Houston running back Re’Shaun Sanford II and tight end Traville Frederick Jr. shake hands after Sanford II scored a touchdown during the football game against Southern University on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at TDECU Stadium. | Payton Gaskill/The Cougar

No. 22 Houston defeated Kansas State 35-16 on Oct.10 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas. The Cougars improved to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in Big 12 play while totaling 475 yards.

Senior tight end Patrick Overmyer led the receiving corps, catching all four of Houston’s passing touchdowns and finishing with eight receptions for 83 yards. 

The Cougars converted all three fourth-down attempts and scored touchdowns on five of six trips inside the Wildcats’ 20-yard line.

Fifth-year quarterback Conner Weigman completed 19 of 30 passes for 242 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. Junior running back Re’Shaun Sanford II led Houston with 90 rushing yards after returning from an injury sustained during the 2025 season. 

Defensively, the Cougars held Kansas State to 299 total yards and recorded two sacks.

Houston sought to establish its rhythm on the opening possession. Facing third-and-nine, Weigman connected with junior wide receiver Koby Young for a 36-yard gain to the Kansas State one-yard line. Weigman then found Overmyer for a touchdown on fourth-and-goal, capping a 75-yard drive.

Graduate defensive back Jalen Mayo broke up a third-down pass intended for senior wide receiver Jaron Tibbs, forcing Kansas State to settle for a 29-yard field goal as the quarter expired. 

In the second quarter, Houston answered with another 75-yard scoring drive, concluded with Overmyer’s second touchdown catch to take a 14-3 lead.

After another punt from Kansas State, senior running back Makhi Hughes extended the advantage to 21-3 with a 13-yard touchdown run with minutes remaining in the first half.

Houston carried that momentum into the third quarter. After forcing a punt on Kansas State’s opening possession, Overmyer turned a short completion into an 8-yard touchdown catch, pushing the lead to 28-3.

The Wildcats responded with quarterback Avery Johnson’s 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end senior Garrett Oakley, but Mayo rejected an attempted two-point conversion, keeping the score at 28-9.

Houston answered immediately. A 30-yard completion to senior wide receiver Amare Thomas extended the possession and Overmyer caught his fourth touchdown, giving the Cougars a 35-9 advantage.

Kansas State threatened Houston’s 10-yard line again in the fourth quarter, but graduate defensive back Jordan Allen ended the drive by intercepting Johnson’s third-down pass. Johnson later found Tibbs for a 6-yard touchdown, trimming the deficit to 35-16.

Houston will return home to host Oklahoma State at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at TDECU Stadium.

sports@thedailycougar.com

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"Patrick Overmyer’s four touchdowns lift No. 22 Houston past Kansas State" was originally posted on The Cougar

Houston quarterback Conner Weigman (1) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during an NCAA football game against UCF on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026 at TDECU Stadium. | Oscar Herrera/The Cougar

Houston is traveling to Manhattan, Kansas, to face off against Kansas State on Oct. 10. Head coach Willie Fritz’s program is 1-1 in the Big 12 and heads into another conference matchup that could prove decisive for their position when November rolls around.

Fritz and the team are three weeks removed from their narrow loss against No. 12 Texas Tech with two more victories under their belt. This time, they’re marching toward Bill Snyder Family Stadium for a date with the Kansas State Wildcats.

Under offensive coordinator Slade Nagle, Houston has found the end zone 27 times, more than any other team in the conference. They’ve leaned on the right arm of fifth-year quarterback Conner Weigman, who has passed for 11 touchdowns with the second-highest efficiency in the conference.

The ground game is nearly as productive in scoring metrics. Senior running back Makhi Hughes and junior running back Re’Shaun Sanford II lead a rushing attack that averages 229.4 yards per game. 

Weigman has also proven effective with his legs, most notably when he punched in three touchdowns on the ground in a 27-17 victory last week against UCF. That was their first victory against a Big 12 opponent this season and they expect a similar result nearly 750 miles away from home. 

They’ll have to find the end zone against a stout Kansas State defense that is allowing the second-fewest yards in the conference, including the fewest in the air. However, they entered this contest a week removed from being torn apart for 271 rushing yards against the Cincinnati Bearcats. 

That was their first loss of the season and the Bearcats are not as potent as the Cougars on the ground.

The Cougars possess a stellar defensive record of their own against the run, allowing an unrivaled 65.4 rushing yards per game across five games so far.

However, it remains to be seen how defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong calls defenses without star senior linebacker Jaden Yates. Yates was tied for a team lead in total tackles before suffering an apparent leg injury against UCF. 

