2008 Houston Cougars football team

NCAATeamFootballSeason
Year=2008
Team=Houston Cougars


ImageSize=150
Conference=Conference USA
Division=West
ShortConference=C-USA
CoachRank=
APRank=
Record=3-3
ConfRecord=2-0
HeadCoach=Kevin Sumlin
OffCoach=Dana Holgorsen
DefCoach=John Skladany
OScheme=Spread
DScheme=4-3
StadiumArena=Robertson Stadium (32,000)

The 2008 Houston Cougars football team, also known as the Houston Cougars, Houston, or UH, represents the University of Houston in the college football 2008-2009 season. It is the 63rd year of season play for Houston. The team is coached by first year head football coach, Kevin Sumlin whose previous position was as co-offensive coordinator for the Oklahoma Sooners. He replaced Art Briles. The team plays its home games at Robertson Stadium, a 32,000-person capacity stadium on-campus in Houston.

Previous season

In the 2007 season, the Cougars earned an 8-5 (.615) overall season record and a 6-2 (.750) conference record in C-USA.cite web |url=http://uhcougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/hou-m-footbl-sched-2007.html |title=2007 Archive: 2007-2008 Schedule |publisher=University of Houston athletics |accessdate=2008-03-23] The 2007 season would be the last for head coach Art Briles with the Cougars. Two days after Houston was invited to the 2007 Texas Bowl, Briles immediately departed for the Baylor Bears head coach position in Waco, Texas. [cite web |url=http://uhcougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112507aaa.html |title="Outstanding Season Nets Cougars A Texas Bowl Appearance" |publisher=University of Houston athletics |date=2007-11-25 |accessdate=2008-03-23] [cite web |url=http://baylorbears.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112807aam.html |title="Art Briles Named Baylor's 25th Head Football Coach" |publisher=Baylor University athletics |date=2007-11-28 |accessdate=2008-03-23] Cornerbacks coach, Chris Thurmond was soon appointed interim head coach, and led the Cougars to the Texas Bowl against the TCU Horned Frogs. [cite web |url=http://www.click2houston.com/cfoot509/14720440/detail.html |publisher=Houston NBC KPRC 2 |title="Houston Names Thurmond Interim Football Coach" |accessdate=2008-03-23] The Cougars lost to the Horned Frogs 20-13.

In December of 2007, the University of Houston hired Kevin Sumlin, a co-offensive coordinator for the Oklahoma Sooners as the Houston Cougars head coach.cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3153106 |author=Schad, Joe |title="Houston hires Sumlin, eighth minority coach in FBS" |publisher=ESPN.com |date=2007-12-13 |accessdate=2008-03-23]

Preseason

Recruiting

Twenty players were recruited for the 2008 season. Several higher-ranking recruits were lost when Art Briles left, as they followed the coach to Baylor. Due to Houston's head coach change, Sumlin's ability to recruit before National Signing Day was shorter than usual, as he was finishing his duties with the Oklahoma Sooners. [cite web |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5517013.html |author=Campbell, Steve |publisher="Houston Chronicle" |work=chron.com |date=2008-02-06 |title="UH head coach Sumlin has way of seizing on chances" |accessdate=2008-04-08] In early April, it was announced that the Cougars had two other junior college commitments. Kyle Thomas and Nick Thurston, both from California, came from the City College of San Francisco. [cite web |url=http://www.texasfootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=32&url_article_id=1836&change_well_id=2 |title="Verbal Pledges '09: New Braunfels LB Tom Wort off to OU" |publisher="Dave Campbell's Texas Football" |work=texasfootball.com |date=2008-04-18 |accessdate=2008-04-19] Two other junior college (JUCO) commitments, Clint Leal and Kierrie Johnson, were recruited from Blinn College. Thomas is expected to join the roster in the Spring, as he still had some coursework to finish in California.

