Houston Cougars win Texas Bowl thriller, down LSU 38-35

Houston quarterback Conner Weigman hands off the ball to
running back to DJ Butler in the Cougars win over LSU.
Photo by Darla S Tamulitism La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (December 27, 2025) The Houston Cougars capped off a big season with a 38-35 win over the LSU Tigers in the Kinder’s Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on Saturday night. It was a close and exciting game that fans will remember for a long time.

The Tigers jumped out to an early lead and looked strong at first. On the very first play of the game, Barion Brown returned the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown to put the Tigers up 7-0. LSU then added another score to make it 14-0 in the first quarter.

However, the Cougars did not give up. Quarterback Conner Weigman, who was selected the game's MVP, as voted by the media, led a big comeback for the Cougars. He was sharp all night, throwing four touchdown passes and finishing with 236 passing yards. Weigman connected with key receivers like Amare Thomas and Tanner Koziol to help Houston erase the early deficit.

In the post game press conference, the UH quarterback was asked about his favorite moment on the field, from the celebration or in the locker room; something that he thought was goin to stick with him.

Yeah, just some of the seniors; Tanner (Kozios), Dean (Conners), Matt (Wykoff), all those guys; that was the last time I'm going to be able to play football with those guys. It meant a lot to me. Those are my brothers.

Houston took the lead and did not look back. Ethan Sanchez hit a 25-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter to push the Cougars ahead 31-28. Then Dean Connors scored a 20-yard rushing touchdown with just over two minutes left, making it 38-28 and giving Houston a big boost.

LSU tried to rally late, and Zavion Thomas scored a rushing touchdown with about a minute to play, cutting the deficit to 38-35. But Houston recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock to seal the victory.

The win gave Houston a 10-3 final season record with the Tigers finish 7-6,

Houston Texans to sign UH ex Case Keenum

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS It is being reported by Gallery Sports and Sports Radio 610 writer John McClain that the Houston Texans have agreed to sign former Houston Cougar Case Keenum to a two-year contract as their backup quarterback. The deal can't become official until the start of free agency on Wednesday. This will be Keenum's third tour with the Texans. He played in 2012-13 under Gary Kubiak and in 2014 under Bill O'Brien.

Houston Cougars rally to win Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly 

Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved 

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA (December 23, 2022) After a lackluster first half, the Houston Cougars finally got their offensive playbook together and downed the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns by the score of 23-16 in the 45th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl.  

Louisiana dominated the first half after putting six points on the scoreboard after driving 75 yards in 15 plays when quarterback Chandler Fields (Archbishop Rummell HS, Metairie, Louisiana) connected on a four-yard pass to Johnny Lumpkins (Frederick Douglass HS, Atlanta, Georgia) for the score. Kenneth Almendares (Brazosport HS, Clute, Texas) added the kicking conversion to give the Ragin' Cajuns a seven-point lead at the 7:39 mark of the first quarter. 

After Houston failed to advance the ball and gain an offensive edge, Almendares kicked two consecutive field goals, both from 42-yards out, to push the Louisiana lead to 13-0 with just over seven minutes remaining in the first half. 

Four minutes later, the Cougars finally scored with a 33-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Hebron HS, Carrollton, Texas) to KeSean Carter (The Woodlands HS, Willis, Texas) for six points. Kyle Ramsey (Ridge Point HS, Missouri City, Texas) missed the extra point' making the score 13-6 with three minutes remaining in the half. Louisiana increased its lead when Almendares booted a 22-yard field goal with two seconds left to increase their lead to 16-6 at the half.  

Houston began to make offensive progress in the second half, driving 70 yards in 13 plays to cut Louisiana's lead to three. Tune found Nathaniel Dell open in the end zone' completing a two-yard pass for the score, Ramsey found success on the extra point; pushing the score to 16-13 at the 9:21 mark of the third quarter. 

The Cougars evened the score at 16 after driving 31 yards in nine plays, with a 19-yard Ramsey field goal with 13:40 remaining in the game. After Louisiana fail to get into the end zone, Houston got the ball back with 2:59 remaining in the game. Tune skillfully marked 92 yards down the field on 2:39 and completed the drive with a 12-yard pass to Dell for their second combined TD of the game. Ramsey again converted the extra point to give the Cougars the Independence Bowl trophy. 

