2013 Houston Cougars football team

2013 Houston Cougars football
2013 Houston Cougars football
BBVA Compass Bowl vs. Vanderbilt, L 24–41
Conference	American Athletic Conference
Record	8–5 (5–3 The American)
Head coach	Tony Levine (2nd season);
Offensive coordinator	Doug Meacham (1st season)
Offensive scheme	Spread
Defensive coordinator	David Gibbs (1st season)
Base defense	Multiple
Home stadium	Reliant Stadium (5 games); BBVA Compass Stadium (2 games)
	Seasons ← 2012 2014 →

The 2013 Houston Cougars football team represented the University of Houston in the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the 68th year of season play for Houston. The season marked the first for the Cougars as a member of the American Athletic Conference. Due to construction of the new TDECU Stadium during the 2013 season, the team played its home games at other locations in Houston.

2013 American Athletic Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 10 UCF $	8	–	0	12	–	1
No. 15 Louisville	7	–	1	12	–	1
Cincinnati	6	–	2	9	–	4
Houston	5	–	3	8	–	5
SMU	4	–	4	5	–	7
Rutgers	3	–	5	6	–	7
UConn	3	–	5	3	–	9
South Florida	2	–	6	2	–	10
Memphis	1	–	7	3	–	9
Temple	1	–	7	2	–	10

$ – BCS representative as conference champion Rankings from AP Poll

The season featured the Cougars’ continued Bayou Bucket Classic rivalry with the Rice Owls. The game again became a non-conference battle due to the departure from Conference USA for the Cougars following the 2012 season. The previous time the two teams met as non-conference foes was during the 2004 season when the Rice Owls was a member of the Western Athletic Conference. The 2013 Bayou Bucket Classic was played at Reliant Stadium.

They finished the season 8–5, 5–3 in American Athletic play to finish in fourth place. They were invited to the BBVA Compass Bowl where they were defeated by Vanderbilt.

Previous season

With a 5–7 overall record, the 2012 season was a step backward for the program, as it compiled only its second losing season since 2005. The team suffered an early season humiliating loss against Texas State in Houston's season opener, and offensive coordinator Mike Nesbitt was forced to resign after only one game. First year head coach Tony Levine promoted Travis Bush to fill the position. It was the final season that the team would play its home games at the on-campus Robertson Stadium, as it was closed and demolished soon after the season finished.

Preseason

Recruits

For the 2013 recruiting class, Houston attained its highest overall class ranking since 2010, and its second-highest ranking ever by Rivals.com. However, Scout.com only gave Houston its seventh-best overall ranking.

