2020 American Athletic Conference football standings

	Conf.							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
No. 8 Cincinnati y$		6	–	0					9	–	1
Tulsa y		6	–	0					6	–	3
Memphis		5	–	3					8	–	3
UCF		5	–	3					6	–	4
SMU		4	–	3					7	–	3
Houston		3	–	3					3	–	5
Navy		3	–	4					3	–	7
Tulane		3	–	5					6	–	6
East Carolina		3	–	5					3	–	6
Temple		1	–	6					1	–	6
South Florida		0	–	7					1	–	8
Championship: Cincinnati 27, Tulsa 24
$ – Conference champion y – Championship game participant Rankings from AP Poll.

The 2020 Houston Cougars football team represented the University of Houston in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cougars played their home games at TDECU Stadium in Houston, Texas, and competed in the American Athletic Conference. They were led by second-year head coach Dana Holgorsen.

References:^[1]

College recruiting information

Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	Commit date
Derek Bowman Offensive lineman	Magnolia, TX	Magnolia HS	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	270 lb (120 kg)	Dec 18, 2019
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Nathaniel Dell Wide receiver	Daytona Beach, FL	Mainland HS Independence CC	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	155 lb (70 kg)	Dec 18, 2019
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Darius Edmonds Wide receiver	Humble, TX	Atascocita HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	205 lb (93 kg)	Dec 18, 2019
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
James Faminu Offensive lineman	London, UK	London Academy	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	350 lb (160 kg)	Dec 18, 2019
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
D'Anthony Jones Linebacker	Long Beach, CA	Leuzinger HS Long Beach CC	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	255 lb (116 kg)	Feb 5, 2020
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Sofian Massoud Quarterback	Katy, TX	Cypress Lakes HS	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	Dec 18, 2019
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Ugonna Nnanna Offensive lineman	Arlington, TX	Seguin HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	265 lb (120 kg)	Dec 18, 2019
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Chidozie "Dot" Nwankwo Defensive Tackle	Richmond, TX	Foster HS	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	293 lb (133 kg)	Dec 18, 2019
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Dylan Robinson Wide receiver	Humble, TX	Atascocita HS	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	Dec 18, 2019
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Malik Robinson Linebacker	Snellville, GA	South Gwinnett HS North Carolina Fort Scott CC	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	220 lb (100 kg)	Dec 18, 2019
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Jayce Rogers Cornerback	Valdosta, GA	Valdosta HS Northwest Mississippi CC	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)	165 lb (75 kg)	Dec 18, 2019
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Stacy Sneed Running back	Arlington, TX	Mansfield Timberview HS	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	Dec 18, 2019
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
JoVanni Stewart Safety	Katy, TX	Katy HS West Virginia	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	Dec 18, 2019
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Trevonte Sylvester Tight end	Breaux Bridge, LA	Breaux Bridge HS	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	220 lb (100 kg)	Dec 18, 2019
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Khiyon Wafer Wide receiver	Frisco, TX	Independence HS	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	Feb 5, 2020
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Mike Welch Safety	Dickinson, TX	Dickinson HS	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	Feb 5, 2020
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Laine Wilkins Punter	Perth, Australia	ProKick Australia	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	203 lb (92 kg)	Dec 18, 2019
	Star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Sedrick Williams Defensive Tackle	Houma, LA	Ellender Memorial HS Kilgore College	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	302 lb (137 kg)	Dec 18, 2019
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Reuben Unije Offensive lineman	Bradenton, FL	IMG Academy Illinois	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	303 lb (137 kg)	Feb 5, 2020
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A

The preseason Poll was released September 1^[2]

Media poll
Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
1	UCF	204 (10)
2	Cincinnati	201 (7)
3	Memphis	192 (2)
4	SMU	146
5	Navy	125 (1)
6	Tulane	118
7	Houston	114
8	Temple	88
9	Tulsa	49
10	East Carolina	42
11	South Florida	41

