2021 Houston Cougars football team

The 2021 Houston Cougars football team represented the University of Houston in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cougars played their home games at TDECU Stadium in Houston, Texas, competing in the American Athletic Conference. They were led by third-year head coach Dana Holgorsen.

2021 Houston Cougars football
Birmingham Bowl champion
Birmingham Bowl, W 17–13 vs. Auburn
ConferenceAmerican Athletic Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 17
APNo. 17
Record12–2 (8–0 American)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorShannon Dawson (2nd, 3rd overall season)
Co-offensive coordinatorBrandon Jones (3rd season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorDoug Belk (1st, 3rd overall season)
Base defense4–2–5
Home stadiumTDECU Stadium
(Capacity: 40,000)
2021 American Athletic Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
No. 4 Cincinnati y$^  8 –0   13 –1  
No. 17 Houston y  8 –0   12 –2  
UCF  5 –3   9 –4  
East Carolina  5 –3   7 –5  
Tulsa  5 –3   7 –6  
SMU  4 –4   8 –4  
Memphis  3 –5   6 –6  
Navy  3 –5   4 –8  
Tulane  1 –7   2 –10  
South Florida  1 –7   2 –10  
Temple  1 –7   3 –9  
Championship: Cincinnati 35, Houston 20
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

Preseason

American Athletic Conference preseason media poll

The American Athletic Conference preseason media poll was released at the virtual media day held August 4, 2021.[1] Cincinnati, who finished the 2020 season ranked No. 8 nationally, was tabbed as the preseason favorite in the 2021 preseason media poll.

Media poll
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1Cincinnati262 (22)
2UCF241 (2)
3SMU188
4Houston181
5Memphis168
6Tulsa153
7Tulane132
T-8East Carolina85
T-8Navy85
10Temple46
11South Florida43

Schedule
DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 46:00 p.m.vs. Texas Tech*
ESPNL 21–3843,478
September 115:30 p.m.at Rice*
CBSSNW 44–726,253
September 186:00 p.m.Grambling State*
ESPN+W 45–022,998
September 256:00 p.m.Navy
  • TDECU Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPNUW 28–2025,054
October 16:30 p.m.at Tulsa
ESPNW 45–1015,890
October 76:30 p.m.at Tulane
ESPNW 40–2215,026
October 238:20 p.m.East Carolinadagger
  • TDECU Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPNews αW 31–24 OT22,925
October 306:00 p.m.No. 19 SMU
  • TDECU Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPN2W 44–3725,676
November 66:30 p.m.at South Florida
ESPNUW 54–4228,667
November 1311:00 a.m.at Temple
ESPN+W 37–818,440
November 198:00 p.m.MemphisNo. 24
  • TDECU Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPN2W 31–1328,712
November 2711:00 a.m.at UConn*No. 24
CBSSNW 45–1712,685
December 43:00 p.m.at No. 4 CincinnatiNo. 21
ABCL 20–3537,978
December 2811:00 a.m.vs. Auburn*No. 20
ESPNW 17–1347,100

[2]

Notes
^α This game was initially scheduled for ESPNU at 3:00 p.m. CT, but was moved to 8:20 p.m. CT on ESPNews because of a rain delay.[3]

Game summaries

Vs. Texas Tech (Texas Kickoff)
Texas Tech vs. Houston
1 234Total
• Red Raiders 0 71714 38
Cougars 14 700 21
     
Scoring summary
16:37HOUClayton Tune 1-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(16 plays, 75 yards, 8:23)		HOU 7–0
2:13HOUTank Dell 23-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(8 plays, 54 yards, 4:24)		HOU 14–0
211:47TTUTahj Brooks 41-yard run (Jonaathan Garibay kick)
(1 play, 41 yards, 0:10)		HOU 14–7
0:23HOUSeth Green 9-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(13 plays, 75 yards, 4:52)		HOU 21–7
38:08TTUTyler Shough 8-yard run (Jonathan Garibay kick)
(6 plays, 60 yards, 3:06)		HOU 21–14
7:20TTURiko Jeffers 13-yard interception return (Jonathan Garibay kick)
(2 plays, -7 yards, 0:48)		TIE 21–21
0:36TTUJonathan Garibay 34-yard field goal
(4 plays, 6 yards, 1:15)		TTU 24–21
42:05TTUXavier White 3-yard pass from Tyler Shough (Jonathan Garibay kick)
(8 plays, 71 yards, 2:52)		TTU 31–21
1:00TTUTahj Brooks 44-yard run (Jonathan Garibay kick)
(2 plays, 48 yards, 0:15)		TTU 38–21
See also: 2021 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team and Texas Kickoff
Line Over/under
HOU –2.563
StatisticsTexas TechHouston
First downs1515
Total yards376251
Rushing yards14577
Passing yards231174
Turnovers14
Time of possession23:2336:37
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Texas TechPassingTyler Shough17/24, 231 yards, 1 TD
RushingTahj Brooks15 rushes, 134 yards, 2 TDs
ReceivingErik Ezukanma7 receptions, 179 yards
HoustonPassingClayton Tune27/38, 174 yards, 2 TDs, 4 INTs
RushingMulbah Car13 rushes, 37 yards
ReceivingTank Dell7 receptions, 80 yards, 1 TD

