PREVIEW: Cougars vs Bearcats in Cincinnati

CINCINNATI – Houston Football makes its first trip to Cincinnati since the 2021 American Athletic Conference Championship game when it faces the Bearcats at 11 a.m. CT inside Nippert Stadium.

GAME 4 – at CINCINNATI

Houston (1-2, 0-0 Big 12) at Cincinnati (2-1, 0-0 Big 12)
Saturday, Sept. 21 | 11 a.m. CT
Nippert Stadium | Cincinnati, Ohio
Broadcast: FS1
Radio: KPRC 950 AM

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Houston has held opponents to exactly 75 rushing yards in back-to-back games. Last time out, Houston limited Rice to 159 total yards (the fewest by a UH FBS opponent in TDECU Stadium history). One week prior, #15/13 Oklahoma's 75 rushing yards marked its fewest since being held to 72 yards vs. Texas Tech on Oct. 30, 2021. The last time UH held consecutive FBS opponents to 75 rushing yards or less was when it accomplished the feat in four-straight to begin the 2016 season against Oklahoma, Cincinnati, Texas State and UConn.
Through its first two games of the season, Houston was averaging just 48.0 rushing yards per game (131st nationally) alongside 1.6 yards per carry and no rushing touchdowns. The Cougars broke things open last Saturday, totaling 237 yards on the ground (5.6 per carry) and three rushing touchdowns. UH's 237 rushing yards were its most since totaling 261 at South Florida on Nov. 6, 2021.
Houston defensive lineman Keith Cooper Jr. is off to a standout start through three games. The Tulane transfer blocked a field goal alongside three tackles and a sack against UNLV, posted five solo tackles including a career best 3.0 tackles for loss at #15/13 Oklahoma and added two stops against Rice. Cooper Jr.'s three quarterback hits rank 13th among Power Four edge defenders.
Houston wide receiver and punt returner Mekhi Mews sparked the Cougars with a 75-yard punt return touchdown last time out against Rice. The punt return TD was Houston's sixth since the start of the 2019 season – a mark which ranks second nationally. Mews is one of 23 players, including three Big 12 standouts, with a punt return TD this season. Meanwhile, Houston kick returner Bryan Massey ranks 25th nationally with a 22.6 return average.
Twenty-nine different Cougars have recorded at least one tackle through three games this season highlighted by 24 different players earning a stop last Saturday against Rice. Houston's 24 different tacklers vs. Rice ranked as the fifth most by a Big 12 team this season.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

Saturday marks Houston's first visit to Nippert Stadium since the 2021 American Athletic Conference Championship Game. The #4/3 Bearcats defeated the #16/16 Cougars, 35-20, snapping Houston's 11-game win streak, en route to an appearance in the College Football Playoff. Only two student-athletes from UH's current roster appeared in the game: offensive lineman Tank Jenkins who started at right guard and played 80 total snaps and tight end Matt Byrnes who appeared on special teams.
Houston linebackers/DOGs coach James Ross III, who is in his first season with the Cougars, spent the 2022 season as Cincinnati's Outside Linebackers Coach, helping the Bearcats to a 9-4 record. That season, the Bearcats ranked 14th nationally in tackles for loss (7.2), 17th in red zone defense (.762) and tops in The American in total defense (335.5).
UH Assistant Head Coach/Wide Receivers Coach Derrick Sherman hails from Cincinnati. As a four-year starter with 100+ receptions at Winthrow High School, he was a three-star prospect and ranked as Ohio's No. 29 overall prospect. The Cincinnati East-West All-Star Game participant was named all-city and all-region as a junior and senior. Sherman played collegiately at Purdue and Morgan State.
The Cougars have limited opponents to a combined 38 first downs through the first three games. That total is the third fewest across Houston's first three games since 2000, trailing only 2021 (33 first downs) and 2016 (34 first downs). Houston ranks 23rd nationally in first downs defense after finishing the 2023 season ranked 103rd in the category.
Houston wide receiver Joseph Manjack IV, who has hauled in a reception in 19 consecutive games, caught two touchdowns in last season's 24-14 loss to Cincinnati. Houston's defense was led by defensive back A.J. Haulcy's 13 tackles (10 solo stops) and Jamal Morris' 8.0 stops. Defensive lineman Anthony Holmes Jr. posted 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

