2016 Houston Cougars football
ConferenceAmerican Athletic Conference
DivisionWest Division
Record9–4 (5–3 The American)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorMajor Applewhite (2nd season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorTodd Orlando (2nd season)
Base defense3–4
CaptainCameron Malveaux
Tyler McCloskey
Greg Ward Jr.
Brandon Wilson
Home stadiumTDECU Stadium
Seasons
← 2015
2017 →
2016 American Athletic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
Temple xy$   7 – 1     10 – 4  
No. 19 South Florida x   7 – 1     11 – 2  
UCF   4 – 4     6 – 7  
Cincinnati   1 – 7     4 – 8  
UConn   1 – 7     3 – 9  
East Carolina   1 – 7     3 – 9  
West Division
Navy xy   7 – 1     9 – 5  
Tulsa   6 – 2     10 – 3  
Memphis   5 – 3     8 – 5  
Houston   5 – 3     9 – 4  
SMU   3 – 5     5 – 7  
Tulane   1 – 7     4 – 8  
Championship: Temple 34, Navy 10
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2016 Houston Cougars football team represented the University of Houston in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the 69th year of season play for Houston. They were led by head coach Tom Herman during the regular season and played their home games at TDECU Stadium in Houston. The Houston Cougars football team is a member of the American Athletic Conference in its West Division. They finished the season 9–4, 5–3 in American Athletic play to finish in a tie for third place in the West Division. They were invited to the Las Vegas Bowl where they lost to San Diego State.

On November 26, head coach Tom Herman resigned to become the head coach at Texas.[1] He finished at Houston with a two-year record of 22–4. Houston was led by new head coach Major Applewhite in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Offseason

Departures

Coaching departures

After serving as wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Houston for one year, Drew Mehringer was named as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Rutgers on December 14, 2015.

Incoming transfers

2016 recruiting class

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2016 Team Ranking". Rivals.com.

Walk-on recruits

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

National signing day was on Wednesday, February 3, 2016.

Returning starters

This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (February 2016)

Offense

Defense

Special teams

Spring practice

The Houston Cougars football team held its annual Red and White Spring Game on Saturday, April 16, 2016, at TDECU Stadium. The defense (White) defeated the offense (Red) 74–72.[2]

Fall camp

Personnel

Roster

2016 Houston Cougars Football

Quarterback

  •  1 Greg Ward – senior (5'11, 190)
  •  3 Kyle Postma – junior (6'3, 205)
  •  4 D'Eriq King – freshman (5'10, 170)
  •  8 Hunter McCoy – senior (6'4, 220)
  • 10 Kyle Allen – junior (6'3, 210)
  • 12 Bowman Sells – freshman (6'2, 202)
  • 13 Mason McClendon – sophomore (5'10, 190)
  • 16 Bear Fenimore – sophomore (6'1, 215)

Tailback

  •  2 Duke Catalon – sophomore (6'0, 210)
  • 20 Kalig Kokuma – sophomore (5'11, 210)
  • 25 Chandler Smith – freshman (5'7, 180)
  • 28 Josh Burrell – Redshirt freshman (5'10, 247)
  • 32 Kevrin Justice – Redshirt freshman (5'11, 190)
  • 34 Mulbah Car – freshman (5'11, 194)
  • 46 Patrick Carr – sophomore (5'10, 195)
  • 48 Michael Dunn – sophomore (5'10, 200)
  • 49 Blake Hirsch – sophomore (6'0, 220)

Wide receiver

  •  5 Ra'Shaad Samples – junior (5'11, 190)
  •  7 Marquez Stevenson – freshman (6'0, 175) *
  •  9 Courtney Lark – freshman (6'1, 163) *
  • 14 Isaiah Johnson – sophomore (6'4, 205)
  • 15 Linell Bonner – junior (6'0, 202)
  • 17 Terry Mark – freshman (6'1, 190)
  • 18 Keith Corbin – freshman (6'2, 175)
  • 21 Chance Allen – senior (6'3, 215)
  • 23 Kinte Hatton – junior (5'10, 170)
  • 27 Christian Luke – freshman (6'2, 215)
  • 30 Tristen Gomez – sophomore (5'6, 166)
  • 39 Keisland Smalls – freshman (5'9, 185)
  • 80 Tren'Davian Dickson – freshman (5'11, 175)
  • 83 Derek McLemore – junior (6'0, 197)
  • 85 John Leday – junior (6'0, 200)
  • 86 Colton Cerday – Redshirt freshman (6'0, 216)
  • 88 Steven Dunbar – junior (6'3, 200)