2020 Houston Cougars football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class WR 1 Bryson Smith Jr WR 2 Keith Corbin Sr QB 3 Clayton Tune Jr WR 5 Marquez Stevenson  Sr QB 6 Logan Holgorsen So QB 10 Sofian Massoud Fr WR 12 Ke'Andre Street  Fr WR 13 Jeremy Singleton Jr QB 14 Ike Ogbogu Jr RB 18 Chandler Smith Sr WR 19 Julon Williams So RB 22 Kyle Porter Sr RB 23 James Fullbright III  Fr WR 24 Jaylen Davis  Fr WR 26 Ja'Kori Morgan So WR 31 Jordan Cooper So RB 34 Mulbah Car Sr RB 37 Terrell Brown  Fr WR 39 Andrew Segovia Sr RB 40 Kelan Walker So TE 43 DeKalen Goodson So OL 52 Braylon Jones Sr OL 62 Jarrid Williams Sr OL 63 James Faminu Fr OL 64 Dennis Bardwell Sr OL 65 Gio Pancotti Sr OL 67 Cam'Ron Johnson  Fr OL 70 Jordan Boatman Jr OL 71 Max Banes So OL 73 Kameron Lewis So OL 75 Jack Freeman So OL 76 Patrick Paul  Fr OL 77 Keenan Murphy Sr OL 79 Chayse Todd  Fr WR 80 Nathaniel Dell  Fr WR 81 Tre'Von Bradley Jr WR 83 Peyton Sawyer So WR 84 Cole McGowan Sr TE 85 Christian Trahan Jr TE 88 Shane Creamer Jr TE 89 Parker Eichenberger So	Defense Pos. # Name Class S 2 Deontay Anderson Sr S 3 Grant Stuard Sr CB 6 Damarion Williams Sr S 9 Jovanni Stewart Sr DL 12 David Anenih Sr CB 13 Marcus Jones Jr LB 14 Ronald Nunnery Fr LB 15 Zamar Kirven Jr CB 16 Jayce Rogers Jr S 17 Hasaan Hypolite So CB 18 Kelvin Clemmons Jr CB 19 Javian Smith Jr LB 20 Jordan Moore So S 21 Gleson Sprewell Jr DL 23 Willie Smith III So LB 24 Donavan Mutin Jr CB 25 D. J. Small Jr LB 26 Elijah Gooden Jr LB 27 Amaud Willis-Dalton Jr S 28 Thabo Mwaniki Jr CB 29 Colin Samuel Sr DL 30 Alexander Duke Jr DL 31 Derek Parish Jr S 32 Gervarrius Owens Jr S 33 Garrison Vaughn So CB 34 Dylan Dixon  Fr S 37 Deondre Dansby  Fr CB 39 Shaun Lewis Jr S 40 Brody Anderson So LB 42 Terrance Edgeston Sr LB 45 Malik Robinson Jr DL 47 Taures Payne Sr LB 48 Jordan Carmouche Jr DL 50 Hakeem Ajijolaiya  Fr LB 52 Ken Savanah  Fr LB 59 Jacob Daulong Jr DL 91 Benil Johnson So DL 92 Logan Hall Jr DL 93 Atlias Bell Jr DL 94 Sedrick Williams Jr DL 95 Jamykal Neal Jr DL 96 Nelson Ceaser  Fr DL 98 Payton Turner Sr DL 99 Olivier Charles–Pierre Sr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class P 22 Laine Wilkins Fr LS 45 Spencer Wells So LS 46 Davis Beal  Fr K 47 Dalton Witherspoon Sr K 51 Kyle Ramsey So	Head coach Dana Holgorsen (Iowa Wesleyan) Coordinators/assistant coaches Shannon Dawson (Wingate College) Co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks Brandon Jones (Texas Tech) Co-offensive coordinator/offensive line Joe Cauthen (Stephen F. Austin) Defensive coordinator/linebackers Doug Belk (Carson–Newman) Co-defensive coordinator/safeties Mark Scott (Hillsdale College) Special teams coordinator Tyron Carrier (Houston) Wide receivers Corby Meekins Tight ends/inside Receivers Brian Early (Arkansas–Monticello) Defensive line Zac Etheridge (Auburn) Cornerbacks Marquel Blackwell (South Florida) Running backs Mike Burchett (Kentucky) Offensive Football Analyst Will Weaver (Valdosta State) Defensive Football Analyst Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster Last update: May 23, 2020

The 2020 Houston schedule, as originally released, was to consist of six home and four away games in the regular season. The Cougars were to play host to conference foes Tulane, UCF, South Florida, and Tulsa, and to travel to conference opponents Memphis, Navy, Cincinnati, and SMU.

