2023 Houston Cougars football team

The 2023 Houston Cougars football team represented the University of Houston in the Big 12 Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cougars were led by Dana Holgorsen in his fifth season as their head coach. The Cougars played their home games at TDECU Stadium in Houston, Texas.

2023 Houston Cougars football
ConferenceBig 12 Conference
Record4–8 (2–7 Big 12)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorEman Naghavi (1st season)
Defensive coordinatorDoug Belk (3rd, 5th overall season)
Base defense4–2–5
Home stadiumTDECU Stadium
2023 Big 12 Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
No. 3 Texas y$^  8 –1   12 –2  
No. 16 Oklahoma State y  7 –2   10 –4  
No. 15 Oklahoma  7 –2   10 –3  
Iowa State  6 –3   7 –6  
No. 18 Kansas State  6 –3   9 –4  
West Virginia  6 –3   9 –4  
Texas Tech  5 –4   7 –6  
No. 23 Kansas  5 –4   9 –4  
UCF  3 –6   6 –7  
TCU  3 –6   5 –7  
Houston  2 –7   4 –8  
BYU  2 –7   5 –7  
Baylor  2 –7   3 –9  
Cincinnati  1 –8   3 –9  
Championship: Texas 49, Oklahoma State 21
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

In September 2021, Cincinnati, BYU, Houston, and UCF accepted bids to join the Big 12 Conference.[1] On June 10, 2022, the American Athletic Conference and the three American Athletic Conference schools set to depart from the league (Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF) announced that they had reached a buyout agreement with the conference that would allow those schools to join the Big 12 in 2023.[2] BYU had previously operated as an independent prior to accepting a membership invitation to join the Big 12.

On November 26, head coach Dana Holgorsen was fired.[3] He finished with a record of 31–28 in five seasons.

Offseason

Outgoing
Player Position Destination
Joshua Atkins OL Hawaii
Holman Edwards QB Southern Miss
Rafal Szymanski DE Northwestern State
Theron Stroops CB Unknown
Demarcus Griffin-Taylor CB Louisiana Tech
Derek Bowman OL South Florida
Carlton Guidry WR Grambling State
Ugonna Nnanna OL Virginia
Khiyon Wafer WR Stephen F. Austin
Trevor Helburg K Tarleton State
Kyle Ramsey K Abilene Christian
Carson Walker OL Abilene Christian
Almarion Crim OL Chattanooga
Cody Jackson WR Tarleton State
Mark Wilson CB Unknown
Jamel Starks RB Unknown
Mannie Nunnery S Florida
Cam'Ron Johnson OT Missouri
Trevonte Sylvester OT Louisville
Chayse Todd OL Texas State
Lance Robinson OT Louisville
Abdul-Lateef Audu CB Western Kentucky
Alton McCaskill RB Colorado

Incoming
Player Position Previous School
Max Banes OT Akron
Jack Martin P Alabama
Aubrey Smith LB Colorado
Malik Fleming CB East Carolina
Shamar Hobdy-Lee OT FIU
Peyton Dunn OL Louisiana–Monroe
Juwon Gaston S NEMCC
Adari Haulcy S New Mexico
David Ugwoegbu LB Oklahoma
Stephon Johnson WR Oklahoma State
Brandon Mack DE Ole Miss
Jaylen Garth OL Texas
Brian George CB Texas A&M
Isaiah Hamilton CB Texas Southern
Donovan Smith QB Texas Tech
Latrell McCutchin CB USC
Mike O’Laughlin TE West Virginia
Tony Mathis RB West Virginia
David Ndukwe OL Western Kentucky
Joshua Cobbs WR Wyoming

[4][5]

