2010 Houston Cougars football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 2010 Houston Cougars Houston Cougars Logo (1999-2012).svg 150 Conference USA West C-USA 5–7 4–4 Kevin Sumlin 3rd Jason Phillips 1st Kliff Kingsbury 1st Brian Stewart 1st Air raid 3–4 Robertson Stadium The 2010 Houston Cougars football team (also known as the Houston Cougars, Houston, or UH) represented the University of Houston in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the 65th year of season play for Houston. The team was coached by third-year head football coach Kevin Sumlin, and played its home games at Robertson Stadium—a 32,000-seat stadium on campus in Houston. The program is a member of Conference USA in its West Division. Although ranked favorably early in the season, the team finished with a 5–7 record, (4–4 in C-USA play) after season-ending injuries to starting quarterback Case Keenum and other key players. Preseason Recruits Houston's 2010 recruiting class was highly rated relative to its previous seasons. Rated as the No. 45 best recruiting class in the nation ahead of TCU and behind Oregon State by Rivals.com, the 2010 class was Houston's highest-ever ranking by the site. Scout.com ranked Houston as #54, which was the highest Houston had been ranked since 2003, and the 3rd-highest-ever ranking by the site. This was also the highest-rated recruiting class in Conference USA by both sites for the season.http://houston.scout.com/a.z?s=215&p=9&c=14&view=2&yr=2010 Conference Rankings Scout.com May 20, 2010http://rivals.yahoo.com/houston/football/recruiting/teamrank/2010/CUSA/all 2010 Team Rankings Rivals.com May 20, 2010 In terms of position, Houston ranked No. 13 in the nation by Scout.com for best average ratings of quarterbacks recruited.http://houston.scout.com/a.z?s=215&p=9&c=14&view=3&yr=2010 Quarterback Rankings Scout.com May 20, 2010 This reinforced the team's depth in the position, as senior Case Keenum was scheduled to compete in his last season in 2010. yes yes 2010 Kenneth Bibbins TE Sugar Land, Texas Kempner 6 4 208 4.72 2009-07-14 2 3 75 Eric Braswell DE Killeen, Texas Shoemaker 6 4 233 4.80 2009-07-24 2 3 40 Terrance Broadway QB Baton Rouge, Louisiana Capitol 6 1 197 4.65 2009-07-24 3 4 78 Kent Brooks DB Humble, Texas Atascocita 5 11 200 4.50 2009-03-08 2 3 77 Sammy Brown LB Perkinston, Mississippi Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. 6 3 236 4.60 2009-12-07 3 3 N/A Xavier Brown RB Pearland, Texas Dawson 6 0 194 4.50 2008-12-19 3 3 74 Alton Demby DB Galena Park, Texas North Shore 5 10 178 4.50 2009-03-18 3 3 76 Jeremiah Farley DE Longview, Texas Longview 6 1 233 4.70 2009-04-29 2 2 40 Rowdy Harper OL Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Broken Arrow 6 6 268 5.20 2009-09-13 2 2 77 Chris Hill OL Houston, Texas Yates 6 5 288 N/A 2009-09-13 2 2 71 Aaron Johnson QB Longview, Texas Longview 6 1 178 4.60 2009-08-07 3 3 73 Jordan Jolly WR Missouri City, Texas Elkins 6 1 169 4.55 2009-07-13 3 3 77 D.J. Jones DB Cibolo, Texas Steele 6 1 183 4.50 2009-07-24 2 3 40 Darian Lazard QB Pearland, Texas Dawson 6 1 173 4.58 2009-12-18 2 3 76 Richie Leone K Roswell, Georgia Roswell 6 3 188 4.70 2009-07-28 2 3 73 Austin Lunsford OL Garrison, Texas Garrison 6 4 293 5.00 2009-06-08 3 2 77 Zach McMillian DB Sugar Land, Texas Dulles 5 10 155 4.49 2009-06-09 2 3 75 Efrem Oliphant LB Houston, Texas Langham 6 1 205 4.60 2009-04-16 2 3 74 DeAndre Perry WR Austin, Texas Bowie 6 3 210 4.60 2009-05-01 3 3 78 David Piland QB Southlake, Texas Carroll 6 2 178 4.70 2009-08-08 2 3 71 Bryce Redman OL Longview, Texas Longview 6 2 265 4.90 2009-06-06 2 2 74 Dominique Sanders ATH Fort Worth, Texas Dunbar 6 1 193 4.45 2010-01-23 3 3 N/A Matangi Tonga DT San Mateo, California C. of San Mateo 6 3 283 4.67 2010-01-15 3 4 N/A Langston Williams WR Arlington, Texas Bowie 5 8 160 4.40 2009-07-28 2 3 40 Rodney Williams DT Dallas, Texas Skyline 6 1 260 N/A 2009-05-28 2 3 75 Austin Wilson LB Tyler, Texas Lee 6 0 200 4.60 2009-09-26 2 3 40 Jon Witten LB Houston, Texas Clear Lake 6 2 209 4.64 2009-03-12 2 2 73 yes 2010 Houston Commit List for 2010 Houston: Commits Houston Football Recruiting 2010 houston 695 248 54 45 May 19, 2010 yes Coaching staff thumb|Houston head coach Kevin Sumlin Name Position Alma mater (Year) Kevin Sumlin Head coach Purdue (1986) Jason Phillips Offensive coordinator Houston (1988) Brian Stewart Defensive coordinator Northern Arizona (1992) Tony Levine Special teams Minnesota (1996) Kliff Kingsbury Co-offensive coordinator Texas Tech (2002) Leon Burtnett Linebackers Southwestern College (1965) Jim Jeffcoat Defensive line Arizona State (1982) Lee Hays Offensive line Texas A&M–Kingsville (1997) Clarence McKinney Running backs Mary (1994) Charles McMillian Defensive backs Utah State (1995) Zac Spavital Cornerbacks Murray State (2004) Top 25 rankings During the pre-season, Houston was ranked in several notable top 25 polls. Sports Illustrated placed Houston at No. 21 in its power rankings list.http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/andy_staples/05/03/post-spring/index.html?xid=cnnbin&hpt=Sbin 