College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Jacolby Ashworth
position = OL
hometown = Lufkin, TX
highschool = Lufkin HS
feet = 6
inches = 4
weight = 275
40 = N/A
commitdate = 2008-01-20
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Bryce Beall
position = DB
hometown = Tatum, TX
highschool = Tatum HS
feet = 6
inches = 0
weight = 200
40 = 4.5
commitdate = 2008-01-27
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Gino Collins
position = ATH
hometown = Houston, TX
highschool = St. Pius X HS
feet = 6
inches = 0
weight = 181
40 = 4.5
commitdate = 2007-07-22
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Doran Guillory
position = DE
hometown = Beaumont, TX
highschool = Monsignor Kelly HS
feet = 6
inches = 3
weight = 270
40 = 4.75
commitdate = 2008-01-27
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Jackie Hinton
position = ATH
hometown = Channelview, TX
highschool = Channelview HS
feet = 5
inches = 10
weight = 186
40 = 4.5
commitdate = 2008-01-13
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = David Hunter
position = OL
hometown = Waller, TX
highschool = Waller HS
feet = 6
inches = 2
weight = 270
40 = 4.9
commitdate = 2008-01-20
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Kierrie Johnson
position = WR
hometown = Brenham, TX
highschool = Blinn College
feet = 5
inches = 10
weight = 175
40 = 4.4
commitdate = 2008-06-02
scout stars = 1
rivals stars =
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Kris Johnston
position = DB
hometown = Texas City, TX
highschool = Texas City HS
feet = 6
inches = 1
weight = 186
40 = 4.5
commitdate = 2007-08-26
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Clint Leal
position = LB
hometown = Brenham, TX
highschool = Blinn College
feet = 6
inches = 5
weight = 235
40 = N/A
commitdate = 2008-03-13
scout stars =
rivals stars =
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Anthony Lewis
position = LB
hometown = Houston, TX
highschool = Aldine HS
feet = 6
inches = 2
weight = 210
40 = 4.5
commitdate = 2008-01-13
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Jordan Mannisto
position = K
hometown = Westlake Village, CA
highschool = Westlake HS
feet = 6
inches = 0
weight = 175
40 = 4.7
commitdate = 2008-01-28
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Marcus McGraw
position = LB
hometown = Arlington, TX
highschool = Bowie HS
feet = 5
inches = 10
weight = 210
40 = 4.6
commitdate = 2008-01-28
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Nicholas Saenz
position = DB
hometown = Pearland, TX
highschool = Pearland HS
feet = 6
inches = 0
weight = 160
40 = 4.45
commitdate = 2007-06-01
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Blake Sargent
position = DT
hometown = Friendswood, TX
highschool = Friendswood HS
feet = 6
inches = 3
weight = 272
40 = N/A
commitdate = 2007-07-29
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Jarvis Smith
position = LB
hometown = Houston, TX
highschool = Chavez HS
feet = 6
inches = 2
weight = 205
40 = N/A
commitdate = 2008-01-14
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Isaiah Sweeney
position = WR
hometown = Sugar Land, TX
highschool = Hightower HS
feet = 5
inches = 10
weight = 170
40 = N/A
commitdate = 2008-01-20
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Ari Tatum
position = TE
hometown = Dacula, GA
highschool = Dacula HS
feet = 6
inches = 5
weight = 225
40 = 4.73
commitdate = 2007-06-08
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Kyle Thomas
position = DE
hometown = San Francisco, CA
highschool = City College of San Francisco
feet = 6
inches = 5
weight = 250
40 = 4.7
commitdate = 2008-03-30
scout stars = 1
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Nick Thurston
position = LB
hometown = San Francisco, CA
highschool = City College of San Francisco
feet = 6
inches = 1
weight = 245
40 = N/A
commitdate = 2008-03-30
scout stars =
rivals stars =
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Mohammed Usman
position = DE
hometown = Arlington, TX
highschool = Bowie HS
feet = 6
inches = 1
weight = 235
40 = N/A
commitdate = 2008-01-28
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Ken Van Heule
position = OL
hometown = Hurst, TX
highschool = Bell HS
feet = 6
inches = 4
weight = 265
40 = N/A
commitdate = 2008-01-20
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Ronnie Williams
position = WR
hometown = Houston, TX
highschool = Sterling HS
feet = 5
inches = 11
weight = 180
40 = 4.6
commitdate = 2008-01-29
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Chris Wilson
position = RB
hometown = Sugar Land, TX
highschool = Stephen F. Austin HS
feet = 5
inches = 10
weight = 194
40 = N/A
commitdate = 2008-01-20
scout stars = 2
rivals stars = 2
espn grade = College Athlete Recruit End
40 = yes
year = 2008
rivals ref title = Houston Commit List for 2008
scout ref title = Houston: Commits
espn ref title =
rivals school =
scout s =
espn schoolid =
scout overall = 77
rivals overall = 100
accessdate = 2008-03-22
bball =
collapse = yes

