Tag: Houston

Cincinnati Bearcats running back Corey Kiner (21) carries the ball in the first quarter during an NCAA college football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the West Virginia Mountaineers, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, W. Va.

Injury-plagued Houston set for revenge against Cincinnati

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Injury-riddled Houston will chase revenge on the road when it visits Cincinnati in the Big 12 conference opener for both teams Saturday.

Cincinnati notched its only conference victory in its inaugural Big 12 season in 2023 with a 24-14 road win against Houston last November. The Bearcats were 1-8 in Big 12 play last season, while the Cougars were only slightly better at 2-7.

It already has been a rough time on the health front for Houston (1-2), which has lost a number of players to ACL injuries since the start of summer training camp.

“We’re banged up a little bit,” Houston coach Willie Fritz said. “We’ve had some injuries. I think we’ve had seven ACLs since the beginning of camp. … We’ve got some guys hurt and it’s unfortunate. It’s the only part I don’t like about football.”

The latest injuries for Houston include the losses of linebacker Torren Coppage-El and offensive lineman Cayden Bowie to knee injuries and receiver Koby Young to a toe injury in a 33-7 win over Rice last Saturday. All three have been ruled out for the season.

After blowing a 27-6 lead and losing on a last-second field goal to Pitt on Sept. 7, Cincinnati (2-1) is coming off a bounce-back 27-16 win over Miami (Ohio) last Saturday to earn back the “Victory Bell” in the rivalry game.

Bearcats running back Corey Kiner finished with 126 yards on 21 carries for his ninth-career 100-yard game, while sixth-year year defensive end Eric Phillips posted a career-high two sacks. The Bearcats held the Redhawks to 24 rushing yards.

Nathan Hawks replaced Carter Brown as Cincinnati’s kicker and made history in the process, becoming the first kicker in program history to kick a pair of field goals from at least 50 yards in one game. Hawks hit a 55-yarder in the first quarter for his first career field goal while his 50-yarder with 59 seconds remaining provided the winning margin.

The 55-yarder was tied for the second-longest in Cincinnati history and was the longest made since 2007.

“That’s incredible story of what Nathan Hawks was able to accomplish,” Cincinnati head coach Scott Satterfield said. “… He got called upon in a big-time way and was able to make these two field goals. So, I’m really proud of him. It sets us up for conference season.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars linebacker Michael Batton (44) pre-snap in the second quarter at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sean Thomas-Imagn Images

Houston dominates Rice in annual Bayou Bucket game

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Stacy Sneed rushed for 82 yards on seven carries and a long touchdown and Houston’s defense held visiting Rice to 159 total yards in a 33-7 win in the annual Bayou Bucket game on Saturday night.

Re’Shaun Sanford II added 71 rushing yards on 15 carries for the Cougars (1-2), who opened the season with losses to UNLV (27-7) and No. 15 Oklahoma (16-12).

Houston quarterback Donovan Smith completed 12 of 21 passes for 142 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for two scores.

Rice managed just eight first downs and was 0-for-10 on third downs until the final drive of the game, finishing 2 for 13.

The Owls (1-2) beat Houston in double-overtime last season.

Rice quarterback E.J. Warner completed 12 of 21 passes for just 50 yards with an interception.

Sneed scored on a 65-yard touchdown run to give Houston a 7-0 lead with 5:30 left in the first quarter.

Rice went its third straight drive without a first down and Mekhi Mews returned the ensuing punt 75 yards for a touchdown, increasing the lead to 14-0 with 3:49 left in the first quarter.

Stephon Johnson caught a 44-yard touchdown strike from Smith with 7:29 left in the first half, extending the lead to 20-0.

The Cougars were stopped on downs at the Rice 7-yard line late in the third quarter, but Jalen Garner intercepted a Warner pass two plays later and returned it to the 1-yard line. Smith scored one play later to extend the lead to 26-0.

Smith added a 37-yard touchdown run with 7:10 remaining in the game to extend the lead to 33-0.

Rice’s Dean Connors scored on a 4-yard run with 1:08 left to prevent the shutout.