'Bama exits spring as No. 1 team Staples, Andy May 4, 2010 Sports Illustrated May 19, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100507151125/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/andy_staples/05/03/post-spring/index.html?xid=cnnbin&hpt=Sbin May 7, 2010 dead Lindy's Sports ranked Houston as #23, and Phil Steele ranked the team as #24.http://www.lindyssports.com/article.php?cn=1783 Lindy's announces its 2010 preseason Top 25 and All-America teams Lindy's Sports May 19, 2010http://philsteele.com/ Phil Steele's College Football Preview Steele, Phil May 24, 2010 Just outside the top 25, Sporting News ranked Houston as #26,http://www.khou.com/sports/UH-ranked-26-in-The-Sporting-News-preseason-Poll-95582474.html UH football ranked No. 26 in "The Sporting News" preseason Poll June 3, 2010 KHOU June 3, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100611082613/http://www.khou.com/sports/UH-ranked-26-in-The-Sporting-News-preseason-Poll-95582474.html June 11, 2010 dead mdy-all and in the Coaches' Poll as #27.https://www.espn.com/college-football/rankings 2010 NCAA Football Rankings - Preseason ESPN August 11, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100823063631/http://espn.go.com/college-football/rankings August 23, 2010 live Awards & award watch lists Case Keenum Davey O'Brien Award watch listhttp://www.uhcougars.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/071410aae.html Keenum Named to O'Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List Houston Cougars athletics July 14, 2010 July 31, 2010 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch listhttp://www.uhcougars.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/070410aaa.html Keenum Named to Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List Houston Cougars athletics July 4, 2010 July 31, 2010 Manning Award watch listhttp://www.uhcougars.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/072310aad.html Manning Award Adds Case Keenum to Watch List Houston Cougars athletics July 23, 2010 July 31, 2010 Maxwell Awardhttp://www.uhcougars.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/080910aaa.html Keenum Named to Two More National Watch Lists Houston Cougars athletics August 9, 2010 August 11, 2010 Walter Camp Award watch list Conference USA Preseason Offensive Player of the Yearhttp://www.uhcougars.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/072110aab.html Five Cougars Named to Football Preseason All-Conference USA Team Houston Cougars athletics July 21, 2010 July 31, 2010 Conference USA Preseason offensive first team selection Jamal Robinson Conference USA Preseason defensive first team selection James Cleveland Fred Biletnikoff Award watch listhttp://www.uhcougars.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/081010aad.html Three Cougar Receivers Named to Biletnikoff Watch List Houston Cougars athletics August 10, 2010 August 10, 2010 Conference USA Preseason offensive first team selection Marcus McGraw Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch listhttp://www.uhcougars.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/062110aaa.html Linebacker Marcus McGraw Named to Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List Houston Cougars athletics June 21, 2010 July 31, 2010 Lombardi Award watch listhttp://www.uhcougars.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042910aaa.html McGraw Named to Lombardi Award Watch List Houston Cougars athletics April 29, 2010 July 31, 2010 Conference USA Preseason defensive first team selection Patrick Edwards Fred Biletnikoff Award watch list Tyron Carrier Fred Biletnikoff Award watch list Paul Hornung Award watch listhttp://www.uhcougars.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/081710aaa.html Carrier Named to Hornung Award Watch List Houston Cougars athletics August 17, 2010 August 19, 2010 Conference USA Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year Conference USA Preseason special teams first team selection Roster 2010 Houston Cougars f 7 Sr Case Keenum QB y yes http://www.uhcougars.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/121810aaa.html *Kevin Sumlin Schedule 2010 AP Central September 4 7:00 p.m. w y 2010 2010 Texas State Bobcats football team Texas State University–San Marcos Texas State Robertson Stadium Houston, TX 68–28 32,119http://www.uhcougars.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2010-2011/uhfb1.html Texas State vs. Houston: Final Stats September 4, 2010 Houston Cougars athletics September 4, 2010A A September 10 9:15 p.m. w UTEP Robertson Stadium Houston, TX ESPN 54–24 32,119http://www.uhcougars.