As a result of his performance, Tune was honored as the Offensive Most Outstanding Player while Houston defensive back Art Green (Hutchinson CC, Chesterfield, Missouri) was selected the Defensive Most Outstanding Player. 

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl 2022: Houston Cougars Pregame Press Conference

Video by Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA (December 22, 2022) This is the pregame press conference from the 2022 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl with Houston Cougars head coach Dana Holgorsen, wide receiver Nathaniel “Tank” Dell, and quarterback Clayton Tune.

Quarterback Clayton Tune (Hebron HS, Carrollton, Texas) leads the American Athletic Conference in career touchdown passes (101), is two touchdown passes shy of Tanner Mordecai's (SMU, 2021) single-season record (39) and one shy of Demond Ridder (Cincinnati, 2018-21) and Holton Ahlers (ECU, 2018-present) for the league's career touchdowns responsible for (117) record.

Wide receiver Nathaniel Dell (Independence CC, Daytona Beach, Florida)has been named a Second Team All-American by several publications including The Athletic and Pro Football Focus. The junior, who has declared for the NFL Draft, leads the nation in receiving touchdowns (15) this season. Dell's 30 receiving scores since the start of the 2020 season paces the country as does his nine games of 125-plus receiving yards since 2021

Former Houston Cougar Ed Oliver arrested for DUI, gun charge

By Chris Price
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved
(Video courtesy of YouTube.com)

HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 17, 2020) It is being reported by the Houston Chronicle and ESPN.com that former Houston Cougar defensive tackle Ed Oliver was arrested on Saturday for driving while intoxicated and unlawful possession of a firearm. 

Oliver, who currently plays for the Buffalo Bills in the NFL, was towing a trailer on State Highway 242, with am ATV attached, and was seen weaving all over the road. Another driver called 911 to report the erratic driving which was describe as "failing to maintain a lane and driving dangerously," according to the report on MontgomeryCountryPoliceReport.com.

He was booked into the Montgomery Country Jail, after having a mandatory blood draw. Both charges are considered as misdemeanors. 

During his rookie season in 2019, he tallied 43 tackles and five sacks for the Bills.

Five former Houston Cougars on San Antonio Commanders roster

Photo courtesy of Alliance of  American Football

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (January 26, 2019) The San Antonio Commanders competed their 19th day of training camp on Saturday. They currently have 52 players on the roster with five of those being former University of Houston players. The five include offensive guard Marcus Oliver , running back Kenneth Farrow II, wide receiver Demarcus Ayers, defensive tackle Joey Mbu, and corner back Nick Thurman.

The Commanders will compete their training camp on January 31, with the setting their 52-man roster on Wednesday January 30. They will kickoff the 2-019 season on February 9 against the San Diego Fleet at the Alamodome.

Greg Ward, Jr. added to roster by San Antonio Commanders

Photo by
Darla Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (January 12, 2019)  The San Antonio Commanders have announced they have added former Houston Cougars standout Greg Ward, Jr. to their 2019 roster as a wide receiver. Ward, Jr. played in 49 career games at Houston as a wide receiver and quarterback. He amassed 11,080 yards and 93 total touchdowns at Houston and was the 2015 Earl Campbell Award winner. In addition, he was a member of the Super Bowl LII champion Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad in 2017.

Tyron Carrier expected to be hired to Dana Holgorsen's staff at UH

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (Januaru 7, 2019) It is being reported by the Houston Chronicle that Houston Cougars head coach Dana Holgorsen is expected to hire former Cougar wide receiver Tyron Carrier as an ssistant coach. Carrier has spent the last three seasons on Holgorsen's staff at West Virginia.

Carrier played with the Montreal Alouettes from 2012-2013 in the Canadian Football League. Carrier finished his college career with 320 receptions, which is the second most in NCAA Division I/FBS history. In his career, Carrier returned seven kickoffs for touchdowns, an NCAA FBS record that he shares with Clemson's C. J. Spiller, San Diego State's Rashaad Penny, and Memphis' Tony Pollard. His 7,490 career all-purpose yards ranks sixth all-time. Carrier also holds the FBS record of 53 consecutive games with at least two receptions.

