Tag: Houston Football

Watch: Texans QB C.J. Stroud throws out first pitch at Astros game

The Houston Astros may want to call the Texans to rent C.J. Stroud as their next start on the mound.

C.J. Stroud might be the Houston Texans’ starting quarterback, but the team across town might need to borrow him for six frames in the not-so-distant future.

Stroud, the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, threw out the first pitch Monday night before the Houston Astros took on the Atlanta Braves at Minute Maid Park. Much like in the 2022 World Series, the Braves would go on to win 6-1.

Houston’s pitching has been downright putrid to begin the year under new manager Joe Espada, posting a team ERA of 5.35. Stroud, who grew up playing all sports, but thrived on the gridiron and the hard court, delivered a perfect strike to first baseman Jon Singleton, though any professional big-league would have taken him yard before rounding the bases.

Unlike the Astros, the Texans are looking to progress following a breakout season behind Stroud, Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr., and new coach DeMeco Ryans. Houston was one of the more aggressive teams in free agency, spending $178.5 million this offseason in guaranteed money,

Stroud, who became the fifth rookie passer in league history to throw for 4,000-plus yards in Year 1, should only benefit from a revamped offensive arsenal. The Texans not only re-signed tight end Dalton Schultz to a three-year extension, but also traded draft capital to acquire running back Joe Mixon and receiver Stefon Diggs. 

Last season, Stroud led the NFL in passing yards per game (274) and touchdown-to-interception ratio (23-5). He was named a Pro Bowler, where his relationship began to grow with Diggs off the field. Anderson, whom the Texans traded up nine spots to acquire at No. 3, also earned a Pro Bowl nod after breaking J.J. Watt’s rookie sack record (7.0).

Maybe the duo could launch the Astros’ back up the leaderboards? Stroud would be a flamethrowing ace with time, and Anderson likely could compete with Yordan Álvarez at designated hitter.

Stroud and the Texans are back in the building for voluntary workouts. Next week, a slew of new players will join the franchise via the NFL draft.

Houston transfer WR Matthew Golden visiting Texas on Thursday

According to On3’s Gerry Hamilton, Matthew Golden is expected to arrive in Austin later today.

One of Texas’ primary transfer portal targets appears to be Houston wide receiver Matthew Golden. Continue reading “Houston transfer WR Matthew Golden visiting Texas on Thursday”

Texas receives predictions to land transfer WR Matthew Golden

Steve Wiltfong entered a prediction in favor of Texas to land Houston wide receiver Matthew Golden.

Houston wide receiver and former four-star recruit Matthew Golden announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal last week. Continue reading “Texas receives predictions to land transfer WR Matthew Golden”

Fans crushed the NFL for sending Houston a cease-and-desist letter over Oilers-themed uniforms

If the University of Houston can’t wear Oilers-like uniforms, why do the Titans get to?

To start its 2023 season, the University of Houston unveiled powder blue Oilers-like uniforms against the UTSA Roadrunners in September. They drew rave reviews and were generally well-received by almost everyone.

That is, except for the NFL.

According to the Houston Chronicle, the league’s merchandising and license division sent a cease-and-desist letter to the school to stop any further usage of the Oilers’ trademarked uniforms. An NFL attorney reportedly threatened Houston with further legal action if the school didn’t stop its “blatant copying” of the old Oilers’ jerseys. Houston apparently decided to wear the uniforms anyway after the NFL had already warned the program. The Tennessee Titans — the extremely loose spiritual successor to the now-defunct Houston Oilers — wore the official trademarked version of the uniforms in their 28-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

More from the Houston Chronicle:

“The Houston Cougars’ attempt to free ride on the popularity of the NFL and the club violates the intellectual property rights of the NFL and the (Tennessee) Titans,” attorney Bonnie L. Jarrett wrote in the Oct. 13 letter.”

All of this raises an important question. If Houston, the school, can’t wear these uniforms, paying obvious homage to the city’s former pro football history, then why do the Titans get the golden opportunity to maximize them?

Yes, the Titans are still owned by the late Bud Adams’ family. (These days, it’s his daughter, Amy Adams Strunk.) And yes, Bud Adams transferring over the Oilers to Nashville did initially mean taking all of their uniforms and history with them. But as veteran Nashville reporter David Boclair wrote in a Facebook post, Adams only rebranded the Oilers because the people of the city threw a “hissy fit” over the team not having an original Tennessee identity and flavor. (This I can understand because the regular Titans’ uniforms are boring abominations borne of a Create-A-Team in Madden.)

Not to mention that the city of Houston seemingly barely wanted the Oilers to stay around before they moved in the mid-1990s:

That’s the rub here.

If Nashville wanted the Titans to be distinct and represent their city on their own merits, they deserve that right. A pro football squad can and should be an important cultural appendage of a bog-standard American town. But why does the NFL continue to allow them to wear uniforms from a now nonexistent pro football team from another city? It’s thoroughly hypocritical. It’d be like the Oklahoma City Thunder wearing Seattle Supersonics “throwback” uniforms in the NBA. It also speaks to a bizarre cognitive dissonance where Nashville and the Titans are allowed to brazenly dig up the grave of an old franchise with little continued connection to them (to almost certainly make money off selling throwback jerseys) while a school tangentially related to the Oilers can’t even pay proper tribute.

