University of Houston Athletics
Black Out Matchup History Showcases Upsets, Endings for the Ages
10/29/2024 3:46:00 PM | Football
Houston hosts #17/15 Kansas State on Saturday in the program’s annual Black Out game
HOUSTON – Thrilling finishes, dominant defenses and Top 25 upsets – if the unexpected happened inside TDECU Stadium, there is a (good) chance, it occurred during a "Black Out."
Each fall, for one game, University of Houston Athletics asks fans to temporarily shelve their Scarlet & White to help black out TDECU Stadium. This season, this Saturday, Nov. 2, is the date to circle, as #17/15 Kansas State comes to town.
Before looking ahead to the Wildcats, we take one look back at how a Houston game theme historically neighboring Halloween has offered some downright scary results:
Cougars Harass Lamar Jackson, Upend #3 Louisville
Nov. 17, 2016 | Houston 36, #3 Louisville 10
Recap | Highlights | Photo Gallery
Duke Catalon scored three touchdowns and Houston's defense hurried and harassed Heisman favorite Lamar Jackson all night to propel the Cougars to a stunning 36-10 victory Thursday night that dashed No. 3 Louisville's playoff hopes.
Louisville entered the game ranked fifth in the College Football Playoff rankings but was outdone by Houston.
The Cougars were in Jackson's face constantly, sacking him a season-high 11 times and keeping him from hurting them with his feet. He ran for a season-low 33 yards after piling up 338 yards rushing combined in the last two games.
Marcus Jones Calls Game, Cougars Upset
Oct. 30, 2021 | Houston 44, #19/16 SMU 37
Recap | Highlights | Photo Gallery
The Houston Cougars upset No. 19/16 SMU 44-37 after a 100-yard kickoff return by senior cornerback Marcus Jones inside the last minute of the game on Saturday night at TDECU Stadium.
A career day for junior quarterback Clayton Tune led the way for the Cougars as he completed 27 passes for 412 yards and four touchdown passes in a tightly contested conference matchup. The upset improved the Cougars to 7-1 overall and 5-0 in the AAC.
Jones' 100-yard kickoff return touchdown was just the second go-ahead kickoff return touchdown in the last 30 seconds of an FBS game in the last 15 years.
Hail Mary Lifts Houston to Inaugural Big 12 Victory
Oct. 12, 2023 | Houston 41, rv/rv West Virginia 39
Recap | Highlights | Photo Gallery
In the historic first meeting between the two programs, the University of Houston Football team used a last-second Hail Mary to take down rv/rv West Virginia, 41-39, for the Cougars' first Big 12 Conference win.
The Cougars, down 39-35 with 12 seconds remaining, used a two-play, 57-yard drive capped by a 49-yard, tip-drill touchdown pass from junior quarterback Donovan Smith to sophomore wide receiver Stephon Johnson to seal the two-point victory over the Mountaineers.
Smith finished the game 21 for 27 for 253 yards and five total touchdowns (four passing, one rushing), marking his third career four-TD game. After starting with five completions on 11 attempts, Smith went a perfect 16 for 16 with all four touchdowns and 214 yards during the rest of the game
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by purchasing tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective and by joining 46ers and The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as 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.
Each fall, for one game, University of Houston Athletics asks fans to temporarily shelve their Scarlet & White to help black out TDECU Stadium. This season, this Saturday, Nov. 2, is the date to circle, as #17/15 Kansas State comes to town.
Before looking ahead to the Wildcats, we take one look back at how a Houston game theme historically neighboring Halloween has offered some downright scary results:
Cougars Harass Lamar Jackson, Upend #3 Louisville
Nov. 17, 2016 | Houston 36, #3 Louisville 10
Recap | Highlights | Photo Gallery
Duke Catalon scored three touchdowns and Houston's defense hurried and harassed Heisman favorite Lamar Jackson all night to propel the Cougars to a stunning 36-10 victory Thursday night that dashed No. 3 Louisville's playoff hopes.
Louisville entered the game ranked fifth in the College Football Playoff rankings but was outdone by Houston.
The Cougars were in Jackson's face constantly, sacking him a season-high 11 times and keeping him from hurting them with his feet. He ran for a season-low 33 yards after piling up 338 yards rushing combined in the last two games.
Marcus Jones Calls Game, Cougars Upset
Oct. 30, 2021 | Houston 44, #19/16 SMU 37
Recap | Highlights | Photo Gallery
The Houston Cougars upset No. 19/16 SMU 44-37 after a 100-yard kickoff return by senior cornerback Marcus Jones inside the last minute of the game on Saturday night at TDECU Stadium.
A career day for junior quarterback Clayton Tune led the way for the Cougars as he completed 27 passes for 412 yards and four touchdown passes in a tightly contested conference matchup. The upset improved the Cougars to 7-1 overall and 5-0 in the AAC.
Jones' 100-yard kickoff return touchdown was just the second go-ahead kickoff return touchdown in the last 30 seconds of an FBS game in the last 15 years.
Hail Mary Lifts Houston to Inaugural Big 12 Victory
Oct. 12, 2023 | Houston 41, rv/rv West Virginia 39
Recap | Highlights | Photo Gallery
In the historic first meeting between the two programs, the University of Houston Football team used a last-second Hail Mary to take down rv/rv West Virginia, 41-39, for the Cougars' first Big 12 Conference win.
The Cougars, down 39-35 with 12 seconds remaining, used a two-play, 57-yard drive capped by a 49-yard, tip-drill touchdown pass from junior quarterback Donovan Smith to sophomore wide receiver Stephon Johnson to seal the two-point victory over the Mountaineers.
Smith finished the game 21 for 27 for 253 yards and five total touchdowns (four passing, one rushing), marking his third career four-TD game. After starting with five completions on 11 attempts, Smith went a perfect 16 for 16 with all four touchdowns and 214 yards during the rest of the game
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by purchasing tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective and by joining 46ers and The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as 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 ––
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