US college sports recruiting information for 2013 recruits
Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	40^‡	Commit date
Markeith Ambles WR	Yuma, Arizona	Arizona Western CC	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	203 lb (92 kg)	4.7	Apr 8, 2013
Markeith Ambles WR	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: ESPN grade: 83
Demarcus Ayers WR	Lancaster, Texas	Lancaster HS	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	174 lb (79 kg)	4.44	Feb 4, 2013
Demarcus Ayers WR	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: ESPN grade: 76
Tyus Bowser DE	Tyler, Texas	John Tyler HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	225 lb (102 kg)	4.60	Feb 5, 2013
Tyus Bowser DE	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: ESPN grade: 74
Billy Cosh QB	Annapolis, Maryland	Butler CC	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	218 lb (99 kg)	N/A	Dec 3, 2012
Billy Cosh QB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: ESPN grade: 76
Ty Cummings K	Southlake, Texas	Carroll HS	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	N/A	Apr 30, 2012
Ty Cummings K	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: ESPN grade: 76
Emerald Faletuipapai OL	Gardena, California	Junípero Serra HS	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	337 lb (153 kg)	N/A	Dec 19, 2012
Emerald Faletuipapai OL	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: ESPN grade: 71
Nomluis Fruge LB	Houston, Texas	Furr HS	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	193 lb (88 kg)	N/A	Dec 13, 2012
Nomluis Fruge LB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: ESPN grade: 68
Donald Gage WR	Zachary, Louisiana	Zachary HS	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	173 lb (78 kg)	4.45	Feb 1, 2013
Donald Gage WR	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: ESPN grade: 78
Joseph Glenn RB	Giddings, Texas	Giddings HS	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	199 lb (90 kg)	4.5	Jul 22, 2012
Joseph Glenn RB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: ESPN grade: 78
Trevor Harris DE	Brooklyn, New York	ASA CC	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	237 lb (108 kg)	4.5	Dec 19, 2012
Trevor Harris DE	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A ESPN grade: NR
D'Juan Hines QB	Houston, Texas	Dekaney HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	4.5	Jun 22, 2012
D'Juan Hines QB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: ESPN grade: 76
Chauntez Jackson DE	Inglewood, California	Inglewood HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	237 lb (108 kg)	N/A	Jan 16, 2013
Chauntez Jackson DE	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: ESPN grade: 75
Chauntez Jackson DE	Inglewood, California	Inglewood HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	237 lb (108 kg)	N/A	Jan 16, 2013
Chauntez Jackson DE	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: ESPN grade: 75
Michael Jolivet DE	Beaumont, Texas	Navarro CC	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	247 lb (112 kg)	4.65	Jul 21, 2012
Michael Jolivet DE	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: ESPN grade: 77
John Leday WR	Port Arthur, Texas	Memorial HS	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	183 lb (83 kg)	N/A	Dec 17, 2012
John Leday WR	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A ESPN grade: NR
Kent London DB	Milpitas, California	Foothill CC	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	213 lb (97 kg)	4.5	Feb 7, 2013
Kent London DB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: ESPN grade: 73
Tyler McCloskey LB	Houston, Texas	Memorial HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	223 lb (101 kg)	N/A	Dec 21, 2012
Tyler McCloskey LB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A ESPN grade: NR
John O'Korn QB	Fort Lauderdale, Florida	St. Thomas Aquinas HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	207 lb (94 kg)	4.7	Jun 22, 2012
John O'Korn QB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: ESPN grade: 77
Damien Parris OL	San Pablo, California	Contra Costa CC	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)	290 lb (130 kg)	4.9	Dec 16, 2012
Damien Parris OL	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: ESPN grade: 73
Deondre Skinner TE	Patterson, Louisiana	Patterson HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	225 lb (102 kg)	4.9	Jan 13, 2013
Deondre Skinner TE	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: ESPN grade: 77
Ja'Braylin Thomas OL	Weimar, Texas	Weimar HS	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	320 lb (150 kg)	N/A	May 16, 2012
Ja'Braylin Thomas OL	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: ESPN grade: 76
Josh Thomas OL	Shreveport, Louisiana	Evangel Christian Academy HS	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	329 lb (149 kg)	N/A	Mar 31, 2012
Josh Thomas OL	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: ESPN grade: 73
Nick Thurman DT	Dallas, Texas	Lake Highlands High School HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	260 lb (120 kg)	N/A	Dec 17, 2012
Nick Thurman DT	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: ESPN grade: 73
Caleb Tucker LB	Monroe, Louisiana	Ouachita Parish HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	225 lb (102 kg)	4.5	Dec 19, 2012
Caleb Tucker LB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: ESPN grade: 76
Turon Walker DB	Pleasant Hill, California	Diablo Valley CC	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	4.5	Dec 14, 2012
Turon Walker DB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: ESPN grade: 75
Greg Ward CB	Tyler, Texas	John Tyler HS	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	163 lb (74 kg)	4.5	Jun 20, 2012
Greg Ward CB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: ESPN grade: 76
Javin Webb RB	Shreveport, Louisiana	Evangel Christian Academy HS	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)	187 lb (85 kg)	N/A	Dec 16, 2012
Javin Webb RB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: ESPN grade: 70
Zach White DB	Desoto, Texas	Evangel Christian Academy HS	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	163 lb (74 kg)	4.5	Feb 4, 2013
Zach White DB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A ESPN grade: NR
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 62 Rivals: 50
‡ Refers to 40 yard dash Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Houston Football Commitment List". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 9, 2013. "Football Recruiting: Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved October 9, 2013. "Houston Cougars: Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 9, 2013. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved October 9, 2013. "2013 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 9, 2013.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 30	7:30 p.m.	Southern*	Reliant Stadium Houston, TX	ESPN3	W 62–13	26,205
September 7	11:00 a.m.	at Temple	Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, PA	AAN	W 22–13	27,328
September 21	2:00 p.m.	vs. Rice*	Reliant Stadium Houston, TX (Bayou Bucket Classic)	FSN	W 31–26	34,831
September 28	3:00 p.m.	at UTSA*	Alamodome San Antonio, TX	FSN	W 59–28	32,487
October 12	11:00 a.m.	Memphis	BBVA Compass Stadium Houston, TX	ESPNews	W 25–15	20,103
October 19	2:30 p.m.	BYU*	Reliant Stadium Houston, TX	ESPNews	L 46–47	33,115
October 26	11:00 a.m.	at Rutgers	High Point Solutions Stadium Piscataway, NJ	ESPNews	W 49–14	52,200
October 31	6:00 p.m.	South Florida	Reliant Stadium Houston, TX	ESPN	W 35–23	22,707
November 9	6:00 p.m.	at No. 21 UCF	Bright House Networks Stadium Orlando, FL	ESPN2	L 14–19	44,665
November 16	6:00 p.m.	at No. 13 Louisville	Papa John's Cardinal Stadium Louisville, KY	ESPNU	L 13–20	53,027
November 23	11:00 a.m.	Cincinnati	BBVA Compass Stadium Houston, TX	ESPNews	L 17–24	20,197
November 29	11:00 a.m.	SMU	Reliant Stadium Houston, TX	ESPN2	W 34–0	23,210
January 4	12:00 p.m.	vs. Vanderbilt*	Legion Field Birmingham, AL (BBVA Compass Bowl)	ESPN	L 24–41	42,717
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