At Rice (Bayou Bucket Classic)
Houston at Rice
1 234Total
• Cougars 17 01413 44
Owls 0 700 7
  • Date: September 11, 2021
  • Location: Rice Stadium
    Houston, TX
  • Game start: 5:30 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time:  
  • Game attendance: 26,253
  • Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBD
  • Referee: Charles Lamertina
  • TV announcers (CBSSN): Dave Ryan (play-by-play), Aaron Murray (analyst), and Desmond Purnell (sideline)
    
Scoring summary
110:08HOUAlton McCaskill 35-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(8 plays, 84 yards, 3:30)		HOU 7–0
5:37HOUDalton Witherspoon 38-yard field goal
(7 plays, 56 yards, 3:18)		HOU 10–0
2:19HOUJake Herslow 11-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(6 plays, 48 yards, 2:37)		HOU 17–0
20:13RICEJordan Myers 5-yard pass from Luke McCaffrey (Collin Riccitelli kick)
(11 plays, 81 yards, 5:01)		HOU 17–7
37:18HOUAlton McCaskill 1-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(17 plays, 75 yards, 7:42)		HOU 24–7
0:01HOUAlton McCaskill 2-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(10 plays, 85 yards, 4:29)		HOU 31–7
44:51HOUChandler Smith 14-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(2 plays, 20 yards, 0:49)		HOU 38–7
0:00HOUAlex Hogan 91-yard interception return
(9 plays, 60 yards, 4:51)		HOU 44–7
See also: 2021 Rice Owls football team and Houston–Rice rivalry
Line Over/under
HOU –7.551
StatisticsHoustonRice
First downs2315
Total yards393212
Rushing yards144126
Passing yards24986
Turnovers03
Time of possession32:0127:59
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
HoustonPassingClayton Tune22/30, 236 yards, 2 TDs
RushingClayton Tune9 rushes, 49 yards
ReceivingTank Dell7 receptions, 87 yards
RicePassingLuke McCaffrey9/19, 86 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs
RushingKhalan Griffin19 rushes, 86 yards
ReceivingJorden Myers5 receptions, 41 yards, 1 TD

Grambling State
Grambling State at Houston
1 234Total
Tigers 0 000 0
• Cougars 7 14213 45
  • Date: September 18, 2021
  • Location: TDECU Stadium
    Houston, TX
  • Game start: 6:06 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 6 minutes
  • Game attendance: 22,998
  • Game weather: Sunny
  • Referee: Nate Black
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Alex Del Barrio (play–by–play) and Stanford Routt (analyst)
   
