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2022 Houston Cougars football team

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2022 Houston Cougars football
Independence Bowl champion
ConferenceAmerican Athletic Conference
Record8–5 (5–3 AAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorShannon Dawson (3rd season)
Co-offensive coordinatorBrandon Jones (4th season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorDoug Belk (4th season)
Base defense4–2–5
Home stadiumTDECU Stadium
Seasons
← 2021
2023 →
2022 American Athletic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 9 Tulane y$   7 1     12 2  
UCF y   6 2     9 5  
Cincinnati   6 2     9 4  
SMU   5 3     7 6  
Houston   5 3     8 5  
East Carolina   4 4     8 5  
Navy   4 4     4 8  
Memphis   3 5     7 6  
Tulsa   3 5     5 7  
Temple   1 7     3 9  
South Florida   0 8     1 11  
Championship: Tulane 45, UCF 28
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2022 Houston Cougars football team represented the University of Houston in the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cougars played their home games at TDECU Stadium in Houston, Texas, competing in the American Athletic Conference (The American). They were led by 4th-year head coach Dana Holgorsen. In September 2021, Houston and fellow conference members Cincinnati and UCF accepted bids to join the Big 12 Conference.[1] The schools had been contractually required to remain with The American through 2024, but all reached a separation agreement that allowed them to join the Big 12 in 2023. Accordingly, the 2022 season was the program's last season as a member of The American.[2]

Preseason

[edit]

Award watch lists

[edit]

Listed in the order that they were released

Award Player Position Year
Maxwell Award[3] Clayton Tune QB Sr.
Nathaniel Dell WR Jr.
Davey O'Brien Award[4] Clayton Tune QB Sr.
Fred Biletnikoff Award[5] Nathaniel Dell WR Jr.
John Mackey Award[6] Christian Trahan TE Sr.
Butkus Award[7] Donavan Mutin LB Sr.
Jim Thorpe Award[8] Gervarrius Owens S Sr.
Outland Trophy[9] Patrick Paul OT So.
Bronko Nagurski Trophy[10] Gervarrius Owens S Sr.
Ray Guy Award[11] Laine Wilkins P So.
Wuerffel Trophy[12] Donavan Mutin LB Sr.
Chuck Bednarik Award[13] Gervarrius Owens S Sr.
Lombardi Award[14] Patrick Paul OT So.
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award[15] Clayton Tune QB Sr.
Manning Award[16] Clayton Tune QB Sr.
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award[17] Clayton Tune QB Sr.

American Athletic Conference preseason media poll

[edit]

The American Athletic Conference preseason media poll was released at AAC Media Day on July 28, 2022.[18] The Cougars were picked to win the conference, edging defending conference champion Cincinnati by one vote.

Media poll
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Houston 243 (7)
2 Cincinnati 242 (10)
3 UCF 225 (7)
4 SMU 187
5 Memphis 162
6 East Carolina 157
7 Tulane 115
8 Tulsa 93
9 South Florida 71
10 Navy 61
11 Temple 28

Schedule

[edit]
DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 32:30 p.m.at UTSA*No. 24CBSSNW 37–35 3OT37,526
September 103:00 p.m.at Texas Tech*No. 25FS1L 30–33 2OT56,271
September 173:00 p.m.Kansas*ESPNUL 30–4830,317
September 245:00 p.m.Rice*
ESPN+W 34–2726,377
September 30[19]6:00 p.m.Tulane
  • TDECU Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPNL 24–27 OT24,319
October 76:30 p.m.at MemphisESPN2W 33–3228,126
October 2211:00 a.m.at NavyESPNUW 38–2032,443
October 2911:00 a.m.South Floridadagger
  • TDECU Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPN2W 42–2724,228
November 56:00 p.m.at SMUNFLNL 63–7723,841
November 122:00 p.m.Temple
  • TDECU Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPN+W 43–3621,731
November 191:00 p.m.at East CarolinaESPN+W 42–342,475
November 266:30 p.m.Tulsa
ESPNUL 30–3721,785
December 232:00 p.m.vs. Louisiana*ESPNW 23–1623,410