^[1]^[2]

Coaching staff

Name	Position	Alma mater (Year)
Tony Levine	Head coach	Minnesota (1995)
Doug Meacham	Offensive coordinator	Oklahoma State (1987)
David Gibbs	Defensive coordinator	Colorado (1990)
Jamie Christian	Special teams coordinator/Inside receivers/Tight ends	Central Washington (1999)
Glen Elarbee	Offensive line	Middle Tennessee (2002)
Ricky Logo	Defensive line	North Carolina State (1992)
Vernon Hargreaves	Linebackers	Connecticut (1986)
Brandon Middleton	Outside receivers	Houston (2004)
Zac Spavital	Defensive backs	Murray State (2004)

Game summaries

UTSA

Houston at UTSA

	1	2	3	4	Total
• Cougars	7	14	10	28	59
Roadrunners	7	14	7	0	28

Date: September 28
Location: Alamodome
San Antonio, TX
Game start: 3:05 PM CST
Elapsed time: 3:43
Game attendance: 32,487
Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C), Indoors
Referee: Tracy Jones
TV announcers (FSN): Mark Followill, Brian Baldinger & JC Pearson

Source:^[3]

BYU

BYU at Houston

	1	2	3	4	Total
• BYU Cougars	24	10	0	13	47
UH Cougars	21	17	2	6	46

Date: October 19
Location: Reliant Stadium
Houston, TX
Game start: 2:34 PM CST
Elapsed time: 4:07
Game attendance: 33,115
Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C), Indoors
Referee: Greg Burks
TV announcers (ESPNews): Joe Davis & David Diaz-Infante

Sources:

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	BYU	Houston
1	14:05	3	41	0:39	BYU	Jamaal Williams 15-yard touchdown run, Justin Sorensen kick good	7	0
1	10:03	8	68	1:27	BYU	41-yard field goal by Justin Sorensen	10	0
1	9:47				Houston	Demarcus Ayers 95 yard kickoff return for a touchdown, Richie Leone kick good	10	7
1	8:10	7	75	1:37	BYU	Ross Apo 11-yard touchdown reception from Taysom Hill, Justin Sorensen kick good	17	7
1	7:02	3	75	1:08	Houston	Xavier Maxwell 69-yard touchdown reception from Greg Ward Jr., Richie Leone kick good	17	14
1	5:57				Houston	Interception returned 29 yards for touchdown by Derrick Mathews, Richie Leone kick good	17	21
1	3:13	9	75	2:44	BYU	Ross Apo 18-yard touchdown reception from Taysom Hill, Justin Sorensen kick good	24	21
2	11:11	9	61	2:44	Houston	29-yard field goal by Richie Leone	24	24
2	9:38	3	52	0:51	Houston	Deontay Greenberry 6-yard touchdown reception from John O'Korn, Richie Leone kick good	24	31
2	3:57	10	76	2:38	BYU	Jamaal Williams 1-yard touchdown run, Justin Sorensen kick good	31	31
2	1:31	9	75	2:26	Houston	Daniel Spencer 41-yard touchdown reception from John O'Korn, Richie Leone kick good	31	38
2	0:00	8	73	1:31	BYU	20-yard field goal by Justin Sorensen	34	38
3	1:38				Houston	Derrick Mathews 2-yard safety	34	40
4	12:57	9	97	2:17	BYU	Cody Hoffman 25-yard touchdown reception from Taysom Hill, Justin Sorensen kick good	41	40
4	5:20	7	84	1:16	Houston	Deontay Greenberry 10-yard touchdown reception from John O'Korn, 2-point pass incomplete	41	46
4	1:08	3	48	0:42	BYU	Skyler Ridley 11-yard touchdown reception from Taysom Hill, 2-point run failed	47	46
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							47	46

Poll rankings

Ranking movements
**Legend:** ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	Final
AP	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	RV	—	—	RV	RV	—	—	—	—	—
Coaches	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	RV	RV	RV	RV	—	—	—	—	—	—
Harris	Not released							RV	RV	RV	RV	RV	—	—	—	—	Not released
BCS	Not released								—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Not released

References

[1]

[2]

[3]

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