What Is 2013 Houston Cougars football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 Houston Cougars football team represented the University of Houston in the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 8-5 record under head coach Tony Levine. They played in Conference USA's West Division and won the Independence Bowl against the University of Pennsylvania.

Key Facts

Finished the season with an 8-5 overall record and 5-3 in Conference USA
Head coach Tony Levine led the team for the second consecutive season
Played home games at TDECU Stadium, which opened in 2014, so 2013 games were at Robertson Stadium
Won the Independence Bowl 30-14 over Pennsylvania on December 26, 2013
Quarterback John O'Korn was named Conference USA Rookie of the Year

Overview

The 2013 Houston Cougars football team competed as a member of Conference USA's West Division during the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Under the leadership of head coach Tony Levine, the team aimed to rebound from a disappointing 5-7 record in 2012 and reestablish itself as a competitive force in college football.

Houston showed significant improvement in 2013, finishing with an 8-5 overall record and 5-3 in conference play. The Cougars earned a bowl berth and secured a victory in the Independence Bowl, marking a positive step forward despite missing out on a division title. The season was notable for the emergence of freshman quarterback John O'Korn.

Record and Performance: The team finished with an 8-5 overall record and a 5-3 mark in Conference USA play, showing marked improvement from the previous year's losing season.
Head Coach: Tony Levine was in his second year as head coach, maintaining stability after taking over following Kevin Sumlin's departure in 2011.
Home Stadium: The Cougars played their home games at Robertson Stadium in 2013, as the new TDECU Stadium was still under construction and opened in 2014.
Bowl Game: Houston defeated the University of Pennsylvania 30-14 in the Independence Bowl on December 26, 2013, securing their first bowl win since 2011.
Key Player: Freshman quarterback John O'Korn started 10 games, throwing for 2,200 yards and 21 touchdowns, earning Conference USA Rookie of the Year honors.

Season Highlights and Key Games

The 2013 season featured several pivotal matchups that defined the Cougars' campaign, including a dramatic win over SMU and a close loss to conference powerhouse UCF. The team showed flashes of offensive brilliance but struggled with consistency on defense.

Season Opener: Houston defeated Texas State 41-19 in their season opener, with John O'Korn throwing for 233 yards and two touchdowns in his debut.
Conference USA Play: The Cougars went 5-3 in conference games, including a 34-31 win over SMU that featured a 75-yard game-winning drive in the final minutes.
Key Loss: A 37-33 loss to UCF on October 24 ended Houston’s slim division title hopes, as UCF went on to win the conference.
Defensive Challenges: The team allowed an average of 29.5 points per game, ranking 98th nationally in scoring defense, highlighting ongoing defensive struggles.
Bowl Victory: In the Independence Bowl, Houston dominated Pennsylvania with a balanced offensive attack, rushing for 187 yards and limiting the opposition to 14 points.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2013 season is best understood by comparing key statistics to the previous year and conference peers. The table below highlights performance metrics across seasons.

Statistic	2012 Season	2013 Season	Conference USA Avg (2013)
Overall Record	5-7	8-5	N/A
Conference Record	3-5	5-3	4.2 wins
Points Scored Per Game	28.6	31.8	29.1
Points Allowed Per Game	29.8	29.5	28.7
Bowl Result	Lost (BBVA Compass Bowl)	Won (Independence Bowl)	N/A

The data shows a clear improvement in win-loss record and offensive output from 2012 to 2013. While defensive performance remained slightly below conference average, the Cougars’ ability to score points and win close games contributed to their successful turnaround season.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was a critical step in the rebuilding phase for Houston football after two consecutive losing seasons. It laid the foundation for future success, including the program's eventual move to the American Athletic Conference in 2013.

Program Momentum: The 8-5 record restored confidence in the program and helped boost recruiting efforts, especially in the talent-rich Houston area.
Quarterback Development: John O'Korn’s emergence as a freshman provided a long-term solution at quarterback and earned national recognition.
Conference Transition: The 2013 season was Houston’s last in Conference USA before joining the American Athletic Conference in July 2013.
Bowl Eligibility: Achieving bowl eligibility for the first time since 2011 helped stabilize the coaching staff and fan support.
Recruiting Impact: Success on the field correlated with improved recruiting rankings, setting the stage for future competitiveness.
Stadium Transition: The final season at Robertson Stadium marked the end of an era before the team moved to the new on-campus TDECU Stadium in 2014.

The 2013 Houston Cougars season, while not a championship campaign, was pivotal in re-establishing the program’s trajectory and setting up future success in a new conference and facility.