Saturday, November 25
Orlando, Fla.
11 a.m. CT
University of Houston
at
UCF
Game Preview: UCF
11/24/2023 9:00:00 AM | Football
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Houston heads to the Theme Park Capital of the World for season finale
ORLANDO, Fla. – Houston Football looks to close out its inaugural Big 12 Conference season on a high note at UCF on Saturday. The Space Series game is set to kick off at 11 a.m. CT on FS1.
| GAME 12 – UCF |
Houston (4-7, 2-6 Big 12) at UCF (5-6, 2-6 Big 12)
Saturday | 11 a.m. CT / Noon ET
FBC Mortgage Stadium | Orlando, Fla.
Broadcast: FS1
Radio: KPRC AM 950
| WHAT TO WATCH FOR |
- Houston defensive back Isaiah Hamilton registered a 57-yard pick-six last time out against Oklahoma State. Hamilton ranks 11th nationally with four interceptions. In his final home game, senior linebacker Malik Robinson forced an Oklahoma State safety. UH's Donovan Smith became the seventh Big 12 quarterback to notch a passing touchdown (60 yards), rushing touchdown (31 yards) and receiving touchdown (28 yards) in just one game. Smith is just the third FBS player this season to accomplish the feat.
- Houston's 11 road victories since the start of the 2021 season are tied for fourth nationally. The Cougars picked up their first Big 12 Conference road victory in their last away contest, defeating Baylor, 25-24, in overtime on a go-ahead, game-winning 2-point conversion rush from quarterback Donovan Smith on Nov. 4.
- When Saturday's contest is complete, the Cougars will start their 281-day countdown and preparation for their 2024 season opener against UNLV (Aug. 31, 2024) at TDECU Stadium. Houston's 2024 Big 12 schedule will feature home games against Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas State and Utah, alongside visits to Arizona, BYU, Cincinnati, Kansas and TCU.
- Houston expects to return an abundance of production in 2024. Student-athletes anticipated to be back (with eligibility remaining) have accounted for 100% of total offense, 100% of rushing yards, 99% of scoring and 97% of receiving yards. Houston's top five leaders in all-purpose yards are all underclassmen.
- UH, among four Big 12 newcomers, is finding out first hand the strength of the league. At 2-6 in Big 12 play, Houston owns two wins vs. teams previously in the conference (West Virginia and Baylor). Fellow newcomers BYU, Cincinnati and UCF are a combined 2-17 against preceding league members. BYU defeated Texas Tech, 27-14, on Oct. 21 and UCF thumped Oklahoma State, 45-3, on Nov. 11.
| FIVE THINGS TO KNOW |
- Just nine current UH student-athletes logged snaps the last time the two teams faced off – which came on Halloween 2020 in front of 8,630 spectators (25% capacity; COVID) inside TDECU Stadium. Four Cougars registered stats – three defensively and one on special teams. Punter Laine Wilkins booted the ball six times for a 45.0 average. Malik Robinson (4), Chidozie Nwankwo (2) and Hasaan Hypolite (1) registered tackles. Starters included Reuben Unjie (left tackle), Jack Freeman (center) and Nwankwo (nose guard).
- Saturday's trip will be full circle for defensive lineman Nelson Ceaser who made his collegiate debut with 13 special teams snaps on Nov. 2, 2019, at UCF. Ceaser is among four Cougars with previous playing experience at UCF from 2019, joining Jack Freeman (started at center; 82 snaps), Kelan Walker (seven snaps on kick return) and Max Banes (23 snaps at right guard; five snaps on field goal/extra point kick).
- Five Cougars hail from the state of Florida, including Orlando native and starting running back Tony Mathis Jr. Mathis started his career at West Virginia (2019-22) before joining UH this season. Houston left tackle Reuben Unije (Bradenton), defensive back Brian George (Belle Glade), offensive lineman Shamar Hobdy-Lee (Tampa) and long snapper Quillan Jimenez (Sickles) are also native Floridians.
