University of Houston Athletics

Connors, Dougherty Snag All-Texas Team Honors
6/30/2025 9:00:00 AM | Football
Pair named Dave Campbell’s Texas Football All-Texas
HOUSTON – A pair of Houston Football athletes were named Dave Campbell's Texas Football All-Texas First-Team selections on Monday, with punter Liam Dougherty and running back Dean Connors gracing the illustrious list.
Dougherty, who was named a Phil Steele All-Big 12 selection last week, was a key cog in Houston's ability to manage field positioning with 10 punts of 50+ yards, 22 fair catches (third in Big 12) and 18 punts inside the 20-yard line. Dougherty's punts forced two muffed punts at #19/20 BYU (Nov. 30, 2024) and his 65-yard punt vs. #17/15 Kansas State (Nov. 2, 2024) was the longest by a Cougar in Big 12 play.
The left-footed punter earned Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week after his performance against #17/15 Kansas State with a career-high five punts inside the 20-yard line.
Connors, who made the long-distance transfer from cross-town rival Rice in the offseason, enters with 16 career rushing touchdowns and over 1,600 yards of rushing yards across three seasons for the Owls. The Kamuela, Hawai'i, native was a back-to-back American Athletic Conference All-Conference Honorable Mention selection where he had 13 100+ scrimmage yard games – ranking 15th nationally – and five 100-yard rushing games.
The First-Team Utility selections was a 2024 Dave Campbell's Texas Football All-Texas Second Team selection following a 780-yard and nine touchdown season for the Owls. The running back added 485 receiving yards and two touchdowns for Rice in 2024. Connors scored the Owls' lone touchdown against Houston in the Cougars 33-7 win over Rice (9/14/24).
The pair are set to kick-off the 2025 season at TDECU Stadium against Stephen F. Austin on Thursday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
TWO-GAME MINI PLAN
Want some flexibility? Buy a two-game mini-plan which includes the Colorado game and one game of your choice between Stephen F. Austin, Arizona, West Virginia or TCU. Mini plans start at just $85. To purchase a mini-plan, click here.
SEASON TICKETS
University of Houston Football season tickets are on sale for the 2025 season. For as low as $150, fans can get in on the excitement of Year 2 of the Head Coach Willie Fritz era with pivotal matchups against Stephen F. Austin, Colorado, Texas Tech, Arizona, West Virginia and TCU. To purchase season tickets, click 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 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, who was named a Phil Steele All-Big 12 selection last week, was a key cog in Houston's ability to manage field positioning with 10 punts of 50+ yards, 22 fair catches (third in Big 12) and 18 punts inside the 20-yard line. Dougherty's punts forced two muffed punts at #19/20 BYU (Nov. 30, 2024) and his 65-yard punt vs. #17/15 Kansas State (Nov. 2, 2024) was the longest by a Cougar in Big 12 play.
The left-footed punter earned Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week after his performance against #17/15 Kansas State with a career-high five punts inside the 20-yard line.
Connors, who made the long-distance transfer from cross-town rival Rice in the offseason, enters with 16 career rushing touchdowns and over 1,600 yards of rushing yards across three seasons for the Owls. The Kamuela, Hawai'i, native was a back-to-back American Athletic Conference All-Conference Honorable Mention selection where he had 13 100+ scrimmage yard games – ranking 15th nationally – and five 100-yard rushing games.
The First-Team Utility selections was a 2024 Dave Campbell's Texas Football All-Texas Second Team selection following a 780-yard and nine touchdown season for the Owls. The running back added 485 receiving yards and two touchdowns for Rice in 2024. Connors scored the Owls' lone touchdown against Houston in the Cougars 33-7 win over Rice (9/14/24).
The pair are set to kick-off the 2025 season at TDECU Stadium against Stephen F. Austin on Thursday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
TWO-GAME MINI PLAN
Want some flexibility? Buy a two-game mini-plan which includes the Colorado game and one game of your choice between Stephen F. Austin, Arizona, West Virginia or TCU. Mini plans start at just $85. To purchase a mini-plan, click here.
SEASON TICKETS
University of Houston Football season tickets are on sale for the 2025 season. For as low as $150, fans can get in on the excitement of Year 2 of the Head Coach Willie Fritz era with pivotal matchups against Stephen F. Austin, Colorado, Texas Tech, Arizona, West Virginia and TCU. To purchase season tickets, click 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 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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Press Conference: Head Coach Willie Fritz Speaks to Media on the 2026 Transfer Portal Class
Wednesday, February 04
Postgame Press Conference: Football vs. LSU (Texas Bowl)
Sunday, December 28
Highlights: Houston 38, LSU 35 (Texas Bowl)
Sunday, December 28