The Cougars were scheduled to host two non-conference games, against North Texas (C-USA) and BYU (an FBS Independent). The home game against Rice was postponed on August 10, after Rice announced it was delaying the start of the season until September 26.^[3]

Houston had a game scheduled against Washington State, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[4]

On September 12 the American announced that the Houston/Memphis game scheduled for September 18 was postponed due to positive COVID-19 cases at Memphis,^[5] As a result of the Houston at Memphis game postponement, Houston was able to add a game at Baylor scheduled for September 19.^[6] On September 18, Baylor announced that the Houston versus Baylor game would be postponed due to Baylor not meeting the Big 12 Conference COVID-19 game cancellation thresholds.^[7]

After experiencing several COVID-19 cases through September 23, the North Texas Mean Green canceled the September 26 game against the Cougars.^[8]

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
October 8	6:30 p.m.	Tulane	TDECU Stadium Houston, TX	ESPN	W 49–31	8,164
October 16	8:40 p.m.	No. 14 BYU*	TDECU Stadium Houston, TX	ESPN	L 26–43	10,092
October 24	2:30 p.m.	at Navy	Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Annapolis, MD	CBSSN	W 37–21	3,600
October 31	1:00 p.m.	UCF	TDECU Stadium Houston, TX	ESPN+	L 21–44	8,630
November 7	2:30 p.m.	at No. 6 Cincinnati	Nippert Stadium Cincinnati, OH	ABC	L 10–38	0
November 14	2:30 p.m.	South Florida	TDECU Stadium Houston, TX	ESPN2	W 56–21	8,266
December 12	11:00 a.m.	at Memphis	Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN	ESPN+	L 27–30	9,475
December 24	2:30 p.m.	vs. Hawaii*	Toyota Stadium Frisco, TX (New Mexico Bowl)	ESPN	L 14–28	2,060
*Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings after November 24 released prior to game All times are in Central time

Schedule Source:^[9]

Tulane at Houston

1 2 3 4 Total Green Wave 17 7 7 0 31 • Cougars 7 14 21 7 49 Date: October 8, 2020 Location: TDECU Stadium Houston, TX Game start: 6:30 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3 hours and 58 minutes Game attendance: 8,164 Game weather: 78 °F (26 °C) • Weather: Cloudy, Humid • Wind: NE 10 MPH Referee: Edwin Lee TV announcers (ESPN): Bob Wischusen (play–by–play), Mike Golic Jr. (analyst), and Kris Budden (sideline reporter)

Pregame line	Over/under
HOU −6.5	58[10]

Statistics	Tulane	Houston
First downs	16	22
Total yards	211	476
Rushing yards	70	157
Passing yards	141	319
Turnovers	0	5
Time of possession	28:47	31:13

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Tulane	Passing	Michael Pratt	11/25, 141 yards, 1 TD
	Rushing	Cameron Carroll	18 carries, 34 yards
	Receiving	Duece Watts	2 receptions, 50 yards
Houston	Passing	Clayton Tune	20/33, 319 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
	Rushing	Kyle Porter	11 carries, 57 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Marquez Stevenson	5 receptions, 118 yards, 1 TD

Brigham Young at Houston

1 2 3 4 Total • No. 14 BYU Cougars 14 0 7 22 43 HOU Cougars 3 17 6 0 26 Date: October 16, 2020 Location: TDECU Stadium Houston, TX Game start: 8:40 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3 hours and 43 minutes Game attendance: 10,092 Game weather: 58 °F (14 °C) • Weather: Mostly Cloudy • Wind: E 3 MPH Referee: Kevin Mar TV announcers (ESPN): Jason Benetti (play–by–play), Andre Ware (analyst), and Kris Budden (sideline reporter)