Coaching staff and changes

During the off-season, the Cougars went through a large amount of notable coaching staff changes. Former co-offensive coordinator for the Oklahoma Sooners, Kevin Sumlin replaced Art Briles as head coach. Sumlin became the first African-American head coach in Cougar history, and the eighth in the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision. In his final year with the Sooners, his offense was one of the best in the country, averaging 44 points per game.Schlabach, Mark [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=3158996 Yellow Jackets, Wolverines, Midshipmen earn high marks] , ESPN.com, December 17, 2007.]

Dana Holgorsen came to Houston from the Texas Tech Red Raiders, where he spent eight years as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. [cite web |url=http://uhcougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/holgorsen_dana00.html |title=Player Bio: Dana Holgorsen |publisher=University of Houston athletics |accessdate=2008-03-24] He serves the Cougars in the same capacity.

John Skladany replaced Alan Weddell as defensive coordinator. Skladany came from the UCF Knights, a fellow C-USA team. [cite web |url=http://uhcougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/skladany_john00.html |title=Player Bio: John Skladany |publisher=University of Houston athletics |accessdate=2008-03-24] Prior to coaching for UCF, Skladany spent ten years with the Iowa State Cyclones. Sumlin and Skladany followed through with plans to change the Cougars defensive strategy from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 one. [cite web |author=Kubat, Tom |url=http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080218/SPORTS020101/802180338/1046/SPORTS020101 |title="Now and Then: Kevin Sumlin" |date=2008-02-18 |accessdate=2008-04-08 |publisher="Journal & Courier" |work=jconline.com]

Leon Burtnett came from the Washington State Cougars as linebackers coach. [cite web |url=http://uhcougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/burtnett_leon00.html |title=Player Bio: Leon Burtnett |publisher=University of Houston athletics |accessdate=2008-03-24] New defensive line coach, Jim Jeffcoat spent his last four seasons as defensive ends coach for the NFL's Dallas Cowboys. [cite web |url=http://uhcougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/jeffcoat_jim00.html |title=Player Bio: Jim Jeffcoat |publisher=University of Houston athletics |accessdate=2008-03-24] Another new addition to the staff with NFL coaching experience was special teams coordinator and tight ends coach Tony Levine, who spent his previous two seasons with the Carolina Panthers. [cite web |url=http://uhcougars.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/levine_tony00.html |title=Player Bio: Tony Levine |publisher=University of Houston athletics |accessdate=2008-03-24]

taff

pring practices

From 8 March to 12 April 2008, the Cougars held Spring practices. In addition to the fourteen practices held throughout this period, the Cougars held two scrimmages, and concluded with the annual "Red-White Game". [cite web |url=http://uhcougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/08-spring-football-dates.html |title=2008 Spring Football Dates |publisher=University of Houston athletics |accessdate=2008-04-13] The Red-White Game, a home exhibition game between the offensive and defensive players of the Cougars, was a part of festivities held for the University of Houston's "Cougar Fest". A skydive by the U.S. Army Golden Knights to present the game ball was planned, but was cancelled due to high winds. [cite web |url=http://www.uh.edu/uhtoday/2008/04april/040808cougarfest.html |title="Cougar Fest 2008 Offers Fun-Filled Day of Football, Interactive Activities" |publisher=UH Office of Internal Communications |work=UH Today News |date=2008-04-08 |accessdate=2008-04-13]

