It’s a non-conference clash between a pair of programs from the Lone Star State when a member of the AAC battles one from Conference USA in the season opener for both teams. The #24 Houston Cougars are on the road as they make the in-state trek to face the UTSA Roadrunners Saturday afternoon. Houston finished the 2021 season with a 12-2 record and capped their season with a 17-13 win over Auburn in the Birmingham Bowl. UTSA turned in a stellar season in 2021, going 12-2 themselves though their season came to an end with a 38-24 loss to San Diego State in the Frisco Bowl. These teams have split two meetings with the Roadrunners taking a 27-7 road win in the most recent meeting back on August 29, 2014.
Houston lost their opener last season, won 11 in a row, then lost the AAC title game to Cincinnati, who ended up crashing the College Football Playoff. The Cougars shrugged off that defeat to beat Auburn in the Birmingham Bowl to finish with a dozen victories, the most since the 2015 team went 13-1. Houston brings back six starters on offense, even with losing Alton McCaskill with a torn ACL in spring practice, and they added several wide receivers in the transfer portal. The Cougars have to reload on defense though they have plenty of talent on the defensive line, which they call “Sack Avenue.” Houston had 45 sacks last season, fifth most in the country. The Cougars are angling to make their final season in the AAC a big one.
Last season, Houston finished 23rd in the nation in passing offense with an average of 271.6 yards per game through the air on the year. The Cougars w ere 86th of the 130 FBS teams to see action in rushing offense as they averaged 141.5 yards per contest. Houston was 15th in scoring offense with 35.9 points per game while they stood 19th in the country in scoring defense by allowing 20.4 points per contest. Clayton Tune completed 287 of 421 passes for 3,546 yards with 30 touchdowns and 19 interceptions last season. He contributed 154 yards and a pair of scores on the ground. Ike Ogbogu (20 of 35 for 256 yards, 2 TD, INT) is back to provide an experienced backup. With Alton McCaskill (189 carries, 961 yards, 16 TD) out, that means other guys have to step up in the run game. That puts Ta’Zhawn Henry (111 carries, 513 yards, seven TD) as the presumptive starter though Brandon Campbell, who transferred from USC, could get some work as well. Nathaniel Dell led the team with 90 catches for 1,329 yards and 12 scores on the year: he’s back to provide big play potential. Tight end Christian Tr ahan (37 grabs, 398 yards, two TD) and KeSean Carter (26 catches, 331 yards, TD) provide experienced targets in the passing game. Dalton Witherspoon has hit all 34 extra point attempts but is nine of 15 on field goals with a long of 50 this season. Kyle Ramsey has connected on all three extra point attempts last season without attempting a field goal. He’s battling with former Miami kicker Bubba Baxa for the job.