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2020 Houston Cougars football team

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2020 Houston Cougars football
New Mexico Bowl, L 14–28 vs. Hawaii
ConferenceAmerican Athletic Conference
Record3–5 (3–3 American)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorShannon Dawson (1st, 2nd overall season)
Co-offensive coordinatorBrandon Jones (2nd season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorJoe Cauthen (2nd season)
Co-defensive coordinatorDoug Belk (2nd season)
Base defense4–2–5
Home stadiumTDECU Stadium
Seasons
← 2019
2021 →
2020 American Athletic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 8 Cincinnati y$   6 0     9 1  
Tulsa y   6 0     6 3  
Memphis   5 3     8 3  
UCF   5 3     6 4  
SMU   4 3     7 3  
Houston   3 3     3 5  
Navy   3 4     3 7  
Tulane   3 5     6 6  
East Carolina   3 5     3 6  
Temple   1 6     1 6  
South Florida   0 7     1 8  
Championship: Cincinnati 27, Tulsa 24
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll.

The 2020 Houston Cougars football team represented the University of Houston in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cougars played their home games at TDECU Stadium in Houston, Texas, and competed in the American Athletic Conference. They were led by second-year head coach Dana Holgorsen.

Preseason

[edit]

Recruiting class

[edit]

References:[1]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Derek Bowman
Offensive lineman
Magnolia, TX Magnolia HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 270 lb (120 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Nathaniel Dell
Wide receiver
Daytona Beach, FL Mainland HS
Independence CC
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 155 lb (70 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Darius Edmonds
Wide receiver
Humble, TX Atascocita HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
James Faminu
Offensive lineman
London, UK London Academy 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 350 lb (160 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:2/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
D'Anthony Jones
Linebacker
Long Beach, CA Leuzinger HS
Long Beach CC
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 255 lb (116 kg) Feb 5, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Sofian Massoud
Quarterback
Katy, TX Cypress Lakes HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Ugonna Nnanna
Offensive lineman
Arlington, TX Seguin HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 265 lb (120 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Chidozie "Dot" Nwankwo
Defensive Tackle
Richmond, TX Foster HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 293 lb (133 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Dylan Robinson
Wide receiver
Humble, TX Atascocita HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Malik Robinson
Linebacker
Snellville, GA South Gwinnett HS
North Carolina
Fort Scott CC
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Jayce Rogers
Cornerback
Valdosta, GA Valdosta HS
Northwest Mississippi CC
5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) 165 lb (75 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Stacy Sneed
Running back
Arlington, TX Mansfield Timberview HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
JoVanni Stewart
Safety
Katy, TX Katy HS
West Virginia
5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:2/5 stars    ESPN:2/5 stars
Trevonte Sylvester
Tight end
Breaux Bridge, LA Breaux Bridge HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Khiyon Wafer
Wide receiver
Frisco, TX Independence HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Feb 5, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Mike Welch
Safety
Dickinson, TX Dickinson HS 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Feb 5, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Laine Wilkins
Punter
Perth, Australia ProKick Australia 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 203 lb (92 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A    ESPN:3/5 stars
Sedrick Williams
Defensive Tackle
Houma, LA Ellender Memorial HS
Kilgore College
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 302 lb (137 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Reuben Unije
Offensive lineman
Bradenton, FL IMG Academy
Illinois
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 303 lb (137 kg) Feb 5, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPNN/A

AAC preseason media poll

[edit]

The preseason Poll was released September 1[2]

Media poll
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 UCF 204 (10)
2 Cincinnati 201 (7)
3 Memphis 192 (2)
4 SMU 146
5 Navy 125 (1)
6 Tulane 118
7 Houston 114
8 Temple 88
9 Tulsa 49
10 East Carolina 42
11 South Florida 41

