2008 Houston Cougars football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 2008 Houston Cougars football Houston Cougars Logo (1999-2012).svg 150 Conference USA West Division C-USA 8–5 6–2 Kevin Sumlin 1st Dana Holgorsen 1st Jason Phillips 1st Spread John Skladany 1st 4–3 Ken Fontenette Mark Hafner Phillip Hunt Case Keenum SirVincent Rogers Robertson Stadium Armed Forces Bowl champion Armed Forces Bowl W 34–28 vs. Air Force The 2008 Houston Cougars football team represented the University of Houston as a member of Conference USA (C-USA) during the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by first-year head coach Kevin Sumlin, the Cougars compiled an overall record of 8–5 with a mark of 6–2 in conference play, placing third in C-USA's West Division. Houston was invited to the Armed Forces Bowl, where the Cougars defeated Air Force. The team played home games on campus, at Robertson Stadium in Houston. Sumlin, whose previous position was as co-offensive coordinator for the Oklahoma Sooners, replaced Art Briles. Houston's victory in the Armed Forces Bowl was the program's first bowl game win since the 1980 Garden State Bowl, and snapped a streak of eight straight bowl game loses, the longest in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) at the time. The Cougars defeated two nationally-ranked opponents for the first time since the 1984 season. Schedule 2008 AP Central August 30 6:00 pm w y Southern Robertson Stadium Houston, TX 55–3 26,555 https://www.newspapers.com/article/victoria-advocate-houston-55-southern-3/131492904/ Victoria Advocate Houston 55, Southern 3 August 31, 2008 September 9, 2023 Newspapers.com September 6 6:05 pm l y y Oklahoma State Boone Pickens Stadium Stillwater, OK 37–56 45,001 September 13 2:30 pm l y y Air Force Gerald J. Ford Stadium Dallas, TX 28–31 2,546 September 20 2:30 pm l y y Colorado State Hughes Stadium Fort Collins, CO 25–28 21,539 September 27 2:30 p.m. w y East Carolina 23 Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium Greenville, NC CBS-CS 41–24 43,641 October 9 7:00 pm w UAB Robertson Stadium Houston, TX CBS-CS 45–20 18,526 October 18 7:00 pm w y SMU Gerald J. Ford Stadium Dallas, TX rivalry 44–38 18,972 October 28 7:00 pm l y Marshall Joan C. Edwards Stadium Huntington, WV ESPN2 23–37 20,716 November 8 7:00 pm w y Tulane Robertson Stadium Houston, TX CBS-CS 42–14 23,522 November 15 7:00 pm w Tulsa 25 Robertson Stadium Houston, TX CBS-CS 70–30 20,855 November 22 2:30 pm w UTEP Robertson Stadium Houston, TX 42–37 18,134 November 28 2:30 pm l y Rice Rice Stadium Houston, TX rivalry CBS-CS 42–56 35,534 December 31 11:00 am w y y Air Force Amon G. Carter Stadium Fort Worth, TX Armed Forces Bowl ESPN 34–28 41,127 Houston Cougars Schedule 2008 https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/schedule/_/id/248/season/2008 ESPN November 9, 2025 2008 Houston Cougars Schedule and Results https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/houston/2008-schedule.html College Football at Sports-Reference.com Sports Reference November 9, 2025 2008 Football Schedule https://uhcougars.com/sports/football/schedule/2008 University of Houston November 9, 2025 Preseason Recruiting Twenty players were recruited for the 2008 season. Several higher-ranking recruits were lost when Art Briles left, as they followed the coach to Baylor. Due to Houston's head coach change, Sumlin's ability to recruit before National Signing Day was shorter than usual, as he was finishing his duties with the Oklahoma Sooners.http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5517013.html Campbell, Steve Houston Chronicle February 6, 2008 UH head coach Sumlin has way of seizing on chances April 8, 2008 In early April, it was announced that the Cougars had two other junior college commitments. Kyle Thomas and Nick Thurston, both from California, came from the City College of San Francisco.http://www.texasfootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=32&url_article_id=1836&change_well_id=2 Verbal Pledges '09: New Braunfels LB Tom Wort off to OU Dave Campbell's Texas Football texasfootball.com April 18, 2008 April 19, 2008 Two other junior college (JUCO) commitments, Clint Leal and Kierrie Johnson, were recruited from Blinn College. Thomas is expected to join the roster in the Spring, as he still had some coursework to finish in California. yes yes 2008 Jacolby Ashworth