PREVIEW: Houston Hosts Utah in 79th Homecoming Game

HOUSTON – The University of Houston celebrates its 79th Homecoming with its fifth meeting against the Utah Utes on Saturday at 6 p.m. inside TDECU Stadium.

GAME 8 – UTAH

Houston (2-5, 1-3 Big 12) vs. Utah (4-3, 1-3 Big 12)
Saturday, Oct. 26 | 6 p.m. CT
TDECU Stadium | Houston, Texas
Broadcast: ESPN+
Radio: KPRC 950 AM

COOG FEST – PREGAME ACTIVITIES

The Team Shop returns with a retail store outside Gate 1 in the Stadium Parking Garage.
Join the team for Cougar Walk at 3:45 p.m. Cougar Walk will be led by the UH Helmet Car with Shasta and Sasha. Plus, you will enjoy performances by the Spirit of Houston, UH Cheerleaders and the Cougar Dolls.
Check out the Bud Light Backyard Beer Garden between Schroeder Gate 1 and Gate 2! This week, we've expanded the experience with a brand-new food court featuring Raising Cane's, Cabo Bob's, J‑Bar‑M BBQ and Truff's. Come early, grab a bite, enjoy a drink, and hang out with your friends before the game.
Stop by the Coke Airstream on Cullen Blvd. for a Coke Zero Sample, a photo opp and win some cool prizes on the Prize Wheel!
Take the kids to the Kids' Zone to enjoy the inflatables and fun near Schroeder Gate 1! This week check out the ConocoPhillips STEM Zone for fun activities and great prizes!

IN-GAME ACTIVITIES

On the field recognition of Houston track and field team.
Cheerleaders and Cougar Dolls on hand to entertain you!
Homecoming performance by the Spirit of Houston!
Join the Light Show in the 4th Quarter with Cougar Lights in the Houston Athletics app!

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Houston and Utah are meeting for the fifth time in the history of the programs and first since Sept. 23, 1978, inside the Astrodome. The Cougars have won all four prior matchups including three in Houston.
On Saturday, Houston celebrates its annual Homecoming game. The Cougars are 39-34-5 all-time on Homecoming including a 13-7 mark in its last 20 matchups (2004-present).
The Cougars face the Big 12's top two teams in the preseason poll, as determined by media representatives, in back-to-back weeks at TDECU Stadium. After hosting preseason favorite Utah on Saturday, the Cougars welcome Kansas State on Saturday, Nov. 2. The Utes garnered 906 points in the preseason poll, including 20 first-place votes, followed by the Wildcats' 889 points, including 19 first-place votes.
Saturday marks the second head-to-head Big 12 matchup between Houston and Utah and first in the City of Houston. On Thursday, Oct. 17, Houston Soccer fell 1-0 to Utah in Salt Lake City. Houston Volleyball will face the Utes on Thursday, Nov. 14, inside Fertitta Center.
Houston turned over the ball four times and allowed Kansas touchdowns on each of the Jayhawks first four drives last Saturday in Kansas City, Mo. Bright spots included a season high in first downs (20) and season lows in penalties (4) and penalty yards (43). Houston's 20 penalties and 43 penalty yards were the fewest since Nov. 25, 2023, at UCF.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

Houston senior defensive back Ajani Carter is the lone Cougar with ties to the state of Utah. The Houston native spent four seasons (2019-22) competing at Utah State. There, he played 40 games, totaling 108 tackles. Carter's 90.8 defensive rush grade (PFF) during 2022 ranked second nationally among cornerbacks. Carter competed with current Utah defensive end Paul Fitzgerald at Utah State during 2022.
Among Houston's top-12 leaders in all-purpose yards, five are underclassmen and nine are projected to return for the 2025 season. With at least five games to play, Re'Shaun Sanford II ranks 11th in Houston single-season history among freshmen running backs with 222 rushing yards. Sophomore quarterback Zeon Chriss's 67.7% completion rate ranks fourth among UH underclassmen quarterbacks in single-season history (min. 30 attempts).
Houston is 48-21 in October since 2006 including 27-10 at home. Houston has won nine of its last 12 in the month dating to Oct. 1, 2021.
Houston junior wide receiver Mekhi Mews put together a breakout performance at Kansas last Saturday, setting career highs in receiving yards (99) and receptions (6). Mews owns three of Houston's six 50+ yard plays this season including a 75-yard punt return touchdown vs. Rice, a 57-yard reception vs. UNLV and a 52-yard touchdown reception at Kansas. He is tied with tight end Maliq Carr for the team lead in first down receptions (8).
Houston linebacker Michael Batton is tied for the Big 12 lead in fumbles recovered (2). His 5.52 career tackles per game rank 10th among active Big 12 players. His 2.0 sacks at #15/13 Oklahoma stand as the second-most by a Big 12 player in a game this season.

SCOUTING UTAH

Utah's defense is only allowing opponents to convert on 26.2% of their third down attempts, which ranks first in the Big 12 and fifth in the FBS.
The Utes are only averaging 4.43 penalties per game (31 total), which is good for 11th in the FBS and fifth in the league.
Utah leads the Big 12 in first downs defense (98 total, 14.0 per game), also ranking seventh nationally.
The Utes are averaging 13.31 yards per completion in 2024, ranking fourth in the Big 12.
The Utes have posted a winning record in 10 straight seasons, dating to 2014. Utah has also finished with a winning season in 17 of Head Coach Kyle Whittingham's 19 years as head coach.

LAST TIME AGAINST UTAH

Cougar linebacker David Hodge returned an interception 21 yards for a touchdown and Emmette King ran 74 yards for another touchdown, as Houston overcame three first half fumbles en route to a 42-25 dismantling of Utah in 1978.
King rushed for 100 yards in the first quarter alone, helping Houston to a 14-10 first half lead.
Houston is 4-0 against Utah and has not allowed more than 25 points in a game in the series.
The Cougars have scored 34+ points in all four games against the Utes.

A HOUSTON WIN WOULD ...

Move Houston to 5-0 all-time against Utah.
Be the Cougars fourth Big 12 victory, and second in a three-game span, since joining the league a season ago.
Be the 250th head coaching victory for Willie Fritz.
Up Houston's record on Homecoming to 40-34-5 on Homecoming including 14-7 in its last 21 matchups.

TICKETS ON SALE
Tickets are available by calling 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, or by clicking here at any time.

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