chedule

CFB Schedule Entry
w/l = w
date = 08/30/08
nonconf = yes
homecoming =
time = 6:00PM
rank =
away =
neutral =
opprank =
opponent = cfb link|year=2008|team=Southern Jaguars|school=Southern University|title=Southern
site_stadium = Robertson Stadium
site_cityst = Houston, TX
gamename =
tv =
score = 55-3
overtime =
attend = 26,555CFB Schedule Entry
w/l = l
date = 09/06/08
nonconf = yes
homecoming =
time = 6:05 PM
rank =
away = yes
neutral =
opprank =
opponent = cfb link|year=2008|team=Oklahoma State Cowboys|school=Oklahoma State University|title=Oklahoma State
site_stadium = Boone Pickens Stadium
site_cityst = Stillwater, OK
gamename =
tv =
score = 56-37
overtime =
attend = 45,001CFB Schedule Entry
w/l = l
date = 09/13/08
nonconf = yes
homecoming =
time = 2:30PM
rank =
away =
neutral = yes
opprank =
opponent = cfb link|year=2008|team=Air Force Falcons|school=United States Air Force Academy|title=Air Force
site_stadium = Gerald J. Ford Stadium
site_cityst = Dallas, TX
gamename =
tv = CBS-CS
score = 28-31
overtime =
attend = 2,546CFB Schedule Entry
w/l = l
date = 09/20/08
nonconf = yes
homecoming =
time = 2:30PM
rank =
away = yes
neutral =
opprank =
opponent = cfb link|year=2008|team=Colorado State Rams|school=Colorado State University|title=Colorado State
site_stadium = Hughes Stadium
site_cityst = Fort Collins, CO
gamename =
tv =
score = 25-28
overtime =
attend = 21,539CFB Schedule Entry
w/l = w
date = 09/27/08
nonconf =
homecoming =
time = 2:30PM
rank =
away = yes
neutral =
opprank = 23
opponent = cfb link|year=2008|team=East Carolina Pirates|school=East Carolina University|title=East Carolina
site_stadium = Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium
site_cityst = Greenville, NC
gamename =
tv = CBS-CS
score = 41-24
overtime =
attend = 43,641CFB Schedule Entry
w/l = w
date = 10/09/08
nonconf =
homecoming =
time = 7:00PM
rank =
away =
neutral =
opprank =
opponent = cfb link|year=2008|team=UAB Blazers|school=University of Alabama at Birmingham|title=UAB
site_stadium = Robertson Stadium
site_cityst = Houston, TX
gamename =
tv = CBS-CS
score = 45-20
overtime =
attend = 18,526CFB Schedule Entry
w/l =
date = 10/18/08
nonconf =
homecoming =
time = 7:00PM
rank =
away = yes
neutral =
opprank =
opponent = cfb link|year=2008|team=SMU Mustangs|school=Southern Methodist University|title=SMU
site_stadium = Gerald J. Ford Stadium
site_cityst = Dallas, TX
gamename =
tv =
score =
overtime =
attend = CFB Schedule Entry
w/l =
date = 10/28/08
nonconf =
homecoming =
time = 7:00PM
rank =
away = yes
neutral =
opprank =
opponent = cfb link|year=2008|team=Marshall Thundering Herd|school=Marshall University|title=Marshall
site_stadium = Joan C. Edwards Stadium
site_cityst = Huntington, WV
gamename =
tv = ESPN
score =
overtime =
attend = CFB Schedule Entry
w/l =
date = 11/08/08
nonconf =
homecoming = yes
time = 4:00PM
rank =
away =
neutral =
opprank =
opponent = cfb link|year=2008|team=Tulane Green Wave|school=Tulane University|title=Tulane
site_stadium = Robertson Stadium
site_cityst = Houston, TX
gamename =
tv =
score =
overtime =
attend = CFB Schedule Entry
w/l =
date = 11/15/08
nonconf =
homecoming =
time = 7:00PM
rank =
away =
neutral =
opprank =
opponent = cfb link|year=2008|team=Tulsa Golden Hurricane|school=University of Tulsa|title=Tulsa
site_stadium = Robertson Stadium
site_cityst = Houston, TX
gamename =
tv =
score =
overtime =
attend = CFB Schedule Entry
w/l =
date = 11/22/08
nonconf =
homecoming =
time = 2:30PM
rank =
away =
neutral =
opprank =
opponent = cfb link|year=2008|team=UTEP Miners|school=University of Texas at El Paso|title=UTEP
site_stadium = Robertson Stadium
site_cityst = Houston, TX
gamename =
tv =
score =
overtime =
attend = CFB Schedule Entry
w/l =
date = 10/28/08
nonconf =
homecoming =
time = 2:00PM
rank =
away = yes
neutral =
opprank =
opponent = cfb link|year=2008|team=Rice Owls|school=Rice University|title=Rice
site_stadium = Rice Stadium
site_cityst = Houston, TX
gamename = Bayou Bucket game
tv =
score =
overtime =
attend =