Schedule
DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 26:00 p.m.UTSA*
FS1W 17–1437,862
September 96:00 p.m.at Rice*
NFLNL 41–43 2OT23,425
September 167:00 p.m.TCU
  • TDECU Stadium
  • Houston, TX
FOXL 13–3636,049
September 236:00 p.m.Sam Houston*
  • TDECU Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPN+W 38–735,044
September 302:30 p.m.at Texas Tech
FS2L 28–4953,308
October 126:00 p.m.West Virginia
  • TDECU Stadium
  • Houston, TX
FS1W 41–3932,152
October 213:00 p.m.No. 8 Texas
  • TDECU Stadium
  • Houston, TX
FOXL 24–3142,812
October 2811:00 a.m.at Kansas State
ESPN2L 0–4151,928
November 42:30 p.m.at Baylor
ESPN+W 25–24 OT41,180
November 116:00 p.m.Cincinnati
  • TDECU Stadium
  • Houston, TX
FS1L 14–2434,312
November 183:00 p.m.No. 23 Oklahoma State
  • TDECU Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPN2L 30–4333,906
November 2511:00 a.m.at UCF
FS1L 13–2743,610

    [6]

    Game summaries

    UTSA
    1 2 3 4 Total
    Roadrunners 7 0 0 7 14
    Cougars 7 3 7 0 17
    See also: 2023 UTSA Roadrunners football team

    at Rice
    See also: 2023 Rice Owls football team
    Houston Cougars at Rice Owls – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34OT2OTTotal
    Cougars 0 7 0217641
    Owls 21 7 007843

    at Rice Stadium, Houston, Texas

    • Date: September 9
    • Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
    • Game weather: Sunny, 96 °F (36 °C)
    • Game attendance: 23,425
    • Referee: Derek Anderson
    • TV announcers (NFLN): Doug Sherman and Tyoka Jackson
    Game information
    First quarter
    • RICE – Luke McCaffrey 10-yard pass from JT Daniels (Tim Horn kick), 10:11. Owls 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards, 4:44.
    • RICE – Daelen Alexander 1-yard run (Tim Horn kick), 4:17. Owls 14–0. Drive: 7 plays, 39 yards, 4:08.
    • RICE – Luke McCaffrey 32-yard pass from JT Daniels (Tim Horn kick), 3:00. Owls 21–0. Drive: 3 plays, 69 yards, 0:50.

    Second quarter

    • RICE – Braylen Walker 15-yard pass from JT Daniels (Tim Horn kick), 8:32. Owls 28–0. Drive: 11 plays, 92 yards, 6:14.
    • HOU – Matthew Golden 10-yard pass from Donovan Smith (Jack Martin kick), 2:42. Owls 28–7. Drive: 11 plays, 74 yards, 5:45.

    Third quarter

    • No scoring plays

    Fourth quarter

    • HOU – Donovan Smith 1-yard run (Jack Martin kick), 14:05. Owls 28–14. Drive: 6 plays, 64 yards, 1:24.
    • HOU – Stacy Sneed 14-yard run (Jack Martin kick), 3:46. Owls 28–21. Drive: 6 plays, 71 yards, 2:04.
    • HOU – Donovan Smith 1-yard run (Jack Martin kick), 0:15. Tied 28–28. Drive: 8 plays, 40 yards, 2:34.

    Overtime

    • HOU – Matthew Golden 2-yard pass from Donovan Smith (Jack Martin kick). Cougars 35–28. Drive: 5 plays, 25 yards.
    • RICE – Daelen Alexander 3-yard run (Tim Horn kick). Tied 35–35. Drive: 5 plays, 25 yards.