Army totally dismantles Houston with 70-14 win in Armed Forces Bowl.

Story and Photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

FT. WORTH, TEXAS (December 22, 2018) In a game that saw the Cougars suffer their worst defeat in a bowl game in their long-storied history, Houston dropped a 70-14 decision to the No. 22 Army Black Knights in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Ft. Worth, Texas. The loss was the third-in-a-row in post-season play for the Cougars, who dropped to 8-5 for the season.

The Black Knight took control of the game in the first quarter, when quarterback Kelvin Hopkins, Jr. scored twice, with rushes of one and 77 yards, in the final 3:58 of the quarter. The 5-10, 205-pound junior, carried the ball 11 times for 170 yards and five touchdowns in route to Army's third win in the Armed Forces Bowl. Their previous wins came in 2010, where they downed SMU 16-14, and last year; beating San Diego State, 42-35. The Black Knights became the first team to win three-total Armed Forces Bowls. Hopkins, was three-of-three for 70 yards in the air, and was honored, as a result of his performance, as the game's Most Valuable Player.

Houston could do little to contain Army, and Houston head coach Major Applewhite had little to say after the game. While speaking to the press, he stated:

“Not much to say, just disappointed in the way we coached and played today. Give credit to Army. Coach (Jeff) Monken and his players were well-prepared and outplayed us, outcoached us.”

In fact, Hopkins had more rushing yardage (170) than the entire Houston offense (87 yards on 41 carries). The Cougars managed only 14 first downs, while Army tallied 70. Hopkins 170 yards on the ground was just a small part of the Black Knight's total (570 yards).

To add insult to injury, immediately after the game, it was reported that Houston offensive coordinator and quarterback Coach Kendal Briles was leaving the program to take a similar position at Florida State. It was also reported by numerous outlets, that run-game coordinator/offensive line coach Randy Clements and two graduate assistants would be leaving Houston to join Briles at FSU.

The Cougars will now begin to prepare for the 2019 season. They will have 252 days to prepare for their first game of 2019, against the Oklahoma Sooners in Norman, Oklahoma.

Houston Cougars name 2017 football captains

Steven Dunbar
Photo courtesy of CollegePressBox.com

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 4, 2017) On Monday, February 4, 2017, the Houston Cougars named their team captains for the 2017 football season. The selection was based off a player vote. Junior defensive back Garrett Davis and senior receiver Steven Dunbar, along with senior linebacker Matthew Adams and senior running back Dillon Birden were chosen to lead the Cougars both on and off the field.

Garrett Davis
Photo courtesy of CollegePressBox.com

Dunbar, who hails from Metairie, Louisiana, tallied five touchdowns and 53 receptions for 692 yards last season. Adams led the Cougars with 82 tackles (57 solo) along with two forced fumbles. Davis, appeared in 26 games in his first two season for the Cougars; including starting in 12 of 13 games in 2016. Birden, who joined the program in 2016, led Houston with six rushing TDs and recovered two fumbles.

Dillon Birden
Photo courtesy of CollegePressBox.com

After having their first game of the season postponed due to Hurricane Harvey, the Cougars will kick off the 2017 season with a Saturday, September 9 road game against Arizona. The Cougars and the Wildcats have played twice before. In their first game, on October 11, 1969, Houston came out on top by the score of 34-17. Their next match-up came 17 years later, on September 6, 1986, with Houston dropping a 37-3 decision. Both games were played in Arizona.

Matthew Adams
Photo courtesy of CollegePressBox.com

Houston will play their first home game on Saturday, September 16 against cross-town rival Rice. They have played each other 40 times with the Cougars hold a 29-11 advantage. The last two times Houston and Rice  played; in 2012 and 2013, the Cougars have come out on top. On September 29, 2012, they posted a 35-14 win and on September 21, 2013, the downed the Owls 31-26. Both games were played at Reliant Stadium (now NRG Stadium).

Houston Cougar DT Ed Oliver Named Sporting News Preseason All-American

Defensive tackle was named to seven First Team All-America teams in 2016.

