Conference Conference USA 2009 record 10–4 (6–3 C-USA) | Division West | |
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The 2009 Houston Cougars football team, also known as the Houston Cougars, Houston, or UH, represented the University of Houston in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the 64th year of season play for Houston. The team was coached by second year head football coach, Kevin Sumlin. The team played its home games at Robertson Stadium, a 32,000-seat stadium on campus in Houston. The Cougars finished the season 10–4, 6–3 in CUSA play, were co–champions of the west division and lost to East Carolina 38–32 in the CUSA Championship Game. They were invited to the Armed Forces Bowl where they lost to Air Force 47–20. It was the second consecutive year that they had played Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl.
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Previous season
The 2008 season was head coach Kevin Sumlin's inaugural season with the Cougars. The Cougars finished 3rd in Conference USA's West division with a 6–2 conference record and 8–5 overall record. The Cougars ended their season with a win against the Air Force Falcons in the Armed Forces Bowl. This marked the first time since 1980 that the Cougars won a bowl game, and ended their eight-game losing streak.
In addition, the Cougars defeated two nationally ranked teams: #23 East Carolina and #25 Tulsa; the former of which was on the road. It was the first time the Cougars had defeated a ranked opponent in an away game since the 1984 season. Another first since then was the defeat of two nationally ranked teams in one season.
At the conclusion of the post-season, offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer graduated from Houston, and was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Phillip Hunt was also signed to the Cleveland Browns. Houston's starting quarterback Case Keenum held the number two rank for passing yards in the NCAA.
Spring practices
The Cougars held Spring practices from March 24 to April 18, 2008. On April 4, the team played a public scrimmage. The Cougars' annual Red-White Game, which was the conclusion of the Spring practices, was abruptly halted after the first ten minutes of gameplay due to rainy weather conditions.