SCOUTING CINCINNATI

RB Corey Kiner rushed for 126 yards and a score and walk-on kicker Nathan Hawks became the first Big 12 kicker with two 50-yard FGs in his placekicking debut as Cincinnati brought back the Victory Bell with a 27-16 victory at Miami (Ohio). Cincinnati took a 61-60-7 lead in the country's oldest non-conference rivalry.
Hawks, an Enon, Ohio native and a walk-on from Wittenberg University, had never attempted a field goal in an FBS game entering Saturday. His first attempt came from 55 yards, which he made, tied for the second-longest in UC history. His second, from 50 yards, came with 59 seconds left, sealed the victory, and made him the first Bearcat with two 50-yarders in a single game in the 137-year program history.
34 new players (freshmen or transfers) saw their first action as Bearcats in Week 1. Led by S Jiquan Sanks, seven true freshmen have played a total of 226 snaps through three weeks, which is already more than the 2022 and 2023 seasons combined (164).
TE Joe Royer (Ohio State transfer) leads all Big 12 tight ends in receptions (11), receiving yards (165) and touchdowns (2).
RB Corey Kiner has two straight 100-yard games and nine career 100-yard games. UC is 3-1 when he has 20+ carries. He is PFF's second-highest graded Big 12 RB behind UCF's RJ Harvey in 2024.

LAST TIME AGAINST CINCINNATI

Kiner rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns on a career-high 23 carries in the 2023 victory over the Cougars. UC held Houston QB Donovan Smith to just 102 yards passing and secured three interceptions, including one by current redshirt sophomore DB Ken Willis, while redshirt sophomore CB Kalen Carroll recorded two pass breakups.
Houston's defense tied its season-high with four sacks in the game, led by redshirt junior Jamaree Caldwell and redshirt freshman Anthony Holmes Jr.'s 1.5 each. Junior Nelson Ceaser also posted a sack in the game.
Houston finished 6 for 13 on third downs.
The Cougars finished with 10 tackles for loss.

A HOUSTON WIN WOULD

Snap Cincinnati's four-game win streak in the series and be Houston's first against the Bearcats since Sept. 15, 2016
Move Houston to 16-14 all-time against Cincinnati and 6-8 at Cincinnati
Be Houston's second in the Head Coach Willie Fritz era and mark Fritz's 249th win of his career
Move Head Coach Willie Fritz to 11-1 in his last 12 road contests (dating to the start of the 2022 season)
Give UH consecutive wins in the same year for the first time since Nov. 12-19, 2022, vs. Temple (43-36) and at ECU (42-3)
Be the Cougars' third Big 12 victory and the second Big 12 road victory (last: Nov. 4, 2023; 25-24 in overtime at Baylor)
Be Houston's 12th road victory since 2021. UH's 11 road wins since 2021 entering the weekend rank 15th nationally.

COOGS ON THE ROAD

Cougar Meetup
- Friday, Sept. 20 from 6-8 p.m.
- The Pitch Cincy
  - 1430 Central Pkwy, Cincinnati, OH 45202
- Register here
  - Event is free

BUY TICKETS
Houston returns to TDECU Stadium when it plays host to Iowa State on Sept. 28 for Family Weekend.

Tickets for that game and all home Football contests are available by calling 713-462-6647 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 season 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 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.

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Players Mentioned

Matt Byrnes

Jamaree Caldwell

Nelson Ceaser

Keith Cooper Jr.

A.J. Haulcy

Anthony Holmes Jr.

Tank Jenkins

Joseph Manjack IV

Bryan Massey

Mekhi Mews

Jamal Morris

Donovan Smith

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