Games notes

outhern

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Southern
R1=0
R2=3
R3=0
R4=0
Home=Houston
H1=7
H2=31
H3=10
H4=7

The 2008 game marked the first meeting between the Houston Cougars and the Southern Jaguars. [cite web |url=http://media.www.southerndigest.com/media/storage/paper950/news/2008/04/22/Schedules/Su.Releases.Football.Schedule-3341901.shtml |author=Young, Larry |title="SU releases football schedule" |date=2008-04-22 |accessdate=2008-05-03 |publisher="The Southern Digest"] The team plays in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) as a member of the Division I Football Championship Subdivision. The Grambling Tigers, the Jaguars' main rival, fell to the Cougars as part of the their 2006 season schedule 42-22.cite web|url=http://uhcougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/hou-m-footbl-sched-2006.html |title=Houston Football Archive: 2006 Schedule |accessdate=2008-05-03 |publisher=Houston Cougars athletics] In 2007, the Cougars finished their regular season by defeating another SWAC opponent, crosstown Texas Southern Tigers.

Oklahoma State

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Houston
R1=7
R2=9
R3=7
R4=14
Home=Oklahoma State
H1=7
H2=7
H3=28
H4=14

This marked the nineteenth game between the Cougars and the Oklahoma State Cowboys who were a member of the Big 12 Conference. [cite web |url=http://cfreference.net/cfr/all_time_schedule/1049?vs_id=665 |title=University of Houston VS Oklahoma State University - All Time |publisher=College Football Reference |accessdate=2008-05-03] Playing against each other since 1951, the Cougars held a 9-8-1 all-time record against the Cowboys, and the last meeting between the two teams was during the 2006 season. During that meeting, the Cowboys fell to the Cougars 34-25. The Cougars traveled to Stillwater for the first time since 1986 to compete. Despite leading the Cowboys during the first half of the game, the Cougars eventually lost 56-37.

Air Force

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Air Force
R1=3
R2=14
R3=14
R4=0
Home=Houston
H1=7
H2=0
H3=7
H4=14

Another first meeting on the Cougars' schedule was with the Air Force Falcons. [cite web|url=http://media.www.thedailycougar.com/media/storage/paper1206/news/2008/03/04/Sports/Houston.Football.Schedule.Looks.To.Be.A.Good.Trial.For.Sumlin-3249973.shtml |title="Houston football schedule looks to be a good trial for Sumlin" |author=Lee, Jong |date=2008-03-04 |accessdate=2008-05-03 |publisher="The Daily Cougar"] A member of the Mountain West Conference, the Falcons played football since 1955. [cite web |url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/access/288937262.html?dids=288937262:288937262&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Nov+23%2C+1955&author=&pub=The+Washington+Post+and+Times+Herald++(1954-1959)&edition=&startpage=31&desc=Air+Force+Academy%27s+4-3+Football+Team+Ends+First+Season+With+Oklahoma+Frosh |title="Air Force Academy's 4-3 Football Team Ends First Season With Oklahoma Frosh" |publisher="The Washington Post" |date=1955-11-23 |accessdate=2008-05-03] The previous season, the Falcons finished with a 9-4 record, while losing to the California Golden Bears in the 2007 Armed Forces Bowl. [cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/mwest/airforce.htm |title="Air Force: Inside Slant" |publisher="USA Today" |work=USAToday.com |accessdate=2008-05-03] The game was televised on the CBS College Sports Network as the first of the four nationally televised games for the Cougars season. The game was originally scheduled to be played at Robertson Stadium in Houston, but due to Hurricane Ike, the game was played at SMU's Ford Stadium. The Cougars fell to the Falcons 31-28.