Houston wasn’t tremendously efficient last week against an average Knights defense, but its ability to outproduce opponents on the ground will give them an acceptable floor heading into a record-swinging contest.

There’s a lot to ponder for Fritz and the coaching staff in terms of preparation and previous results. A victory would be massive not only for their conference campaign, but their morale as well. 

This time, however, it will have to come against a team capable of mitigating Houston’s offensive firepower away from the familiar grounds of the TDECU Stadium.

sports@thedailycougar.com

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"Preview: Outlook on the Cougars’ conference matchup against Kansas State" was originally posted on The Cougar

Lily Huynh/The Cougar

When living on campus, Houston’s warm weather can make it easy to forget that colder temperatures are right around the corner. Winter is coming sooner than you may think, so it’s important for students to know how to stay prepared. Whether you are staying on campus for winter break or leaving, it is inevitable that you will experience the freezes Houston has to offer.

When it comes to preparing your living space for winter, one of the main concerns for students living on campus is affordability. But staying safe and warm doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg.

Here are some tips on what may help you ease into winter while staying on a budget.

Medicine

During winter, the first priority is taking care of yourself. College campuses can be a breeding ground for germs, so making sure you are stocked up on basic medicine and other health essentials can help you prepare for cold and flu season. Cold and flu medicine, Vitamin C, Advil, Tylenol, hand sanitizer, cough drops, tissues and a thermometer are a few health essentials you may need.

Unfortunately, medicine can get expensive. When shopping for over the counter medicine, consider purchasing the store brand version rather than the name brand. Checking the active ingredients can help you find a more affordable option with the same active ingredient as its name-brand counterpart. For students living on campus, Kroger at 4000 Polk St. is located near UH, making it one of the closest options for picking up medicine and other winter essentials. UH also has a Campus Pharmacy offering over-the-counter medications. 

Food and water

Keeping bottled water, shelf-stable snacks, instant meals and other foods that don’t require much preparation can come in handy if severe weather makes it difficult to leave your dorm. Stocking up before temperatures drop can also help you avoid having to make a last-minute trip to the store.

For students looking to stock their dorms before a freeze, there are several grocery stores surrounding campus. ALDI at 3618 Old Spanish Trail is a nearby option for students shopping on a budget, while H-E-B at 6055 South Fwy. offers another nearby location for groceries, water and other essentials.

If you are looking to stock up on food without adding to your grocery bill, you can take a look at the Cougar Cupboard, UH’s free on-campus food pantry. The pantry provides currently enrolled students with access to groceries and other essentials at no cost, which can be especially helpful when navigating under a tight budget.

Emergency supplies

A flashlight, portable charger or power bank, along with extra charging cables and batteries can be helpful in case of a power outage due to freezing temperatures. Before a freeze, students should also make sure their phones and portable chargers are fully charged. 

If you have a car on campus, keeping an ice scraper and jumper cables handy can also be helpful when navigating the aftermath of a Houston freeze. If permitted under your dorm’s housing and safety rules, a small space heater may also help keep your room warm during colder temperatures. Before purchasing or using one, check your residence hall’s policies to make sure heaters are allowed and follow any safety requirements.

Stores like Dollar Tree and Five Below can be helpful for finding inexpensive flashlights, batteries, charging cables and other basic emergency supplies. 

Comfort

Ensuring you have extra layers, blankets and thick socks can help immensely when dealing with freezing temperatures. Shopping can be expensive, but there are plenty of discount and thrift stores surrounding the UH area where you can find winter essentials without breaking the bank. 

Marshalls and HomeGoods at 1450 W. Gray St. and T.J. Maxx at 1554 W. Gray Ave. offer another option for students looking for blankets, warm clothing and other winter items at discounted prices. Since the stores are located next to each other, students can also compare their options without making multiple trips across Houston.

Winter in Houston may not last long, but freezing temperatures can still catch you off guard. Preparing ahead of time can make all the difference, especially for students living on campus and away from home. By shopping smart, keeping a few essentials on hand and paying attention to upcoming weather, you can stay safe and comfortable regardless of the conditions.

news@thedailycougar.com

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"Winter is coming: How students can prepare for the cold" was originally posted on The Cougar

Isabel Bustos/The Cougar

It is a rare occasion when we get to see TDECU Stadium completely packed. Turnout at UH football games isn’t exactly known for being the best. It looks especially bad when compared with larger Texas schools, such as Texas A&M and UT.

However, comparing UH to other schools isn’t necessarily fair. There are many factors contributing to low attendance at football games. 