After both teams went three-and-out on opening drives, Sanford’s 34-yard run on the first play of the second series moved Houston into Rice territory. J’Marion Burnette’s 14-yard run pushed the drive into the red zone, but Joseph Kim would miss a 31-yard field goal attempt after a shaky hold.

Rice had three first downs and 59 total yards in the first half, going 0-for-7 on third downs.

–Field Level Media

Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (86) pushes off of Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II (23) as he runs with the ball Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, during a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Reports: Texans TE Dalton Schultz sidelined by sprained ankle

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Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz played through a sprained ankle sustained in his team’s season-opening win over the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday, multiple outlets reported Thursday.

The injury, suffered early in the 29-27 road victory, is not considered severe, according to reports. But Schultz missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday for what the team termed an ankle issue. The Texans host the Chicago Bears on Sunday night.

Schultz, 28, caught three passes on three targets for 16 yards against the Colts. Last season, his first with the Texans, he played in 15 regular-season games (eight starts) and caught 59 passes for 635 yards and five touchdowns. He also caught six balls for 80 yards and a touchdown in two playoff games with Houston.

He signed with Houston after five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys (2018-22). In his career, he has 273 receptions for 2,773 yards and 22 touchdowns in 91 games (60 starts).

Safety M.J. Stewart also did not practice Thursday and is dealing with a knee/quadriceps injury. He reportedly will miss Sunday’s game, according to KPRC-TV in Houston.

Limited at practice Thursday for the Texans were wide receiver Nico Collins (illness), running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs (groin).

–Field Level Media

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) is pressured by Tennessee Titans linebacker Harold Landry III (58) during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Bears, rookie QB Caleb Williams face gold standard in Texans’ C.J. Stroud

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Early during his Wednesday presser, Bears coach Matt Eberflus was asked how the historic production Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud enjoyed as a rookie last season could be used as a template for Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, whose debut last Sunday against the Tennessee Titans could reasonably be described as inauspicious.

Eberflus adroitly sidestepped making a comparison that would only add to the already enormous expectations resting on Williams’ shoulders. While Stroud crafted one of the greatest seasons for a rookie quarterback in NFL history, Williams struggled in his first career start and relied on the Bears’ exceptional defense and special teams to steer the way to a 24-17 home win over the Tennessee Titans.

The Texans (1-0) will host the Bears (1-0) in a showdown on Sunday highlighting the standard Williams is charged with meeting. Stroud thrived in a 29-27 road victory over the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday, passing for 234 yards and two touchdowns with a 115.9 rating.

Williams, conversely, averaged 3.2 yards per attempt, threw for only 93 yards, posted a 55.7 rating and helmed an offense that didn’t score a touchdown. His handling of a middling performance struck Eberflus.

“He’s been really good,” Eberflus said. “Him and I watched the plays Monday morning. He comes into my office and was really good there. He’s really good with the players owning up to everything and taking responsibility for performance and accountability. That’s what you need from leaders on the football team, not just him.

“And then moving forward to coming in (Wednesday) morning and figuring out what we’re doing, how we’re doing it and having conversations with him. I think he’s in a good spot.”

The Bears were buoyed by a pair of touchdown returns, including a 43-yard interception return by cornerback Tyrique Stevenson with 7:35 left in regulation that sealed the win. Chicago sacked Titans quarterback Will Levis three times, picked him off twice and limited Levis to 4.0 yards per attempt.

The Bears might need another stifling performance against the Texans, not only to cover Williams as he develops but to help a Chicago offense that had a pair of receivers — Keenan Allen (heel) and Rome Odunze (MCL strain) — sidelined for practice on Wednesday.

Wins can mask warts. But Williams acknowledged that ample work remains for the offense.

“We’re here getting better,” Williams said. “Just getting back out here making sure we’re focused on the small things, the details. Whether it’s myself of footwork, drops … or whether it’s the routes, whether it’s the run game, hand placement, all these other things when blocking to make sure as an offense we’re successful.”

The Texans had no such problems offensively. Houston seamlessly inserted veteran newcomers Stefon Diggs (two touchdown catches) and Joe Mixon (30 carries, 159 yards and a touchdown) into their potent mix, with Mixon earning AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his efforts.