Scoring summary
10:15HOUTank Dell 16-yard pass from Ike Ogbogu (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(6 plays, 47 yards, 2:06)		HOU 7–0
210:40HOUMarcus Jones 48-yard punt return (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(3 plays, 3 yards, 1:57)		HOU 14–0
5:23HOUAlton McCaskill 17-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(8 plays, 80 yards, 3:03)		HOU 21–0
311:54HOUAlton McCaskill 34-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(4 plays, 48 yards, 0:59)		HOU 28–0
7:01HOUTank Dell 10-yard pass from Ike Ogbogu (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(7 plays, 56 yards, 3:32)		HOU 35–0
2:03HOUTa'Zhawn Henry 1-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(6 plays, 58 yards, 3:06)		HOU 42–0
46:10HOUDalton Witherspoon 22-yard field goal
(15 plays, 62 yards, 8:38)		HOU 45–0
See also: 2021 Grambling State Tigers football team
Line Over/under
HOU –41.052
StatisticsGrambling StateHouston
First downs324
Total yards102422
Rushing yards53164
Passing yards49258
Turnovers11
Time of possession25:0234:58
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Grambling StatePassingAldon Clark5/12, 49 yards
RushingDarqueze Brutton9 rushes, 18 yards
ReceivingGreg White1 reception, 37 yards
HoustonPassingIke Ogbogu14/22, 196 yards, 2 TDs
RushingAlton McCaskill16 rushes, 114 yards, 2 TDs
ReceivingTank Dell8 receptions, 134 yards, 2 TDs
Navy at Houston
1 234Total
Midshipmen 7 1003 20
• Cougars 7 0714 28
  • Date: September 25, 2021
  • Location: TDECU Stadium
    Houston, TX
  • Game start: 6:02 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 8 minutes
  • Game attendance: 25,054
  • Game weather: 85 °F (29 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: E 6 MPH
  • Referee: Hank Johns
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Tiffany Greene (play-by-play) and Hutson Mason (analyst)
    
Scoring summary
113:57NAVYXavier Arline 40-yard run (Bijan Nichols kick)
(3 plays, 76 yards, 0:58)		NAVY 7–0
1:35HOUMarcus Jones 73-yard punt return (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(3 plays, 4 yards, 2:03)		TIE 7–7
27:53NAVYBijan Nichols 30-yard field goal
(15 plays, 62 yards, 8:42)		NAVY 10–7
0:52NAVYIsaac Ruoss 1-yard run (Bijan Nichols kick)
(11 plays, 89 yards, 5:28)		NAVY 17–7
33:16HOUTa'Zhawn Henry 2-yard run (Kyle Ramsey kick)
(7 plays, 43 yards, 4:23)		NAVY 17–14
414:53HOUMarcus Jones 47-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Kyle Ramsey kick)
(7 plays, 81 yards, 1:55)		HOU 21–17
12:08HOUTa'Zhawn Henry 1-yard run (Kyle Ramsey kick)
(5 plays, 26 yards, 2:39)		HOU 28–17
6:12NAVYBijan Nichols 36-yard field goal
(13 plays, 56 yards, 5:56)		HOU 28–20
See also: 2021 Navy Midshipmen football team
Line Over/under
HOU –20.047
StatisticsNavyHouston
First downs1620
Total yards300384
Rushing yards202127
Passing yards98257
Turnovers10
Time of possession33:2126:39
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
NavyPassingXavier Arline3/6, 83 yards
RushingXavier Arline19 rushes, 64 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingMychal Cooper3 receptions, 83 yards
HoustonPassingClayton Tune22/30, 257 yards, 1 TD
RushingAlton McCaskill17 rushes, 74 yards
ReceivingChristian Trahan4 receptions, 65 yards

At Tulsa
Houston at Tulsa
1 234Total
• Cougars 14 14710 45
Golden Hurricane 0 307 10
  • Date: October 1, 2021
  • Location: Skelly Field at H. A. Chapman Stadium
    Tulsa, OK
  • Game start: 6:30 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 32 minutes
  • Game attendance: 15,890
  • Game weather: 77 °F (25 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: W 2 MPH
  • Referee: Luke Richmond
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Roy Philpott (play-by-play), Andre Ware (analyst) and Paul Carcaterra (sideline)
     
Scoring summary
14:23HOUAlton McCaskill 1-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(8 plays, 81 yards, 4:29)		HOU 7–0
1:14HOUJeremy Singleton 47-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(4 plays, 85 yards, 1:21)		HOU 14–0
213:01HOUAlton McCaskill 27-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(3 plays, 56 yards, 1:10)		HOU 21–0
9:33HOUAlton McCaskill 1-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(5 plays, 32 yards, 2:01)		HOU 28–0
1:22TLSAZack Long 33-yard field goal
(11 plays, 65 yards, 2:58)		HOU 28–3
314:06HOUGervarrius Owens 45-yard interception return (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(3 plays, 10 yards, 0:54)		HOU 35–3
414:55HOUSeth Green 8-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(9 plays, 57 yards, 4:32)		HOU 42–3
9:26TLSAEzra Naylor II 41-yard pass from Davis Brin (Zack Long kick)
(6 plays, 72 yards, 1:46)		HOU 42–10
4:19HOUDalton Witherspoon 48-yard field goal
(9 plays, 44 yards, 5:07)		HOU 45–10
See also: 2021 Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team and Houston–Tulsa football rivalry
Line Over/under
TLSA –3.554
StatisticsHoustonTulsa
First downs2214
Total yards405289
Rushing yards14431
Passing yards261258
Turnovers13
Time of possession32:2627:34
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
HoustonPassingClayton Tune17/24, 241 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
RushingAlton McCaskill17 rushes, 77 yards, 3 TDs
ReceivingTank Dell6 receptions, 82 yards
TulsaPassingDavis Brin20/39, 258 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs
RushingAnthony Watkins8 rushes, 39 yards
ReceivingSam Crawford Jr.5 receptions, 101 yards

