What Is 2014 Houston Cougars football team

Overview

The 2014 Houston Cougars football team represented the University of Houston during the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Competing as a member of Conference USA's West Division, the team was led by head coach Tony Levine, who was in his third season at the helm.

The Cougars played their home games at TDECU Stadium, a 40,000-seat on-campus venue that opened in 2014. Despite a modest overall record, the team showed flashes of offensive potential, averaging over 30 points per game.

• Record: The team finished with a 7-5 overall record and a 5-3 mark in Conference USA play, placing second in the West Division behind Tulane.
• Head coach: Tony Levine led the team for the final time in 2014, as he was dismissed after the season following a three-year tenure with a 15-24 overall record.
• Stadium: The Cougars played their inaugural season at TDECU Stadium, marking the first time since 1942 that Houston had an on-campus football stadium.
• Offense: Houston averaged 31.8 points per game, totaling 381 points for the season, with quarterback John O'Korn throwing for 2,874 yards and 22 touchdowns.
• Defense: The defense struggled at times, allowing 27.6 points per game and failing to secure a bowl berth due to a lack of quality wins.

Season Performance

The Cougars showed promise early in the season but ultimately fell short of postseason eligibility. Key games defined their trajectory, and player performances highlighted both strengths and weaknesses.

• September 6, 2014: Houston defeated Texas Tech 35-34 in a dramatic comeback, trailing 28-7 at halftime and scoring 28 unanswered points in the second half.
• October 4, 2014: A 45-42 loss to Memphis featured a high-scoring shootout, with both teams combining for over 1,000 yards of total offense.
• John O'Korn: The sophomore quarterback started all 12 games, completing 61.2% of his passes and earning second-team All-Conference USA honors.
• Defensive struggles: The team allowed 332.4 rushing yards in losses compared to 156.7 in wins, highlighting inconsistency against the run.
• Season finale: Houston lost 34-27 to Temple on November 29, a defeat that eliminated any chance of bowl eligibility.
• Recruiting class: The 2014 signing class included 21 recruits, with four rated as four-star prospects by Rivals.com.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2014 Houston Cougars compared to key Conference USA rivals:

Despite matching Tulane and SMU in conference wins, Houston failed to earn a bowl bid due to tiebreaker rules and a weaker overall schedule strength. Memphis emerged as the dominant team in the division, eventually reaching the Birmingham Bowl.

Why It Matters

The 2014 season marked a transitional year for the Houston football program, setting the stage for future changes in leadership and performance. Though not a banner year, it provided key insights into team dynamics and future potential.

• Coaching change: Tony Levine's firing after the season led to the hiring of Tom Herman in December 2014, who revitalized the program in subsequent years.
• Stadium impact: Playing at TDECU Stadium improved fan engagement and attendance, with average home crowds exceeding 25,000 for the first time since 2009.
• Player development: John O'Korn’s breakout season positioned him as a top quarterback in the American Athletic Conference the following year.
• Recruiting momentum: The 2014 class laid a foundation for future success, with several players becoming starters by 2016.
• Conference realignment: Houston moved to the American Athletic Conference in 2013, but 2014 was their first full season adjusting to new scheduling demands.
• Program trajectory: The 7-5 record was seen as underwhelming, prompting administrative changes that ultimately led to a 13-1 season in 2015.

The 2014 campaign, while not statistically dominant, played a crucial role in shaping the future of Houston football, both on and off the field.