Stroud was sacked four times but did not commit a turnover and was in complete control even under duress, finding Nico Collins (six catches, 117 yards) when the moment was dire.

In the aftermath of its win, Houston had reason to be optimistic that more can be unlocked.

“I think watching the film from last week, there’s definitely a lot of play left on the field,” Stroud said. “We can clean up a lot of things. So, yeah, I definitely think that we barely showed what we’ve got. But it’s kind of cool because we still did kind of play pretty good once we stopped shooting ourselves in the foot.

“The plays that we ran good looked great. But the ones that we just barely missed on, it was just the little, little, small things. If we clean those up, man, I think we would’ve had a way better day, but definitely great to learn in a win.”

–Field Level Media

Houston Cougars quarterback Donovan Smith (1) throws a pass during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Houston Cougars at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024.

Houston seeing improvement, eyes first ’24 win vs. Rice

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Houston will try to put a dent in the win column when it hosts Rice in a nonconference game on Saturday night.

Houston (0-2) opened the season with a 27-7 home loss to UNLV and fell at No. 15 Oklahoma 16-12 last week.

The Cougars outgained the Sooners 318-249 in total yards, including 260-174 in passing yards, but came up empty on their final five drives of the game.

Still, Houston coach Willie Fritz saw plenty of improvement from the opening week.

“I think we cut in half the missed tackles from Week 1 to Week 2,” Fritz said. “I think we had seven (against Oklahoma). When you start to have less than 10 missed tackles in a ballgame, you’re really playing excellent defense. You’re doing a good job in tackling.”

Houston quarterback Donovan Smith bounced back from a poor performance against UNLV and completed 24 of 28 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown with an interception.

Defensively, the Cougars will continue to count on linebacker Michael Batton, who had nine tackles and two sacks against Oklahoma.

“He’s a really fun guy to coach,” Fritz said. “He’s got great speed, quickness, movement, loves the game. He can close on people. He knows when to go. He doesn’t have to reassess things. Once he makes a decision, he’s quick with the decision.”

Rice (1-1) is coming off a 69-7 home win against Texas Southern after dropping its season opener 34-14 to visiting Sam Houston. The point total against Texas Southern was the third most in school history and the margin of victory was the second largest.

Dean Connors needed just nine carries to accumulate 113 yards and three touchdowns against Texas Southern.

“There’s still plays that we need to improve on all throughout the game,” Rice safety Tyson Flowers said. “There’s stuff that we’re going to find when we watch the film that we need to correct if we want to continue to have the season that we want to have.”

–Field Level Media

Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Danny Stutsman (28) brings down Houston Cougars running back Re'Shaun Sanford II (26) during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Houston Cougars at Gaylord Family Ð Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024.

Late safety seals No. 15 Oklahoma’s tight win over Houston

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Gracen Halton brought down Stacy Sneed in the end zone for a safety in the final two minutes to help No. 15 Oklahoma eke out a 16-12 win over Houston on Saturday in Norman, Okla.

The Cougars got the ball back with 1:46 remaining at their own 5 with a chance to drive for the win. But on first down, Halton cut right through the Houston offensive line and brought down Sneed for the safety.

The play was the last in a string of big defensive stops by the Sooners (2-0).

After Houston (0-2) cut the deficit to 14-12 early in the second half, Oklahoma’s defense came up with four consecutive stops to put the game away.

The Cougars got one more chance, getting the ball back at their own 13 with 29 seconds remaining, but couldn’t get the ball into Oklahoma territory before time ran out.

Houston outgained the Sooners 318-249.

The 249 yards were Oklahoma’s fewest since 2022.

Jackson Arnold threw for 174 yards and two touchdowns for the Sooners, who ran for just 75 yards.

The Cougars’ Donovan Smith was 24-of-28 passing for 260 yards and a touchdown.

After scoring two touchdowns on its first four drives — one with an extremely short field — Oklahoma’s offense struggled.

The Sooners came up empty on their next five drives, with four punts and an interception.

After Houston scored to pull within 14-12, Oklahoma was moving the ball downfield early in the third, picking up three first downs and moving into Houston territory.

