Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Rams tight ends coach Nick Caley against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Reports: Texans hiring Rams assistant Nick Caley as offensive coordinator

The Houston Texans are hiring Los Angeles Rams assistant coach Nick Caley as their offensive coordinator, according to multiple media reports on Monday.

Caley, 42, served the past two seasons as the Rams’ tight ends coach and added the responsibility of pass game coordinator in 2024.

He replaces Bobby Slowik, who was fired after two seasons in Houston.

Caley spent eight years with the New England Patriots as a tight ends coach (2017-22), TEs and fullbacks coach (2020-21) and an offensive assistant (2015-16).

The native of Canton, Ohio, previously coached in the college ranks from 2005-14.

–Field Level Media

UTEP head football coach Dana Dimel before facing Liberty on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, at the Sun Bowl Stadium.

Illinois assistant Dana Dimel, longtime college coach, dies

Dana Dimel, an assistant coach at Illinois and formerly the head coach at Wyoming, Houston and UTEP, died Tuesday morning, his family announced. He was 62.

Dimel’s agent, Pete Roussel, said on social media that Dimel passed away in his sleep.

The coach spent this season as a senior offensive assistant on Bret Bielema’s staff at Illinois. He also was a longtime assistant coach for Bill Snyder at Kansas State.

“Obviously, we are very saddened by the passing of Dana. He was a special friend and coaching companion,” Snyder said in a statement. “I admired his passion for helping his players and fellow coaches. He was a big part of the development of the Kansas State football program, and along with his wife Julie, very meaningful in the Manhattan community.”

Dimel began his coaching career in 1987 at Kansas State, his alma mater, and was on staff there until Wyoming (1997-99) named him its head coach. He also was the head coach at Houston (2000-02) and returned to Kansas State before being hired to lead UTEP (2018-23).

Dimel had a career head coaching record of 50-88 before joining the Fighting Illini.

“Today is a difficult day for college football and our Illini (family),” Bielema said in a statement. “Dana was an exceptional person, husband, father, friend, and football coach. He affected the lives of countless coaches, players, and staff members for more than three decades in college football.

“His influence on our program was incredible to witness and be a part of. His infectious positive energy had a major impact on me, our players, and everyone in our building every day. He will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 23, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Jake Retzlaff, No. 19 BYU overcome Houston’s early lead

Jake Retzlaff passed for 167 yards and added two rushing touchdowns as No. 19 BYU rode a stifling defensive performance to a 30-18 win over the Houston Cougars in Provo, Utah, on Saturday.

Retzlaff scored on runs of 13 and 7 yards, the latter coming with 2:52 remaining in the game to help BYU (10-2, 7-2 Big 12) reclaim its two-possession advantage. Houston (4-8, 3-6) had clawed to within six points earlier in the fourth quarter before Jack Kelly and Blake Mangelson teamed for the biggest defensive play of the contest for BYU.

With Houston facing fourth-and-7 at the BYU 44, Kelly sacked Houston quarterback Zeon Chriss and forced a fumble. After a mad scramble, Mangelson made the recovery at the Houston 18.

Five plays later, Retzlaff scored on third down to secure the victory for BYU, which was eliminated from Big 12 title game contention when Iowa State defeated Kansas State earlier.

Chriss passed for 156 yards and, like Retzlaff, ran for two scores. He was intercepted once.

After securing a 10-7 lead, Houston slipped into an extended offensive drought. Including a one-play drive that concluded the first half, Houston amassed 55 yards over six possessions. BYU flipped the three-point deficit into a 14-point lead before Houston suddenly responded.

Chriss capped a 12-play, 69-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. His subsequent pass to Mekhi Mews resulted in a successful two-point conversion that pulled Houston to within 24-18 with 8:34 to play. When BYU followed with three incomplete passes and a 17-second possession, Houston had its shot.

Chriss supplied Houston a 7-0 lead with his 3-yard touchdown run at the 1:47 mark of the first quarter. But Houston squandered the momentum from its 10-play, 80-yard drive by attempting an onside kick that BYU’s Talan Alfrey returned 58 yards for a touchdown seven seconds later.