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 1, 2107) Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver has been named to The Sporting News Preseason All-America First Team, the publication announced Friday.

The preseason honor is Oliver’s second after being named to Athlon’s Preseason All-America First Team on June 20.

A First Team All-American on seven teams as a true freshman last year, Oliver leads all returning defensive linemen nationally with 23 tackles for loss. He finished second nationally among all positions in tackle for loss last season while leading all defensive linemen nationally with nine pass breakups. The number also led all non-defensive backs in The American and was sixth in the league regardless of position.

The American’s Rookie of the Year, Oliver was also named Scout’s Freshman of the Year and the winner of the 2016 Bill Willis Award, presented annually to the nation’s top defensive lineman by the Touchdown Club of Columbus.

Playing out of the tackle spot on a three-man line, he was second nationally among all defensive linemen with 47 solo tackles and 13th among all defensive linemen nationally with 66 total tackles.

Oliver’s 66 tackles were second among all freshmen in The American, regardless of position, and led all freshmen defensive linemen nationally. His five sacks led all freshmen in The American. Oliver also led Houston and finished second in The American with three forced fumbles, a number that ranked second nationally among freshmen.

Houston OLB Tyus Bowser selected by Baltimore in NFL Draft

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 28, 2017) In the 2017 NFL Draft, the Houston Cougars had their first player selected when the Baltimore Ravens chose outside linebacker Tyus Bowers as the 47^th overall pick; 15^th pick of the second round.

Bowers, who is 6’3” tall and tips the scales at 247 pounds, missed a month of his senior season, due to a broken orbital bone as a result of a fight witha teammate. After his return to the field, he led the Cougars with 8.5 sacks along with 12 tackles (for a loss) in eight games. During his freshman and sophomore years, he played both football and basketball. He played in all games during his freshman season, amassing 26 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, and 4.5 sacks.

The Ravens finished 2016 with an 8-8 record and second place in the AFC North. Their defense game up 20.1 points per game (9^th), 322.1 yards (7^th), 232.8 yards passing (9^th) and 89.4 yards (5^th).

Offense outlasts defense 51-33 in Houston Cougars Spring Game

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 15, 2017) The Red Team downed the White Team by the score of 51-33 in the 2017 Houston Cougars 2017 Red-White Football Game on Saturday, April 15, 2017 at TDECU Stadium in Houston. The Red Team, which was made up of the offensive players, played four 12-minute quarters in the annual spring game, which marks the end of spring football, against the White Team, which was made up of the defensive squad. The first score of the game came as a result of a pass from junior quarterback Kyle Allen to sophomore receiver Keith Corbin in the back corner of the end zone. Kicker Dalton Witherspoon tacked on the extra point to give the Red Team an early lead.

Other scoring occurred on a six-yard run by sophomore running back Patrick Carr, who sat out last season after transferring from Colorado with sophomore running back Kevrin Justice adding a one-yard run in the third quarter. Sophomore running back Josh Burrell closed out the day with a one-yard score. Carr led the Red Team with 122 yards on 15 carries. Burrell was second in rushing on the day with 38 yards on seven carries.

On the receiving end, senior Derek McLemore led the way with nine receptions for 44 yards while sophomore Keith Corbin had three receptions for 21 yards. Passing wise, Allen had 62 yards on 12-of-18 passing while junior Mason McClendon had 27 yards on 6-of-14 passing.

The White got off to a strong start when Jeremy Winchester picked off an Allen pass on the first play of the game. It was one of three interceptions for the defense as Isaiah Johnson and Javian Smith picked up interceptions on the day as well. Senior linebacker Cameron Doubenmier paced the defense with seven tackles while senior linebacker Austin Robinson and redshirt-freshman cornerback Patrick Rosette had six stops each. Doubenmier and Robinson also had the day’s lone sacks.

  

Houston kicks off the fall season when it travels to San Antonio to open the 2017 against UTSA on Saturday, Sept. 2. Following a September 9 trip to Tucson, Ariz., to face Arizona, the Cougars open their home slate against Rice on Saturday, September 16 at TDECU Stadium.