Roster

[edit]
2020 Houston Cougars football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
WR 1 Bryson Smith Jr
WR 2 Keith Corbin Sr
QB 3 Clayton Tune Jr
WR 5 Marquez Stevenson  Sr
QB 6 Logan Holgorsen So
QB 10 Sofian Massoud Fr
WR 12 Ke'Andre Street  Fr
WR 13 Jeremy Singleton Jr
QB 14 Ike Ogbogu Jr
RB 18 Chandler Smith Sr
WR 19 Julon Williams So
RB 22 Kyle Porter Sr
RB 23 James Fullbright III  Fr
WR 24 Jaylen Davis  Fr
WR 26 Ja'Kori Morgan So
WR 31 Jordan Cooper So
RB 34 Mulbah Car Sr
RB 37 Terrell Brown  Fr
WR 39 Andrew Segovia Sr
RB 40 Kelan Walker So
TE 43 DeKalen Goodson So
OL 52 Braylon Jones Sr
OL 62 Jarrid Williams Sr
OL 63 James Faminu Fr
OL 64 Dennis Bardwell Sr
OL 65 Gio Pancotti Sr
OL 67 Cam'Ron Johnson  Fr
OL 70 Jordan Boatman Jr
OL 71 Max Banes So
OL 73 Kameron Lewis So
OL 75 Jack Freeman So
OL 76 Patrick Paul  Fr
OL 77 Keenan Murphy Sr
OL 79 Chayse Todd  Fr
WR 80 Nathaniel Dell  Fr
WR 81 Tre'Von Bradley Jr
WR 83 Peyton Sawyer So
WR 84 Cole McGowan Sr
TE 85 Christian Trahan Jr
TE 88 Shane Creamer Jr
TE 89 Parker Eichenberger So
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
S 2 Deontay Anderson Sr
S 3 Grant Stuard Sr
CB 6 Damarion Williams Sr
S 9 Jovanni Stewart Sr
DL 12 David Anenih Sr
CB 13 Marcus Jones Jr
LB 14 Ronald Nunnery Fr
LB 15 Zamar Kirven Jr
CB 16 Jayce Rogers Jr
S 17 Hasaan Hypolite So
CB 18 Kelvin Clemmons Jr
CB 19 Javian Smith Jr
LB 20 Jordan Moore So
S 21 Gleson Sprewell Jr
DL 23 Willie Smith III So
LB 24 Donavan Mutin Jr
CB 25 D. J. Small Jr
LB 26 Elijah Gooden Jr
LB 27 Amaud Willis-Dalton Jr
S 28 Thabo Mwaniki Jr
CB 29 Colin Samuel Sr
DL 30 Alexander Duke Jr
DL 31 Derek Parish Jr
S 32 Gervarrius Owens Jr
S 33 Garrison Vaughn So
CB 34 Dylan Dixon  Fr
S 37 Deondre Dansby  Fr
CB 39 Shaun Lewis Jr
S 40 Brody Anderson So
LB 42 Terrance Edgeston Sr
LB 45 Malik Robinson Jr
DL 47 Taures Payne Sr
LB 48 Jordan Carmouche Jr
DL 50 Hakeem Ajijolaiya  Fr
LB 52 Ken Savanah  Fr
LB 59 Jacob Daulong Jr
DL 91 Benil Johnson So
DL 92 Logan Hall Jr
DL 93 Atlias Bell Jr
DL 94 Sedrick Williams Jr
DL 95 Jamykal Neal Jr
DL 96 Nelson Ceaser  Fr
DL 98 Payton Turner Sr
DL 99 Olivier Charles–Pierre Sr
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
P 22 Laine Wilkins Fr
LS 45 Spencer Wells So
LS 46 Davis Beal  Fr
K 47 Dalton Witherspoon Sr
K 51 Kyle Ramsey So
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Roster
Last update: May 23, 2020

Schedule

[edit]

The 2020 Houston schedule, as originally released, was to consist of six home and four away games in the regular season. The Cougars were to play host to conference foes Tulane, UCF, South Florida, and Tulsa, and to travel to conference opponents Memphis, Navy, Cincinnati, and SMU.

The Cougars were scheduled to host two non-conference games, against North Texas (C-USA) and BYU (an FBS Independent). The home game against Rice was postponed on August 10, after Rice announced it was delaying the start of the season until September 26.[3]

Houston had a game scheduled against Washington State, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]

On September 12 the American announced that the Houston/Memphis game scheduled for September 18 was postponed due to positive COVID-19 cases at Memphis,[5] As a result of the Houston at Memphis game postponement, Houston was able to add a game at Baylor scheduled for September 19.[6] On September 18, Baylor announced that the Houston versus Baylor game would be postponed due to Baylor not meeting the Big 12 Conference COVID-19 game cancellation thresholds.[7]

After experiencing several COVID-19 cases through September 23, the North Texas Mean Green canceled the September 26 game against the Cougars.[8]

