PREVIEW: Cougars Head for Desert Clash

TUCSON, Ariz. – Houston Football seeks its third straight win when the Cougars face the Arizona Wildcats in Arizona Stadium on Friday night at 9:15 p.m. CT on FS1.

GAME 10 – at ARIZONA

Houston (4-5, 3-3 Big 12) at Arizona (3-6, 1-5 Big 12)
Friday, Nov. 15 | 9:15 p.m. CT
Arizona Stadium | Tucson, Ariz.
Broadcast: FS1
Radio: KPRC 950 AM

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Houston quarterback Zeon Chriss was named co-Big 12 Newcomer of the Week for his performance against #17/15 Kansas State last time out. Chriss, who led the Cougars to their highest ranked win since Oct. 29, 2017, at #17/14 South Florida, finished 11 of 11 passing – becoming the 23rd FBS quarterback since 1996 to complete all passes in a game (min. 10 attempts). For the sixth time in his career, Chriss passed and rushed for a score in a game.
Houston's defense has held opponents to just 10 rushing touchdowns on the season, a mark which ranks 21st in the Power Four. By contrast, a season ago, Houston opponents registered 19 rushing scores during the same time frame (Games 1-9). Last time out, UH held #17/15 Kansas State, which entered the day ranked eighth nationally with 223.3 rushing yards per game, to just 89. KSU's rushing total was its fewest against a current Big 12 program since being held to 71rushing yards at Texas Tech on Oct. 23, 2021.
Over its last four games, Houston has committed a combined 14 penalties, ranking sixth nationally. UH's two penalties and 21 penalty yards last time out against #17/15 Kansas State marked the fewest since committing one penalty for 15 yards against Texas on Oct. 21, 2023. After averaging 7.4 penalties across their first five games, the Cougars have averaged just 3.5 over their last four games.
Among UH's top-13 leaders in all-purpose yards, six are underclassmen and 10 are projected to return for 2025. With at least three games to play, Re'Shaun Sanford II ranks 10th in UH single-season history among freshmen running backs with 300 rushing yards. Since 1956, nine Houston freshmen running backs have averaged 4.5 yards per carry (min. 60 carries) in a single season. Sanford II (4.5) would become the 10th. Zeon Chriss's 645 yards of total offense ranks 17th among Houston underclassmen quarterbacks since 1956.
Houston's performance on special teams has been just that. Against #17/15 Kansas State, punter Liam Dougherty downed five of six punts inside the 20-yard line en route to becoming the first punter since Sept. 4, 2023, to earn Big 12 Special Teams weekly honors. UH ranks 16th nationally in punt return defense (3.38). Punt returner Mekhi Mews ranks 16th in the Power Four in punt return average (8.4). Kicker Jack Martin has made each of his last five field goal attempts, including a 22-yarder vs. #17/15 Kansas State last time out. He drilled the game-winning 43-yard field goal as time expired against Utah. The Cougars rank 18th nationally with two blocked kicks.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

Houston has won three of its last four games, including two straight, following its 24-19 upset of #17/15 Kansas State on Saturday, Nov. 2. With three regular season games to play, UH (4-5, 3-3 Big 12) has matched its 2023 win total (4) and exceeded its 2023 Big 12 win total (2).
Houston is 5-1 in its last six Friday contests including three straight victories. On Friday, Oct. 4, in Fort Worth, Texas, the Cougars defeated TCU, 30-19 for their first Big 12 win under Head Coach Willie Fritz. Houston's last Friday loss came against Fritz's Tulane Green Wave, a 27-24 overtime loss on Sept. 30, 2022.
Houston's 12 road victories since the start of the 2021 season rank 19th nationally and 10th among current Power Four programs. After playing just twice outside the state of Texas a season ago, Friday marks Houston's fourth out-of-state trip this season. After hosting Baylor on Saturday, Nov. 23, the Cougars visit BYU in the regular-season finale.
The Cougars defeated the Big 12's top two in the league's preseason poll in their last two contests. The Cougars used a 43-yard game winning field goal as time expired from Jack Martin to defeat preseason favorite Utah, 17-14, on Saturday, Oct. 26, and overcame a nine-point fourth quarter deficit to outlast preseason projected runner-up #17/15 Kansas State on Saturday, Nov. 2.
Houston's defense ranks 24th nationally in total defense (318.9) and 25th in passing yards allowed (185.7). By comparison, through their first nine games a season ago, the Cougars ranked 104th in total defense (415.8) and 111th (255.4) in passing yards allowed.

SCOUTING ARIZONA

Despite dropping their fifth straight game, quarterback Noah Fifita and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan continue to climb the program record charts. Fifita has thrown 39-career touchdowns which is 10th in program history.
Fifita is 11th in program history with 5,321-career passing yards. He is 104 yards from passing Ortege Jenkins (5,424 yards, 1997-00) for 10th in program history.
McMillan has 3,170-career receiving yards which is the fourth-most in program history. He is 62 yards away from passing Mike Thomas (3,231 yards, 2005-08) for third in program history. McMillan has 11 100-yard receiving games in his career. He is tied with Mike Thomas (2005-08) and Juron Criner (2008-11) for third all-time with 11-career 100-yard receiving games.
McMillian is second the nation with 1,066 receiving yards this season, trailing only Nick Nash (1,156) with San José State. He is one of three receivers in FBS with over 1,000 receiving yards this season. McMillan is the first player in program history to record 1,000-plus receiving yards in back-to-back seasons.
McMillan has 3,170 career receiving yards, the fourth most in program history. He is 62 yards away from passing Mike Thomas (3,231 yards, 2005-08) for third in program history.

LAST TIME AGAINST ARIZONA

Houston pummeled Arizona 45-18 in 2018 at TDECU Stadium.
The Cougars scored the first 38 points of the game thanks to five total touchdowns from D'Eriq King with each of his four touchdown throws to different receivers.
King scored a sixth touchdown with 1:48 remaining in the game.
Houston rushed for 297 yards with three different rushers tallying 60+ yards.
Garrett Davis snagged a pair of interceptions for the Cougars.

A HOUSTON WIN WOULD

Move Houston one win from bowl eligibility with two contests remaining.
Be the Cougars sixth Big 12 victory, and fourth in a five-game span, since joining the league a season ago.
Up Houston's win streak to three games – its longest since Oct. 7-29, 2022.
Move Houston to 4-1 all-time against Arizona including 3-1 in Tucson, Ariz.
Give Houston its fourth straight win on Friday and move Houston to 6-1 in its last seven Friday games.

COOGS ON THE ROAD

Cougar Meetup
- Friday, Oct. 18 from 6-8 p.m.
- Gentle Ben's Brewing
  - 865 E University Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85719
- Register here
  - Event does not include food, drink or game ticket

BUY TICKETS
The Cougars host Baylor in their final regular season home game of 2024 with a special Houston Blue uniform on Nov. 23. Blue Out TDECU Stadium with your Houston Blue apparel by purchasing it online here and make sure to snag a ticket to the game against the Bears. Kickoff time will be announced no later Sunday afternoon.

Tickets for that game and all home Football contests are available by calling 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, or by clicking here at any time.

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by purchasing tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective and by joining 46ers and The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
 
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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Zeon Chriss-Gremillion

Liam Dougherty

Jack Martin

Mekhi Mews

Re’Shaun Sanford II

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