At Tulane
Houston at Tulane
1 234Total
• Cougars 14 3914 40
Green Wave 0 1570 22
  • Date: October 7, 2021
  • Location: Yulman Stadium
    New Orleans, LA
  • Game start: 6:30 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 19 minutes
  • Game attendance: 15,026
  • Game weather: 83 °F (28 °C) • Weather: Mostly Sunny • Wind: NE 4 MPH
  • Referee: Tim Rich
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Matt Barrie (play-by-play), Roddy Jones (analyst) and Harry Lyles Jr. (sideline)
      
Scoring summary
18:04HOUChristian Trahan 11-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(11 plays, 76 yards, 5:14)		HOU 7–0
0:22HOUJeremy Singleton 17-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(7 plays, 64 yards, 2:58)		HOU 14–0
210:45TULNTyrick James 13-yard pass from Michael Pratt (Christian Daniels Pass to Michael Pratt for two-point conversion)
(5 plays, 73 yards, 1:53)		HOU 14–8
3:33HOUDalton Witherspoon 46-yard field goal
(7 plays, 20 yards, 2:26)		HOU 17–8
2:11TULNTyjae Spears 39-yard run (Merek Glover kick)
(6 plays, 75 yards, 1:22)		HOU 17–15
313:18TULNWill Wallace 29-yard pass from Michael Pratt (Merek Glover kick)
(1 play, 29 yards, 0:08)		TULN 22–17
8:16HOUDalton Witherspoon 24-yard field goal
(5 plays, 28 yards, 1:17)		TULN 22–20
1:20HOUJeremy Singleton 29-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Two-point pass conversion failed)
(11 plays, 80 yards, 4:40)		HOU 26–22
49:28HOUTa'Zhawn Henry 8-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(6 plays, 39 yards, 3:20)		HOU 33–22
1:03HOUAlton McCaskill 35-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(6 plays, 53 yards, 1:59)		HOU 40–22
See also: 2021 Tulane Green Wave football team
Line Over/under
HOU –6.560
StatisticsHoustonTulane
First downs1817
Total yards435308
Rushing yards14794
Passing yards288214
Turnovers01
Time of possession31:3428:26
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
HoustonPassingClayton Tune23/36, 288 yards, 3 TDs
RushingAlton McCaskill18 rushes, 93 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingKeSean Carter6 receptions, 69 yards
TulanePassingMichael Pratt20/30, 214 yards, 2 TDs
RushingCameron Carroll13 rushes, 68 yards
ReceivingWill Wallace2 receptions, 54 yards, 1 TD

East Carolina
East Carolina at Houston
1 234OTTotal
Pirates 10 00140 24
• Cougars 17 7007 31
  • Date: October 23, 2021
  • Location: TDECU Stadium
    Houston, TX
  • Game start: 3:00 p.m. CDT (Kicked at 8:20 p.m. – delayed 5 hours and 20 minutes to kickoff due to lightning)
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 27 minutes
  • Game attendance: 22,925
  • Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: SE 9 MPH
  • Referee: Edwin Lee
  • TV announcers (ESPNews): Kevin Brown (play-by-play) and Hutson Mason (analyst)
     