Schedule Source:[20][21]

Game summaries

[edit]

At UTSA

[edit]
Houston at UTSA
1 234OT2OT3OTTotal
No. 24 Cougars 0 7017382 37
Roadrunners 0 1473380 35
  • Date: September 3, 2022
  • Location: Alamodome (San Antonio, TX)
  • Game start: 2:37 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 4 hours and 8 minutes
  • Game attendance: 37,526
  • Game weather: 74 °F (23 °C) • Weather: Indoor
  • Referee: Hank Johns
  • TV announcers (CBSSN): Rich Waltz (play-by-play), Aaron Taylor (analyst), and Sherree Burruss (sideline)
       
Pregame line Over/under
HOU –3.5 62
Statistics Houston UTSA
First downs 20 24
Plays–yards 76–346 73–441
Rushes–yards 44–140 28–104
Passing yards 206 337
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 22–32–0 28–43–1
Time of possession 35:27 24:33
Team Category Player Statistics
Houston Passing Clayton Tune 22/32, 206 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Clayton Tune 15 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Nathaniel Dell 5 receptions, 50 yards, 2 TDs
UTSA Passing Frank Harris 28/43, 337 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Frank Harris 8 carries, 63 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Joshua Cephus 7 receptions, 106 yards, 1 TD

At Texas Tech

[edit]
Houston at Texas Tech
1 234OT2OTTotal
No. 25 Cougars 0 371073 30
Red Raiders 3 140376 33
      
Pregame line Over/under
TTU –4.0 62
Statistics Houston Texas Tech
First downs 16 35
Plays–yards 68–354 103–468
Rushes–yards 29–88 44–117
Passing yards 266 351
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 20–39–1 36–59–3
Time of possession 22:42 37:18
Team Category Player Statistics
Houston Passing Clayton Tune 20/39, 266 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Brandon Campbell 16 carries, 80 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Nathaniel Dell 7 receptions, 120 yards
Texas Tech Passing Donovan Smith 36/59, 351 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs
Rushing Tahj Brooks 18 carries, 80 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Myles Price 5 receptions, 78 yards, 1 TD

Kansas

[edit]
Kansas at Houston
1 234Total
Jayhawks 14 14146 48
Cougars 14 0133 30
  • Date: September 17, 2022
  • Location: TDECU Stadium (Houston, TX)
  • Game start: 3:01 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 4 hours and 29 minutes
  • Game attendance: 30,317
  • Game weather: 91 °F (33 °C) • Weather: Sunny
  • Referee: Tuta Salaam
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Kevin Brown (play-by-play) and Hutson Mason (analyst)
    
Pregame line Over/under
HOU –8.5 58
Statistics Kansas Houston
First downs 24 26
Plays–yards 66–438 70–446
Rushes–yards 43–280 39–174
Passing yards 158 272
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 14–23–0 22–31–1
Time of possession 31:27 28:33
Team Category Player Statistics
Kansas Passing Jalon Daniels 14/23, 158 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Jalon Daniels 12 carries, 123 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Torry Locklin 1 reception, 60 yards, 1 TD
Houston Passing Clayton Tune 22/31, 272 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Clayton Tune 16 carries, 63 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Ta'Zhawn Henry 5 receptions, 107 yards, 1 TD

Rice (Bayou Bucket Classic)

[edit]
Rice at Houston
1 234Total
Owls 0 14103 27
Cougars 7 31410 34
  • Date: September 24, 2022
  • Location: TDECU Stadium (Houston, TX)
  • Game start: 5:02 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 28 minutes
  • Game attendance: 26,377
  • Game weather: 94 °F (34 °C) • Weather: Sunny
  • Referee: Rodney Burnette
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Ted Emrich (play-by-play) and Taylor McHargue (analyst)
    