- Saturday marks Houston's second and final trip outside the state of Texas this season (Oct. 28 at Kansas State). It is also just the third flight (Sept. 30 at Texas Tech; Oct. 28 at Kansas State) for the Cougars. Houston's 10 games played in the state of Texas this season were its most since 1990 and its seven on-campus games were the program's most since 2015.
- The Cougars are 47-29-1 all-time in regular season finales but have lost six of the last nine. Houston looks to cap its season with a victory after failing to reach a bowl game for the first time since 2019 and second time in the last 11 seasons. Entering the season, the Cougars' 15 bowl appearances since 2005 are tied with TCU for the most in Texas.
| SCOUTING UCF |
- The Knights are looking to earn their sixth win of the season on Saturday against the Cougars to become bowl eligible for the eighth consecutive year and the 14th time in program history. In 12 seasons as a head coach, Gus Malzahn's teams have been bowl eligible every season.
- UCF's offense continues to rank among the nation's best, as the Knights are sixth in the country and lead the Big 12 Conference in total offense, averaging 493.7 yards per game. The Knights have surpassed 400 yards in eight of their 11 games this season, headlined by 723 yards in the season opener against Kent State, the second-most yards by any team in the country this year in a single game. The Black and Gold tallied 592 yards, the most by UCF in a Big 12 game this season, against then-No. 15 Oklahoma State, which is the most the Cowboys have allowed in a game this year.
- The Knights are third nationally in rushing offense with 234.1 rushing yards per game. UCF has rushed for 200 or more yards in eight of its 11 games this season, highlighted by 389 rushing yards in the season opener against Kent State, the seventh most by an FBS team this season and the second highest mark in the Big 12. The Knights have rushed for 140 or more yards in each game this season, one of only two teams nationally to accomplish the feat, joining West Virginia.
- UCF's RJ Harvey was tabbed a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, which is presented annually to the nation's best running back. He ranks 10th nationally in rushing yards with 1,160 and seventh in rushing TDs with 14. Harvey is the first Knights running back to surpass 1,000 yards since 2018.
- UCF leads the Big 12 and ranks sixth nationally in passing yards per completion with 15.11 and the Knights' defense paces the conference and ranks 41st in the nation in fewest passing yards allowed per game at 209.5.
| LAST TIME AGAINST UCF |
- UCF scored 21 fourth quarter points to help defeat Houston 44-21 at TDECU Stadium on Halloween in 2020.
- Houston quarterback Clayton Tune threw for 263 yards, and UCF's Dillon Gabriel threw for 328 yards as UCF's offense put up 681 yards of total offense in the game compared to Houston's 434 yards.
- Chidozie Nwankwo, Hasaan Hypolite and Malik Robinson recorded at least one tackle in the 2020 meeting.
| A HOUSTON WIN WOULD |
- Be Houston's first against UCF since Oct. 29, 2016, at TDECU Stadium.
- Give the Cougars their first win against UCF in Orlando since Oct. 24, 2015.
- Snap Houston's two-game losing streak and be the program's fifth victory of the season.
- Give Houston its second Big 12 Conference road victory (Nov. 4 at Baylor).
| COOGS ON THE ROAD |
- The UH Alumni Association and Cougar Pride invite you to hit the road with us as we rally to support the Cougars as they take on the UCF Knights. This is your chance to experience the camaraderie, excitement and spirit that comes with being part of the Cougar community.
- Welcome Reception and basketball watch party – Friday, Nov. 24
- Harp and Celt Irish Pub and Restaurant
25 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL 32801 - Register
- Harp and Celt Irish Pub and Restaurant
- Welcome Reception and basketball watch party – Friday, Nov. 24
TICKETS ON SALE
Going to be in Orlando for game day? Snag a ticket and cheer on the Coogs by purchasing tickets by clicking here.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win in the Big 12. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN The 46ers and The HUDDLE
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
– UHCougars.com –
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