Houston Cougars fall to Memphis Tigers 48-44 in hard-fought contest

Houston WR Linner Bonner (15) tries to pull away
from Memphis DB Jonathan Cook (14) after catching
one of his 17 passes against Memphis.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2016, All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2016 TexSport Publications

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE (November 25, 2016) Bringing a number 18 national ranking and the winningest senior class in program history into Libertly Bowl Memorial Stadium was not enough for the Houston Cougars, as they dropped a 48-44 decision to the underdog Memphis Tigers on Friday, November 25, 2016. The Cougars finish the regular season with a 9-3 record; along with a 5-3 record in American Athletic Conference action. The Cougars will now wait for two crucial bits of information in the days to follow. First, what post-season bowl game they will be invited to play and second, whether head coach Tom Herman will be back at the helm of the Cougars for that anticipated bowl and the 2017 season.

Rumors circulated in the preceding days and hours leading up to Friday's matchup against these two conference rivals. Unconfirmed reports surfaced on the internet and social media that Herman and LSU had come to terms on a contract for the second-year head coach to lead the Tigers in 2017. Herman vigorously denounced the rumors, yet the spectre of his departure was a possibly a factor in the Cougars' loss. The Cougars' play of the field seemed uninspired in the first half and was a drastic departure from their play when they upset No. 3 Louisville on November 17. 

RB Duke Catalon (2) rushed for 60 yards and
one touchdown in addition to catching seven
passes for 41 yards against Memphis.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2016, All Rights Reserved

The game started with a bang for the Tigers; when they scored 42 seconds into the game on a 67-yard pass from Riley Ferguson to Phil Mayhue. Houston answered three minutes later with a 41-yard Ty Cummings field goal. Memphis added two more TDs in the first quarter; a one-yard run by Doroland Dorceus and a two-yard pass from Ferguson to Mayhue. In between the two Memphis touchdown, Houston added a touchdown on a 10-yard run by Duke Catalon to close out the first 15 minutes of play with Memphis leading 21-10. The Cougars cut the Memphis lead to four points, six seconds into the second quarter with a Greg Ward, Jr. 29-yard pass to Tyler McCloskey. The Tigers responded with 13 unanswered points to give Memphis a 34-17 lead at halftime. Houston cut their deficit to seven in the third quarter with a Chance Allen 35-yard touchdown pass reception and a 25-yard Ty Cummings field goal. After a long drive that carried over from the third to fourth quarter, Houston added a 25-yard field goal by Cummings to cut the Tigers' lead to 34-30 with 13:07 remaining in the game. They finally took their first lead of the game at the 7:02 mark in the fourth quarter when Ward, Jr. hit Linell Donner with a 55-yard bomb for the score. Cummings added the extra point to give Houston a 37-34 lead. Then both teams went on a offensive frenzy; putting 21 points on the scoreboard in three minutes, 30 seconds.

Memphis responded to the Donner touchdown with their own touchdown to regain the lead a tad over three minutes later. Ferguson connected with Anthony Miller on a 35-yard pass play to regain a four-point lead (41-37). Houston received the the kickoff with 3:49 left in the game; driving 75 yards in seven plays; concluding with a three-yard touchdown pass from Ward, Jr. to Allen to regain the lead with the score of 44-41. The Tigers received the final kickoff of the game on their own 28 yard line with 1:29 remaining. Ferguson then went to work and moved the ball 72 yards in 1:05; scoring the game winning touchdown with 19 seconds left in the match. After that, all Houston could was run three play before time ran out.

Houston fans were very spirited at
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2016, All Rights Reserved

Offensively, Houston tallied 624 yards of total offense, with Ward, Jr. accounting for 487 yards of those yards in the air. With four passing touchdowns, he has 52 career passing touchdowns which stands fifth in program history. Ward also recorded his seventh multi-TD passing game of 2016 and 16th of his career. 

Linell Bonner recorded his third touchdown reception this season and eighth of his career, on a 55-yard pass from Ward Jr. with 7:02 left to play giving Houston its first lead, 37-34. With 235 yards, Bonner finished his sixth game with at least 80-plus yards and became the 20th player in program history with a 200-yard receiving game. The mark also put him over the 1,000 yard threshold for the season, becoming the 19th player in Houston history to reach that mark.