Tight end

  • 45 Tyler McCloskey – senior (6'2, 245)
  • 82 Romello Brooker – sophomore (6'4, 240)
  • 84 Chris Johnson – junior (6'5, 235)
  • 87 Alex Leslie – junior (6'5, 240)
  • 89 Byron Simpson – junior (6'5, 260)
  

Offensive Lineman

  • 51 Na'Ty Rodgers – junior (6'5, 292)
  • 52 Braylon Jones – freshman (6'3, 278)
  • 53 Alex Fontana – junior (6'3, 310)
  • 56 Dixie Wooten III – freshman (6'5, 322)
  • 58 Ryan Hirsch – Redshirt freshman (6'2, 280)
  • 60 Kordell Snyder – freshman (6'3, 265)
  • 61 Ryan Deshotel – Redshirt freshman (6'4, 272)
  • 62 Jarrid Williams – Redshirt freshman (6'6, 290)
  • 63 Marc Reid – junior (6'5, 279)
  • 64 Grant Strimple – freshman (6'2, 277)
  • 65 Colby Brignac – freshman (6'1, 290)
  • 66 Cole Miller – freshman (5'11, 298)
  • 69 Will Noble – sophomore (6'4, 290)
  • 70 Mac Long – senior (6'4, 300)
  • 72 Mason Denley – sophomore (6'4, 305)
  • 73 Marcus Oliver – junior (6'3, 295)
  • 74 Josh Jones – Redshirt freshman (6'5, 280)
  • 75 Jacoby Morrison – freshman (6'2, 251)
  • 76 Kameron Eloph – sophomore (6'3, 294)
  • 77 Keenan Murphy – freshman (6'2, 295)
  • 79 Josh Thomas – junior (6'6, 332)

Defensive line

  • 10 Ed Oliver – freshman (6'2, 290)
  • 17 Chauntez Jackson – senior (6'5, 280)
  • 27 D.J. Jenkins – Redshirt freshman (6'2, 260)
  • 50 Aymiel Fleming – freshman (6'2, 284)
  • 52 Jerard Carter – sophomore (6'3, 297)
  • 59 Zorrell Ezell – senior (6'1, 285)
  • 90 Zach Vaughan – sophomore (6'4, 270)
  • 91 Nick Thurman – junior (6'4, 290)
  • 93 B.J. Singleton – senior (6'4, 314)
  • 94 Cameron Malveaux – senior (6'6, 270)
  • 96 Blaine Medland – sophomore (6'0, 246)

Long snappers

  • 31 Jon Letter – freshman (6'3, 191)
  • 48 Zach Faires – senior (6'2, 235)
  • 57 Payton Pardee – Redshirt freshman (5'10, 190)
  • 97 Nick Wildberger – sophomore (6'1, 210)

Placekicker

  • 41 Joel Scarbrough – Redshirt freshman (5'10, 182)
  • 44 Luke Hogan – freshman (6'1, 192)
  • 47 Ty Cummings – senior (6'0, 185)
  • 95 Mason Tobola – freshman (6'2, 205)
  

Linebacker

  •  8 Emeke Egbule – sophomore (6'3, 230)
  •  9 Matthew Adams – junior (6'1, 230)
  • 12 D'Juan Hines – junior (6'1, 225)
  • 20 Roman Brown – sophomore (6'0, 220)
  • 21 Ralph Harvey Jr. – senior (6'2, 245)
  • 32 Khari Dotson – sophomore (6'1, 210)
  • 33 Ja'Von Shelley – sophomore (6'1, 230)
  • 36 Nomluis Fruge – junior (6'0, 225)
  • 41 Steven Taylor – senior (6'1, 225)
  • 43 Leroy Godfrey – Redshirt freshman (6'3, 240)
  • 46 Jordan Milburn – Redshirt freshman (6'1, 225)
  • 51 Rasheed Tynes – junior (5'11, 220)
  • 54 Cameron Doubenmier – junior (5'11, 220)
  • 55 Davonte Thomas – senior (6'1, 220)
  • 81 Tyus Bowser – senior (6'3, 240)
  • 86 Kobe Idumwonyi – Redshirt freshman (6'2, 245)