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2010-2011/uhfb2.html UTEP vs. Houston: Final Stats September 11, 2010 Houston Cougars athletics September 11, 2010B B September 18 9:30 p.m. l y y 23 UCLA Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA FSN 13–31 54,407https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=302610026 Houston Cougars vs. UCLA Bruins Box Score ESPN.com September 19, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100922125841/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=302610026 September 22, 2010 live September 25 2:30 p.m. w Tulane Robertson Stadium Houston, TX CBSCS 42–23 32,007https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=302610026 Tulane Green Wave vs. Houston Cougars Box Score ESPN.com September 25, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100922125841/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=302610026 September 22, 2010 live October 9 7:00 p.m. l y Mississippi State Robertson Stadium Houston, TX CBSCS 24–47 32,067https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=302820248 Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Houston Cougars Box Score ESPN.com October 10, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101012173501/http://espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=302820248 October 12, 2010 live October 16 2:30 p.m. l y Rice rivalry Rice Stadium Houston, TX CSS 31–34 26,342https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=302890242 Houston Cougars vs. Rice Owls Box Score ESPN.com January 4, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20101124181923/http://espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=302890242 November 24, 2010 live October 23 2:30 p.m. w y SMU rivalry Gerald J. Ford Stadium Dallas, TX CBSCS 45–20 20,741https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=302962567 Houston Cougars vs. Southern Methodist Mustangs Box Score ESPN.com October 24, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101025151806/http://espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=302962567 October 25, 2010 live October 30 6:00 p.m. w y Memphis Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN CSS 56–17 19,731https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=303030235 Houston Cougars vs. Memphis Tigers Box Score ESPN.com January 4, 2011 November 5 7:00 p.m. l UCF Robertson Stadium Houston, TX ESPN2 33–40 32,008https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=303090248 UCF Knights vs. Houston Cougars Box Score ESPN.com January 4, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20101201182905/http://espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=303090248 December 1, 2010 live November 13 7:00 p.m. l y Tulsa Robertson Stadium Houston, TX CBSCS 25–28 30,046https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=303170248 Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. Houston Cougars Box Score ESPN.com January 4, 2011 November 20 6:00 p.m. l y Southern Miss M. M. Roberts Stadium Hattiesburg, MS 41–59 32,606https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=303242572 Houston Cougars vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles Box Score ESPN.com January 4, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20101203141855/http://espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=303242572 December 3, 2010 live November 27 7:00 p.m. l y y Texas Tech Jones AT&T Stadium Lubbock, TX rivalry FSN 20–35 53,461https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=303312641 Houston Cougars vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders Box Score ESPN.com January 4, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20101203141857/http://espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=303312641 December 3, 2010 live A ADenotes the largest crowd to have watched a football game at Robertson Stadium in its current capacity, and the largest Houston had ever hosted on-campus. This broke the record set during last season versus Texas Tech. B BDenotes a tie for largest crowd to have watched a football game at Robertson Stadium in its current capacity, and a tie for the largest Houston had ever hosted on-campus. This matched the attendance of the previous week. Game summaries Texas State thumb|Houston versus Texas State at a sold-out Robertson Stadium Texas State 7 0 7 14 Houston 20 34 14 0 As a season opener, Houston met with Texas State of the Southland Conference (a Division I FCS conference) for the fourth time in history. However, the two teams had not competed against each other in over six decades, with the last game being in 1948.http://www.uhcougars.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/090510aac.html Houston Cougars athletics September 4, 2010 September 5, 2010 Football Postgame Notes vs. Texas State Texas State had been undefeated against Houston, and were led by fourth-year head coach Brad Wright. Attendance was at an all-time high for Robertson Stadium, as 32,119 fans watched the game. The record-setting crowd at the stadium surpassed the previous season record against Texas Tech. This marked the largest home-opening crowd to watch the Cougars play since 37,652 fans watched Houston face California at the Astrodome on September 6, 1997. Quarterback Case Keenum set school records for both career passing yards and career pass attempts, surpassing then-current Philadelphia Eagles starting quarterback Kevin Kolb. UTEP left|thumb|Houston's offense gets ready to start a drive from their end zone against UTEP 2010 UTEP Miners football team UTEP 7 3 7 7 Houston 14 17 6 17 Conference USA foe UTEP traveled to Robertson Stadium to face-off against Houston for the eighth time in history. Prior to UTEP's defeat, Houston's record against the team stood at 3–4.http://www.uhcougars.