    Second overtime

    • RICE – Daelen Alexander 1-yard run (Daelen Alexander run). Owls 43–35. Drive: 4 plays, 25 yards.
    • HOU – Donovan Smith 2-yard run (pass failed). Owls 43–41. Drive: 5 plays, 25 yards.
    StatisticsHOURICE
    First downs2724
    Total yards443470
    Rushing yards18369
    Passing yards260401
    Turnovers12
    Time of possession28:1031:50
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    HoustonPassingDonovan Smith24/42, 260 yards, 2 TD, INT
    RushingTony Mathis Jr.8 rushes, 60 yards
    ReceivingSamuel Brown9 receptions, 138 yards
    RicePassingJT Daniels28/42, 401 yards, 3 TD, INT
    RushingDean Connors8 rushes, 48 yards
    ReceivingLuke McCaffrey7 receptions, 99 yards, 2 TD

    TCU
    1 2 3 4 Total
    Horned Frogs 7 13 9 7 36
    Cougars 3 10 0 0 13
    See also: 2023 TCU Horned Frogs football team

    Sam Houston
    See also: 2023 Sam Houston Bearkats football team
    Sam Houston State Bearkats at Houston Cougars – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Bearkats 7 0 007
    Cougars 10 14 7738

    at TDECU Stadium, Houston, Texas

    • Date: September 23
    • Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
    • Game weather: Sunny, 94 °F (34 °C)
    • Game attendance: 35,044
    • Referee: Tutashinda Salaam
    • TV announcers (ESPN+): Mark Neely, Ryan Leaf, and Shane Sparks
    Game information
    First quarter
    • HOU – Jack Martin 23-yard field goal, 9:05. Cougars 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 69 yards, 5:55.
    • SHSU – Trapper Pannell 2-yard run (Colby Sessums kick), 6:02. Bearkats 7–3. Drive: 7 plays, 83 yards, 2:58.
    • HOU – Parker Jenkins 4-yard run (Jack Martin kick), 1:47. Cougars 10–7. Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 4:08.

    Second quarter

    • HOU – Parker Jenkins 1-yard run (Jack Martin kick), 7:22. Cougars 17–7. Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 4:13.
    • HOU – Parker Jenkins 2-yard run (Jack Martin kick), 0:49. Cougars 24–7. Drive: 8 plays, 56 yards, 1:17.

    Third quarter

    • HOU – Matthew Golden 6-yard pass from Donovan Smith (Jack Martin kick), 2:59. Cougars 31–7. Drive: 15 plays, 86 yards, 8:42.

    Fourth quarter

    • HOU – Stacy Sneed 58-yard pass from Ui Ale (Jack Martin kick), 10:06. Cougars 38–7. Drive: 1 play, 58 yards, 0:10.
    StatisticsSHSUHOU
    First downs827
    Total yards178538
    Rushing yards52186
    Passing yards126352
    Turnovers20
    Time of possession25:0534:55
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    Sam Houston StatePassingGrant Gunnell14/22, 100 yards, INT
    RushingTobias Weaver6 rushes, 18 yards
    ReceivingJohn Gentry5 receptions, 32 yards
    HoustonPassingDonovan Smith31/40, 294 yards, TD
    RushingParker Jenkins20 rushes, 105 yards, 3 TD
    ReceivingMatthew Golden9 receptions, 92 yards, TD

    at Texas Tech
    See also: 2023 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team
    Houston Cougars at Texas Tech Red Raiders – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Cougars 14 14 0028
    Red Raiders 14 21 7749

    at Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, Texas

    • Date: September 30
    • Game time: 2:30 p.m. CDT
    • Game weather: Sunny, 85 °F (29 °C)
    • Game attendance: 53,308
    • Referee: David Alvarez
    • TV announcers (FS2): Dan Hellie and Petros Papadakis
    Game information

    West Virginia
    1 2 3 4 Total
    Mountaineers 10 0 7 22 39
    Cougars 7 7 7 20 41
    See also: 2023 West Virginia Mountaineers football team