Pregame line Over/under
HOU –17.5 52
Statistics Rice Houston
First downs 22 19
Plays–yards 65–424 58–427
Rushes–yards 25–90 32–178
Passing yards 334 249
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 25–40–1 19–26–1
Time of possession 29:55 30:05
Team Category Player Statistics
Rice Passing T. J. McMahon 25/39, 334 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Kobie Campbell 1 carry, 34 yards
Receiving Bradley Rozner 5 receptions, 123 yards
Houston Passing Clayton Tune 19/26, 249 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Ta'Zhawn Henry 17 carries, 112 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Nathaniel Dell 7 receptions, 134 yards, 1 TD

Tulane

[edit]
Tulane at Houston
1 234OTTotal
Green Wave 0 7776 27
Cougars 0 70143 24
  • Date: September 30, 2022
  • Location: TDECU Stadium (Houston, TX)
  • Game start: 6:05 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 15 minutes
  • Game attendance: 24,319
  • Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C) • Weather: Sunny
  • Referee: Tim Rich
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Kirk Morrison (analyst), and Stormy Buonantony (sideline)
    
Pregame line Over/under
HOU –5.5 52
Statistics Tulane Houston
First downs 14 22
Plays–yards 54–273 81–383
Rushes–yards 28–84 48–175
Passing yards 189 208
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 16–26–0 22–33–0
Time of possession 23:05 36:55
Team Category Player Statistics
Tulane Passing Kai Horton 11/21, 132 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Tyjae Spears 14 carries, 54 yards
Receiving Tyjae Spears 6 receptions, 85 yards, 1 TD
Houston Passing Clayton Tune 22/33, 208 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing Brandon Campbell 19 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Nathaniel Dell 8 receptions, 73 yards, 2 TDs

At Memphis

[edit]
Houston at Memphis
1 234Total
Cougars 0 7026 33
Tigers 14 3312 32
  • Date: October 7, 2022
  • Location: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium (Memphis, TN)
  • Game start: 6:30 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 41 minutes
  • Game attendance: 28,126
  • Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: N 10 MPH
  • Referee: Hank Johns
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Roy Philpott (play-by-play), Andre Ware (analyst), and Paul Carcaterra (sideline)
    
Pregame line Over/under
MEM –1.5 57.5
Statistics Houston Memphis
First downs 25 25
Plays–yards 80–463 75–438
Rushes–yards 23–97 41–156
Passing yards 366 282
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 36–57–1 21–32–0
Time of possession 26:22 33:38
Team Category Player Statistics
Houston Passing Clayton Tune 36/57, 366 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Brandon Campbell 12 carries, 53 yards
Receiving Sam Brown 9 receptions, 116 yards
Memphis Passing Seth Henigan 21/32, 241 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Jevyon Ducker 10 carries, 38 yards
Receiving Gabriel Rogers 5 receptions, 71 yards

At Navy

[edit]
Houston at Navy
1 234Total
Cougars 14 7107 38
Midshipmen 0 776 20
     
Pregame line Over/under
HOU –3.0 51.0
Statistics Houston Navy
First downs 23 16
Plays–yards 64–441 63–326
Rushes–yards 34–180 50–201
Passing yards 261 125
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 21–30–0 6–13–2
Time of possession 28:12 31:48
Team Category Player Statistics
Houston Passing Clayton Tune 21/30, 261 yards, 5 TDs
Rushing Stacy Sneed 20 carries, 100 yards
Receiving Nathaniel Dell 8 receptions, 93 yards, 2 TDs
Navy Passing Tai Lavatai 6/13, 125 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing Daba Fofana 20 carries, 89 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Jayden Umbarger 2 receptions, 93 yards, 1 TD

South Florida

[edit]
South Florida at Houston
1 234Total
Bulls 14 076 27
Cougars 14 1477 42
  • Date: October 29, 2022
  • Location: TDECU Stadium (Houston, TX)
  • Game start: 11:01 a.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 10 minutes
  • Game attendance: 24,228
  • Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C) • Weather: Cloudy
  • Referee: Nate Black
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Kirk Morrison (analyst), and Stormy Buonantony (sideline)
    