But Arnold underthrew a deep ball to Deion Burks and Jeremiah Wilson came up with the interception.

On the first drive of the third quarter, just after an Oklahoma interception was wiped out by a pass interference call, the Cougars came up big.

Smith hit Joseph Manjack IV for a 44-yard touchdown to pull Houston with two.

A two-point conversion attempt failed.

After forcing six turnovers in their season-opening win, it didn’t take long for the Sooners to come up with a takeaway against Houston.

Oklahoma’s punt on the game’s first drive bounced in front of and past Mekhi Mews. Neither Mews nor the Sooners’ Jacobe Johnson reacted as the ball looked to be going out of bounds, but it remained in bounds and Oklahoma’s Lewis Carter dove on it as officials signaled the turnover.

The play stood after a review, and on the first play of the next drive, Arnold hit Brenen Thompson for a 10-yard touchdown to put the Sooners ahead.

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) hands the ball off to running back Jonathan Taylor (28) during a preseason game Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Texans open season, division title defense at Colts

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Week 1 of the NFL season is always a big deal.

From the view of second-year Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen, it’s a bigger deal when you open with a division rival.

That’s what Indianapolis does Sunday as it welcomes the defending AFC South champion Houston Texans.

“You want to win division games, you want to win a division championship. It starts in the division and you got to win at home right off the bat,” he said. “So it’ll be an extra challenge. It’s a good football team we’re playing, but I know our guys are going to be geared up and ready to roll on Sunday.”

If that’s the case, the Colts will reverse a decade-long trend. They are 0-9-1 in their last 10 season openers, which includes a 20-20 tie two years ago in Houston and a loss to start 2020 in Jacksonville, which went on to drop the next 15 games.

Last year’s season opener saw Indianapolis fall 31-21 to Jacksonville in 2023 first-round draft pick Anthony Richardson’s NFL debut. The quarterback played just three more games before a season-ending shoulder injury thrust Gardner Minshew into the job.

With Minshew now starting in Las Vegas, the Colts tossed the keys back to Richardson. The game plan is to use former NFL rushing champion Jonathan Taylor and Richardson to pound away at defenses, then let Richardson take shots downfield off play-action.

“As he showed with the limited amount of snaps that he’s had, he’s shown that he could be a dynamic playmaker and running the ball,” said Houston coach DeMeco Ryans. “Also throwing the football.”

Despite Richardson’s absence over the last 13 games, Indianapolis still pieced together a top-10 scoring offense, averaging 23.3 points per game. But its defense finished 28th at 24.4 ppg, helping to keep the Colts out of the postseason.

That unit will get an immediate test in Week 1.

Houston loaded up for a championship run behind second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud. He led the Texans to a surprise division title last year, showing not only talent but poise belying his youth.

Now Stroud has more veteran weapons around him. Houston added wide receiver Stefon Diggs and a workhorse running back in Joe Mixon who can also catch the ball. The Texans aim to do with Stroud what the Buffalo Bills have done with quarterback Josh Allen — build the talent base around him and force their way to the front of the queue in the AFC.

Diggs is looking forward to a fresh start with Houston after his time ran out with the Bills. Diggs’ production fell off sharply in the final two-thirds of 2023, even though he finished with 107 catches, and he freely admits that he was in the “worst mental space” since he jumped into the NFL.

“If I’m not in a good space, obviously that’s not the best for me,” he said. “That’s when things had to start shaking out.”

The Colts own a 32-11-1 lead in the all-time series, but the Texans have won the last two matchups at Lucas Oil Stadium, including a 23-19 verdict in January that clinched a playoff berth.

–Field Level Media

Dec 26, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; UNLV Rebels head coach Barry Odom reacts against the Kansas Jayhawks during the first half at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

UNLV’s defense dominates in season-opening victory over Houston

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Matthew Sluka threw two touchdown passes and also rushed for 59 yards and Jalen Catalon had two interceptions, including one he returned 36 yards for a touchdown, as the visiting UNLV Rebels spoiled Willie Fritz’s Houston head coaching debut with a 27-7 victory over the Cougars on Saturday night in the season opener for both schools.