Between inconvenient game times, expensive parking, construction and an experience that can feel like more trouble than it’s worth, UH is asking fans to overcome a lot just to get inside the stadium.

The fan experience isn’t working

UH administrators, athletic department officials, coaches and players have recently emphasized the need for more fans at games. Athletic Director Eddie Nuñez said the department would place greater emphasis on the fan experience.

Where’s the emphasis, though? As someone who went to most football games last year and both games this year, I haven’t noticed much of a change. The student sections are pretty full; it’s the rest of the stadium that appears to be empty. 

When it comes to claims that students aren’t showing up, I don’t think that’s necessarily true. Sure, there could be more, but this also brings up another factor: UH is a commuter school. It’s not always convenient for students to return to campus on weekends.

Additionally, once free student tickets sell out, asking students to pay for admission can make attending even less appealing.

Several games have also started in the morning. This so-called fan experience can start at 8 a.m. on a Saturday. Who wants to get up that early to go sit in the Texas heat for four hours? 

On the other hand, games that start later tend to draw a bigger crowd since they allow students to better prepare for the game, enjoy the tailgates and support the team in not-so-scorching conditions. 

If students think going to football games is inconvenient, imagine what the Houston community thinks. TDECU Stadium also has an awkward seating setup. Lower-level tickets can get pricey, while the upper-level seating is incredibly steep and angled, making those seats less appealing. 

Getting there is half the battle

The journey to get to the stadium is rough as well. Houston traffic is exhausting and ongoing construction at UH makes campus even more difficult to navigate. Fans have to deal with the commute to campus only to arrive to dirt, detours and gated-off construction sites. 

Another problem for both students and other attendees is the parking situation. Although prices have decreased since last year, parking fees can still make attending a game unnecessarily expensive.

Even students who pay for a semester parking permit still have to go through the hassle of finding a new lot and proving they have a pass when parking for a game. UH also closes down some of the parking lots, making it even more difficult to find an open spot. 

Low attendance doesn’t necessarily mean people don’t support UH or its football team. The problem is that attending a game comes with enough inconveniences to make staying home an easier choice. 

UH still struggles to attract the same level of support from the broader Houston community. When UH is compared with SEC programs or other Big 12 schools with packed stadiums, the difference is difficult to ignore. Those games seem so exciting and the energy looks contagious. UH could have that as well, but going to the football games doesn’t feel like it’s worth it. 

If UH wants to improve turnout, administrators need to address the factors they can control that make attending games unnecessarily difficult. We have the potential to pack the stadium and it’s happened before. Instead of simply asking fans to show up, UH needs to give the rest of Houston a reason to believe showing up is worth the hassle. 

opinion@thedailycougar.com

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"The problem with UH football is not the fans" was originally posted on The Cougar

University of Houston President Renu Khator delivers the State of the University address, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, in Houston, Texas. | Matthew Guzman/The Cougar

UH System chancellor and UH president Renu Khator delivered the annual State of the University address on Oct. 8 at the Moores School of Muisc Opera House. Khator’s address gave an overview of UH’s history in anticipation of the upcoming Centennial anniversary.

“As we smile with pride at our present and with great anticipation for our future, we must never forget that it is our past that has brought us to this moment here today,” Khator said. “Our history is the foundation of all our present and future successes.”

Khator began by describing UH’s evolution as a learning institution. UH was initially established as Houston Junior College in 1927, then in 1934, was designated as a four-year university. Enrollment grew steadily over the years, from 1,100 students in 1934 to 5,000 by 1945 and 10,000 twenty years later. The University currently enrolls almost 50,000 students. 

Khator also recognized notable alumni through the years and described efforts by the University to regroup and rebuild in the face of adversity, from the oil bust of 1982 to Tropical Storm Allison in 2001, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 20065 and Hurricane Ike in 2008.

“For Houston and for the University of Houston, adversity and momentum have always gone together,” Khator said.

Khator recognized major donors, former and current members of the Board of Regents, as well as UH staff, and highlighted UH’s expansion to regional branches.

In more recent years, UH attained Tier One status as a University, the addition of several new colleges including the Hobby School of Public Affairs, the Katherine G. McGovern College of the Arts, the Andy and Barbara Gessner College of Nursing and Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine.

“Today, the students for whom we built this university are writing the new chapter, victory chapter, for the University of Houston,” Khator said. “They are proving that every national championship is attainable and every national honor is achievable. Goldwater, Gates Cambridge, Marshall, Truman, Fulbright, they are making them all.”

Khator spoke on construction project developments, with Centennial Plaza expected to open in May and Centennial Hall expected to be ready for occupancy by next fall. 