OL Lufkin, TX Lufkin HS 6 4 275 N/A 2008-01-20 2 2 Bryce Beall DB Tatum, TX Tatum HS 6 0 200 4.5 2008-01-27 2 2 Gino Collins ATH Houston, TX St. Pius X HS 6 0 181 4.5 2007-07-22 2 2 Doran Guillory DE Beaumont, TX Monsignor Kelly HS 6 3 270 4.75 2008-01-27 2 2 Jackie Hinton ATH Channelview, TX Channelview HS 5 10 186 4.5 2008-01-13 3 3 David Hunter OL Waller, TX Waller HS 6 2 270 4.9 2008-01-20 2 2 Kierrie Johnson WR Brenham, TX Blinn College 5 10 175 4.4 2008-06-02 1 Kris Johnston DB Texas City, TX Texas City HS 6 1 186 4.5 2007-08-26 2 2 Clint Leal LB Brenham, TX Blinn College 6 5 235 N/A 2008-03-13 Anthony Lewis LB Houston, TX Aldine HS 6 2 210 4.5 2008-01-13 3 3 Jordan Mannisto K Westlake Village, CA Westlake HS 6 0 175 4.7 2008-01-28 2 2 Marcus McGraw LB Arlington, TX Bowie HS 5 10 210 4.6 2008-01-28 2 2 Nicholas Saenz DB Pearland, TX Pearland HS 6 0 160 4.45 2007-06-01 3 2 Blake Sargent DT Friendswood, TX Friendswood HS 6 3 272 N/A 2007-07-29 2 2 Jarvis Smith LB Houston, TX Chavez HS 6 2 205 N/A 2008-01-14 4 3 Isaiah Sweeney WR Sugar Land, TX Hightower HS 5 10 170 N/A 2008-01-20 2 2 Ari Tatum TE Dacula, GA Dacula HS 6 5 225 4.73 2007-06-08 2 2 Kyle Thomas DE San Francisco, CA City College of San Francisco 6 5 250 4.7 2008-03-30 1 3 Nick Thurston LB San Francisco, CA City College of San Francisco 6 1 245 N/A 2008-03-30 Mohammed Usman DE Arlington, TX Bowie HS 6 1 235 N/A 2008-01-28 2 2 Ken Van Heule OL Hurst, TX Bell HS 6 4 265 N/A 2008-01-20 2 2 Ronnie Williams WR Houston, TX Sterling HS 5 11 180 4.6 2008-01-29 2 2 Chris Wilson RB Sugar Land, TX Stephen F. Austin HS 5 10 194 N/A 2008-01-20 2 2 yes 2008 Houston Commit List for 2008 Houston: Commits 77 100 March 22, 2008 yes Coaching staff and changes thumb|Kevin Sumlin, Cougars head coach Former co-offensive coordinator for the Oklahoma Sooners, Kevin Sumlin replaced Art Briles as head coach. Sumlin became the first African-American head coach in Cougar history, and the eighth in the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision.https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=3153106 Schad, Joe Houston hires Sumlin, eighth minority coach in FBS ESPN.com December 13, 2007 March 23, 2008 In his final year with the Sooners, his offense was one of the best in the country, averaging 44 points per game.Schlabach, Mark Yellow Jackets, Wolverines, Midshipmen earn high marks, ESPN.com, December 17, 2007. Dana Holgorsen came to Houston from the Texas Tech Red Raiders, where he spent eight years as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.http://uhcougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/holgorsen_dana00.html Player Bio: Dana Holgorsen University of Houston athletics March 24, 2008 May 17, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080517001355/http://uhcougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/holgorsen_dana00.html dead He serves the Cougars in the same capacity. John Skladany replaced Alan Weddell as defensive coordinator. Skladany came from the UCF Knights, a fellow C-USA team.http://uhcougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/skladany_john00.html Player Bio: John Skladany University of Houston athletics March 24, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080304150740/http://uhcougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/skladany_john00.html March 4, 2008 live Prior to coaching for UCF, Skladany spent ten years with the Iowa State Cyclones. Sumlin and Skladany followed through with plans to change the Cougars defensive strategy from a 3–4 defense to a 4–3.Kubat, Tom http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080218/SPORTS020101/802180338/1046/SPORTS020101 Now and Then: Kevin Sumlin February 18, 2008 April 8, 2008 Journal & Courier October 2010 H3llBot Leon Burtnett came from the Washington State Cougars as linebackers coach.http://uhcougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/burtnett_leon00.html Player Bio: Leon Burtnett University of Houston athletics March 24, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080304150723/http://uhcougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/burtnett_leon00.html March 4, 2008 live New defensive line coach, Jim Jeffcoat spent his last four seasons as defensive ends coach for the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.http://uhcougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/jeffcoat_jim00.html Player Bio: Jim Jeffcoat University of Houston athletics March 24, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080312072719/http://uhcougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/jeffcoat_jim00.html March 12, 2008 live Another new addition to the staff with NFL coaching experience was special teams coordinator and tight ends coach Tony Levine, who spent his previous two seasons with the Carolina Panthers.http://uhcougars.