Trailing 10-7 early in the second quarter, BYU came to life with a pair of touchdown drives en route to a 21-10 halftime lead. Sione I Moa and Retzlaff produced scoring runs of 6 and 13 yards, respectively, with Retzlaff capping a 6-play, 80-yard drive that took only 50 seconds.

Houston, which entered last in FBS in scoring offense, totaled only 250 yards.

–Field Level Media

Nov 23, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

No. 19 BYU clinging to Big 12 hopes entering finale vs. Houston

After back-to-back losses essentially eliminated BYU from College Football Playoff contention, the Cougars must win their season finale against Houston on Saturday in Provo, Utah, and then hope for favorable scenarios to unfold to clinch a spot in the Big 12 title game and keep its slim CFP hopes alive.

BYU (9-2, 6-2 Big 12) fell into a four-way tie atop the league with its 28-23 road loss to Arizona State and fell five spots in the CFP rankings to No. 19, three behind the Sun Devils and one below Iowa State, both 6-2 in the Big 12. No. 25 Colorado is also tied for first in the league. Arizona State and Iowa State are the most likely title-game participants based on projections.

“All I care about is focusing on the seniors and trying to control the things we can control, which is how we play this weekend and how we prepare, and then we’ll just see what happens afterward,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said. “The goal is to try and go 1-0 this week. That’s got to be our primary goal and then we’ll deal with the results of how that affects everything else from then on.”

BYU was undefeated before an upset home loss to Kansas on Nov. 16. The Cougars surrendered prime position with a second loss to Arizona State, forcing a reset of their goals.

“Obviously we would like the situation we’re in to be better but I don’t know how many thought we’d be sitting here at 9-2 at this time,” Sitake said. “But now we’re dealing with reality, which is we’re sitting here in this position and we can control what we can control, which is this week.”

BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff passed for 346 yards last week, two off his season high. But he has thrown three picks to just two touchdowns in the Cougars’ pair of losses.

Houston (4-7, 3-5 Big 12) will conclude a disappointing first season under coach Willie Fritz, whose otherworldly success at Tulane did not immediately translate. Houston’s 20-10 loss to Baylor last Saturday marked its second consecutive defeat, which stifled the momentum generated by three wins in four games before a 24-point loss at Arizona on Nov. 15.

“This is our bowl game in my opinion,” Fritz said. “We want to do the best we possibly can in preparation and go out and play great on Saturday night, national TV, in front of a full house I imagine.”

Fritz on Tuesday announced the dismissal of offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay. Quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator Shawn Bell was named interim offensive coordinator and will handle the play-calling duties against BYU.

Houston enters its season finale last among 134 FBS teams in scoring at 13.6 points per game and 129th in total offense with 291.5 yards per game. Current starting quarterback Zeon Chriss has amassed just 668 passing yards with four touchdowns and seven picks, though he’s added 376 yards and two scores on the ground.

Before relieving Barbay of his duties, Fritz outlined how the Cougars might cultivate more success on offense against BYU.

“There are some things we’re looking at this week but more importantly, we’ve got to do a great job with the execution,” Fritz said. “For that to be as good as you want it to be you’ve got to work on it all week.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 20, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA;  Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre (5) tries to bat down a pass as he closes in on Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10)  at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Tork Mason/Green Bay Press-Gazette via the USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin-Imagn Images

Report: Texans S Jalen Pitre (pectoral) expected out for weeks

Houston Texans starting safety Jalen Pitre is expected to be out multiple weeks after partially tearing a pectoral muscle on Sunday in the 32-27 home loss to the Tennessee Titans, NFL Network reported on Monday afternoon.

Pitre won’t have surgery at this point, according to the report, and his return is to be determined, including the possibility of playing later this season.

Pitre, 25, has started all 12 games this season for the Texans and has 65 tackles, six tackles for loss, one interception, eight passes defended and one forced fumble. He has started all 44 games he has played in his career and has totaled 296 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, six interceptions, one sack, 21 passes defended, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Houston selected Pitre in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He made the NFL All-Rookie Team that season.

The Texans (7-5) visit the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, then have their bye week before four more games to complete their regular-season schedule.