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
October 86:30 p.m.TulaneESPNW 49–318,164
October 168:40 p.m.No. 14 BYU*
  • TDECU Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPNL 26–4310,092
October 242:30 p.m.at NavyCBSSNW 37–213,600
October 311:00 p.m.UCF
  • TDECU Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPN+L 21–448,630
November 72:30 p.m.at No. 6 CincinnatiABCL 10–380
November 142:30 p.m.South Florida
  • TDECU Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPN2W 56–218,266
December 1211:00 a.m.at MemphisESPN+L 27–309,475
December 242:30 p.m.vs. Hawaii*ESPNL 14–282,060
Schedule Source:[9]

Game summaries

[edit]

Tulane

[edit]
Tulane at Houston
1 234Total
Green Wave 17 770 31
Cougars 7 14217 49
        
Pregame line Over/under
HOU −6.5 58[10]
Statistics Tulane Houston
First downs 16 22
Total yards 211 476
Rushing yards 70 157
Passing yards 141 319
Turnovers 0 5
Time of possession 28:47 31:13
Team Category Player Statistics
Tulane Passing Michael Pratt 11/25, 141 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Cameron Carroll 18 carries, 34 yards
Receiving Duece Watts 2 receptions, 50 yards
Houston Passing Clayton Tune 20/33, 319 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing Kyle Porter 11 carries, 57 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Marquez Stevenson 5 receptions, 118 yards, 1 TD

BYU

[edit]
Brigham Young at Houston
1 234Total
No. 14 BYU Cougars 14 0722 43
HOU Cougars 3 1760 26
  • Date: October 16, 2020
  • Location: TDECU Stadium
    Houston, TX
  • Game start: 8:40 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 43 minutes
  • Game attendance: 10,092
  • Game weather: 58 °F (14 °C) • Weather: Mostly Cloudy • Wind: E 3 MPH
  • Referee: Kevin Mar
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Jason Benetti (play–by–play), Andre Ware (analyst), and Kris Budden (sideline reporter)
       
Pregame line Over/under
BYU −3.0 62
Statistics BYU Houston
First downs 23 28
Total yards 478 438
Rushing yards 78 128
Passing yards 400 310
Turnovers 0 0
Time of possession 25:48 34:12
Team Category Player Statistics
BYU Passing Zach Wilson 25/35, 400 yards, 4 TDs
Rushing Zach Wilson 9 carries, 40 yards
Receiving Dax Milne 9 receptions, 184 yards, 3 TDs
Houston Passing Clayton Tune 21/31, 310 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing Kyle Porter 20 carries, 94 yards
Receiving Christian Trahan 3 receptions, 69 yards, 1 TD

At Navy

[edit]
Houston at Navy
1 234Total
Cougars 3 13714 37
Midshipmen 7 608 21
      
Pregame line Over/under
HOU −15.5 56
Statistics Houston Navy
First downs 23 16
Total yards 420 372
Rushing yards 86 166
Passing yards 334 206
Turnovers 1 1
Time of possession 29:11 30:49
Team Category Player Statistics
Houston Passing Clayton Tune 24/34, 316 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Kyle Porter 21 carries, 52 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Marquez Stevenson 9 receptions, 129 yards, 2 TDs
Navy Passing Dalen Morris 10/18, 206 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Nelson Smith 11 carries, 51 yards
Receiving Ryan Mitchell 2 receptions, 94 yards, 1 TD

UCF

[edit]
Central Florida at Houston
1 234Total
Knights 10 13021 44
Cougars 7 068 21
  • Date: October 31, 2020
  • Location: TDECU Stadium
    Houston, TX
  • Game start: 1:05 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 39 minutes
  • Game attendance: 8,630
  • Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: SW 3 MPH
  • Referee: Luke Richmond
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): David Saltzman (play–by–play) and Stanford Routt (analyst)
       
Pregame line Over/under
UCF –3.0 82
Statistics UCF Houston
First downs 32 26
Total yards 681 434
Rushing yards 353 165
Passing yards 328 269
Turnovers 1 2
Time of possession 27:19 32:41
Team Category Player Statistics
UCF Passing Dillon Gabriel 19/33, 328 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing Otis Anderson Jr. 16 carries, 170 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Jaylon Robinson 5 receptions, 107 yards
Houston Passing Clayton Tune 21/41, 263 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing Kyle Porter 13 carries, 52 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Nathaniel Dell 6 receptions, 88 yards, 1 TD

At Cincinnati

[edit]
Houston at Cincinnati
1 234Total
Cougars 0 1000 10
No. 6 Bearcats 7 2137 38
    