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/091110aab.html Football Postgame Notes vs. UTEP Houston Cougars athletics September 11, 2010 September 13, 2010 During the previous season, UTEP defeated No. 12 Houston to knock the team out of the national rankings for a period of time. The team was led by sixth-year head coach Mike Price who had previously served as head coach for Washington State with Kevin Sumlin as a graduate assistant. Attendance for the game was again at an all-time high, as the 32,119 fans in attendance tied the previous record from the game prior. The matchup was nationally televised on ESPN. The Cougars' offensive strategy appeared to be more focused on rushing rather than the passing game Houston was known for. It was the first time the team had achieved 300 rushing yards in a game since compiling 377 yards against Texas Southern on November 24, 2007. After an interception thrown by senior Case Keenum to UTEP's Trauvan Nixon in the third quarter of the game, the quarterback attempted to tackle the opposing player. Keenum suffered a blow to the head, and was removed from the game. Back-up quarterback Cotton Turner took his place to carry on the win. It was later reported that Keenum was exhibiting symptoms of a mild concussion, but was showing dramatic improvement two days after the game. His condition was listed as being "day-to-day".https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5565594 Case Keenum listed as day to day ESPN.com September 12, 2010 September 13, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100918015059/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5565594 September 18, 2010 live Following the game, Houston became nationally ranked for the first time since the previous season, as the Cougars entered both the AP Poll and Coaches' Poll as #23.http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/college/houston/7198733.html UH's Beall rushes to C-USA player of week honor Campbell, Steve September 13, 2010 September 13, 2010 Houston Chronicle https://web.archive.org/web/20100914131406/http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/college/houston/7198733.html September 14, 2010 live Junior running back Bryce Beall was named the Conference USA offensive player of the week. Houston's record at 2–0, made it the only team in its conference division to remain undefeated overall, and allowed the team to take the number one spot in the standings. UCLA #23 Houston 3 0 0 10 UCLA 7 14 10 0 2010 UCLA Bruins football team Matt Hogan kicked a 29-yard field goal to give the Cougars the first quarter lead. Johnathan Franklin answered with an 11-yard run for a Bruins 7–3 lead. The Bruins scored two touchdowns in the second quarter. Kevin Prince ran for a 2-yard touchdown and Franklin added a 1-yard run touchdown. In the third quarter, UCLA had a 42-yard field goal by Kai Forbath, the 2009 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award winner, and a touchdown again by Franklin (12 yards). Houston scored twice in the fourth quarter, on James Cleveland's 10-yard pass from Terrance Broadway and on Matt Hogan's 31-yard field goal. Two Houston quarterbacks, Case Keenum and Cotton Turner, were injured in the game and are out for the season. UCLA's Patrick Larimore, who had a career-high and team-high 11 tackles (10 solos), including three for loss, forced a fumble and broke up a pass in the game was named Pac-10 Conference defensive player of the week. He was also named the FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week. Tulane Tulane 0 14 3 6 Houston 7 21 0 14 2010 Tulane Green Wave football team First quarter scoring: Houston – Bryce Beall (3-yard run). Second quarter scoring: Tulane – Cody Sparks (13-yard pass from Kevin Moore), Devin Figaro (36-yard pass from Moore); Houston – Beall (1-yard run, 1-yard run), Michael Hayes (1-yard run). Third quarter scoring: Tulane – Cairo Santos (29-yard field goal). Fourth quarter scoring: Tulane – Payten Jason (9-yard run); Houston – Beall (25-yard run), Loyce Means (42-yard interception return). Rankings 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings + Week-to-week rankingsLegend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking. ██ Not ranked the previous week. RV=receiving votes. Poll Pre Wk 1 Wk 2 Wk 3 Wk 4 Wk 5 Wk 6 Wk 7 Wk 8 Wk 9 Wk 10 Wk 11 Wk 12 Wk 13 Wk 14 Final APRVRV23RVRVRVNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR CoachesRVRV23RVRVRVRVNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR Harris Not releasedNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR BCS Not releasedNRNRNRNRNRNRNRNR References Houston Category:Houston Cougars football seasons Houston Cougars football Houston Cougars football