–Field Level Media

Nov 23, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; DUPLICATE***Baylor Bears place kicker Isaiah Hankins (98) celebrates with long snapper Garrison Grimes (26) after making a field goal during the fourth quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Baylor tops Houston, still has shot to make Big 12 title game

Sawyer Robertson threw two touchdown passes, Bryson Washington rushed 28 times for 113 yards and Baylor stayed alive for a berth in the Big 12 championship game by defeating host Houston 20-10 on Saturday night.

Baylor (7-4, 5-3) is one of nine teams with a mathematical chance to play for the Big 12 title with one week remaining in the regular season. The Bears got help from losses by other opponents earlier in the day, then took care of business by holding an inept Houston offense to 239 yards.

Robertson finished 15-of-23 passing for 204 yards and threw three interceptions. Tight end Michael Trigg had four catches for 96 yards and a score and Ashtyn Hawkins added six receptions for 65 yards and a TD.

Zeon Chriss completed 13 of 24 passes for 126 yards and three picks for Houston (4-7, 3-5). Jeremiah Wilson had two interceptions in the first quarter and returned the latter for the Cougars’ only touchdown of the game.

Both quarterbacks threw an interception on their first drives of the game, with Devyn Bobby picking off Chriss’ pass in the end zone.

On third-and-goal from the 5-yard line, Robertson threw a high pass to Trigg, who made a difficult one-handed grab despite tight coverage. Trigg tucked the ball behind his back as he landed for a stylish touchdown.

Two Baylor drives later, Robertson passed to the left sideline and Wilson jumped in front of it for his second pick of the first quarter. He hustled 41 yards for a game-tying touchdown with 32 seconds left in the period.

Not long after Trigg made another one-handed catch for a 42-yard gain, the Bears had a third-and-goal at the 2-yard line in the final minute of the half. They attempted a direct snap to Washington but the snap sailed over his head and he ran back to fall on it, a loss of a 25.

Isaiah Hankins’ 45-yard field goal as time expired gave Baylor a 17-7 halftime lead.

Houston wasted a 13-play drive that lasted 6:45 to open the third quarter, as Jack Martin missed a 47-yard field-goal attempt.

After forcing a three-and-out, the Cougars marched 74 yards on another 13-play drive, the drive lasting into the fourth quarter. Martin connected from 24 yards to trim Houston’s deficit to 17-10 with 14:52 to play.

With 6:26 left, Chriss’ pass was tipped high in the air and Lorando Johnson came down with the interception in Houston territory. Baylor made it a two-possession game with Hankins’ 50-yard field goal, effectively quashing any hopes of a comeback.

–Field Level Media

Houston Cougars head coach Willie Fritz on the field before the game against the Utah Utes at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Starved for points, Houston bracing for high-scoring Baylor

Eligible for a bowl game thanks to his team’s four-game winning streak, Baylor coach Dave Aranda was informed he will return in 2025.

The Bears are vying to keep those good vibes going into their next Big 12 test at Houston on Saturday.

Baylor (6-4, 4-3 Big 12) outgunned West Virginia 49-35 last week to continue its turnaround from a 2-4 start. That same day, a school spokesperson said Aranda — whose Bears went 6-7 and 3-9 in the two seasons since winning the 2021 Big 12 title and the Sugar Bowl — will return next season.

“I feel like they’ve had my back the whole way,” Aranda said Monday of the endorsement.

Sawyer Robertson threw for a career-high 329 yards and three touchdowns against West Virginia. Bryson Washington racked up 123 rushing yards, five receptions for 59 yards and four total touchdowns — his second straight game with four.

“There’s some good energy and confidence right now with the team,” Aranda said. “For sure, they see the challenge ahead with a really strong Houston team, I want to say defensively particularly. Their front is probably the best that we’ve played or that we’re gonna play.”

Averaging 45.8 points per game during its winning streak, the Bears are trying to tighten things up defensively. They’ve allowed a hefty 33 points per game in the same stretch.

But the Bears might get a breather with Houston ranked second-to-last in the FBS in scoring at 14.0 points per game.

The Cougars (4-6, 3-4) fell 27-3 to Arizona last Friday and now must win out to become bowl-eligible. That means beating both Baylor and BYU, which is No. 14 in the College Football Playoff rankings after losing to Kansas.

