News Summary
The Houston Cougars football team heads into the upcoming season filled with hope after a tough previous year. With junior quarterback Conner Weigman leading a revamped roster, new offensive coordinator Slade Nagle aims to boost the team’s performance. The defense also looks to improve under Austin Armstrong, while Coach Willie Fritz stresses competition and urgency. With significant roster changes and a favorable schedule, fans are eager to see how the Cougars will fare as they strive for success in the upcoming season.
Houston Cougars Football 2025 Season Preview: High Hopes with New QB Conner Weigman and Revamped Roster
The Houston Cougars football team is entering the 2025 season with renewed optimism, following a challenging 2024 campaign that led to a 4-8 record. The team has taken significant steps to improve its roster and coaching staff, generating high expectations among players and fans alike.
Central to the team’s hopes is junior quarterback Conner Weigman, a former five-star recruit from Texas A&M, who has been named the starting quarterback. His leadership is expected to revitalize the Cougars’ offensive performance, which ranked among the lowest in scoring and total offense last season.
Alongside Weigman, new offensive coordinator Slade Nagle is aiming to bring fresh energy to Houston’s offense, focusing on enhancing the players’ execution. The Cougars have also undertaken a significant roster overhaul, bringing in 27 new players, primarily sourced through the transfer portal, with a strong emphasis on bolstering the offensive line and secondary.
The defense is poised for growth under new defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong, who is expected to enhance a unit that showcased impressive capabilities last season. The defensive lineup is anchored by standout playmaker Carlos Allen, who will be instrumental in generating turnovers and maintaining defensive consistency.
In preparation for the upcoming season, Coach Willie Fritz has emphasized the importance of urgency and competition. The Cougars’ season slogan, “Houston 2025“, reflects their commitment to a successful year ahead. A favorable schedule features matchups against FCS opponents, where Houston boasts a perfect 20-0 all-time record.
Season Outlook: Performance and Expected Results
The 2025 season opens with a commanding victory against Stephen F. Austin, where the Cougars triumphed 56-7. This win signals the beginning of a promising campaign, as Houston followed up with another resounding performance against Rice, claiming a 49-14 victory. Early momentum continued with a narrow victory against Colorado (30-27) and a hard-fought win on the road against Oregon State (27-24), marking a strong start to the season at 4-0.
However, Houston faced its first setback with a 38-20 loss against Texas Tech. The team rebounded strong, defeating Oklahoma State with a score of 38-24, followed by a critical win against Arizona that secured bowl eligibility at 27-24.
While they experienced another loss, this time against Arizona State (24-45), the Cougars secured victories against both West Virginia and UCF, pushing their record to 8-2. In the latter stages of the season, Houston faced challenges against TCU and Baylor, concluding the regular season with a record of 8-4.
Roster Changes and Strengths
The Cougars’ roster underwent significant changes, particularly in the offensive line, where four new starters have been integrated to strengthen the unit. Key offensive returnees include Boogie Johnson, who led the team last season with 32 receptions and 402 receiving yards, and the addition of Dean Connors as a running back, who aims to be a top contributor.
Despite inconsistencies with special teams in the past season, new additions are in place to ensure improved reliability. The groundwork laid by Coach Fritz aims to build a competitive and agile team capable of contending in the Big 12 and achieving bowl eligibility.
The Houston Cougars are ready to embrace the challenges of the upcoming season with their restructured roster and revamped coaching strategies, ushering in what they hope to be an exciting and successful 2025 football season.
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Additional Resources
- The Daily Cougar: Houston Football 2025 Season Preview
- Houston Chronicle: UH Football 2025 Guide
- Underdog Dynasty: 2025 Houston Cougars Season Preview
- KCEN: Exclusive with Boogie Johnson
- Houston Chronicle: Houston Football Season Opener

Author: STAFF HERE HOUSTON TX WRITER
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