Scoring summary
111:39ECUOwen Daffer 33-yard field goal
(9 plays, 60 yards, 3:21)		ECU 3–0
6:56HOUDalton Witherspoon 21-yard field goal
(11 plays, 70 yards, 4:43)		TIE 3–3
5:46ECUJsi Hatfield 40-yard pass from Holton Ahlers (Owen Daffer kick)
(3 plays, 78 yards, 1:10)		ECU 10–3
5:34HOUMarcus Jones 98-yard kickoff return (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(0 plays, 0 yards, 0:12)		TIE 10–10
1:38HOUChristian Trahan 2-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(5 plays, 32 yards, 2:47)		HOU 17–10
23:12HOUTank Dell 14-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(2 plays, 13 yards, 0:22)		HOU 24–10
46:59ECUHolton Ahlers 1-yard run (Owen Daffer kick)
(6 plays, 71 yards, 2:40)		HOU 24–17
5:43ECUAudie Omotosho 13-yard pass from Holton Ahlers (Owen Daffer kick)
(2 plays, 16 yards, 1:01)		TIE 24–24
OTHOUAlton McCaskill 25-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(1 play, 25 yards)		HOU 31–24
See also: 2021 East Carolina Pirates football team
Line Over/under
HOU –13.557
StatisticsEast CarolinaHouston
First downs2016
Total yards360256
Rushing yards8287
Passing yards278169
Turnovers31
Time of possession29:1330:47
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
East CarolinaPassingHolton Ahlers23/37, 278 yards, 2 TDs
RushingKeaton Mitchell11 rushes, 38 yards
ReceivingTyler Snead7 receptions, 114 yards
HoustonPassingClayton Tune19/29, 169 yards, 2 TDs
RushingAlton McCaskill12 rushes, 60 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingChristian Trahan6 receptions, 68 yards, 1 TD

No. 19 SMU
SMU at Houston
1 234Total
No. 19 Mustangs 7 13143 37
• Cougars 17 6714 44
  • Date: October 30, 2021
  • Location: TDECU Stadium
    Houston, TX
  • Game start: 6:00 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 37 minutes
  • Game attendance: 25,676
  • Game weather: Temperature: 74 °F (23 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NW 6 MPH
  • Referee: Charles Lamertina
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (analyst), Alyssa Lang (sideline)
          
Scoring summary
111:20HOUTank Dell 7-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(9 plays, 78 yards, 3:40)		HOU 7–0
9:26HOUTank Dell 48-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(2 plays, 56 yards, 0:33)		HOU 14–0
2:20HOUDalton Witherspoon 50-yard field goal
(9 plays, 55 yards, 4:32)		HOU 17–0
0:00SMUJordan Kerley 43-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)
(7 plays, 75 yards, 2:20		HOU 17–7
211:41HOUDalton Witherspoon 23-yard field goal
(7 plays, 69 yards, 3:19)		HOU 20–7
7:28SMUTre Siggers 50-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)
(1 play, 50 yards, 0:09)		HOU 20–14
2:45SMURashee Rice 6-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza PAT blocked)
(7 plays, 35 yards, 3:07)		TIE 20–20
0:00HOUDalton Witherspoon 30-yard field goal
(12 plays, 62 yards, 2:45)		HOU 23–20
314:45SMUBryan Massey 100-yard kickoff return (Blake Mazza kick)
(0 plays, 0 yards, 0:15)		SMU 27–23
9:22HOUTank Dell 17-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(11 plays, 72 yards, 5:23)		HOU 30–27
5:46SMUTre Siggers 2-yard run (Blake Mazza kick)
(8 plays, 75 yards, 3:36)		SMU 34–30
413:36HOUKeSean Carter 4-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(14 plays, 75 yards, 7:10)		HOU 37–34
0:30SMUBlake Mazza 45-yard field goal
(10 plays, 58 yards, 1:34)		TIE 37–37
0:17HOUMarcus Jones 100-yard kickoff return (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(0 plays, 0 yards, 0:13)		HOU 44–37
See also: 2021 SMU Mustangs football team
Line Over/under
SMU –1.062
StatisticsSMUHouston
First downs1823
Total yards355489
Rushing yards5077
Passing yards305412
Turnovers11
Time of possession24:3735:23
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
SMUPassingTanner Mordecai24/37, 305 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
RushingTre Siggers13 rushes, 44 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingDanny Gray5 receptions, 73 yards
HoustonPassingClayton Tune27/37, 412 yards, 4 TDs
RushingTa'Zhawn Henry21 rushes, 49 yards
ReceivingTank Dell9 receptions, 165 yards, 3 TDs

At South Florida
Houston at South Florida
1 234Total
• Cougars 9 17217 54
Bulls 14 1477 42
  • Date: November 6, 2021
  • Location: Raymond James Stadium
    Tampa, FL
  • Game start: 6:30 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time:  
  • Game attendance: 28,667
  • Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBD
  • Referee: Tim Rich
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Mike Couzens (play-by-play) and Dustin Fox (analyst)
           