Colorado State

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Houston
R1=0
R2=3
R3=14
R4=8
Home=Colorado State
H1=7
H2=14
H3=0
H4=7

With a 3-0 all-time record against the Colorado State Rams, the Cougars faced them for the fourth time on the road at Hughes Stadium. [cite web |url=http://cfreference.net/cfr/all_time_schedule/1049?vs_id=346 |title=University of Houston VS Colorado State University - All Time |publisher=College Football Reference |accessdate=2008-05-03] The most recent meeting between the teams had been the season before, where the Rams lost to the Cougars 38-27 in Houston. Steve Fairchild, a former player for the Rams, and the former offensive coordinator and under previous head coach Sonny Lubick, had taken over as head coach during this season. [cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3154046 |title="Fairchild, Rams seek return to college football's national scene" |author=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN |work=ESPN.com |date=2007-12-13 |accessdate=2008-05-03] With a third consecutive loss, the Cougars fell to the Rams 28-25.

East Carolina

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Houston
R1=14
R2=7
R3=3
R4=17
Home=East Carolina
H1=7
H2=3
H3=7
H4=7

This game was the ninth meeting between the Cougars and fellow Conference USA team, the East Carolina Pirates. [cite web |url=http://cfreference.net/cfr/all_time_schedule/1049?vs_id=1053 |title=University of Houston VS East Carolina University - All Time |publisher=College Football Reference |accessdate=2008-05-03] Last season, after defeating the Cougars 37-35, the Pirates went on to finish with an 8-5 record including a win against #24 Boise State in the 2007 Hawaii Bowl. [cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=273570151 |title="ECU edges No. 24 Boise St. for first postseason win since 2000" |author=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN |work=ESPN.com |date=2007-12-23 |accessdate=2008-05-03] The Pirates led the series between the Cougars 8-5. The game was broadcasted on the CBS College Sports Network, and was played at East Carolina's Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. After beating the #17 Virginia Tech Hokies during their 2008 season opener, the Pirates gained national attention. This continued in their next week of play, as they defeated the #8 West Virginia Mountaineers 24-3, and became ranked by the AP Poll as #14. Despite an upset by the North Carolina State Wolfpack the week before, the Pirates were ranked at #23 by the AP Poll when the Cougars arrived in Greenville. Despite predictions that ECU would win the game, the Cougars managed an upset with a large margin of victory.

UAB

Linescore Amfootball
Road=UAB
R1=3
R2=17
R3=0
R4=0
Home=Houston
H1=0
H2=3
H3=21
H4=21

The third home game was the seventh meeting between the Cougars and the UAB Blazers. With the most recent game between the two teams being last season, the Blazers led the series 4-2. [cite web |url=http://cfreference.net/cfr/all_time_schedule/1049?vs_id=1079 |title=University of Houston VS University of Alabama at Birmingham - All Time |publisher=College Football Reference |accessdate=2008-05-04] However, the team was defeated by the Cougars, and finished their 2007 season with a 2-10 record, the worst in the school's history. [cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/cusa/uab.htm |title="UAB: Inside Slant" |publisher="USA Today" |work=USAToday.com |accessdate=2008-05-04] This followed the departure of Watson Brown to the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, and the appointment of former Georgia Bulldogs assistant Neil Callaway as head coach. The game was televised by the CBS College Sports Network.