The NFL and Titans, by extension, need to get their priorities in order. This is not a copyright battle worth fighting, and it only makes both parties look incredibly silly.

By the numbers: Texas was outgained in total yards despite victory

Houston had more total yards, but Texas came away with what matters as we look at the final numbers in Saturday’s victory.

The Texas Longhorns survived a scare on Saturday and beat the Houston Cougars 31-24. Continue reading “By the numbers: Texas was outgained in total yards despite victory”

College football fans were beyond baffled by this ball spot late in Houston’s loss to Texas

Referees didn’t seem super on top of this one.

Referees don’t always get it right. They make questionable calls all the time, leaving fans anywhere between perplexed and irate.

And after Saturday’s Texas-Houston game, college football fans had a lot of questions about where officials spot the ball for the Cougars late in their 31-24 loss to the Longhorns.

With less than 90 seconds to go in the fourth quarter as Texas was up by a touchdown, Houston was on the Longhorns’ 10-yard line on third-and-1. Running back Stacy Sneed got the ball and initially appeared to get to the nine-yard line and grab the first down, just barely.

But after officials spot the ball and brought the chains out, they ruled that Sneed was short. Houston ultimately turned the ball over on downs, and Texas held on for the victory.

RELATED: Texas A&M fans were furious after an impeding referee broke up a pass attempt vs. Alabama

Cougars coach Dana Holgorsen on the sideline seemed to have some concerns about the spot. And even the Fox broadcast noted it looked incorrect:

“If the mark is near the 10-yard line, the actual 10, then he was not given credit for all of that run with forward progress.”

College football fans were beyond baffled by the spot, and here’s how they reacted on Twitter (now X):

Everything Steve Sarkisian said to the media ahead of Houston matchup

“I’ve got a team right now that’s a little pissed off, they are angry. They want to get back on the field.”

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian spoke with the media via Zoom after Thursday’s practice. Continue reading “Everything Steve Sarkisian said to the media ahead of Houston matchup”

Early odds released for No. 8 Texas at Houston

No. 8 Texas is the heavy favorite for the Houston matchup on Saturday.

The lines have been released for the Week 8 matchup for the Texas Longhorns against the Houston Cougars. It’s about what you would expect.

No. 8 Texas is favored by 23.5 points according to BetMGM. With a line like that, bettors obviously think the game will not be close.

Playing their first game since the Red River Rivalry loss, expect the Longhorns to come out firing on all cylinders. Texas’ biggest problem thus far has been finishing drives, and Houston is 127th in the country in points per quality possession allowed.

If the Longhorns cannot figure out ways to get in the endzone versus Houston, they might have a tough time down the stretch when they play tougher opponents.

Texas is averaging 35 points per game while Houston is allowing 31.3 points per game. However, Houston’s defense is weak, as evidenced by the 88 points surrendered in the last two games.

Expect a high-scoring game for the Longhorns when Texas faces Houston at 3:00 p.m. CT on Saturday.

Going into Week 8, Texas looks to avoid the trap game

Can No. 8 Texas avoid the trap game that has haunted them in previous years?

As No. 8 Texas comes off their bye week, the Longhorns will take on the Houston Cougars this Saturday.

This will be the first matchup between the two teams since 2002, and Texas currently leads the series 16-7-2.

Houston currently sits with a 3-3 record, with two of those losses coming in conference play. In their last game, they won 41-39 against West Virginia on a last-second Hail Mary pass.

Though the Longhorns have a 93.6% chance to win on Saturday, it doesn’t mean it’s a lock.

Houston is led by quarterback Donovan Smith, who has thrown for 1,600 yards and 13 passing touchdowns. Smith plays his best when the pocket is kept clean, as he has 1,309 yards and 10 touchdowns when he is not under pressure.

Texas will have to use their elite pass rush to put pressure on Smith. The Houston quarterback has just a 44.9 completion percentage and three interceptions when pressured. If the defensive line shows up, expect the game to be put to rest.

As the Longhorns are set to play its first game since the Red River Rivalry loss, they will look to avoid the trap game that has haunted them in previous years.

Texas will face off against Houston on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. CT.

Hear the thrilling radio call of Houston’s miracle Hail Mary game-winning TD

What a moment!

Houston had one shot downfield to beat West Virginia.

And the Cougars nailed it thanks to a miraculous Hail Mary pass that somehow found its way into the hands of a Houston receiver to break the hearts of Mountaineers fans everywhere (not to mention bettors!).

The radio call of the play is just the best. You can hear the play-by-play announcer trying to figure out what’s going on and then it was “CAUGHT! CAUGHT by the Cougars! CAUGHT for a touchdown!”

It’s just fantastic — that is, both the play and the call. Check out the whole thing and enjoy it like I did:

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