Cornerback

  •  4 Ka'Darian Smith – freshman (6'0, 172)
  •  6 Howard Wilson – sophomore (6'1, 185)
  •  7 Patrick Rosette – freshman (6'1, 195)
  • 13 Joeal Williams – sophomore (5'10, 185)
  • 19 Javian Smith – freshman (6'1, 165)
  • 24 Jeremy Winchester – sophomore (6'0, 190)
  • 25 Dillon Birden – junior (5'9, 172)
  • 26 Brandon Wilson – senior (5'11, 200)
  • 30 Andrew Robertson – sophomore (5'9, 176)
  • 35 Andrew Mathis – sophomore (6'0, 204)
  • 40 Alexander Myres – junior (5'10, 184)

Safety

  •  1 Garrett Davis – sophomore (6'1, 200)
  •  2 Khalil Williams – junior (6'0, 200)
  •  5 Collin Wilder – freshman (5'11, 175)
  • 18 Michael Eke – Redshirt freshman (6'2, 205)
  • 22 Austin Robinson – junior (6'3, 220)
  • 23 Terrell Williams – junior (6'3, 210)
  • 29 Darius Gilbert – Redshirt freshman (6'2, 195)
  • 31 D'Aundre Holmes-Wilfork – freshman (5'10, 183)
  • 37 Caemen Mayfield – sophomore (5'10, 204)
  • 42 Grayson Thorburn – freshman (6'2, 205)

Punter

  • 38 Dane Roy – freshman (6'7, 230)

Coaching staff

Depth chart

The list of starters is to be announced.

Schedule

Houston played UCF, UConn, Tulane and Tulsa at home and Cincinnati, Memphis, Navy and SMU on the road. The conference schedule was released February 9.[3]

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 311:00 a.m.vs. No. 3 Oklahoma*No. 15
ABCW 33–2371,016
September 1011:00 a.m.Lamar*No. 6
ASNW 42–039,402
September 156:30 p.m.at CincinnatiNo. 6
ESPNW 40–1640,015
September 246:00 p.m.at Texas State*No. 6
ESPNUW 64–333,133
September 297:00 p.m.UConnNo. 6
  • TDECU Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPNW 42–1440,873
October 82:00 p.m.at NavyNo. 6
CBSSNL 40–4634,531
October 156:00 p.m.TulsaNo. 13
ESPN2W 38–3138,221
October 226:00 p.m.at SMUNo. 11
ESPN2L 16–3832,000
October 2911:00 a.m.UCF
  • TDECU Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPNUW 31–2435,846
November 122:30 p.m.Tulanedagger
  • TDECU Stadium
  • Houston, TX
CBSSNW 30–1836,552
November 178:00 p.m.No. 5 Louisville*
  • TDECU Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPNW 36–1042,822
November 2511:00 a.m.at MemphisNo. 20
ABCL 44–4836,527
December 172:30 p.m.vs. San Diego State*
ABCL 10–3429,286
Schedule Source:[4]

Game summaries

Vs. Oklahoma

See also: 2016 Oklahoma Sooners football team and Texas Kickoff
#3 Oklahoma Sooners vs #15 Houston Cougars  – Game summary [5]
Period 1 2 34Total
#3 Oklahoma 10 7 0623
#15 Houston 3 16 14033

at NRG Stadium • Houston,TX Texas Kickoff

  • Date: September 3, 2016
  • Game time: 11:07 a.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Temperature: 72 °F (22 °C) • Wind: Calm • Weather: Indoor
  • Game attendance: 71,016
  • Referee: Cooper Castleberry
  • TV announcers (ABC): Dave Pasch (Play-by-play), Greg McElroy (color) & Tom Luginbill (sideline)
Game information