Then, Khator pivoted to UH’s research accomplishments, highlighting faculty accolades across engineering, humanities and the arts.

“Our goal is to drive this innovation engine to $500 million of annual research expenditures,” Khator said. “With the newly launched UH Health, cutting-edge UH energy, achieving this goal is not a question of if but when.”

Finally, Khator traced the history of Cougar sports, starting with its first program: ice hockey. In 1946, UH gained five intercollegiate varsity teams: men’s basketball, football, tennis, golf and track and field.

Khator highlighted athletic achievements through the decades, concluding with the men’s basketball team’s appearance in the national championship in 2025.

“From one win to national championships and gold medals, this is our journey,” Khator said.

After a showing of a short Centennial video, Khator turned the focus of her speech to the future, emphasizing the need to continue serving students.

“Our University will continue to thrive as long as we don’t forget our core mission and that core mission is our students,” Khator said. “But that mission cannot be an excuse to not excel in anything else. We must excel and compete against the best of the best on every front.”

news@thedailycougar.com

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"Khator reflects on UH history in annual State of the University address" was originally posted on The Cougar

Isabel Bustos/The Cougar

Many college students have so many expenses that they struggle to find affordable furniture and decorations for their dorms or houses. 

But, by using various online hacks to find cheaper furniture options, students can turn their houses into homes. 

Dupe.com 

Many furniture retailers use white labeling, where multiple companies use the same manufacturers, but larger companies charge higher prices for their products.

This means that less upscale companies tend to charge less for their furniture.

A student who shops for their furniture online may find a piece that they like, but for a higher price than their desired budget. 

One way to find cheaper alternatives is to use Dupe.com. This AI-powered website will then display a list of more affordable furniture that still resembles the appearance, aesthetic and material of the original piece.

Google image search

Another tip for finding affordable furniture alternatives is by taking a screenshot of the desired furniture and uploading it to Google Lens.

If a student encounters a decor piece that they like but is too costly, they can screenshot that piece, go to google.com, press the camera icon on the search browser and upload the photo. 

Once this is done, Google will present various websites that have pieces with a similar material and design, but with some costing less than others. 

Facebook Marketplace

Independent online retailers often sell furniture at lower prices and are more open to discussing and negotiating furniture prices, but students must be comfortable with taking the first step in reaching out to them. 

Students can use Facebook Marketplace to their advantage by actively engaging with the website and its furniture to enhance sale opportunities. 

First, one must search for keywords that represent their furniture preferences. For example, if a student prefers decor with warm colors or wood material, they can type words like ‘cozy’ or ‘wood decor’ into the search bar. 

If a student finds a piece they like, they can message the retailer to ask questions about shipping dates or if the price can be negotiated. 

Regardless of the response that student receives, the app’s algorithm will now better understand the student’s furniture preferences. This is important because next time the student returns to the app, it will display furniture recommendations that align with the student’s interests and that have great deals.

news@thedailycougar.com

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"Three clever ways to find affordable furniture alternatives" was originally posted on The Cougar

Hailey Nguyen/The Cougar

Olivia Rodrigo’s charity single release “Serena Joy,” and Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s tour following political statements onstage beg the question: Is it possible to appreciate an artist’s work while disregarding its implications and the artist’s views?

In a nation where “cancel culture” has become the norm, drawing the line between the artist and the art becomes a gray area.

Throughout history, music has been a crucial part of pop culture and social movements. Musicians can use their art to spread ideas through a language that reaches audiences around the world: music.

Using their platform

Macklemore was set to perform at eight of Ed Sheeran’s remaining U.S. shows but was dropped from the tour after several venues threatened to cancel their shows if he remained in the lineup. This occurred following the rapper’s “Free Palestine” statements and his performance of the protest song “Hind’s Hall” regarding the war in Gaza.

According to Rolling Stone, Macklemore said that part of the reason he wanted to do this tour was to speak up about this issue on a larger scale. Macklemore said Sheeran “couldn’t get past his public-facing, ‘I don’t take sides.’”

Following backlash from other artists and social media users, Sheeran addressed the issue, saying that he could no longer separate his musical career from his political views. 

When it comes to war and devastation, refusing to “pick a side” perpetuates the issue by failing to bring it to light. Artists with large platforms should use their voices to bring attention to important causes rather than completely disconnecting their politics from their public personas.

The art of political expression

Artists often use their actual work as a form of protest and free speech. Olivia Rodrigo’s latest single “Serena Joy,” along with her charity concert, Daisy Chain Fields, gave her an outlet to express her stances. 

