It's time to believe in Willie Fritz and the journey he's leading the University of Houston football team on. If you had any doubts about the foundation he’s building for the Cougars, their recent performance should be enough to make you reconsider. Fritz took over a challenging situation less than a year ago, and already, the tides are turning faster than anyone might have expected.
Believe in the Turnaround
When Fritz stepped in, he inherited a program in need of a significant overhaul, but he hasn’t shied away from the task. After 11 months of steady rebuilding, the Cougars are making bold moves on the field, and for the first time in a while, they're in serious contention for a bowl game. Could it really happen in Year 1? The players think so, and their coach does too. “They’re going to start believing,” Fritz said, after the Cougars mounted a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback for the second week in a row. “We’ve got to keep going.”
On Saturday, UH claimed a defining victory by upsetting No. 17 Kansas State, 24-19, right at TDECU Stadium. For Fritz, this wasn’t just a win; it was a signature moment. The momentum in Houston is real, and linebacker Michael Batton can feel it too. “We had belief from the start,” Batton shared, reflecting on the team’s mindset and resilience. He was one of the defensive heroes, contributing one of two pivotal interceptions that allowed the Cougars to claw back from a nine-point deficit. "We’re just putting it together and happy to see where this is going to go.”
A Milestone Win
After back-to-back victories, this squad is experiencing its first winning streak since late 2022. Beating a ranked opponent is a huge milestone, one they hadn’t achieved since 2021. Now, the Cougars are 4-5, with three games left against Arizona, Baylor, and BYU. They only need two more wins to clinch a bowl spot, and the team is more motivated than ever. Do you believe?
The recent success comes on the heels of a season that saw its fair share of challenges. Just a few weeks ago, the Cougars were struggling with a two-man quarterback system. But against Kansas State, Zeon Chriss showed up in a big way, scoring the game-winning touchdown on a thrilling 41-yard run. His stats for the night were nearly flawless: 11 completed passes, 75 rushing yards, and two touchdowns. Even Donovan Smith, the starter-turned-backup, got a piece of the action with a one-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
Staying Level-Headed
For Batton and the team, managing the ups and downs of the season has been crucial. “It’s an up-and-down game. It’s an up-and-down season,” Batton noted, adding that the team has been working on staying grounded and not letting the highs and lows affect them. Earlier in the season, the Cougars let their excitement get the best of them after a win over TCU, only to falter in the next game. Now, they’re focused on maintaining their energy and taking each game one at a time. “We’re going to build on this,” Batton continued. “We just beat the No. 17-ranked team in the country. But we understand this is just the beginning. We’re still 4-5. We have to keep getting better and keep working.”
Defense Rises to the Occasion
Throughout the season, it’s been clear that UH’s defense is a lifeline. When the offense sputtered on Saturday, the defense stepped up, holding Kansas State to just three points in the second half. The Wildcats’ star running back DJ Giddens, who averages over 118 rushing yards per game, was held to only 50 yards. This defensive shift was game-changing, with interceptions by Jeremiah Wilson and Batton swinging the momentum in UH's favor.
For Chriss, this team’s bond has been the foundation of their resilience. “We’ve experienced a lot (of adversity) this season,” he shared. “We were trying to be positive about it and trust the defense. The defense told us, ‘We got y’all,’ and we got them.”
Key Plays and Big Moments
The game was packed with thrilling moments that showcased the team’s growth and tenacity. Wilson’s interception set up a touchdown catch by Maliq Carr, pulling UH within striking distance at 19-17. Batton’s interception, just as the clock was winding down, gave the Cougars one last chance to seal the win. These crucial plays underscored Fritz’s pride in his squad. “Really, really proud of the guys,” Fritz said. “We didn’t have great fortune the whole game, but the guys hung in there and kept playing and kind of rode our defense there for a while. We didn’t play a perfect game, but we played well enough to win, and that’s what matters.”
In a halftime locker room talk, Fritz could see some of his players looking a bit defeated after allowing Kansas State to score 13 points in the final moments of the first half. He wasn’t about to let that attitude slide. “We had a little visit in there at halftime,” Fritz shared, adding that he encouraged his team to shake off the negativity. “Luckily, the strong guys overtook anybody who was weak, and they imposed their will in the locker room, and we came out fighting.”
Perfect in the Red Zone
Another highlight was UH’s red zone performance, an area where they’d previously struggled. This time, they capitalized on all three trips. Chriss also delivered a standout performance with a 44-yard strike to wide receiver Joseph Manjack IV, who pulled off a game-changing catch at Kansas State’s one-yard line. “That game was a thriller,” Manjack said. “Since I’ve been here, the Coogs have never quit until that final whistle is blown.”
The game wasn’t over until Kansas State’s last-ditch effort, a Hail Mary pass from Avery Johnson, was swatted down by Latrell McCutchin Sr. It was the final nail in the coffin for Kansas State, and the crowd erupted. Fans stormed the field, celebrating alongside players like Batton, who couldn’t resist snapping a few selfies with the students. “I’m not going to personally condone that because you’re not really supposed to do that,” Batton said with a grin. “But I thought it was very cool.”
Moving Forward with Confidence
For UH, every win counts. “A win is a win, whether you win by a hundred or by one,” Manjack pointed out. With a handful of games left in the season, the team isn’t just focused on the bowl bid — they’re thinking about the long-term potential of Fritz’s leadership. Chriss echoed that sentiment: “We just have to keep trusting in (Fritz), trusting in the coaches. We have the mindset of never quitting. We’re going to keep scratching, fighting, and clawing.”
The next challenge is Arizona on November 15, and the Cougars are ready to keep building on this momentum. “We’re going to go after another one,” Fritz said, hopeful about their chances to secure a third consecutive win. “That would be really nice.”
As the Cougars push toward a potential bowl eligibility, the belief in this program has never been stronger. They're not just playing to win games — they're playing to redefine what this program is capable of. For Houston fans, it’s finally time to believe.
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