PREVIEW: Cougars Face Prime, Colorado in Primetime

HOUSTON – The Houston Football team returns home to begin its Big 12 Conference schedule as Colorado visits TDECU Stadium for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff on ESPN.

GAME 3 – COLORADO

Houston (2-0, 0-0 Big 12) vs. Colorado (1-1, 0-0 Big 12)
Friday, Sept. 12 | 6:30 p.m. CT
TDECU Stadium | Houston, Texas
Broadcast: ESPN
Radio: KPRC 950 AM

COUGAR ALLEY – PREGAME ACTIVITIES

Catch Ashlee Young from 93.7 The Beat at their tent in Cougar Alley – don't miss your chance to meet her!
Stop by the KHOU booth and say hi to Jennifer Reyna, Channel 11's News Anchor.
Bring the kids to the Kids' Zone by Gate 1 for inflatables and fun! This week, don't miss the Hispanic Heritage Crown coloring station.
Stop by the UH Team Shop for Hispanic Heritage merchandise, including Nike and Champion T-shirts plus flags and mugs. Team Shop opens at 2:30 pm near stadium garage.
Arrive early and kick back with friends in the Bud Light Backyard Beer Garden between Schroeder Gate 1 and Gate 2.
Enjoy sizzling flavors as Hugo's grills it up in the Bud Light Backyard.
Swing by the We Luv Spudz Food Truck on Cullen, right by the Bud Light Backyard, for some tasty game-day eats!
Student Tailgate opens at 3:30 p.m.! All students are invited to the tent outside Gate 2, sponsored by Student Affairs, Coca-Cola, and H-E-B. Enjoy games, TVs, video games, food, and giveaways!
Catch the Spirit of Houston on Cullen Blvd at 5:20 p.m. for a high-energy pregame performance!
Feel the roar during Coogs on Parade—the Spirit of Houston will fire up Cougar Alley at 5:30 p.m.

IN-GAME ACTIVITIES

Arrive early! The first 10,000 fans will score Somos Coogs Rally Towel, courtesy of TDECU!
Celebrate the 2025-26 Houston Women's Basketball team with a special on-field recognition.
Cheer on Your Latina Girl – Carmen Contreras from 93.7 The Beat as she takes the field as the honorary team captain!
The Spirit of Houston will be joined by the Boston Brass Quintet, for a special Hispanic Heritage performance featuring music by the legendary, Selena. Don't miss this unforgettable tribute filled with energy, Culture and iconic hits!
Enjoy the vibrant sounds of UH's premier ensemble—the Mariachi Pumas—as they bring their powerful rhythms to TDECU Stadium.
Get loud with the Cheerleaders and Cougar Dolls pumping up the crowd all game long!

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

With Houston's shutout in it's season opener against SFA and the nine points allowed at Rice on Saturday, the Cougars have allowed the fourth-fewest points per game to begin the season (4.5).
Houston's defense shined bright for the second-straight game in the win over Rice with zero offensive plays of 25+ yards.
Averaging only 78 passing yards per game allowed entering the week, Houston ranks third in the country in the category and just 13 yards per game off the national lead.
The Cougars will have plenty of experience under center this season as both Weigman Weigman and Chriss-Gremillion Chriss-Gremillion have 13 starts under their belts, the only school in the Big 12 with that much starting experience in each of its top two quarterbacks.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

This season, Houston enters year 11 at TDECU Stadium (2014-24). The Cougars are 45-22 all-time at the facility, scoring 10+ points in 65 of 67 matchups. The Cougars are 15-4 in non-conference home games at TDECU Stadium with two of their last three losses coming against now current conference mates (Sept. 17, 2022, vs. Kansas; Oct. 16, 2020, vs. BYU).
Houston has 30 transfers, 28 of which have played at the Division I level. From those 28 transfers, the newest Cougars have accumulated 357 starts and 23,423 snaps played – sixth most in both categories among Power 4 programs.
Connors 132 rushing yards, were the most rushing yards by a Cougar since Stacy Sneed recorded 143 against Temple on Nov. 12, 2022. The 132 rushing yards marked the first Houston 100-yard rusher since Parker Jenkins 105-yard game against Sam Houston in 2023.
The Cougars will face five teams ranked or receiving votes in the preseason AP Top 25 poll. Houston's top ranked opponent in the poll, Arizona State, enters the season 11th, with the Cougars' first home Big 12 game against rv Colorado who received a top 25 vote from one voting member.
Connors was named an Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Player of the Week Honorable Mention selection after his standout showing against his former team.

SCOUTING COLORADO

Colorado sits at 1-1 on the year after suffering a season-opening loss to Georgia Tech, 27-20, before rebounding with a 31-7 win over Delaware.
The Buffaloes have protected the ball well this season, with a turnover margin of +5 on the year behind three fumble recoveries and two interceptions.
Colorado is in its third season under Deion Sanders, who has helped turn around the program from a 1-11 showing in the year before his arrival to a 9-4 mark, including a 7-2, tied-for-first showing in Big 12 play, last season.

LAST TIME AGAINST COLORADO

Meeting only once before in program history, Colorado holds the lead over Houston in the series between the two teams.
The #8 Buffaloes won the 1971 Bluebonnet Bowl, 29-17, behind 16 second-quarter points inside the Astrodome.
Houston, ranked at #15 entering the game, was led by 168 yards and two touchdowns on the ground from Robert Newhouse.

A HOUSTON WIN WOULD ...

Move Houston to 1-1 against Colorado and be the first win over the Buffaloes in a non-neutral site game.
Move Houston to 41-21-1 in conference openers.
Move Houston to 16-8 in conference home openers.
Be Houston's first win in a Big 12 Conference season opening game.
Move Houston to 3-0 to start a season for the first time since 2016 when the Cougars started 5-0 and finished the season 9-4 with a Las Vegas Bowl berth.
Be Willie Fritz's first win over Colorado (never coached against Colorado)

PARKING
Due to construction as well as expected additional weekday congestion around campus, fans are encouraged to arrive early and view our parking map to plan their gameday journey.

SEASON TICKETS
University of Houston Football season tickets are on sale for the 2025 season. For as low as $150, fans can get in on the excitement of Year 2 of the Head Coach Willie Fritz era with pivotal matchups against Stephen F. Austin, Colorado, Texas Tech, Arizona, West Virginia and TCU. To purchase season tickets, click here.

TWO-GAME MINI PLAN
Want some flexibility? Buy a two-game mini-plan which includes the Colorado game and one game of your choice between Stephen F. Austin, Arizona, West Virginia or TCU. Mini plans start at just $85. To purchase a mini-plan, click here.

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by purchasing season tickets, and by joining 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 X, formerly known as 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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