoff return touchdowns since 2019. Golden has four total touchdowns (3 receiving) in the first three games.
Houston registered 3.0 sacks and 6.0 tackles for loss against TCU during last Saturday's loss. The Horned Frogs entered last Saturday's contest as one of seven teams nationally without a sack allowed. Three of Houston's six sacks on the season have come from defensive end Nelson Ceaser who ranks 12th nationally and leads the Big 12 in the category.
The Cougars are looking to avoid consecutive losses at TDECU Stadium for the first time since Oct. 16-31, 2020, when they fell to #14/13 BYU and --/rv UCF. Houston has not lost three consecutive games overall since Oct. 24-Nov. 16, 2019.
Houston ranks eighth nationally in punt return defense (0.00) and 15th in punt returns (17.75). Houston is one of four programs nationally and one of two in the Big 12 ranked inside the Top 15 in both categories (Oregon State, Texas Tech, USC). The Cougars are also second in the Big 12 in kickoff return defense (15.88).

SCOUTING SAM HOUSTON

Sam Houston is in its first year of transition to the FBS. The Kats officially became a member of Conference USA on July 1, 2023.
The Bearkats are 2-4 all-time against the Cougars. Houston won the last meeting 31-10 on Sept. 5, 2005.
The Bearkats dropped their season opener at BYU 14-0 on Sept. 2. It was the first time Sam Houston had been shutout since a 56-0 loss at LSU on Sept. 6, 2014.
This is the second straight season Sam Houston has begun the year 0-2. Last season, the Bearkats rattled off five straight wins after falling to Texas A&M and Northern Arizona to begin the year. Before that, Sam Houston last began 0-2 in 2015 when the Kats went on a six-game winning streak and advanced to the semifinals of the FCS Playoffs.
The Bearkats are holding opponents to just 12.5 points per game this season despite being 0-2. Sam Houston held BYU to 14 points in the opener and Air Force to 13 the following week.
Sam Houston's last win against an FBS opponent came in 2011 when the Bearkats went 14-1 and finished as runner-up in the FCS national title game. The Kats defeated New Mexico 48-45 in overtime. Sam Houston is 3-31 all-time vs FBS foes.

LAST TIME AGAINST SAM HOUSTON

Houston and Sam Houston are meeting for the first time in 18 years as the Cougars look to make it five consecutive wins over the Bearkats after their 31-10 win in 2005.
The Cougars' 21-point win over Sam Houston was the biggest for UH in the all-time series against the Bearkats. It topped the 18-point win (43-25) the Cougars enjoyed against SHSU on Aug. 31, 1996.
Running back Ryan Gilbert set a new personal single-game high and recorded his first career 100-yard rushing game with 127 rushing yards. He also rushed for two touchdowns.
The Cougars put 499 yards of total offense on the board and overcame two lost fumbles on their way to the win.

A HOUSTON WIN WOULD ...

Be Houston's fifth consecutive against Sam Houston and move the Cougars to 5-2 all-time against the Bearkats.
Move Houston to 14-4 in non-conference home games at TDECU Stadium (2014-present).
Be Houston's 100th victory since the start of the 2011 season, trailing only TCU for the most among FBS programs in Texas during that timeframe.
Make Houston 26-11 in the month of September since the start of the 2013 season.

TICKETS ON SALE
Join us this Saturday for another in-state bout against the Bearkats. Tickets are on sale for as low as $10 by clicking here. Mini plans are also available starting as low as $66. Be part of all the excitement of the Cougars' inaugural season in the Big 12 Conference and be the difference this fall at TDECU Stadium.

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
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Samuel Brown

Nelson Ceaser

Malik Fleming

Matthew Golden

Jack Martin

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