Scoring summary
114:47USFBrian Battie 100-yard kickoff return (Spencer Shrader kick)
(0 plays, 0 yards, 0:13)		USF 7–0
8:35HOUJake Herslow 18-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(7 plays, 56 yards, 2:51)		TIE 7–7
6:44USFBrian Battie 29-yard run (Spencer Shrader kick)
(5 plays, 75 yards, 1:51)		USF 14–7
3:34HOUAtlias Bell safety
(3 plays, -1 yard, 0:44)		USF 14–9
214:52HOUDalton Witherspoon 19-yard field goal
(8 plays, 56 yards, 3:42)		USF 14–12
10:19USFMitchell Brinkman 33-yard pass from Timmy McClain (Spencer Shrader kick)
(10 plays, 75 yards, 4:33)		USF 21–12
8:19HOUAlton McCaskill 6-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(5 plays, 54 yards, 2:00)		USF 21–19
2:30HOUTank Dell 55-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(3 plays, 87 yards, 0:40)		HOU 26–21
2:16USFBrian Battie 100-yard kickoff return (Spencer Shrader kick)
(0 plays, 0 yards, 0:14)		USF 28–26
312:50HOUAlton McCaskill 2-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(5 plays, 67 yards, 2:10)		HOU 33–28
10:04HOUTa'Zhawn Henry 97-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(1 play, 97 yards, 0:14)		HOU 40–28
6:58USFChris Carter 14-yard pass from Timmy McClain (Spencer Shrader kick)
(11 plays, 65 yards, 3:06)		HOU 40–35
4:44HOUJeremy Singleton 27-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(5 plays, 75 yards, 2:14)		HOU 47–35
43:59USFTimmy McClain 11-yard run (Spencer Shrader kick)
(9 plays, 60 yards, 2:34)		HOU 47–42
2:27HOUAlton McCaskill 16-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(3 plays, 44 yards, 1:32)		HOU 54–42
See also: 2021 South Florida Bulls football team
Line Over/under
HOU –13.553
StatisticsHoustonSouth Florida
First downs3023
Total yards646399
Rushing yards261110
Passing yards385289
Turnovers02
Time of possession33:0726:53
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
HoustonPassingClayton Tune21/26, 385 yards, 3 TDs
RushingTa'Zhawn Henry10 rushes, 130 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingTank Dell8 receptions, 164 yards, 1 TD
South FloridaPassingTimmy McClain22/46, 289 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
RushingTimmy McClain11 rushes, 46 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingXavier Weaver6 receptions, 105 yards

At Temple
Houston at Temple
1 234Total
• Cougars 7 31413 37
Owls 0 008 8
  • Date: November 13, 2021
  • Location: Lincoln Financial Field
    Philadelphia, PA
  • Game start: 11:00 a.m. CST
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 16 minutes
  • Game attendance: 18,440
  • Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: S 13 MPH
  • Referee: Edwin Lee
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Courtney Lyle (play-by-play) and Leger Douzable (analyst)
   
Scoring summary
18:47HOUAlton McCaskill 3-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(7 plays, 47 yards, 3:30)		HOU 7–0
27:46HOUDalton Witherspoon 39-yard field goal
(13 plays, 58 yards, 7:09)		HOU 10–0
311:29HOUTa'Zhawn Henry 6-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(8 plays, 65 yards, 3:31)		HOU 17–0
4:00HOUAlton McCaskill 34-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(5 plays, 52 yards, 2:05)		HOU 24–0
414:22TEMEdward Saydee 1-yard run (Justin Lynch pass to Darius Pittman for two-point conversion)
(4 plays, 45 yards, 0:56)		HOU 24–8
10:57HOUJaylen Erwin 35-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon PAT blocked)
(7 plays, 77 yards, 3:23)		HOU 30–8
6:13HOUSeth Green 6-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(6 plays, 42 yards, 2:28)		HOU 37–8
See also: 2021 Temple Owls football team
Line Over/under
HOU –25.053
StatisticsHoustonTemple
First downs2410
Total yards446218
Rushing yards21799
Passing yards229119
Turnovers03
Time of possession39:2220:38
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
HoustonPassingClayton Tune21/34, 224 yards, 2 TDs
RushingAlton McCaskill21 rushes, 129 yards, 2 TDs
ReceivingSeth Green7 receptions, 74 yards, 1 TD
TemplePassingJustin Lynch11/24, 119 yards, 2 INTs
RushingJustin Lynch14 rushes, 78 yards
ReceivingRandle Jones5 receptions, 36 yards

