What Is 2011 Houston Cougars football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2011 Houston Cougars football team represented the University of Houston during the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 13–1 record and a No. 25 final AP ranking. Led by quarterback Case Keenum, they won the Conference USA championship and defeated Penn State in the Ticket City Bowl.

Key Facts

The 2011 Houston Cougars finished the season with a 13–1 overall record
They won the Conference USA Championship with a 38–34 victory over Southern Miss on December 3, 2011
Quarterback Case Keenum returned from injury and threw for 5,337 yards and 47 touchdowns
The team reached as high as No. 6 in the AP Poll during the regular season
Houston defeated Penn State 30–14 in the Ticket City Bowl on January 2, 2012

Overview

The 2011 Houston Cougars football team represented the University of Houston in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Competing in Conference USA under head coach Kevin Sumlin, the team achieved one of the most successful seasons in program history, finishing with a 13–1 record and a final No. 25 ranking in the AP Poll.

After a breakout 2010 season, expectations were high for the Cougars, especially with the return of star quarterback Case Keenum, who had missed most of the previous year due to injury. The team began the season ranked outside the top 25 but quickly climbed the national rankings with a high-powered offense and key victories over ranked opponents.

Case Keenum returned from a torn ACL and threw for 5,337 yards and 47 touchdowns, ranking among the national leaders in both categories.
The Cougars opened the season with a 37–10 win over UCLA in the season opener, a statement victory that propelled them into the national spotlight.
They reached a season-high No. 6 in the AP Poll in October, the highest ranking for Houston since 1979.
Houston secured the Conference USA title with a 38–34 win over Southern Miss on December 3, 2011, in a dramatic championship game.
The team capped the season with a 30–14 victory over Penn State in the Ticket City Bowl, finishing ranked No. 25 in the final AP Poll.

Season Performance and Key Games

The 2011 Cougars showcased explosive offensive capabilities throughout the season, averaging over 47 points per game. Their schedule included several marquee matchups, and they demonstrated resilience in close games and consistency against conference opponents.

September 3, 2011: Houston defeated UCLA 37–10 in Pasadena, marking their first win over a Pac-10 team since 1980.
October 1: A 56–3 victory over Rice highlighted the team’s offensive dominance, with 721 total yards.
October 13: Houston beat UAB 45–20, improving to 6–0 and entering the top 10 of the BCS standings.
November 5: A narrow 40–36 loss to Southern Miss snapped a 12-game winning streak and cost them a BCS bowl berth.
December 3: The Cougars avenged the loss with a 38–34 win in the Conference USA Championship, securing the league title.
January 2, 2012: In the Ticket City Bowl, Houston defeated Penn State 30–14 at the Cotton Bowl, finishing 13–1.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2011 season stands out in Houston football history when compared to previous and subsequent years. The table below compares key performance metrics:

Season	Record	Final AP Rank	Passing Yards	Head Coach
2009	10–4	NR	3,803	Kevin Sumlin
2010	10–4	NR	4,225	Kevin Sumlin
2011	13–1	No. 25	5,337	Kevin Sumlin
2012	5–7	NR	3,401	Kevin Sumlin (left mid-season)
2015	13–1	No. 8	4,834	Tom Herman

The 2011 team’s 13–1 record tied the program’s best mark, later matched in 2015. However, unlike the 2015 team, the 2011 Cougars did not earn a BCS bowl berth due to their loss to Southern Miss late in the season, despite a strong finish.

Why It Matters

The 2011 Houston Cougars season was a pivotal moment in the program’s modern resurgence, elevating the university’s national profile and setting the stage for future success. It demonstrated that a Group of Five team could compete with top-tier programs through offensive innovation and strong quarterback play.

The season helped Case Keenum gain national recognition, leading to NFL opportunities despite going undrafted.
Head coach Kevin Sumlin was named Big 12 Coach of the Year after moving to Texas A&M in 2012, partly due to his Houston success.
Houston’s high-octane Air Raid-inspired offense influenced offensive trends in college football, particularly among non-Power Five schools.
The win over UCLA was a major non-conference victory, showing that non-BCS teams could beat Power Five opponents on the road.
The 13–1 record set a benchmark for future Houston teams, including the 2015 squad that reached No. 8 in the AP Poll.
The season increased recruiting visibility for the program, helping Houston attract higher-profile recruits in subsequent years.

The 2011 campaign remains a landmark season in Houston football history, remembered for its offensive fireworks, national relevance, and role in building the foundation for future conference realignment and success.