University of Houston Athletics
A Family Divided; More Connected Than Ever
8/20/2024 9:00:00 AM | Football
Houston defensive back Noah Guzman face Guzman’s brother’s alma mater UNLV in season opener
They may have never played with each other, but a Week 1 brotherly rivalry between Houston and UNLV will pit Cougar defensive back Noah Guzman against his brother Nathan Guzman's Rebels.
Noah, four years younger, watched every one of his older brother's high school games where Nathan starred as a long snapper, wide receiver and a safety.
"Every time he touched that field, he was making plays," Noah Guzman said.
The older Guzman graduated high school, believing he had concluded his football career before enrolling at Cal State Long Beach.
Nathan returned to the gridiron at Mt SAC before walking on at UNLV. The elder Guzman played just one year for the Rebels in 2018 but made a staggering seven tackles as a long snapper on his way to being named to UNLV's All-Decade team in 2019.
The work ethic displayed by Nathan resonates with Noah.
"I think it's his drive and just his willingness to just whatever he puts his mind to, he's going to do it. He just put his head down and kept working and kept working."
Noah suffered an injury in the Rice game in 2023, derailing his senior season and leaving his future in doubt.
The decision for 2024 was either to play or cap his collegiate career.
"Kind of seeing how my body was feeling and not knowing how I was going to be able to perform after the injury and all that stuff."
The last thing Noah wants is any "what ifs."
"You want to make sure you give everything you got. You don't want to leave any what ifs on the table. So, I just want to come out of this just knowing I have no regrets."
Nathan sometimes only played a handful of snaps at UNLV as the long snapper, but he made the most of his opportunities with a nation-leading seven tackles from the long snapper position.
Noah played in two games in 2023 and made a season-high five tackles in the Battle for the Bayou Bucket – taking advantage of the opportunities he was given.
"No matter how many snaps you get, just make the most of it. That's what I really see in him and really appreciate about him."
The whole Guzman family has had the 31st circled on their calendars.
"My parents called me and said, 'Do you see who you're playing? Do you see who you're playing? You're playing UNLV first game. We're all going out [to Houston].'" His brother. Parents. Both sets of grandparents. All in attendance. All rooting for the Cougars, reportedly even Nathan.
"It's going to be a great way to start off the season. It will kind of set the tone for the season and for the family too, it's just an exciting time for them to watch me play again for it to be my brothers alma mater it's going to be special."
The brothers chat. They chat about life and ball. The door is cracked for the trash talking before Houston hosts UNLV on Saturday, Aug. 31 inside TDECU Stadium but only just cracked.
"Not a whole lot of trash talk yet, but I know when it comes down to it and once it gets closer the trash talk is definitely going to be coming up."
Catch the Battle of the Guzman alma maters on Saturday, Aug. 31 by securing tickets today by clicking here.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by purchasing season tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective, giving to Houston Rise, 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.
Noah, four years younger, watched every one of his older brother's high school games where Nathan starred as a long snapper, wide receiver and a safety.
"Every time he touched that field, he was making plays," Noah Guzman said.
The older Guzman graduated high school, believing he had concluded his football career before enrolling at Cal State Long Beach.
Nathan returned to the gridiron at Mt SAC before walking on at UNLV. The elder Guzman played just one year for the Rebels in 2018 but made a staggering seven tackles as a long snapper on his way to being named to UNLV's All-Decade team in 2019.
The work ethic displayed by Nathan resonates with Noah.
"I think it's his drive and just his willingness to just whatever he puts his mind to, he's going to do it. He just put his head down and kept working and kept working."
Noah suffered an injury in the Rice game in 2023, derailing his senior season and leaving his future in doubt.
The decision for 2024 was either to play or cap his collegiate career.
"Kind of seeing how my body was feeling and not knowing how I was going to be able to perform after the injury and all that stuff."
The last thing Noah wants is any "what ifs."
"You want to make sure you give everything you got. You don't want to leave any what ifs on the table. So, I just want to come out of this just knowing I have no regrets."
Nathan sometimes only played a handful of snaps at UNLV as the long snapper, but he made the most of his opportunities with a nation-leading seven tackles from the long snapper position.
Noah played in two games in 2023 and made a season-high five tackles in the Battle for the Bayou Bucket – taking advantage of the opportunities he was given.
"No matter how many snaps you get, just make the most of it. That's what I really see in him and really appreciate about him."
The whole Guzman family has had the 31st circled on their calendars.
"My parents called me and said, 'Do you see who you're playing? Do you see who you're playing? You're playing UNLV first game. We're all going out [to Houston].'" His brother. Parents. Both sets of grandparents. All in attendance. All rooting for the Cougars, reportedly even Nathan.
"It's going to be a great way to start off the season. It will kind of set the tone for the season and for the family too, it's just an exciting time for them to watch me play again for it to be my brothers alma mater it's going to be special."
The brothers chat. They chat about life and ball. The door is cracked for the trash talking before Houston hosts UNLV on Saturday, Aug. 31 inside TDECU Stadium but only just cracked.
"Not a whole lot of trash talk yet, but I know when it comes down to it and once it gets closer the trash talk is definitely going to be coming up."
Catch the Battle of the Guzman alma maters on Saturday, Aug. 31 by securing tickets today by clicking here.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by purchasing season tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective, giving to Houston Rise, 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 –
Players Mentioned
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