“Serena Joy” draws inspiration from Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale,” in which the character Serena Joy advocates for the society that eventually oppresses her. According to The Oxford Student, “Serena Joy” is “about complicity: using your own freedom to support a system that restricts the freedom of others, while assuming you will remain protected from its consequences,” echoing Rodrigo’s lyric, “If they do it to them, they’ll do it to you.”

Rodrigo’s song acts as a form of protest. At the very least, it gives Rodrigo a way to express her political concerns about policies affecting women in the U.S.

Rodrigo’s popularity gives both the song and her charity concert a wide reach while bringing attention and support to organizations that protect people’s rights.

Music has long reflected the political state of the world. From the 1960s through the 1990s, songs addressed movements and political conflicts ranging from the civil rights movement to apartheid. In 1985, Artists United Against Apartheid released “Sun City,” which called on musicians not to perform in South Africa. The 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair also became associated with messages of peace and opposition to the ongoing Vietnam War.

When music meets politics

Politics and music have always been connected. Artists can harness their skills and platforms to spread political awareness on a larger scale.

The idea of “separating the art from the artist,” or disregarding an artist’s views in favor of their other, nonpolitical works, can draw attention away from the political issues artists intentionally address through their work. Ignoring these forms of political expression risks overlooking the issues artists are trying to bring into public conversation.

Music is political.  

opinion@thedailycougar

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"Separating the art from the artist: Music has always been political" was originally posted on The Cougar

Hailey Nguyen/ The Cougar

With each new semester, students decide whether a university is the right place for them to continue their education. 

This process is not taken lightly, as students consider many factors, including academics, alumni success, activities and housing quality. They must decide whether the experience will be worth the thousands of dollars they will spend. 

Take UH, for example. The average cost across Cougar Village I, Cougar Village II, Cougar Place and The Quads is roughly $4,745. Not including the additional meal plan cost required for students who live in these dorms.

Pursuing higher education comes with a cost, but should students not expect their university housing to provide a quality living environment in return?

Students have raised these concerns across campus this year, as well as years prior, questioning whether their quality of living is a priority to university administration. 

For students already balancing academics, work and other responsibilities, housing problems just add another unnecessary stress.

Remarks from the student body

To better understand these housing issues from a student perspective, I turned first to Mikayla Thompson, a freshman living at CV II and experiencing the campus for the very first time. 

Rather than being about maintenance, many of Thompson’s issues centered on uncomfortable and unfair situations involving people. 

After paying thousands of dollars for housing and a meal plan, Thompson feels the experience could be better, especially when sharing a living space with strangers and dealing with students from other schools gaining access to the building.

Thompson does acknowledge the fortune of her condition in comparison to horror stories she has heard from students at other schools. She said she is “appreciative of the livable conditions in CV2.” 

However, this optimistic outlook dwindled when speaking with upperclassmen.

A second-year resident at Cougar Place who chose to remain anonymous had a different perspective on her first-year experience.

“For what we had, especially freshman year, it should not have (cost) that much,” she said.

In the past few weeks, she noticed delays in FixIt responding, air conditioning issues across multiple floors and key cards randomly failing to work. 

Even student staff, who get certain housing perks, have seen the unfairness of the situation. Despite experiencing their own issues with A/C units and broken doors, one RA said, “It is more inconvenient for my residents,” when asked about their experience. 

What now?

When students are facing housing issues not only at UH but across the nation, what can be done?

Many of these concerns fall out of students’ hands. University administration, advisory boards and the Board of Regents have the ability to address these problems and ensure the quality of living reflects what students are paying for.

Students are doing all they can by making their voices heard and their struggles known, refusing to settle for less than they feel they deserve. 

At the end of the day, students are paying for more than just a room; they’re paying for a place that should support them as they prepare for their futures.

As one UH resident, who asked to remain anonymous, simply said, “We are supposed to be getting what we paid for.” 

opinion@thedailycougar.com

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"UH student housing should be worth what students pay" was originally posted on The Cougar

Lily Huynh/The Cougar

For students at the University, living on-campus marks the start of a new adventure. Your dormitory is unknown land and a random roommate becomes a story to tell.

Chicken soup of comfort

Many freshmen entering living spaces have to learn more than what time to go to sleep. They discover more about their health and who can help. 

For political science junior Olivia Rodriguez, who was living in Moody Towers her first year, having one roommate was more than enough. 

“We cleaned all the time, but for some reason, I found myself becoming sick very often,” Rodriguez said. 

When Rodriguez got sick near the end of September, her roommate stepped in, taking all the necessary measures to make sure Rodriguez recovered well. 