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/levine_tony00.html Player Bio: Tony Levine University of Houston athletics March 24, 2008 May 17, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080517055309/http://uhcougars.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/levine_tony00.html dead Spring practices From March 8 to April 12, 2008, the Cougars held Spring practices. In addition to the fourteen practices held throughout this period, the Cougars held two scrimmages, and concluded with the annual "Red-White Game".http://uhcougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/08-spring-football-dates.html 2008 Spring Football Dates University of Houston athletics April 13, 2008 March 30, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080330223947/http://uhcougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/08-spring-football-dates.html dead The Red-White Game, a home exhibition game between the offensive and defensive players of the Cougars, was a part of festivities held for the University of Houston's "Cougar Fest". A skydive by the U.S. Army Golden Knights to present the game ball was planned, but was canceled due to high winds.http://www.uh.edu/uhtoday/2008/04april/040808cougarfest.html Cougar Fest 2008 Offers Fun-Filled Day of Football, Interactive Activities UH Office of Internal Communications UH Today News April 8, 2008 April 13, 2008September 2016 medicmedic Games summaries Southern thumb|2008 opening season game against the Southern Jaguars at Robertson Stadium Southern 0 3 0 0 Houston 7 31 10 7 The 2008 game marked the first meeting between the Houston Cougars and the Southern Jaguars.http://media.www.southerndigest.com/media/storage/paper950/news/2008/04/22/Schedules/Su.Releases.Football.Schedule-3341901.shtml Young, Larry SU releases football schedule April 22, 2008 May 3, 2008 The Southern Digest https://web.archive.org/web/20080502004504/http://media.www.southerndigest.com/media/storage/paper950/news/2008/04/22/Schedules/Su.Releases.Football.Schedule-3341901.shtml May 2, 2008 dead mdy-all The team played in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FBS). The Grambling Tigers, the Jaguars' main rival, fell to the Cougars as part of their 2006 season schedule 42–22.http://uhcougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/hou-m-footbl-sched-2006.html https://archive.today/20130120060402/http://uhcougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/hou-m-footbl-sched-2006.html dead January 20, 2013 Houston Football Archive: 2006 Schedule May 3, 2008 Houston Cougars athletics In 2007, the Cougars finished their regular season by defeating another SWAC opponent, crosstown Texas Southern Tigers.http://uhcougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/hou-m-footbl-sched-2007.html https://archive.today/20130120032221/http://uhcougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/hou-m-footbl-sched-2007.html dead January 20, 2013 2007 Archive: 2007-2008 Schedule University of Houston athletics March 23, 2008 Oklahoma State 2008 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team Houston 7 9 7 14 Oklahoma State 7 7 28 14 thumb|left|The Cougars and Cowboys face off at Boone Pickens Stadium on September 8, 2008 This marked the 19th game between the Cougars and the Oklahoma State Cowboys who were a member of the Big 12 Conference.http://cfreference.net/cfr/all_time_schedule/1049?vs_id=665 University of Houston VS Oklahoma State University - All Time College Football Reference May 3, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303210316/http://cfreference.net/cfr/all_time_schedule/1049?vs_id=665 March 3, 2016 dead Playing against each other since 1951, the Cougars held a 9–8–1 all-time record against the Cowboys, and the last meeting between the two teams was during the 2006 season. During that meeting, the Cowboys fell to the Cougars 34-25. The Cougars traveled to Stillwater for the