“I don’t talk about it much,” Houston coach Willie Fritz said. “I just want to play as good as we can against Baylor. That’s all I’m worried about. … This is a really good team that’s on a good roll right now. They’re playing excellent on offense.”

To illustrate the struggles of Houston’s passing game, Zeon Chriss’ 191 passing yards in the loss to Arizona marked the Cougars’ second-best team total since Sept. 14. On three occasions, Houston has failed to hit 100 passing yards.

Baylor and Houston played last year for the first time since 1995. Houston won on the road, 25-24, after converting a two-point conversion on its first possession of overtime.

–Field Level Media

Nov 18, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA;  Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (28) celebrates with Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) after scoring a touchdown  during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Texans look to continue winning ways against visiting Titans

The Houston Texans hope their midseason malaise is behind them and they get the chance to prove it when they host the lowly Tennessee Titans in an AFC South clash on Sunday.

The Texans (7-4) hold a two-game division lead over the Indianapolis Colts despite recently losing three of four games, including blowing a 16-point halftime lead in a loss to the Detroit Lions.

But Houston roared to a dominating 34-10 road victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night, perhaps signaling the team is ready to go on a roll. In fact, the Texans visit a Jacksonville Jaguars team in disarray in Week 13 before having a bye week.

Just don’t mention the word “playoffs” anywhere near Texans coach DeMeco Ryans.

“I just want our guys to remain focused, remain locked in on the task at hand each week,” Ryans told reporters. “If we do that, we’re a really good football team. We can play with anybody. It’s just about finishing.”

Quarterback C.J. Stroud passed for 257 yards and was intercepted once against Dallas. Big-play receiver Nico Collins returned from a five-game absence due to a hamstring injury to catch four passes for 54 yards.

But the big reason for the trampling of the Cowboys was running back Joe Mixon, who rushed for three touchdowns and had 153 yards from scrimmage. His 109 on the ground represented his fifth 100-yard outing in the past six games.

“When he’s on, Joe’s a force,” Ryans said. “I liked the way we just kept churning it in the run game. And I’m proud of the guys for stepping up to the challenge.”

Houston expects to have star Will Anderson Jr. (ankle) after a two-game absence. Anderson, who was limited in Wednesday’s practices, shares the team lead of 7.5 sacks with fellow defensive end Danielle Hunter.

The Titans (2-8) lack an identity after the offseason departure of franchise icon Derrick Henry, the star running back.

Tennessee has lost six games by double digits as it begins back-to-back road games against the Texans and Washington Commanders.

Star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons is putting on a brave face. He liked the effort in last Sunday’s 23-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

“The fight this team showed, especially in the second half, is why you want to play this game,” Simmons said. “No matter what the record may be, that’s why I come to work, and I’m ready to go to war with my guys.”

Quarterback Will Levis passed for a season-best 295 yards against the Vikings. One third of them came on one play when Nick Westbrook-Ikhine caught a pass at his own 40-yard line and raced down the right sideline for a 98-yard scoring play.

Levis completed just 17 of 31 passes and was intercepted once. He isn’t thrilled that Tennessee ranks 28th in the NFL in scoring offense (17 points per game) and 25th in total offense (295.4 yards per game).

“You have to just continue coming to work, knowing that how you approach your job and how you approach your day-to-day are the habits that create winning football,” Levis said Wednesday. “And, we just have to know that if we just keep doing those things, then the wins are going to come.”

Titans standout cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (quadriceps) will not play on Sunday, according to coach Brian Callahan.

He and receiver Calvin Ridley (illness) were among nine Titans to miss Wednesday’s practice due to injury or illness. Among the others to sit out were defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day (biceps) and running back Tyjae Spears (concussion).

Linebacker Jack Gibbens (ankle) underwent season-ending surgery earlier this week and will be placed on injured reserve. He was injured and subsequently carted off the field during the loss to Minnesota.

Houston defensive end Denico Autry (knee/oblique) sat out Wednesday’s session. Defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi (foot) and offensive tackle Blake Fisher (concussion) also missed practice.

The Texans have won the past three meetings. The teams will meet again in the final week of the regular season at Nashville.