    No. 8 Texas
    See also: 2023 Texas Longhorns football team
    1 234Total
    • No. 8 Texas 14 737 31
    Houston 0 1473 24
    • Date: October 21, 2023
    • Location: TDECU Stadium (Houston, TX)
    • Game start: 3:05 p.m.
    • Game attendance: 42,812
    • Game weather: Sunny, 93 °F (34 °C), wind SW at 5 mph (8.0 km/h)
    • Referee: Michael VanderVelde
    • TV announcers (FOX): Tim Brando and Spencer Tillman
    Pregame line Over/under
    Texas -23.5 61[9]
    Statistics Texas Houston
    First downs1920
    Plays–yards69–36065–392
    Rushes–yards37–14119–14
    Passing yards219378
    Passing: comp–att–int25–32–032–46–1
    Time of possession31:5828:02
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    Texas PassingQuinn Ewers23–29, 211 yards, 2 TD
    RushingJonathon Brooks20 carries, 99 yards
    ReceivingXavier Worthy6 receptions, 92 yards, 1 TD
    Houston PassingDonovan Smith32–46, 378 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
    RushingParker Jenkins9 carries, 23 yards
    ReceivingJoseph Manjack IV6 receptions, 88 yards, 1 TD

    at Kansas State
    1 2 3 4 Total
    Cougars 0 0 0 0 0
    Wildcats 7 21 7 6 41
    See also: 2023 Kansas State Wildcats football team

    at Baylor
    See also: 2023 Baylor Bears football team
    Houston Cougars (3–5) vs. Baylor Bears (3–5)
    Period 1 2 34OTTotal
    Houston 0 7 37825
    Baylor 0 0 710724

    at McLane Stadium • Waco, TX

    • Date: Saturday, November 4, 2023
    • Game time: 2:30 p.m. CDT
    • Game weather: sunny • Temperature: 73°F
    • Game attendance: 41,180
    • Referee: Derek Anderson
    • TV: ESPN+
    • Pregame line: Baylor –2.5
    Statistics Houston Baylor
    First downs2122
    Plays–yards59–36672–413
    Rushes–yards32–13035–150
    Passing yards236263
    Passing: comp–att–int21–27–229–37–1
    Time of possession26:3933:21
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    Houston PassingDonovan Smith21–27, 236 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
    RushingDonovan Smith20 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD
    ReceivingSamuel Brown9 receptions, 86 yards, 1 TD
    Baylor PassingBlake Shapen29–37, 263 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
    RushingDominic Richardson11 carries, 51 yards
    ReceivingDrake Dabney4 receptions, 76 yards, 1 TD

    Cincinnati
    See also: 2023 Cincinnati Bearcats football team
    Game Ten – Cincinnati Bearcats at Houston Cougars
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Bearcats 7 7 3724
    Cougars 0 7 0714

    at TDECU Stadium • Houston, Texas

    • Date: Saturday, November 11, 2023
    • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT
    • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: • Wind:
    • Game attendance: 34,312
    • Referee: David Alvarez
    • TV: FS1
    • Pregame line: • FPI odds to win: • Game summary:
    Game information
    First quarter
    • (8:43) CIN – Ryan Montgomery 7-yard pass from Emory Jones (Carter Brown kick) (Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 6:17; Cincinnati 7–0)
    Second quarter
    • (14:04) HOU – Joseph Manjack IV 7 yard-pass from Donovan Smith (Jack Martin kick) (Drive: 12 plays, 83 yards, 4:57; Tied 7–7)
    • (8:04) CIN – Corey Kiner 1-yard run (Carter Brown kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 93 yards, 2:17; Cincinnati 14–7)
    Third quarter
    • (8:25) CIN – Carter Brown 31-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 37 yards, 6:28; Cincinnati 17–7)
    Fourth quarter
    • (8:47) CIN – Corey Kiner 5-yard run (Carter Brown kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 3:14; Cincinnati 24–7)
    • (3:22) HOU – Joseph Manjack IV 2-yard pass from Donovan Smith (Jack Martin kick) (Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 5:25; Cincinnati 24–14)
    Statistics CIN HOU
    First downs2212
    Plays–yards71–36851–241
    Rushes–yards48–20423–139
    Passing yards164102
    Passing: comp–att–int17–23–016–28–0
    Time of possession36:5523:05
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    Cincinnati PassingEmory Jones13/16, 131 yards, 1 TD
    RushingCorey Kiner23 carries, 129 yards, 2 TD
    ReceivingBraden Smith5 receptions, 69 yards
    Houston PassingDonovan Smith16/28, 102 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
    RushingDonovan Smith13 carries, 88 yards
    ReceivingJoseph Manjack IV4 receptions, 22 yards, 2 TD