Sluka, a senior transfer from Holy Cross, where he earned Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2023, completed 6 of 13 passes for 71 yards and was intercepted once. All-American Jacob De Jesus caught three passes for 42 yards and two touchdowns and Jaden Bradley had two receptions for a game-high 60 yards for the Rebels. Caden Chittenden added field goals of 40 and 34 yards.

Senior linebacker Jackson Woodard, the preseason Mountain West co-Defensive Player of the Year, finished with a game-high 11 tackles, including four for loss, and had three of the Rebels’ six quarterback sacks.

Donovan Smith completed 15 of 30 passes for 135 yards and was intercepted twice and Mekhi Mews, a junior transfer from Georgia, caught three passes for 58 yards for Houston. A.J. Haulcy finished with five tackles and thwarted another UNLV scoring charge in the third quarter with an interception in the end zone and a 48-yard return.

UNLV built a 14-0 first-half lead on touchdown passes of 13 and 24 yards from Sulka to DeJesus, outgaining the Cougars 242-71 in the process.

Chittenden’s 40-yard field goal made it 17-0 at the 9:49 mark of the third quarter. Catalon made it 24-0 later in the quarter when he deflected Smith’s pass to himself in the right flat then raced 36 yards for a touchdown, his sixth career interception.

Houston drove to UNLV’s 25-yard line on its ensuing possession thanks to a 57-yard pass play from Smith to Mews. But the Cougars came away empty-handed on the drive when Jack Martin missed a 42-yard field goal.

Chittendon extended the lead to 27-0 with five minutes to go on a 34-yard field goal after Catalon’s second interception at the Houston 20.

Houston spoiled the shutout with one minute remaining when third-string quarterback Ui Ale, who drove the Cougars 90 yards in 12 plays, hit tight end Joseph Manjack IV with a two-yard touchdown pass.

–Field Level Media

Mar 28, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson (R) talks to TV commentators Grant Hill (L) and Bill Raftery (C) during practice at American Airline Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

University of Houston hires UNM’s Eddie Nunez as athletic director

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The University of Houston announced the hiring of Eddie Nunez, formerly of the University of New Mexico, as its athletic director on Saturday.

The school announced the five-year contract for Nunez, including the title of vice president for intercollegiate athletics. Vice president was a title he previously carried with the Lobos following a promotion in 2021.

Nunez will be formally introduced at a press conference in Houston on Wednesday.

“Eddie Nunez brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success during a time of great transformation in college athletics,” president Renu Khator said. “His leadership will be critical as we continue to elevate our athletics programs, enhance the student-athlete experience and build on the tremendous momentum at the University of Houston.”

Serving as New Mexico athletic director since 2017, Nunez oversaw 22 Mountain West Conference championships and 53 NCAA Tournament appearances across the school’s athletics programs.

Prior to that, Nunez worked in the athletic department at LSU for 14 years, helping to spur facility renovations and multimedia negotiations.

A native of Miami, Fla., Nunez played college basketball for the University of Florida under Billy Donovan, appearing in 13 games over two seasons (1996-98).

The Cougars’ previous athletic director was Chris Pezman, with whom the school parted ways in June..

–Field Level Media

Detroit Lions' Craig Reynolds runs into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown during the third quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC divisional round playoff game at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. Right tackle Penei Sewell (58) celebrates.

Lions re-sign RB Craig Reynolds, two others

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The Detroit Lions re-signed running back Craig Reynolds, linebacker James Houston and guard Kayode Awosika to exclusive rights contracts on Monday.

Reynolds, 27, rushed for 179 yards and a touchdown in 17 regular-season games with the Lions in 2023, adding five catches for 47 yards. He added a 1-yard TD run in the divisional playoff win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Houston, 25, has contributed eight sacks in nine games (three starts) since being drafted by the Lions in the sixth round in 2022.

Awosika, 25, appeared in 15 games (three starts) in his second season with the Lions in 2023.

Coming off last season’s 12-5 record and a trip to the NFC Championship Game, Detroit opened its voluntary offseason program on Monday.

–Field Level Media