–Field Level Media

Nov 15, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (11) throws the ball during the first quarter against the Houston Cougars at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Noah Fifita tosses 2 TDs as Arizona beats Houston to end skid

Arizona’s Noah Fifita passed for two touchdowns, Tyler Loop kicked a school-record 62-yard field goal and the Wildcats snapped a five-game losing streak with a 27-3 victory over Houston on Friday night in Tucson, Ariz.

Fifita completed 20 of 35 passes for 224 yards for the Wildcats (4-6, 2-5 Big 12), who never trailed and went up 27-3 on Quali Conley’s 50-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter. Conley had scored on a 13-yard reception earlier in the quarter.

Houston (4-6, 3-4), which entered the game third-to-last nationally in scoring (15.2 points per game), committed three turnovers and turned the ball over on downs four times, including on fourth-and-goal from the 1 in the second quarter and on a fake punt near midfield in the third quarter.

Loop ended the first half with his 62-yard field goal, breaking the Arizona record of 57, held by four players. Loop added a 51-yard field goal in the third quarter.

Conley finished with 107 yards on 11 carries. Tetairoa McMillan caught six passes for 70 yards and a touchdown. Arizona safety Genesis Smith had an interception and a fumble recovery to go with seven tackles, 1.5 for loss.

Houston, which had won three of its previous four games, failed to reach double-digit points for the fourth time this season. The Cougars’ final scoring chance was thwarted on a fumble inside the Arizona 10 with 4:27 to go.

Cougars quarterback Zeon Chriss completed 16 of 27 passes for 191 yards with an interception. He also rushed for 55 yards on 18 carries.

The Wildcats struck first on a 33-yard touchdown pass to McMillan midway through the first quarter as Fifita scrambled to his left and heaved a pass to the back of the end zone. Arizona preserved the lead early in the second quarter by breaking up a pass on fourth-and-goal from the 1.

Arizona squandered a chance with about four minutes to go before half when holder Michael Salgado-Medina dropped the snap on a 28-yard field-goal attempt.

Houston’s Jack Martin kicked a 49-yard field goal to make it 7-3 with 42 seconds to go before halftime before the Wildcats moved into position for Loop’s 62-yarder. He is 5 of 7 this season on field goals of 50-plus yards.

–Field Level Media

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) against the Colorado Buffalos at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Sub-.500 Arizona, Houston maintain bowl aim

Arizona attempts to halt a five-game losing streak when it hosts improving Houston on Friday night in Tucson, Ariz.

The Wildcats (3-6, 1-5 Big 12) are trying to keep alive bowl hopes after starting the season No. 21 in the AP Top 25 poll. Injuries and an uneven transition to new head coach Brent Brennan dashed high expectations, as Arizona has lost three in a row at home.

Arizona hasn’t provided enough help on offense for wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (63 catches, 1,066 yards, six TDs). The Wildcats are averaging 17.3 points in their past eight games; opponents are putting up 30.1 per game.

“This last stretch of brotherhood, how do you want this to end?” Brennan said of the message to his team since a 56-12 loss at UCF on Nov. 2. “I think that’s something they all lean into heavily. Attacking the work and finishing the right way is what everyone in the program should be all about right now.”

The Cougars (4-5, 3-3) have had season-long issues on offense — they average 15.2 points per game, third-worst in the country — but have been better since turning to sophomore quarterback Zeon Chriss four games ago. He helped lead a 30-19 victory at TCU, and Houston has won three of its past four, including narrow home wins over Utah and then-No. 17 Kansas State.

Now, the Cougars are dreaming of the postseason, finishing against Baylor at home and then at BYU.

“I just try and focus on each game,” coach Willie Fritz said. “We’re 100 percent focused on Arizona. I think that’s the way to do it. Everybody can say these what-ifs and all these other kinds of stuff. We’re not at that point in our program to do stuff like that, and I probably never will anyway.”

Chriss was 11-for-11 passing in the 24-19 victory over Kansas State, throwing for 103 yards and a touchdown. He also was the team’s leading rusher with 75 yards on 22 attempts, including a 41-yard touchdown for the winning points with 2:31 to go.

He will be the focus of an Arizona defense that has lost three of its best players to injuries — linebacker Jacob Manu, defensive back Treydan Stukes and safety Gunner Maldonado.

–Field Level Media