first time since 1986 to compete. Despite leading the Cowboys during the first half of the game, the Cougars eventually lost 56–37. The Cowboys went on to be consistently ranked this season as one of the top 25 teams in the nation. Air Force thumb|The Cougars versus the Air Force Falcons at Gerald J. Ford Stadium Air Force 3 14 14 0 Houston 7 0 7 14 Another first meeting on the Cougars' schedule was with the Air Force Falcons.http://thedailycougar.com/2008/03/04/houston-football-schedule-looks-to-be-a-good-trial-for-sumlin/ Houston football schedule looks to be a good trial for Sumlin Lee, Jong March 4, 2008 May 3, 2008 The Daily Cougar A member of the Mountain West Conference, the Falcons played football since 1955.https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/access/288937262.html?dids=288937262:288937262&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Nov+23%2C+1955&author=&pub=The+Washington+Post+and+Times+Herald++(1954-1959)&edition=&startpage=31&desc=Air+Force+Academy%27s+4-3+Football+Team+Ends+First+Season+With+Oklahoma+Frosh https://archive.today/20130131194804/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/access/288937262.html?dids=288937262:288937262&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Nov+23,+1955&author=&pub=The+Washington+Post+and+Times+Herald++(1954-1959)&edition=&startpage=31&desc=Air+Force+Academy's+4-3+Football+Team+Ends+First+Season+With+Oklahoma+Frosh dead January 31, 2013 Air Force Academy's 4-3 Football Team Ends First Season With Oklahoma Frosh The Washington Post November 23, 1955 May 3, 2008 The previous season, the Falcons finished with a 9–4 record, while losing to the California Golden Bears in the 2007 Armed Forces Bowl.https://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/mwest/airforce.htm Air Force: Inside Slant USA Today 2008-05-03 The game was scheduled to be televised on the CBS College Sports Network as the first of the four nationally televised games for the Cougars season, but was canceled. The game was originally scheduled to be played at Robertson Stadium in Houston, but due to Hurricane Ike, the game was played at SMU's Ford Stadium. The Cougars fell to the Falcons 31-28. Colorado State 2008 Colorado State Rams football team Houston 0 3 14 8 Colorado State 7 14 0 7 With a 3-0 all-time record against the Colorado State Rams, the Cougars faced them for the fourth time on the road at Hughes Stadium.http://cfreference.net/cfr/all_time_schedule/1049?vs_id=346 University of Houston VS Colorado State University - All Time College Football Reference May 3, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303171401/http://cfreference.net/cfr/all_time_schedule/1049?vs_id=346 March 3, 2016 dead The most recent meeting between the teams had been the season before, where the Rams lost to the Cougars 38-27 in Houston. Steve Fairchild, a former player for the Rams, and the former offensive coordinator and under previous head coach Sonny Lubick, had taken over as head coach during this season.https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=3154046 Fairchild, Rams seek return to college football's national scene Associated Press ESPN ESPN.com December 13, 2008 May 3, 2008 With a third consecutive loss, the Cougars fell to the Rams 28-25. East Carolina 2008 East Carolina Pirates football team Houston 14 7 3 17 #23 East Carolina 7 3 7 7 This game was the ninth meeting between the Cougars and fellow Conference USA team, the East Carolina Pirates.http://cfreference.net/cfr/all_time_schedule/1049?vs_id=1053 University of Houston VS East Carolina University - All Time College Football Reference May 3, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220936/http://cfreference.net/cfr/all_time_schedule/1049?vs_id=1053 March 3, 2016 dead Last season, after defeating the Cougars 37-35, the Pirates went on to finish with an 8-5 record including a win against #24 Boise State in the 2007 Hawaii Bowl.