    No. 23 Oklahoma State
    See also: 2023 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team
    No. 23 Oklahoma State Cowboys (7–3) vs. Houston Cougars (4–6)
    Period 1 2 34Total
    No. 23 Oklahoma State 3 16 141043
    Houston 14 9 0730

    at TDECU Stadium • Houston, TX

    • Date: Saturday, November 18, 2023
    • Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
    • Game weather: • Sunny Temperature: 74 °F (23 °C)
    • Game attendance: 33,906
    • Referee: Stephon Baron
    • TV announcers (ESPN2): Dave Flemming (play-by-play), Brock Osweiler (analyst) Kayla Burton (sideline)
    Game information
    First Quarter
    Second Quarter
    Third Quarter
    Fourth Quarter
    StatisticsOKSTHOU
    First downs2818
    Total yards501393
    Rushing yards153130
    Passing yards348263
    Passing: Comp–Att–Int29–43–118–30–2
    Time of possession32:1227:48
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    Oklahoma StatePassingAlan Bowman29/43, 348 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
    RushingOllie Gordon II25 carries, 164 yards, 3 TD
    ReceivingBrennan Presley15 receptions, 189 yards
    HoustonPassingDonovan Smith17/29, 235 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
    RushingDonovan Smith13 carries, 63 yards, 1 TD
    ReceivingJonah Wilson1 reception, 60 yards, 1 TD

    at UCF
    See also: 2023 UCF Knights football team
    Houston Cougars at UCF Knights
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Cougars 10 0 0313
    Knights 6 7 14027

    at FBC Mortgage Stadium, Orlando, FL

    • Date: November 25, 2023
    • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
    • Game attendance: 43,610
    • TV announcers (FS1): Eric Collins, Devin Gardner
    • Gamecast
    Game information
    StatisticsHOUUCF
    First downs1723
    Total yards259476
    Rushing yards94223
    Passing yards165253
    Turnovers10
    Time of possession27:0432:56
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    HoustonPassingDonovan Smith12–20, 161 yards, 1 TD, I INT
    RushingStacy Sneed3 carries, 33 yards
    ReceivingJoseph Manjack IV4 receptions, 74 yards
    UCFPassingJohn Rhys Plumlee23–27, 253 yards, 1 TD
    RushingR. J. Harvey21 carries, 136 yards, 2 TD
    ReceivingKobe Hudson9 receptions, 98 yards

    References
    1. "Big 12 Conference Adds Four New Members". Big12Sports.com. Big 12 Conference. September 10, 2021.
    2. "American Announces Agreements With UCF, Cincinnati and Houston on Departure" (Press release). American Athletic Conference. June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
    3. "Houston Fires Coach Dana Holgorsen After Loss to UCF".
    4. "2023 Houston Football Transfer Portal". ON3.
    5. "Houston Cougars 2023 College Football Transfer Portal". 247Sports.
    6. "2023 Houston Football Schedule". FB Schedules. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
    7. "Texas (6-1 , 3-1) -vs- Houston (3-4 , 1-3)". Austin, Texas: The University of Texas at Austin Athletics. October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
    8. Schultz, Brad (October 19, 2023). "College Football 2023: Week 8 Announcer Pairings". Saturday Blitz. Minute Media. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
    9. "Texas vs. Houston odds, spread: 2023 college football picks, Week 8 predictions from proven computer model". CBS. CBS Interactive. October 20, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
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