“She made it her number one mission to make sure I felt better,” Rodriguez said. “She would bring me medicine, vitamin C packets and most importantly, chicken noodle soup.”

Though they no longer live together, Rodriguez’s roommate’s care did not go unnoticed. The experience left a positive mark on Rodriguez’s college journey, with chicken noodle soup serving as a reminder of kindness and care. 

“Her efforts never failed to make me feel better, both physically and emotionally,” Rodriguez said. “She never got tired of helping me get over my sickness and never failed to bring me some delicious chicken noodle soup. Every time I eat or see some chicken noodle soup, I think of her and the comfortable environment she made sure I had.”

The twin dynamic

While most students brace themselves for the random housing lottery, some bypass the uncertainty entirely. For psychology sophomore Grace Odedeji, living with her twin was an added bonus. 

Odedeji said that her roommate was one of the better parts of her day-to-day life on campus. 

“Whenever people find out we’re twins, one of the first things they ask is if we dorm together, and they’re usually surprised when we say yes,” Odedeji said. “People expect twins to separate when they get to college so they can branch out and have their own experiences, but for us, living together has made college a lot easier.”

Odedeji notes that while others may see a downside of sharing a space with a twin, it has its perks of knowing exactly who you are living with. 

“I didn’t have to worry about getting a random roommate or learning how to live with someone I had never met before,” Odedeji said. “Of course we still get annoyed with each other sometimes, but it has made my college experience better.”

On-campus bubble

The housing lottery can also bring unexpected good luck. Random assignments can yield reliable friends. Psychology sophomore Annie Zhou lived in Cougar Village One, sharing a room with a friend, but she also had two random suite mates. 

“My suite mates were very considerate of each other and myself, sometimes we would study or go eat together outside of the dorm,” Zhou said. “Several times, my suite mates have woken me up for an exam when I have overslept, so I must say I appreciate them.”

Now living in Cougar Place, Zhou emphasizes the benefit of living on campus. She continues to live on campus rather than commuting because of the connection with her peers. 

“I felt living on campus made me feel more in touch with the campus itself in my freshman year especially,” Zhou said. “It is relatively easy to feel separate from the University, since it is a commuter campus, but I feel a lot more spirit and connection with peers in my housing experience.”

Being in walking distance from her living space to campus makes every day life easier and uncomplicated. 

“I feel like being able to live on campus makes things so much easier since I do not have to coordinate the logistics of walking, traffic, buffer, or parking when planning to do an event on campus,” Zhou said. 

Messes, magic

Students with packed schedules rarely see their bed or their roommates.

For sophomore psychology Valentina Espejo, balancing her work schedule often meant leaving her room at seven a.m and returning near midnight. 

“Usually, my roommate would not be there, but it would be three in the morning and I’d hear people inside my dorm,” Espejo said. “Other times, I would come back and see clothes and dirty laundry all over the floor. I could brush it off because I barely saw her so I could not care less.”

But the thought of a stranger in her room without her knowledge spooked Espejo, especially after finding unfamiliar hair on her own bathroom floor. 

“Someone’s hair products became grime that was attached to the shower floor,” Espejo said. “I was taking a shower after a long shift, which had maybe been cleaned once in the whole semester. I did not dare step onto any surface barefoot.” 

The tension hit an unsettling turn when one evening, Espejo stepped out of the shower and encountered an unfamiliar face: a friend of her suitemates. 

“I open the door to a girl who projectile pukes onto the floor, getting a little of it onto my feet. She was far past drunk,” Espejo said. 

Despite the chaos, Espejo experienced the unexpected joys of community living. Despite rarely seeing her suitemates, the shared space underwent a festive transformation during the holiday season. 

“I never got the chance to bond with my suitemates, but magical things still happened,” Espejo said. “They took it upon themselves to decorate the space. I saw our ceiling covered in Christmas lights and a small tree. It might have been grimy, but my freshman dorm experience had a little bit of it all.”

news@thedailycougar.com

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"Roommate roulette: The highs, the lows, the good, the better" was originally posted on The Cougar

Lily Huynh/The Cougar

Hi! Welcome to another issue of April’s Angle. I’m April, a political science and psychology junior. In this column, I share my thoughts and experiences on everything from fashion and beauty to college life and beyond. If you have any comments or questions, feel free to reach out! I’m here to help.

There is a very specific kind of false confidence that comes with signing your first apartment lease. You start imagining your life almost immediately and picturing everything there is to buy, from the couch to the bowls to the pillows.

It is incredibly easy to get overwhelmed with the pending purchases and the realization that you are starting from scratch. 