Memphis
Memphis at Houston
1 234Total
Tigers 0 373 13
• No. 24 Cougars 0 21010 31
  • Date: November 19, 2021
  • Location: TDECU Stadium
    Houston, TX
  • Game start: 8:00 p.m. CST
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 40 minutes
  • Game attendance: 28,712
  • Game weather: • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: SE 4 MPH
  • Referee: Hank Johns
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Jason Benetti (play-by-play), Andre Ware (analyst) and Paul Carcaterra (sideline)
     
Scoring summary
214:03HOUAlton McCaskill 36-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(1 play, 36 yards, 0:15)		HOU 7–0
5:40HOUTank Dell 19-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(11 plays, 93 yards, 4:36)		HOU 14–0
2:55MEMDavid Kemp 28-yard field goal
(9 plays, 65 yards, 2:45)		HOU 14–3
0:53HOUClayton Tune 20-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(6 plays, 63 yards, 2:02)		HOU 21–3
34:31MEMAsa Martin 5-yard pass from Seth Henigan (David Kemp kick)
(11 plays, 60 yards, 4:16)		HOU 21–10
414:52MEMDavid Kemp 22-yard field goal
(8 plays, 86 yards, 2:30)		HOU 21–13
3:24HOUDalton Witherspoon 34-yard field goal
(5 plays, 29 yards, 2:15)		HOU 24–13
1:43HOUTa'Zhawn Henry 4-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(3 plays, 18 yards, 0:52)		HOU 31–13
See also: 2021 Memphis Tigers football team
Line Over/under
HOU –9.559
StatisticsMemphisHouston
First downs2425
Total yards322461
Rushing yards106197
Passing yards216264
Turnovers22
Time of possession25:3434:26
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
MemphisPassingSeth Henigan21/45, 208 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
RushingRodrigues Clark12 rushes, 32 yards
ReceivingCalvin Austin5 receptions, 103 yards
HoustonPassingClayton Tune20/34, 264 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
RushingTa'Zhawn Henry13 rushes, 73 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingTank Dell7 receptions, 100 yards, 1 TD

At UConn
Houston at UConn
1 234Total
• No. 24 Cougars 7 14177 45
Huskies 0 1007 17
      
Scoring summary
110:21HOUAlton McCaskill 31-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(6 plays, 55 yards, 3:02)		HOU 7–0
211:44HOUJake Herslow 49-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(3 plays, 52 yards, 0:50)		HOU 14–0
6:31UCONNKevens Clercius 34-yard pass from Steven Krajewski (Joe McFadden kick)
(3 plays, 25 yards, 1:09)		HOU 14–7
1:15HOUTank Dell 6-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(3 plays, 52 yards, 0:50)		HOU 21–7
0:01UCONNJoe McFadden 25-yard field goal
(7 plays, 52 yards, 1:11)		HOU 21–10
311:08HOUTank Dell 13-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(9 plays, 47 yards, 3:45)		HOU 28–10
6:02HOUDalton Witherspoon 23-yard field goal
(7 plays, 61 yards, 3:36)		HOU 31–10
1:26HOUJeremy Singleton 34-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(3 plays, 55 yards, 1:18)		HOU 38–10
411:30UCONNMalik Dixon 37-yard interception return (Joe McFadden kick)
(2 plays, 12 yards, 0:46)		HOU 38–17
3:03HOUChandler Smith 1-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(4 plays, 27 yards, 1:50)		HOU 45–17
See also: 2021 UConn Huskies football team
Line Over/under
HOU –32.054.5
StatisticsHoustonUConn
First downs2116
Total yards472238
Rushing yards14982
Passing yards323156
Turnovers11
Time of possession31:1628:44
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
HoustonPassingClayton Tune21/30, 301 yards, 4 TDs
RushingAlton McCaskill9 rushes, 54 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingJake Herslow5 receptions, 111 yards, 1 TD
UConnPassingSteven Krajewski9/19, 79 yards, 1 TD
RushingSteven Krajewski8 rushes, 53 yards
ReceivingKevens Clercius2 receptions, 64 yards, 1 TD

At No. 4 Cincinnati (AAC Championship game)
2021 American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game
1 234Total
No. 21 Cougars 10 307 20
• No. 4 Bearcats 14 0210 35
     