Pregame line Over/under
HOU –17.5 59
Statistics South Florida Houston
First downs 25 23
Plays–yards 65–429 64–490
Rushes–yards 31–154 25–103
Passing yards 275 387
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 24–34–0 33–39–0
Time of possession 29:53 30:07
Team Category Player Statistics
South Florida Passing Katravis Marsh 24/34, 275 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Brian Battie 12 carries, 106 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Xavier Weaver 7 receptions, 84 yards
Houston Passing Clayton Tune 31/37, 380 yards, 4 TDs
Rushing Stacy Sneed 10 carries, 60 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Nathaniel Dell 9 receptions, 112 yards, 2 TDs

At SMU

[edit]
Houston at SMU
1 234Total
Cougars 14 211414 63
Mustangs 21 35714 77
    
Pregame line Over/under
SMU –3.5 66
Statistics Houston SMU
First downs 34 31
Plays–yards 71–710 83–642
Rushes–yards 17–182 46–263
Passing yards 528 379
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 37–54–3 28–37–0
Time of possession 28:28 31:32
Team Category Player Statistics
Houston Passing Clayton Tune 36/53, 527 yards, 7 TDs, 3 INTs
Rushing Clayton Tune 12 rushes, 111 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Nathaniel Dell 13 receptions, 180 yards, 2 TDs
SMU Passing Tanner Mordecai 28/37, 379 yards, 9 TDs
Rushing Tyler Lavine 25 rushes, 146 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Dylan Goffney 3 receptions, 100 yards, 1 TD

Temple

[edit]
Temple at Houston
1 234Total
Owls 7 12710 36
Cougars 0 141415 43
  • Date: November 12, 2022
  • Location: TDECU Stadium (Houston, TX)
  • Game start: 2:02 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 22 minutes
  • Game attendance: 21,731
  • Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C) • Weather: Sunny
  • Referee: Edwin Lee
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Richard Cross, Taylor McHargue
    
Pregame line Over/under
HOU –20.0 56
Statistics Temple Houston
First downs 33 25
Plays–yards 85–533 66–485
Rushes–yards 26–47 26–196
Passing yards 486 289
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 42–59–0 29–40–1
Time of possession 31:44 28:16
Team Category Player Statistics
Temple Passing E.J. Warner 42/59, 486 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Darvon Hubbard 4 carries, 26 yards
Receiving Jose Barbon 8 receptions, 128 yards
Houston Passing Clayton Tune 29/40, 289 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Stacy Sneed 11 carries, 143 yards
Receiving Nathaniel Dell 12 receptions, 98 yards, 1 TD

At East Carolina

[edit]
Houston at East Carolina
1 234Total
Cougars 7 14147 42
Pirates 0 030 3
  • Date: November 19, 2022
  • Location: Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium (Greenville, NC)
  • Game start: 1:00 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 15 minutes
  • Game attendance: 42,475
  • Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C) • Weather: Sunny • N 2 MPH
  • Referee: Kevin Randall
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Richard Cross, Taylor McHargue
    
Pregame line Over/under
ECU –6.0 66.5
Statistics Houston East Carolina
First downs 27 13
Plays–yards 68–515 57–315
Rushes–yards 24–80 22–118
Passing yards 435 197
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 32–44–1 17–35–0
Time of possession 30:42 29:18
Team Category Player Statistics
Houston Passing Clayton Tune 32/44, 435 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Clayton Tune 6 carries, 43 yards
Receiving Nathaniel Dell 9 receptions, 176 yards, 1 TD
East Carolina Passing Holton Ahlers 15/30, 182 yards
Rushing Keaton Mitchell 14 carries, 129 yards
Receiving Jsi Hatfield 2 receptions, 68 yards

Tulsa

[edit]
Tulsa at Houston
1 234Total
Golden Hurricane 3 17710 37
Cougars 14 1033 30
  • Date: November 26, 2022
  • Location: TDECU Stadium (Houston, TX)
  • Game start: 6:35 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 35 minutes
  • Game attendance: 21,785
  • Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C)
  • Referee: Hank Johns
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Beth Mowins, Kirk Morrison, Stormy Buonantony
    
