Saturday, September 23
Houston, Texas
6 p.m.
University of Houston
2-2 , 0-1
38
vs
7
Sam Houston
0-3 , 0-0
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Sam Houston
7
0
0
0
7
Houston
10
14
7
7
38
Cougars Down Sam Houston in Non-Conference Finale
9/23/2023 2:09:00 PM | Football
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Houston picks up 538 yards in win over in-state foe
HOUSTON – The University of Houston Football team closed its non-conference schedule with a 38-7 win over Sam Houston on Saturday night at TDECU Stadium. The Cougars snapped a two-game losing skid while posting a season-high 538 yards of offense in the contest.
Freshman running back Parker Jenkins became the first Cougar in program history to rush for three touchdowns in his first start – with all coming in the first half. He became the 15th Houston player with 3+ rushing scores in a half. Jenkins also matched the program record for rushing touchdowns by a freshman.
Junior quarterback Donovan Smith narrowly missed out on his first 300-yard passing game as a Cougar, tallying 294 yards while going 31-for-40 with a touchdown. Meanwhile, sophomore quarterback Ui Ale used his second collegiate pass to throw a 58-yard touchdown, Houston's longest offensive play of the year.
Houston opened the game with a 13-play, 69-yard drive that ended with junior Jack Martin splitting the uprights from 23 yards out to put the Cougars up 3-0. Sam Houston responded on its opening drive, briefly taking a 7-3 lead on a 2-yard rush from Trapper Pannell.
The Cougars wasted no time in answering as Jenkins carried in his first touchdown, a 2-yard scramble, that gave Houston a 10-7 lead it would never relinquish. Jenkins would ultimately carry in two more touchdowns in the first half, a 1-yard rush with 7:22 left and another 2-yard score to put Houston up 24-7 at the break.
Houston continued to cruise in the second half. Smith earned his first passing touchdown of the game in the Cougars' first drive of the third quarter, finding sophomore Matthew Golden for a 6-yard touchdown. Ale capped Houston's scoring in the fourth quarter, sending his first collegiate completion to sophomore Stacy Sneed for a 58-yard touchdown, Houston's longest offensive play of the season, cementing the Cougars' 38-7 win.
UP NEXT
Houston will meet Texas Tech at 2:30 p.m., Sept. 30, inside Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. It will be the Cougars' first Big 12 road game.
That game will air on FS2 and can be heard on 950 AM KPRC.
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.
Freshman running back Parker Jenkins became the first Cougar in program history to rush for three touchdowns in his first start – with all coming in the first half. He became the 15th Houston player with 3+ rushing scores in a half. Jenkins also matched the program record for rushing touchdowns by a freshman.
Junior quarterback Donovan Smith narrowly missed out on his first 300-yard passing game as a Cougar, tallying 294 yards while going 31-for-40 with a touchdown. Meanwhile, sophomore quarterback Ui Ale used his second collegiate pass to throw a 58-yard touchdown, Houston's longest offensive play of the year.
Houston opened the game with a 13-play, 69-yard drive that ended with junior Jack Martin splitting the uprights from 23 yards out to put the Cougars up 3-0. Sam Houston responded on its opening drive, briefly taking a 7-3 lead on a 2-yard rush from Trapper Pannell.
The Cougars wasted no time in answering as Jenkins carried in his first touchdown, a 2-yard scramble, that gave Houston a 10-7 lead it would never relinquish. Jenkins would ultimately carry in two more touchdowns in the first half, a 1-yard rush with 7:22 left and another 2-yard score to put Houston up 24-7 at the break.
Houston continued to cruise in the second half. Smith earned his first passing touchdown of the game in the Cougars' first drive of the third quarter, finding sophomore Matthew Golden for a 6-yard touchdown. Ale capped Houston's scoring in the fourth quarter, sending his first collegiate completion to sophomore Stacy Sneed for a 58-yard touchdown, Houston's longest offensive play of the season, cementing the Cougars' 38-7 win.
UP NEXT
Houston will meet Texas Tech at 2:30 p.m., Sept. 30, inside Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. It will be the Cougars' first Big 12 road game.
That game will air on FS2 and can be heard on 950 AM KPRC.
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.
–– UHCougars.com ––
Team Stats
SHS
HOU
Total Yards
178
538
Pass Yards
126
352
Rushing Yards
52
186
Penalty Yards
91
95
1st Downs
8
27
3rd Downs
3
7
4th Downs
1
0
TOP
25:05
34:55
1st Quarter
SHS 0, HOU 3
HOU - Martin,Jack 23 yd field goal 13 plays, 69 yards, TOP 05:55
SHS 7, HOU 3
SHS - Pannell,Trapper 2 yd run (Sessums,Colby kick), 7 plays, 83 yards, TOP 02:58
SHS 7, HOU 10
HOU - Jenkins,Parker 4 yd run (Martin,Jack kick), 9 plays, 72 yards, TOP 04:08
2nd Quarter
SHS 7, HOU 17
HOU - Jenkins,Parker 1 yd run (Martin,Jack kick), 9 plays, 78 yards, TOP 04:13
SHS 7, HOU 24
HOU - Jenkins,Parker 2 yd run (Martin,Jack kick), 8 plays, 56 yards, TOP 01:17
3rd Quarter
SHS 7, HOU 31
HOU - Golden,Matthew 6 yd pass from Smith,Donovan (Martin,Jack kick) 15 plays, 86 yards, TOP 08:42
4th Quarter
SHS 7, HOU 38
HOU - Sneed,Stacy 58 yd pass from Ale,Ui (Martin,Jack kick) 1 plays, 58 yards, TOP 00:10
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
31
TD
1
YDS
294
INT
0
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
RB
/ Football
K
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RB
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