Lamar

See also: 2016 Lamar Cardinals football team
Lamar Cardinals vs #6 Houston Cougars  – Game summary [6]
Period 1 2 34Total
Lamar 0 0 000
#6 Houston 14 14 7742

at TDECU Stadium • Houston,TX

  • Date: September 10, 2016
  • Game time: 05:25 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Temperature: 88 °F (31 °C) • Wind: N 3 mph• Weather: Cloudy and Humid
  • Game attendance: 39,402
  • Referee: Rick Loumiet
  • TV: ESPN3
  • Sources:UHCougars.com[7] LamarCardinals.com[8]
Game information

At Cincinnati

See also: 2016 Cincinnati Bearcats football team
#6 Houston Cougars at Cincinnati Bearcats  – Game summary [9]
Period 1 2 34Total
#6 Houston 7 3 22840
Cincinnati 7 3 0616

at Nippert Stadium • Cincinnati, OH

  • Date: September 15, 2016
  • Game time: 07:34 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Temperature: 80 °F (27 °C) • Wind: Calm • Weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 40,015
  • Referee: Adam Savoie
  • TV: ESPN
  • Sources:UHCougars.com[10]
Game information

At Texas State

See also: 2016 Texas State Bobcats football team
#6 Houston Cougars at Texas State Bobcats – Game summary [11]
Period 1 2 34Total
#6 Houston 16 27 14764
Texas State 0 3 003

at Bobcat Stadium • San Marcos, TX

  • Date: September 24, 2016
  • Game time: 06:02 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Temperature: 85 °F (29 °C) • Wind: SE 13 mph • Weather: Clear
  • Game attendance: 33,133
  • Referee: Charles Lewis
  • TV: ESPNU
  • Sources:UHCougars.com[12]
Game information

UConn

See also: 2016 UConn Huskies football team
UConn Huskies at #6 Houston Cougars – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
UConn 0 7 0714
#6 Houston 0 28 14042

at TDECU Stadium • Houston, TX

  • Date: September 29, 2016
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
  • Referee: C. Lamertina
  • TV: ESPN
  • Sources:UHCougars.com[13]
Game information
Second Quarter
  • HOU Greg Ward Jr. 30 yd run; Ty Cummings XP good (HOU 0-7)
  • HOU Dillon Birden 1 yd run; Ty Cummings XP good (HOU 0-14)
  • HOU Tyler McCloskey 3 yd pass from Greg Ward Jr.; Ty Cummings XP good (HOU 0-21)
  • HOU Steven Dunbar 15 yd pass from Greg Ward Jr.; Ty Cummings XP good (HOU 0-28)
  • UCONN Noel Thomas 62 yd pass from Bryant Shirreffs; Bobby Puyol XP good (HOU 7-28)
Third Quarter
  • HOU Greg Ward Jr. 10 yd run; Ty Cummings XP good (HOU 7-35)
  • HOU Linell Bonner 4 yd pass from Greg Ward Jr.; Ty Cummings XP good (HOU 7-42)
Fourth Quarter
  • UCONN Bryant Shirreffs 1 yd run; Bobby Puyol XP good (HOU 14-42)

At Navy

See also: 2016 Navy Midshipmen football team
#6 Houston Cougars at Navy Midshipmen – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
#6 Houston 10 10 71340
Navy 10 10 21546

at Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium • Annapolis, MD

  • Date: October 8, 2016
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. CDT
  • TV: CBS Sports Network
Game information
First Quarter
  • HOU Steven Dunbar 32 yd pass from Greg Ward Jr.; Ty Cummings XP good (HOU 7-0)
  • NAVY Chris High 12 yd run; B Moehring XP good (TIE 7-7)
  • HOU Ty Cummings 39 yd field goal (HOU 10-7)
  • NAVY B Moehring 24 yd field goal (TIE 10-10)
Second Quarter
  • HOU Ty Cummings 36 yd field goal (HOU 13-10)
  • NAVY Will Worth 2 yd run; B Moehring XP good (NAVY 13-17)
  • HOU Dillon Birden 19 yd pass from Greg Ward Jr.; Ty Cummings XP good (HOU 20-17)
  • NAVY B Moehring 38 yd field goal (TIE 20-20)
Third Quarter
  • NAVY Darryl Bonner 17 yd pass from Will Worth; B Moehring XP good (NAVY 20-27)
  • NAVY Josiah Powell 34 yd interception return; B Moehring XP good (NAVY 20-34)
  • HOU Greg Ward Jr. 8 yd run; Ty Cummings XP good (NAVY 27-34)
  • NAVY Brandon Colon 34 yd pass from Will Worth; B Moehring XP good (NAVY 27-41)
Fourth Quarter
  • HOU Dillon Birden 2 yd run; Ty Cummings XP failed (NAVY 33-41)
  • NAVY Team safety (NAVY 33-43)
  • NAVY B Moehring 40 yd field goal (NAVY 33-46)
  • HOU Chance Allen 17 yd pass from Greg Ward Jr.; Ty Cummings XP good (NAVY 40-46)