Pregame line Over/under
HOU –12.0 67
Statistics Tulsa Houston
First downs 19 24
Plays–yards 75–431 70–506
Rushes–yards 32–115 23–120
Passing yards 316 386
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 25–43–0 26–47–1
Time of possession 29:37 30:23
Team Category Player Statistics
Tulsa Passing Braylon Braxton 25/43, 316 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Braylon Braxton 11 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD
Receiving JuanCarlos Santana 6 receptions, 169 yards, 2 TDs
Houston Passing Clayton Tune 26/47, 386 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Ta'Zhawn Henry 9 carries, 54 yards
Receiving Nathaniel Dell 9 receptions, 161 yards, 1 TD

Vs. Louisiana (Independence Bowl)

[edit]
Houston vs. Louisiana
1 234Total
Cougars 0 6710 23
Ragin' Cajuns 7 900 16
  • Date: December 23, 2022
  • Location: Independence Stadium
    Shreveport, LA
  • Game start: 2:00 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 36 minutes
  • Game attendance: 23,410
  • Game weather: 25 °F (−4 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NW 15 MPH
  • Referee: Scott Hardin
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Neal (play–by–play), Deuce McAllister (analyst), and Harry Lyles Jr. (sideline reporter)
    
Pregame line Over/under
HOU –5.0 58.0
Statistics Houston Louisiana
First downs 21 21
Total yards 363 323
Rushing yards 139 129
Passing yards 224 194
Turnovers 0 3
Time of possession 30:19 29:41
Team Category Player Statistics
Houston Passing Clayton Tune 19/28, 224 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Clayton Tune 11 carries, 55 yards
Receiving KeSean Carter 4 receptions, 112 yards, 1 TD
Louisiana Passing Chandler Fields 17/25, 169 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Chris Smith 14 carries, 48 yards
Receiving Lance Legendre 5 receptions, 56 yards

Awards and milestones

[edit]

Rankings

[edit]
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP2425
Coaches25RVRV
CFPNot releasedNot released

References

[edit]
  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. ^ Yanez, Armando. "Dell, Tune on Maxwell Watch List". uhcougars.com. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  4. ^ "Tune Named to Davey O'Brien Award Watch List". uhcougars.com. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  5. ^ "Dell Named to Biletnikoff Award Watch List". uhcougars.com. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  6. ^ "Trio of Captains Earn Preseason Praise". uhcougars.com. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  7. ^ "Trio of Captains Earn Preseason Praise". uhcougars.com. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  8. ^ "Trio of Captains Earn Preseason Praise". uhcougars.com. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  9. ^ "Paul Named to Outland Watch List". uhcougars.com. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  10. ^ "Owens Earns Nagurski Recognition". uhcougars.com. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  11. ^ "Wilkins Among Ray Guy Award Watch List Honorees". uhcougars.com. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  12. ^ Brassell, Tom. "Wuerffel Trophy Unveils Watch List For 2022". wuerffeltrophy.org. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  13. ^ Yanez, Armando. "Owens Selected to Bednarik Award Watch List". uhcougars.com. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  14. ^ "Paul Named to Lombardi Watchlist". uhcougars.com. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  15. ^ "Miller on Earl Campbell award watch list". news-journal.com. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  16. ^ "Allstate Sugar Bowl Announces Manning Award Watch List". allstatesugarbowl.org. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  17. ^ "The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Unveils 2022 Watch List". goldenarmfoundation.com. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  18. ^ "Houston Edges Cincinnati as Favorite in 2022 Preseason Media Poll". theAmerican.org. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  19. ^ Houston-Tulane Game Set for Sept. 30. UH football, 24 Mar 2022. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  20. ^ "2022 Houston Cougars Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  21. ^ "2022 Houston Football Schedule". uhcougars.com.