University of Houston Athletics
Chriss, Dougherty Earn Big 12 Honors
11/4/2024 12:00:00 PM | Football
Quarterback, punter earn co-player of the week awards
HOUSTON — University of Houston sophomore quarterback Zeon Chriss and freshman punter Liam Dougherty earned Co-Newcomer of the Week and Co-Special Teams Player of the Week, respectively, after their stellar performances in the Cougars 24-19 upset victory over then-#17/15 Kansas State on Saturday.
Dougherty becomes the first Big 12 punter to earn league honors since Sept. 4, 2023 (BYU's Ryan Rehkow). Chriss becomes Houston's first quarterback to earn Big 12 weekly honors and second newcomer (Parker Jenkins – Sept. 25, 2023).
Chriss (11 of 11 passing) became the 23rd FBS quarterback since 1996 to complete all passes in a game (min. 10 attempts) and 13th underclassmen to accomplish the feat, leading the Cougars past Kansas State for their first ranked win in three seasons.
Chriss, who rushed for a score and passed for a score for the sixth time in his career, helped the Cougars overcome a nine-point fourth quarter deficit against the Wildcats. His 41-yard touchdown rush with 2:31 to play put Houston in front 24-19.
Chriss is the first Houston quarterback in program history to complete all passes in a game (min. 10 attempts). For his efforts, he was also named a Manning Award Star of the Week and to the Davey O'Brien Great 8 for Week 10.
Houston freshman punter Liam Dougherty downed five of his six punts inside the 20-yard line. Dougherty's 65-yard punt with 12:57 to play in the fourth quarter was a career high (previous: 53, 2x, last vs. Iowa State) and was the longest punt by a Cougar in a Big 12 Conference game (2023-present).
Dougherty's 45-yard punt with 45 seconds to play was fielded at the Kansas State 1-yard line, returned 13 yards, and forced Kansas State go the length of the field, resulting with an eventual Hail Mary incompletion.
According to ESPN, Kansas State had a 94.4% win probability with under 14 minutes to play in the contest. Chriss led the Cougars down the field for touchdowns in the final 11 minutes of the game as Houston outscored Kansas State 14-0 in the fourth quarter en route to their highest ranked win since defeating #17/14 South Florida, 28-24, on Oct. 29, 2017.
UP NEXT
Houston will take a break for one week before traveling to Tucson, Ariz., to play Arizona on Friday, Nov. 15. Tickets are available for all home Football contests, including Nov. 23 Senior Day, by calling 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, or by clicking here at any time.
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.
Dougherty becomes the first Big 12 punter to earn league honors since Sept. 4, 2023 (BYU's Ryan Rehkow). Chriss becomes Houston's first quarterback to earn Big 12 weekly honors and second newcomer (Parker Jenkins – Sept. 25, 2023).
Chriss (11 of 11 passing) became the 23rd FBS quarterback since 1996 to complete all passes in a game (min. 10 attempts) and 13th underclassmen to accomplish the feat, leading the Cougars past Kansas State for their first ranked win in three seasons.
Chriss, who rushed for a score and passed for a score for the sixth time in his career, helped the Cougars overcome a nine-point fourth quarter deficit against the Wildcats. His 41-yard touchdown rush with 2:31 to play put Houston in front 24-19.
Chriss is the first Houston quarterback in program history to complete all passes in a game (min. 10 attempts). For his efforts, he was also named a Manning Award Star of the Week and to the Davey O'Brien Great 8 for Week 10.
Houston freshman punter Liam Dougherty downed five of his six punts inside the 20-yard line. Dougherty's 65-yard punt with 12:57 to play in the fourth quarter was a career high (previous: 53, 2x, last vs. Iowa State) and was the longest punt by a Cougar in a Big 12 Conference game (2023-present).
Dougherty's 45-yard punt with 45 seconds to play was fielded at the Kansas State 1-yard line, returned 13 yards, and forced Kansas State go the length of the field, resulting with an eventual Hail Mary incompletion.
According to ESPN, Kansas State had a 94.4% win probability with under 14 minutes to play in the contest. Chriss led the Cougars down the field for touchdowns in the final 11 minutes of the game as Houston outscored Kansas State 14-0 in the fourth quarter en route to their highest ranked win since defeating #17/14 South Florida, 28-24, on Oct. 29, 2017.
UP NEXT
Houston will take a break for one week before traveling to Tucson, Ariz., to play Arizona on Friday, Nov. 15. Tickets are available for all home Football contests, including Nov. 23 Senior Day, by calling 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, or by clicking here at any time.
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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