Pregame line	Over/under
BYU −3.0	62

Statistics	BYU	Houston
First downs	23	28
Total yards	478	438
Rushing yards	78	128
Passing yards	400	310
Turnovers	0	0
Time of possession	25:48	34:12

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
BYU	Passing	Zach Wilson	25/35, 400 yards, 4 TDs
	Rushing	Zach Wilson	9 carries, 40 yards
	Receiving	Dax Milne	9 receptions, 184 yards, 3 TDs
Houston	Passing	Clayton Tune	21/31, 310 yards, 2 TDs
	Rushing	Kyle Porter	20 carries, 94 yards
	Receiving	Christian Trahan	3 receptions, 69 yards, 1 TD

Houston at Navy

1 2 3 4 Total • Cougars 3 13 7 14 37 Midshipmen 7 6 0 8 21 Date: October 24, 2020 Location: Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Annapolis, MD Game start: 3:32 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3 hours and 32 minutes Game attendance: 3,600 Game weather: 74 °F (23 °C) • Weather: Sunny, Few Clouds • Wind: NW 7 MPH Referee: Hank Johns TV announcers (ESPN2): Roy Philpott (play–by–play), Kelly Stouffer (analyst), and Eric Wood (sideline reporter)

Pregame line	Over/under
HOU −15.5	56

Statistics	Houston	Navy
First downs	23	16
Total yards	420	372
Rushing yards	86	166
Passing yards	334	206
Turnovers	1	1
Time of possession	29:11	30:49

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Houston	Passing	Clayton Tune	24/34, 316 yards, 3 TDs
	Rushing	Kyle Porter	21 carries, 52 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Marquez Stevenson	9 receptions, 129 yards, 2 TDs
Navy	Passing	Dalen Morris	10/18, 206 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
	Rushing	Nelson Smith	11 carries, 51 yards
	Receiving	Ryan Mitchell	2 receptions, 94 yards, 1 TD

Central Florida at Houston

1 2 3 4 Total • Knights 10 13 0 21 44 Cougars 7 0 6 8 21 Date: October 31, 2020 Location: TDECU Stadium Houston, TX Game start: 1:05 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3 hours and 39 minutes Game attendance: 8,630 Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: SW 3 MPH Referee: Luke Richmond TV announcers (ESPN+): David Saltzman (play–by–play) and Stanford Routt (analyst)

Pregame line	Over/under
UCF –3.0	82

Statistics	UCF	Houston
First downs	32	26
Total yards	681	434
Rushing yards	353	165
Passing yards	328	269
Turnovers	1	2
Time of possession	27:19	32:41

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
UCF	Passing	Dillon Gabriel	19/33, 328 yards, 2 TDs
	Rushing	Otis Anderson Jr.	16 carries, 170 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Jaylon Robinson	5 receptions, 107 yards
Houston	Passing	Clayton Tune	21/41, 263 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
	Rushing	Kyle Porter	13 carries, 52 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Nathaniel Dell	6 receptions, 88 yards, 1 TD

Houston at Cincinnati

1 2 3 4 Total Cougars 0 10 0 0 10 • No. 6 Bearcats 7 21 3 7 38 Date: November 7, 2020 Location: Nippert Stadium Cincinnati, OH Game start: 2:41 p.m. CST Elapsed time: 3 hours and 16 minutes Game attendance: 0 Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: S 3 MPH Referee: Edwin Lee TV announcers (ABC): Sean McDonough (play–by–play), Todd Blackledge (analyst), Todd McShay (analyst), and Molly McGrath (sideline reporter)

Pregame line	Over/under
CIN –12.5	51.5[11]

Statistics	Houston	Cincinnati
First downs	15	24
Total yards	282	510
Rushing yards	93	342
Passing yards	189	168
Turnovers	2	1
Time of possession	27:31	32:29

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Houston	Passing	Clayton Tune	20/34, 189 yards, 1 INT
	Rushing	Kyle Porter	16 carries, 69 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Nathaniel Dell	3 receptions, 60 yards
Cincinnati	Passing	Desmond Ridder	17/27, 162 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Gerrid Doaks	16 carries, 184 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Michael Young Jr.	4 receptions, 47 yards