Tulsa

See also: 2016 Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team and Houston–Tulsa football rivalry
Tulsa Golden Hurricane at #13 Houston Cougars – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Tulsa 3 14 01431
#13 Houston 10 7 71438

at TDECU Stadium • Houston, TX

  • Date: October 15, 2016
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT

At SMU

See also: 2016 SMU Mustangs football team
#11 Houston Cougars at SMU Mustangs – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
#11 Houston 0 7 7216
SMU 7 21 01038

at Gerald J. Ford Stadium • Dallas, TX

  • Date: October 22, 2016
  • Game time: 6:00pm CDT

UCF

See also: 2016 UCF Knights football team
UCF Knights at Houston Cougars – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
UCF 7 14 3024
Houston 0 3 141431

at TDECU Stadium • Houston, TX

  • Date: October 29, 2016
  • Game time: TBD CDT

Tulane

See also: 2016 Tulane Green Wave football team
Tulane Green Wave at Houston Cougars – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Tulane 7 3 0818
Houston 14 14 0230

at TDECU Stadium • Houston, TX

  • Date: November 12, 2016
  • Game time: TBD CST

Louisville

See also: 2016 Louisville Cardinals football team
#3 Louisville Cardinals at Houston Cougars – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
#3 Louisville 0 0 7310
Houston 10 21 0536

at TDECU Stadium • Houston, TX

  • Date: November 17, 2016
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. CST

At Memphis

See also: 2016 Memphis Tigers football team
#18 Houston Cougars at Memphis Tigers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
#18 Houston 10 7 101744
Memphis 21 13 01448

at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium • Memphis, TN

  • Date: November 25, 2016
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m. CST

Vs. San Diego State (Las Vegas Bowl)

See also: 2016 San Diego State Aztecs football team and 2016 Las Vegas Bowl
Houston Cougars vs San Diego State Aztecs  – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Houston 10 0 0010
San Diego 0 6 141434

at Sam Boyd Stadium • Whitney, NV

  • Date: December 17, 2016
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m. CST

Rankings

Further information: 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP15666661311RVRVRVRV18RVRVRV
Coaches1377775121124RVRVRV21RVRV—
CFPNot released———2024—Not released

References

  1. ^ "Texas hires Houston's Tom Herman as head football coach". November 26, 2016.
  2. ^ Ward Jr., Johnson shine in Houston spring game by Kevin Cook. Cypress Creek Mirror, 19 Apr 2016. Retrieved 2016-05-26.
  3. ^ "American Athletic Conference Athletic Directors Conclude Winter Meetings". American Athletic Conference. SideArm Sports. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
  4. ^ "2016 Houston Cougars Football Schedule". FB Schedules. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
  5. ^ "Oklahoma vs Houston (Sep 3,2016)". University of Oklahoma Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. September 3, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  6. ^ "Lamar vs Houston (Sep 10,2016)". Lamar Cardinals. September 10, 2016. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  7. ^ "Houston - Football". Archived from the original on December 8, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  8. ^ "Football vs Houston on 9/10/2016 - Box Score".
  9. ^ "Houston at Cincinnati(Sep 15,2016)". UHCougars.com. September 15, 2016. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  10. ^ "Sidearm Sports, opens a new window". Uhcougars.com. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  11. ^ "Houston at Texas State(Sep 24,2016)". UHCougars.com. September 15, 2016. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  12. ^ "Sidearm Sports, opens a new window". Uhcougars.com. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  13. ^ "Sidearm Sports, opens a new window". Uhcougars.com. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
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