While dorm living can be one of the best college experiences, it doesn’t exactly prepare you for apartment living. One minute your biggest domestic concern is whether your shared bathroom will be occupied when you need it and the next you’re in an apartment wondering why your electricity bill is so high and how you ran out of groceries so fast.

Three months ago, when I moved into my first apartment, this was a milestone that I was beyond excited for. I planned and outlined every detail prior to signing my lease to ensure my move in process would be as smooth as possible since I would be doing it alone. This in my opinion, is the best thing to do before making this transition. 

As a type A girl, planning is how I function, but it is also how I stay prepared and anticipate potential issues. My favorite passive way to plan is by making a Pinterest board; the first step to having your ideas come to life is by simply having ideas and Pinterest does an amazing job of putting all ideas in one place.

Before moving into your new apartment, try to have your aesthetic picked out, colors you’d like to focus on and potential furniture designs. This will help you visualize your new space and give you a head start. 

Waiting to purchase household items is the last thing you should do: moving into a new place is expensive. It is very easy to underestimate the amount of items that you need to purchase. Making little purchases over the course of a few months saved me from spending a lump sum when I moved in.

Some important things to have prior to your move in date are kitchen items like scissors, cutlery and bowls; imagine spending all day moving in and ordering food just to discover you have no spoons and have to eat with your hands. Don’t neglect your bedding: a brand new set can be expensive, so keep that in mind.

As someone that prioritizes sleep health over everything, I made sure to order my bed frame and mattress to be delivered to my apartment before I even moved in. Check with your leasing office to make sure this is allowed and take advantage of that resource! 

Upon moving in make sure you check your new space! This is something that should be done in a dorm but can’t be missed in an apartment. Security deposits are very real and it is your duty to ensure that you’re not being charged for an error a past tenant made.

A full walkthrough of the space is a must: take note of anything that needs to be repaired and communicate to your leasing office. 

Apartment living is an incredible experience. You will probably make mistakes, forget things at the grocery store and build furniture incorrectly, but the experience is one you should cherish and be grateful for because it is the beginning of building a life for yourself.

Adulthood comes at you fast. One day you’ll look around your apartment and realize you’re no longer pretending to be an adult – you’re actually doing it.

news@thedailycougar.com

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"April’s Angle: Embracing the transition from dorm living to apartment living" was originally posted on The Cougar

Lily Huynh/The Cougar

Last month, a former Cornell University student filed a lawsuit against the school, alleging that she was drugged and raped by seven members of the Chi Pi fraternity over a period of several hours in October of 2024. 

Following the assault, the unnamed ‘Jane Doe’ withdrew from Cornell; two of the involved men were expelled and the other five were suspended and allegedly offered the opportunity to mitigate punishment by writing essays. 

Sexual assault on college campuses

Though this incident has been covered extensively by the media, it’s essential to remember that rape and sexual assault of college students, especially female students, have been glossed over for decades as a typical feature of “Greek life.”

One in 5 women and one in 16 men experience some form of sexual assault in college. 

Research has found that men belonging to fraternities show a 62% higher likelihood of sexual aggression during their first two years after joining.

The commonality of sexual violence on college campuses has led to it being decriminalized. 

These cases are taken lightly in the hope of protecting the futures of perpetrators who “made a mistake.”Despite the existence of campus sexual assault task forces, rapists who happen to be college students often avoid legal repercussions for their actions. This further reinforces the idea that they can do as they wish with little consequence.

Women deserve better

Women are told their entire lives how they can avoid being sexually assaulted: how to defend themselves, who to surround themselves with and what to wear. This places the burden of sexual violence on them for not taking measures to prevent it. Meanwhile, this responsibility is seldom placed on the perpetrator and victims suffer the emotional and physical brunt of it.

One of the men in the Cornell case allegedly sent a message in the fraternity’s group chat, suggesting that a woman was available for sex, advertising “free p*ssy”. Another member replied later that night asking, “Shop still open?”

When these men looked at Jane Doe, they did not see a human being; they saw an object for their own pleasure and amusement. Taking something that does not belong to you does not make it “free.” 

As a female college student, I am afraid for myself. I am afraid for my friends. I am afraid for every woman out there who has ever been or sadly will ever be sexually assaulted — and there will be more. 

Interacting with Greek life no longer feels like a release from everyday stress and pressure, but a constant reminder of the risk of sexual violence and the dangers we could face while simply trying to enjoy the college experience. Every interaction, every passerby that strikes up a conversation feels like it could take a turn for the worse at any moment. 