Pregame line Over/under
CIN –12.5 51.5[11]
Statistics Houston Cincinnati
First downs 15 24
Total yards 282 510
Rushing yards 93 342
Passing yards 189 168
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 27:31 32:29
Team Category Player Statistics
Houston Passing Clayton Tune 20/34, 189 yards, 1 INT
Rushing Kyle Porter 16 carries, 69 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Nathaniel Dell 3 receptions, 60 yards
Cincinnati Passing Desmond Ridder 17/27, 162 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Gerrid Doaks 16 carries, 184 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Michael Young Jr. 4 receptions, 47 yards

South Florida

[edit]
South Florida at Houston
1 234Total
Bulls 0 0714 21
Cougars 14 141414 56
  • Date: November 14, 2020
  • Location: TDECU Stadium
    Houston, TX
  • Game start: 2:35 p.m. CST
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 22 minutes
  • Game attendance: 8,266
  • Game weather: 83 °F (28 °C) • Weather: Partly Cloudy • Wind: S 10 MPH
  • Referee: Charles Lamertina
  • TV announcers (ESPN2/ESPN+): David Saltzman (play–by–play) and Stanford Routt (analyst)
       
Pregame line Over/under
HOU −14.5  58.5[12]
Statistics South Florida Houston
First downs 23 25
Total yards 359 505
Rushing yards 136 319
Passing yards 223 186
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 31:01 28:59
Team Category Player Statistics
South Florida Passing Jordan McCloud  14–29, 180 yards, 1TD
Rushing Brian Battie  13 carries, 86 yards
Receiving Bryce Miller  5 receptions, 53 yards
Houston Passing Clayton Tune  14–25, 165 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Clayton Tune  10 carries, 120 yards, 2TDs
Receiving Keith Corbin  4 receptions, 67 yards, 1 TD

At Memphis

[edit]
Houston at Memphis
1 234Total
Cougars 3 3021 27
Tigers 3 14103 30
       
Pregame line Over/under
HOU –6.0 65
Statistics Houston Memphis
First downs 26 20
Total yards 409 310
Rushing yards 139 64
Passing yards 270 246
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 33:29 26:31
Team Category Player Statistics
Houston Passing Clayton Tune 30/49, 270 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Kyle Porter 15 carries, 70 yards
Receiving Christian Trahan 5 receptions, 84 yards
Memphis Passing Brady White 22/35, 246 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Asa Martin 11 carries, 27 yards
Receiving Calvin Austin 7 receptions, 74 yards, 1 TD

Vs. Hawaii (New Mexico Bowl)

[edit]
2020 New Mexico Bowl
1 234Total
Rainbow Warriors 14 770 28
Cougars 0 0140 14
   
Pregame line Over/under
HOU –7.0 61
Statistics Hawaii Houston
First downs 11 20
Total yards 267 307
Rushing yards 131 58
Passing yards 136 249
Turnovers 0 3
Time of possession 26:56 33:04
Team Category Player Statistics
Hawaii Passing Chevan Cordeiro 15/23, 136 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Dae Dae Hunter 12 carries, 44 yards
Receiving Jared Smart 3 receptions, 33 yards
Houston Passing Clayton Tune 20/38, 216 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs
Rushing Mulbah Car 15 carries, 47 yards
Receiving Nathaniel Dell 6 receptions, 112 yards, 1 TD

Rankings

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

Players drafted into the NFL

[edit]
Round Pick Player Position NFL club
1 28 Payton Turner DE New Orleans Saints
6 203 Marquez Stevenson WR Buffalo Bills
7 259 Grant Stuard LB Tampa Bay Buccaneers

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2020 National Signing Day". University of Houston Athletics. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  2. ^ "UCF Chosen as Favorite in American Preseason Media Poll". theAmerican.org. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  3. ^ "Rice Delays Start of 2020 Football Season". riceowls.com. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  4. ^ Bromberg, Nick. "Pac-12 follows Big Ten's lead and won't play non-conference games in 2020". Yahoo News. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  5. ^ "American Announces Postponement of Houston-Memphis Football Game". theamerican.org. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  6. ^ "Baylor Football to host Houston Sept. 19". baylorbears.com. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  7. ^ "Baylor-Houston Match-Up Postponed". baylorbears.com. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  8. ^ "Houston–North Texas game canceled". uhcougars.com. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  9. ^ "2020 Houston Cougars Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  10. ^ "Tulane Green Wave vs Houston Cougars". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  11. ^ "Houston Cougars vs Cincinnati Bearcats". OddsShark.com. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  12. ^ "USF Bulls vs Houston Cougars". Odds Shark. Retrieved November 16, 2020.