UH Cougars Release 2018 Football Schedule

HOUSTON, TX — The University of Houston released its 2018 football schedule, and there are certainly some treats for Cougars fans. Houston already has two nationally-televised games on the schedule — both at home — and former UH coach Kevin Sumlin returns, but now as head coach of the Arizona Wildcats.

Houston opens the season Sept. 1 at crosstown rival Rice. The Cougars' home opener will be Sept. 8 against Arizona, coached by Sumlin. Houston was Sumlin's first head coaching job after a long stint as a coordinator and assistant. Sumlin came to UH in 2008 and led the Cougars to a 35-17 record and three bowl appearances in four seasons.

In 2011, Sumlin guided the Cougars to a 11-0 regular-season record and high national ranking before falling to Southern Miss in the Conference USA Championship. Sumlin went on to Texas A&M, where he compiled a 51-26 record before getting fired last November after a fourth-straight season of sub-9 wins. Sumlin was hired by Arizona last month.

Houston already has two games scheduled for national TV on the ESPN network — Oct. 4 vs. Tulsa and Nov. 15 vs. Tulane — both at TDECU Stadium. The Cougars play Memphis on Black Friday (Nov. 23) on the road.

Houston plays Texas Tech in a non-conference affair on Sept. 15 in Lubbock.

Houston 2018 Football Schedule

Sept. 1 at Rice
Sept. 8 vs Arizona
Sept. 15 at Texas Tech
Sept. 22 vs Texas Southern
Oct. 4 vs Tulsa (ESPN)
Oct. 13 at East Carolina
Oct. 20 at Navy
Oct. vs South Florida
Nov. 3 at SMU
Nov. 10 vs Temple
Nov. 15 vs Tulane (ESPN)
Nov. 23 at Memphis

Image: Courtney Lark (9) of the Houston Cougars celebrates a touchdown in the first half against the East Carolina Pirates at TDECU Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)