MU

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Houston
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Home=SMU
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Former Southwest Conference and current Conference USA members, the SMU Mustangs will face the Cougars in their twenty-fourth meeting. [cite web |url=http://cfreference.net/cfr/all_time_schedule/1049?vs_id=727 |title=University of Houston VS Southern Methodist University - All Time |publisher=College Football Reference |accessdate=2008-05-04] The first game between the two teams took place during the 1975 season when Houston joined the Southwest Conference, and the teams have regularly played each other since. The Cougars currently lead the series 13-9-1, including a 38-28 win against the Mustangs last season. This season, June Jones, former Hawaii Warriors head coach takes the same position at SMU. [cite web |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/topstories/stories/010808dnsposmulede.1b8fc462.html |title="SMU's search ends with hiring of Jones" |author=Hairopoulos, Kate |date=2008-01-08 |accessdate=2008-05-04] At Hawaii, Jones had gained national attention after the Warriors went undefeated, and were invited to the 2008 Sugar Bowl. [cite web |url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Dec/03/br/br7964813250.html |title="Warriors to play Georgia in Sugar Bowl" |author=Tsai, Stephen |publisher="Honolulu Advertiser" |work=honoluluadvertiser.com |date=2007-12-03 |accessdate=2008-05-03]

Marshall

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Houston
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Home=Marshall
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The Marshall Thundering Herd will play the Cougars for the second time in history during this season. [cite web |url=http://cfreference.net/cfr/all_time_schedule/1049?vs_id=690 |title=University of Houston VS Marshall University - All Time |publisher=College Football Reference |accessdate=2008-05-04] Their last game against each other was played during the 2007 season, where the Thundering Herd was defeated 35-28 in Houston at Robertson Stadium. This time, Marshall will play Houston at home. ESPN will broadcast the game.

Tulane

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Tulane
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Home=Houston
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In another conference game, the Tulane Green Wave will travel to Houston to play the Cougars for the fourteenth time. [cite web |url=http://cfreference.net/cfr/all_time_schedule/1049?vs_id=342 |title=University of Houston VS Tulane University - All Time |publisher=College Football Reference |accessdate=2008-05-04] Playing their first game together in 1968, the Cougars lead the series 9-4. The teams have competed against each other each consecutive season since 2002, although Tulane hasn't achieved a win against Houston since that same year. Tulane's head coach Bob Toledo will return for his second year with the Green Wave.

Tulsa

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Tulsa
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Home=Houston
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The Tulsa Golden Hurricane and Houston Cougars will face-off for their thirty-third all-time meeting. [cite web |url=http://cfreference.net/cfr/all_time_schedule/1049?vs_id=712 |title=University of Houston VS University of Tulsa - All Time |publisher=College Football Reference |accessdate=2008-05-10] Playing together since 1950, Houston has a 17-16 advantage over the Golden Hurricane. In their 2007 season meeting, new coach Todd Graham led the Golden Hurricane to a 56-7 win over the Cougars. It was the Cougars' largest margin of defeat for the season. Tulsa went on to a 10-4 record in the previous season including a 63-7 GMAC Bowl game win against the Bowling Green Falcons. The team now holds the record for scoring the largest margin in bowl game history. [cite web |url=http://www.ncaafootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=34&url_article_id=11934&change_well_id=2 |title="Tulsa Runs Away With GMAC Bowl" |author=Zenor, John |publisher=Associate Press |work=ncaafootball.com |date=2008-01-06 |accessdate=2008-05-10]

UTEP

Linescore Amfootball
Road=UTEP
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Home=Houston
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While meeting for the first time during the Cougars' inaugural season in 1946, the UTEP Miners have only met with the Cougars five times in history. [cite web |url=http://cfreference.net/cfr/all_time_schedule/1049?vs_id=1028 |title=University of Houston VS University of Texas at El Paso - All Time |publisher=College Football Reference |accessdate=2008-05-10] As Conference USA foes, the Cougars hold a 2-3 all-time record against the Miners, whereas both wins came consecutively during the 2006 and 2007 meetings of the teams. Mike Price will return as the Miners' head coach this season.

References

External links

* [http://uhcougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/hou-m-footbl-body.html Houston Cougars football]
* [http://uhcougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/hou-m-footbl-mtt.html Houston Cougars coaches bios]