Houston–Tulsa football rivalry
| First meeting | December 2, 1950 Tulsa 28, Houston 21 |
|---|---|
| Latest meeting | November 26, 2022 Tulsa 37, Houston 30 |
| Next meeting | TBD |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 46 |
| All-time series | Houston leads, 26–20[1] |
| Largest victory | Houston, 100–6 (1968) |
| Longest win streak | Houston, 5 (1968–1973) |
| Current win streak | Tulsa, 1 (2022–present) |
The Houston–Tulsa football rivalry is a college football rivalry game between the University of Houston Cougars and the University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane.[2][3]
Series history
[edit]Both schools previously competed together in the American Athletic Conference from 2014 to 2022, Conference USA from 2005 to 2012, and the Missouri Valley Conference from 1951 to 1959, as well as playing regularly while Houston was independent (1960–75). The rivalry was particularly heated during the Conference USA period, when the two teams dominated the C-USA West Division.[3][4] Tulsa won the division title in 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2012, while Houston won in 2006, 2009, and 2011. SMU in 2010 was the only other team to win the title during this period.
Tulsa is Houston's most played opponent in football, while Houston is Tulsa's third-most played active opponent.
Houston joined the Big 12 Conference on July 1, 2023, putting the future of the rivalry in doubt.[5]
Notable games
[edit]November 23, 1968: An infamous game in the rivalry, Tulsa traveled to the Astrodome to face No. 11 Houston despite the fact that most of the team, including 15 of 22 starters, were sick with the flu. The Cougars, who already boasted the nation's top scoring offense coming into the game, proceeded to win 100–6 after scoring 76 unanswered points in the second half.[6][7] As of 2023, Houston remains the most recent NCAA Division I team to score 100 points in a game.
November 7, 2009: No. 13 Houston was 7–1 on the season when they traveled to face a Tulsa team that was on a 3-game losing streak. Hoping for a comfortable win, the Cougars ended up needing a game-winning, 51-yard field goal as time expired to escape with a 46–45 victory.[8][9]
Game results
[edit]Rankings are from the AP Poll released prior to the game.
| Houston victories | Tulsa victories |
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See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Winsipedia – Houston Cougars vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane football series history". Winsipedia.
- ^ "American Athletic Conference – Game Preview: Houston, Tulsa Renew American's Most-Played Rivalry". theamerican.org.
- ^ a b Murphy, Michael (November 9, 2007). "UH, Tulsa meet with West football title on line". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
- ^ Bailey, Eric (November 12, 2010). "In lopsided rivalry, Houston needs a reason to hate TU". Tulsa World. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
So back to the original question. Is this a rivalry Current fans for both schools can debate this question, but there probably is no debate from the gray-haired followers of Tulsa and Houston.
- ^ Barron, David (June 10, 2022). "UH to join Big 12 sooner than expected after AAC exit fee agreement". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
- ^ McDonald, Mark (September 8, 1985). "17 Years Later, Tulsa Fans Still Feel Houston Ran Up Score In 100–6 Loss". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
- ^ "Gatlin was strumming triple-digit tune 45 years ago in Century City". Fox Sports. November 21, 2013. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
- ^ "UH tops Tulsa 46-45 with last-second field goal". Houston Chronicle. November 7, 2009. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
- ^ "Houston vs. Tulsa 11-7-09: A Great Game You Never Even Knew Existed". Bleacher Report. November 8, 2009. Retrieved August 26, 2024.