Houston will look to record consecutive victories for the first time this season when it hosts Cincinnati in Big 12 action on Saturday night.
The Cougars (4-5, 2-4) answered a pair of losses with a 25-24 overtime win over Baylor last Saturday.
Donovan Smith threw for two touchdowns, rushed for one TD and ran for the game-winning two-point conversion to lift Houston.
Samuel Brown reeled in a 26-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter against the Bears. Brown, who leads the Big 12 in catches (54) and receiving yards (764), could be flanked by fellow wideouts Joseph Manjack IV and Matthew Golden this Saturday.
While Manjack is expected to return from a two-game absence while in concussion protocol, Golden’s availability is expected to be revealed later this week due to a foot injury he sustained in the second quarter vs. the Bears.
“Good news is it’s not broke,” Houston coach Dana Holgorsen said Monday. “It’s not surgical. It’s not long-term, so we’re going to hope for the best.”
Golden has a team-high six touchdown receptions to go along with two kickoff returns for scores.
While Houston is on the ascent, Cincinnati (2-7, 0-6) continued to plummet as it dropped its seventh straight decision last Saturday with a 28-26 setback to UCF.
The Bearcats lost despite seeing Corey Kiner rush for 114 yards. Ryan Montgomery added 113 on the ground, and the team held the advantage in total offense (515 yards to 393).
Braden Smith reeled in six passes for 114 yards and a touchdown against the Knights. His four touchdown grabs lead Cincinnati this season.
“You only get so many opportunities to show your stuff, and we got to do better with it, and that includes these next three weeks,” Bearcats coach Scott Satterfield said Tuesday. “We’ve got Houston this week, and we’re looking forward to playing this game.”
Cincinnati will play at West Virginia next week and vs. Kansas the following week.