Scoring summary
111:55HOUDalton Witherspoon 37-yard field goal
(7 plays, 50 yards, 2:57)		HOU 3–0
9:38CINTyler Scott 25-yard pass from Desmond Ridder (Christian Lowery kick)
(5 plays, 82 yards, 2:11)		CIN 7–3
4:23HOUTank Dell 16-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(10 plays, 74 yards, 5:07)		HOU 10–7
4:06CINJerome Ford 79-yard run (Christian Lowery kick)
(1 play, 79 yards, 0:11)		CIN 14–10
211:40HOUDalton Witherspoon 46-yard field goal
(13 plays, 44 yards, 7:21)		CIN 14–13
312:02CINLeonard Taylor 8-yard pass from Desmond Ridder
(6 plays, 75 yards, 2:58)		CIN 21–13
11:04CINAlec Pierce 21-yard pass from Desmond Ridder (Christian Lowery kick)
(2 plays, 23 yards, 0:41)		CIN 28–13
7:38CINJerome Ford 42-yard run (Christian Lowery kick)
(3 plays, 62 yards, 1:18)		CIN 35–13
46:06HOUJake Herslow 7-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(13 plays, 90 yards, 7:28)		CIN 35–20
See also: 2021 Cincinnati Bearcats football team and 2021 American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game
Line Over/under
CIN –10.552.5
StatisticsHoustonCincinnati
First downs2214
Total yards336400
Rushing yards86210
Passing yards250190
Turnovers10
Time of possession40:1919:41
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
HoustonPassingClayton Tune17/26, 250 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
RushingAlton McCaskill13 rushes, 39 yards
ReceivingTank Dell9 receptions, 152 yards, 1 TD
CincinnatiPassingDesmond Ridder11/17, 190 yards, 3 TDs
RushingJerome Ford18 rushes, 187 yards, 2 TDs
ReceivingAlec Pierce2 receptions, 65 yards, 1 TD

Vs. Auburn (Birmingham Bowl)
2021 Birmingham Bowl
1 234Total
• No. 20 Cougars 7 307 17
Tigers 0 3100 13
  • Date: December 28, 2021
  • Location: Protective Stadium
    Birmingham, AL
  • Game start: 11:00 a.m. CST
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 25 minutes
  • Game attendance: 47,100
  • Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind:
  • Referee: Michael Mothershed
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Eric Mac Lain (analyst) and Taylor Davis (sideline)
  
Scoring summary
18:46HOUAlton McCaskill 5-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(12 plays, 87 yards, 6:14)		HOU 7–0
26:58HOUDalton Witherspoon 52-yard field goal
(9 plays, 45 yards, 4:10)		HOU 10–0
3:10AUBBen Patton 27-yard field goal
(8 plays, 67 yards, 3:48)		HOU 10–3
312:12AUBBen Patton 35-yard field goal
(7 plays, 57 yards, 2:48)		HOU 10–6
3:52AUBKobe Hudson 12-yard pass from T. J. Finley (Ben Patton kick)
(11 plays, 78 yards, 6:20)		AUB 13–10
43:27HOUJake Herslow 26-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)
(8 plays, 80 yards, 3:20)		HOU 17–13
See also: 2021 Auburn Tigers football team and 2021 Birmingham Bowl
Line Over/under
AUB –2.049
StatisticsHoustonAuburn
First downs1915
Total yards398352
Rushing yards115125
Passing yards283227
Turnovers20
Time of possession29:5030:10
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
HoustonPassingClayton Tune26/40, 283 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
RushingAlton McCaskill14 rushes, 78 yards
ReceivingTank Dell10 receptions, 150 yards
AuburnPassingT. J. Finley19/37, 227 yards, 1 TD
RushingTank Bigsby16 rushes, 96 yards
ReceivingTank Bigsby5 receptions, 68 yards

Rankings
Further information: 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
— = Not ranked. RV = Received votes.
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
APRV——————RVRV20171719162117
CoachesRV—————RVRVRV19171716162117
CFPNot released——24242120Not released

References
  1. "Cincinnati Chosen as Favorite in American Preseason Media Poll". theAmerican.org. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  2. "2021 Houston Cougars Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  3. "Houston sits through 5-hour, 18-minute weather delay and OT before toppling East Carolina, 31-24". Underdog Dynasty. SB Nation. October 24, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
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