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=273570151 ECU edges No. 24 Boise St. for first postseason win since 2000 Associated Press ESPN ESPN.com December 23, 2007 May 3, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080508055128/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=273570151 May 8, 2008 dead The Pirates led the series between the Cougars 8-5. The game was broadcast on the CBS College Sports Network, and was played at East Carolina's Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium. After beating the #17 Virginia Tech Hokies during their 2008 season opener, the Pirates gained national attention. This continued in their next week of play, as they defeated the #8 West Virginia Mountaineers 24-3, and became ranked by the AP Poll as #14. Despite an upset by the North Carolina State Wolfpack the week before, the Pirates were ranked at #23 by the AP Poll when the Cougars arrived in Greenville. Despite predictions that ECU would win the game, the Cougars managed an upset with a large margin of victory. This was the Cougars' first win over a ranked team since 1996, and the first against a ranked team in a road game since 1984.https://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/cusa/houston.htm Houston: Season Recap USA Today October 20, 2008 UAB 2008 UAB Blazers football team UAB 3 17 0 0 Houston 0 3 21 21 The third home game was the seventh meeting between the Cougars and the UAB Blazers. With the most recent game between the two teams being last season, the Blazers led the series 4-2.http://cfreference.net/cfr/all_time_schedule/1049?vs_id=1079 University of Houston VS University of Alabama at Birmingham - All Time College Football Reference May 4, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303185805/http://cfreference.net/cfr/all_time_schedule/1049?vs_id=1079 March 3, 2016 dead However, the team was defeated by the Cougars, and finished their 2007 season with a 2–10 record, the worst in the school's history.https://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/cusa/uab.htm UAB: Inside Slant USA Today May 4, 2008 This followed the departure of Watson Brown to the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, and the appointment of former Georgia Bulldogs and Houston Cougars assistant Neil Callaway as head coach. The game was televised by the CBS College Sports Network. SMU Houston 0 14 9 21 SMU 14 7 14 3 Former Southwest Conference and current Conference USA members, the SMU Mustangs faced the Cougars in their twenty-fourth meeting.http://cfreference.net/cfr/all_time_schedule/1049?vs_id=727 University of Houston VS Southern Methodist University - All Time College Football Reference May 4, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215436/http://cfreference.net/cfr/all_time_schedule/1049?vs_id=727 March 3, 2016 dead The first game between the two teams took place during the 1975 season when Houston joined the Southwest Conference, and the teams have regularly played each other since. The Cougars led the series 13-9-1, including a 38–28 win against the Mustangs last season. This season, June Jones, former Hawaii Warriors head coach took the same position at SMU.http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/topstories/stories/010808dnsposmulede.1b8fc462.html SMU's search ends with hiring of Jones Hairopoulos, Kate January 8, 2008 May 4, 2008 The Dallas Morning News https://web.archive.org/web/20080110093347/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/topstories/stories/010808dnsposmulede.1b8fc462.html January 10, 2008 dead At Hawaii, Jones had gained national attention after the Warriors went undefeated, and were invited to the 2008 Sugar Bowl.http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Dec/03/br/br7964813250.html Warriors to play Georgia in Sugar Bowl Tsai, Stephen Honolulu Advertiser December 3, 2007 March 3, 2008 After the win, the Cougars moved up in the Conference USA standings to tie for first with an undefeated Tulsa in their division. Marshall 2008 Marshall Thundering Herd football team Houston 0 3 6 14 Marshall 3 13 14 7 left|thumb|On October 28, the Cougars and Thundering Herd met for the first time ever at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington, West Virginia The Marshall Thundering Herd played the Cougars for the second time in history during this season.http://cfreference.net/cfr/all_time_schedule/1049?vs_id=690 University of Houston VS Marshall University - All Time College Football Reference May 4, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303201541/http://cfreference.net/cfr/all_time_schedule/1049?vs_id=690 March 3, 2016 dead Their last game against each other was played during the 2007 season, where the Thundering Herd was defeated 35–28 in Houston at Robertson Stadium. This time, Marshall played Houston at home, and won. This marked