South Florida at Houston

1 2 3 4 Total Bulls 0 0 7 14 21 • Cougars 14 14 14 14 56 Date: November 14, 2020 Location: TDECU Stadium Houston, TX Game start: 2:35 p.m. CST Elapsed time: 3 hours and 22 minutes Game attendance: 8,266 Game weather: 83 °F (28 °C) • Weather: Partly Cloudy • Wind: S 10 MPH Referee: Charles Lamertina TV announcers (ESPN2/ESPN+): David Saltzman (play–by–play) and Stanford Routt (analyst)

Pregame line	Over/under
HOU −14.5	58.5[12]

Statistics	South Florida	Houston
First downs	23	25
Total yards	359	505
Rushing yards	136	319
Passing yards	223	186
Turnovers	2	1
Time of possession	31:01	28:59

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
South Florida	Passing	Jordan McCloud	14–29, 180 yards, 1TD
	Rushing	Brian Battie	13 carries, 86 yards
	Receiving	Bryce Miller	5 receptions, 53 yards
Houston	Passing	Clayton Tune	14–25, 165 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
	Rushing	Clayton Tune	10 carries, 120 yards, 2TDs
	Receiving	Keith Corbin	4 receptions, 67 yards, 1 TD

Houston at Memphis

1 2 3 4 Total Cougars 3 3 0 21 27 • Tigers 3 14 10 3 30 Date: December 12, 2020 Location: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN Game start: 2:45 p.m. CST Elapsed time: 3 hours and 25 minutes Game attendance: 9,475 Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C) • Weather: Clear • Wind: W 11 MPH Referee: Hank Johns TV announcers (ESPN2/ESPN+): David Saltzman (play–by–play) and Keith Moreland (analyst)

Pregame line	Over/under
HOU –6.0	65

Statistics	Houston	Memphis
First downs	26	20
Total yards	409	310
Rushing yards	139	64
Passing yards	270	246
Turnovers	2	1
Time of possession	33:29	26:31

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Houston	Passing	Clayton Tune	30/49, 270 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
	Rushing	Kyle Porter	15 carries, 70 yards
	Receiving	Christian Trahan	5 receptions, 84 yards
Memphis	Passing	Brady White	22/35, 246 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
	Rushing	Asa Martin	11 carries, 27 yards
	Receiving	Calvin Austin	7 receptions, 74 yards, 1 TD

2020 New Mexico Bowl

1 2 3 4 Total • Rainbow Warriors 14 7 7 0 28 Cougars 0 0 14 0 14 Date: December 24, 2020 Location: Toyota Stadium Frisco, TX Game start: 2:34 p.m. CST Elapsed time: 3 hours and 23 minutes Game attendance: 2,060 Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: WNW 8 MPH Referee: Chris Bynum TV announcers (ESPN/ESPN Radio/ESPN Deportes): John Schriffen (play–by–play), Rene Ingoglia (analyst), and Kris Budden (sideline reporter)/Kevin Winter and Craig Haubert/Javier Trejo Garay and Jose Mondragon

Pregame line	Over/under
HOU –7.0	61

Statistics	Hawaii	Houston
First downs	11	20
Total yards	267	307
Rushing yards	131	58
Passing yards	136	249
Turnovers	0	3
Time of possession	26:56	33:04

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Hawaii	Passing	Chevan Cordeiro	15/23, 136 yards, 3 TDs
	Rushing	Dae Dae Hunter	12 carries, 44 yards
	Receiving	Jared Smart	3 receptions, 33 yards
Houston	Passing	Clayton Tune	20/38, 216 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs
	Rushing	Mulbah Car	15 carries, 47 yards
	Receiving	Nathaniel Dell	6 receptions, 112 yards, 1 TD

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	Final
AP	—	—*	RV
Coaches	—	—*	—
CFP	Not released															Not released

Round	Pick	Player	Position	NFL club
1	28	Payton Turner	DE	New Orleans Saints
6	203	Marquez Stevenson	WR	Buffalo Bills
7	259	Grant Stuard	LB	Tampa Bay Buccaneers