the first loss for the Cougars in conference play, and dropped them down in conference standings from 1st to 3rd (after Tulsa and Rice). ESPN broadcast the game. Houston wide receiver Patrick Edwards suffered a gruesome broken leg when he collided with an equipment cart at the back of the end zone, though he would return the next season in a starting role. Tulane Tulane 0 7 0 7 Houston 7 14 21 0 In another conference game, the Tulane Green Wave traveled to Houston to play the Cougars for the fourteenth time.http://cfreference.net/cfr/all_time_schedule/1049?vs_id=342 University of Houston VS Tulane University - All Time College Football Reference 2008-05-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222718/http://cfreference.net/cfr/all_time_schedule/1049?vs_id=342 March 3, 2016 dead Playing their first game together in 1968, the Cougars led the series 9-4. The teams had competed against each other each consecutive season since 2002, although Tulane hadn't achieved a win against Houston since that same year. Tulane's head coach Bob Toledo returned for his second year with the Green Wave. Although not originally scheduled, the game was televised on CBS College Sports, presumably because Houston's TV appearance against Air Force earlier in the season was canceled.http://tulanegreenwave.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102308aaa.html Tulane Football Game at Houston to be Televised on CBS College Sports Tulane University athletics October 23, 2008 November 23, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081026092842/http://tulanegreenwave.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102308aaa.html October 26, 2008 live This marked Houston's homecoming game, and was one of the largest attendances for the regular season at Robertson Stadium. Tulsa 2008 Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team #25 Tulsa 0 17 13 0 Houston 14 28 21 7 The Tulsa Golden Hurricane and Houston Cougars faced-off for their thirty-third all-time meeting.http://cfreference.net/cfr/all_time_schedule/1049?vs_id=712 University of Houston VS University of Tulsa - All Time College Football Reference 2008-05-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20070306195102/http://cfreference.net/cfr/all_time_schedule/1049?vs_id=712 March 6, 2007 dead Playing together since 1950, Houston had a 17-16 advantage over the Golden Hurricane. In their 2007 season meeting, new coach Todd Graham led the Golden Hurricane to a 56–7 win over the Cougars. It was the Cougars' largest margin of defeat for the season. Tulsa went on to a 10–4 record in the previous season including a 63–7 GMAC Bowl game win against the Bowling Green Falcons. The team held the record for scoring the largest margin in bowl game history.http://www.ncaafootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=34&url_article_id=11934&change_well_id=2 https://web.archive.org/web/20180129080620/http://www.ncaafootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=34&url_article_id=11934&change_well_id=2 dead January 29, 2018 Tulsa Runs Away With GMAC Bowl Zenor, John Associated Press ncaafootball.com January 6, 2008 May 10, 2008 The win was considered an upset by the nation, as Tulsa was ranked as #24 in the Coaches' Poll and #25 in the AP Poll.https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recap?gid=200811150080&prov=ap Keenum's leads Houston over No. 25 Tulsa Associated Press Rieken, Kristie November 16, 2008 November 23, 2008 This marked the second time that the Cougars had beaten a nationally ranked opponent in the season (the other being East Carolina); something Houston hadn't done since its 1984 season under College Football Hall of Fame coach Bill Yeoman.http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_11028312?source=most_viewed Houston Cougars rain praise on UTEP Miners Bloomquist, Bret El Paso Times November 19, 2008 November 22, 2008 September 27, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110927123014/http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_11028312?source=most_viewed dead After the win, the Cougars were again ranked as first in conference play as Tulsa (5–1) had beaten Rice (5–1), and Houston (5–1) had beaten Tulsa. This made Houston's other two regular-season games on the schedule much more significant because if they won both games from this point, they would be allowed to compete in and host the Conference USA Football Championship. UTEP thumb|UTEP Miners at Robertson Stadium 2008 UTEP Miners football team UTEP 7 14 7 9 Houston 0 9 7 26 Although meeting for the first time during the Cougars' inaugural season in 1946, the UTEP Miners had only met with the Cougars five times in history.http://cfreference.net/cfr/all_time_schedule/1049?vs_id=1028 University of Houston VS University of Texas at El Paso - All Time College Football Reference May 10, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303175917/http://cfreference.net/cfr/all_time_schedule/1049?vs_id=1028 March 3, 2016 dead As Conference USA foes, the Cougars held a 2-3 all-time record against the Miners, whereas both wins came consecutively during the 2006 and 2007 meetings of the teams. Mike Price returned as the Miners' head coach this season. After a close game, where Houston lagged behind, the Cougars made a fourth quarter comeback to win the game. Rice Bayou Bucket Classic 2008 Rice Owls football team Houston 7 14 7 14 Rice 14 21 14 7 In the 2008 Bayou Bucket Classic, the Cougars will meet with Rice at Rice Stadium as part of the Houston-Rice rivalry. It will be the 33rd meeting between the two teams, where Houston leads the series 24-9 and have won the last three meetings. During this season, the outcome of the game will have significant influence for the Conference USA West Division title. While Houston remains first in the division, a loss to Rice, and a win for Tulsa (9-2) against Marshall (4-7) would mean Tulsa, not Houston would be headed to compete against the East Division champion East Carolina in the Conference USA Football Championship. If Rice wins its game against the Cougars, and Marshall wins its game against the Golden Hurricane, then Rice would be the West Division champion. The game was picked up by CBS College Sports after Houston's 70-30 blowout victory against Tulsa.http://conferenceusa.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/111708aac.html CBS College Sports Announces November 29 C-USA Game Conference USA November 17, 2008 November 23, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20100824200915/http://conferenceusa.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/111708aac.html August 24, 2010 dead mdy-all Armed Forces Bowl 2008 Armed Forces Bowl Air Force Falcons football Houston 17 0 7 10 Air Force 7 10 3 8 thumb|left|Houston's Carson Blackmon tackles Air Force's Spencer Armstrong after a reception With seven regular season wins, the Cougars secured bowl eligibility. On December 7, 2008, the Houston Cougars announced that they had been selected to play in the 2008 Armed Forces Bowl game against Air Force in Fort Worth, Texas.http://uhcougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120708aaa.html Cougars To Armed Forces Bowl, Rematch With Air Force Houston Cougars athletics December 7, 2008 December 12, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081211100432/http://uhcougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120708aaa.html December 11, 2008 live This marked the Cougars' fourth consecutive bowl game invitation, and the fifth in six years. The game was a rematch, as the Falcons and the Cougars faced off earlier during the regular season, where the Cougars were defeated. This was the second time in history the Cougars had played a bowl game in Fort Worth; in 2005 the team appeared in the Fort Worth Bowl. The Cougars defeated the Falcons to win their first bowl game since 1980, and broke the longest current bowl game losing streak in Division I FBS football at that time. The score was 34–28. The game was televised on ESPN. Coaching staff Name Position Alma mater (year) Kevin Sumlin Head coach Purdue (1986) Dana Holgorsen Offensive coordinator Iowa Wesleyan (1992) John Skladany Defensive coordinator Central Connecticut State (1972) Jason Phillips Co-offensive coordinator Houston (1988) Leon Burtnett Linebackers Southwestern College (1965) Jim Jeffcoat Defensive line Arizona State (1982) Joe Gilbert Offensive line Hamilton (1987) Tony Levine Special teams Minnesota (1996) Clarence McKinney Running backs Mary (1994) Charles McMillian Defensive backs Utah State (1995) Zac Spavital Cornerbacks Murray State (2004) References External links Houston Category:Houston Cougars football seasons Category:Armed Forces Bowl champion seasons Houston Cougars football Houston Cougars football