Jane Doe’s bravery leaves an impact

As this story gets attention on social media, it is important to remember that the only reason this has gained so much traction is that the case was reopened two years later. 

The bravery and perseverance of Jane Doe and student journalists at the Cornell Sun have led to the exposure of the neglect of sexual assault victims in college.

There are millions of college students, including women, who have suffered at the hands of perpetrators of sexual violence. Their stories have not been told, nor have they received justice for the trauma they’ve endured.  

Universities need to do better to proactively stop acts of violence like these and monitor the behavior of Greek organizations more closely. There is no point to a task force that protects the lives of the guilty and disregards that of the innocent. 

Colleges need to stop protecting the futures of men who have destroyed the futures of women. 

As The Cornell Sun said best, “To Matthew Ingalls, Jonathan Newell, Winston Lee, Gillio Lopes, Diego Sarabia, Scott Norris and Scott Kretzschmar: We know who you are and we refuse to let you benefit from this university’s concealment.”

opinion@thedailycougar

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"Universities fail women: Sexual assault victims deserve justice" was originally posted on The Cougar

The Courtesy of The Cougar

The pages of The Cougar span generations.

Born in 1928, The Cougar published its first volume on April 6 as the official newspaper of the Houston Junior College, but was reborn with the establishment of UH in 1934. 

The Cougar still continues pushing onwards, writing, documenting and photographing the beating heart of Houston: its namesake University. But from the publication’s infancy till today, the paper has not existed in a vacuum.

The Cougar conducted its first poll of the student body as worries rose over what would eventually become World War II, asking if students supported FDR’s seeking a third term.

On Dec. 19, 1941, The Cougar responded to the Pearl Harbor attacks and subsequent call to war with a “Defense Issue”. Even as wartime rationing stunted business growth and limited advertising revenue, The Cougar continued publishing and even released its first summer issue on June 19, 1942.

With students and alumni being called into the armed forces, The Cougar launched a campaign to use funds from paying subscribers to send out the paper to 500 servicemen from UH. “Wars may come and go, but the Cougar goes on forever” read an editorial cartoon from the April 2, 1943 edition. 

Decades later, The Cougar responded to President John F. Kennedy’s assassination in its Nov. 27, 1963 edition, featuring a campus memorial service on its front page.

The newspaper also took a strong stance against the Vietnam War: after four students were killed during a protest at Kent State University, The Cougar’s front page declared “1, 2, 3, 4, We don’t want your f-ing war”.

The editorial board of The Cougar actively pushed for abortion rights, free contraceptives on campus and the Equal Rights Amendment. 

Beyond political commentary, The Cougar bore witness to national tragedy: on 9/11, the editorial board wrote that rather than “jump to conclusions and blame innocent people…this is a time to come together to mourn the nation’s losses.”

Student reporters also brought insight and humanity to The Cougar’s coverage when the space shuttle Columbia broke apart over Texas in February 2003. 

Since then, The Cougar has continued to publish with relentless attention to the forces shaping the world around students: elections from the national to local level, natural disasters, new laws, changes in the University and so much more.

Now, as the publication confronts a national administration like none before it, multiple ongoing international conflicts and cultural debates that never fail to spark controversy, trust that this far-from-exhaustive account of the paper’s history serves only as a starting point for what we hope to achieve in the future.

We’re honored to have you with us.

For more about The Cougar’s history, explore the UH Student Publications 75th anniversary website. 

news@thedailycougar.com

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"A brief history of The Cougar: UH’s student newspaper reporting on 92 years of American and Houston history" was originally posted on The Cougar

Lily Huynh/The Cougar

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s latest sanctions on Iran suspended a regulation that, for years, has authorised professional certification and university entrance exams for Iranian nationals. 

The Law School Admission Council emailed many Iranian-American students on Sept. 9, saying it was prohibited from providing all services, including the Law School Admission Test to Iranian citizens or residents. 

LSAC’s prohibition poses a risk to many aspiring Iranian lawyers because all children born to an Iranian father, regardless of the birthplace, automatically receive Iranian citizenship by descent.

“I don’t understand why the government is discouraging Iranian-Americans from pursuing law, when we’ve lived here our whole lives,” said a recent Iranian alumnus who requested to remain anonymous. “The administration can’t just ban a whole race or ethnicity from taking the LSAT.”

This alumnus was not affected by the suspension; they did not identify themself as Iranian when their application on LSAC asked for their ethnicity. They claim that many of their friends who identified themselves as Iranian did have their accounts flagged. 

Iranian-American students can work with LSAC to reverse the suspension of their accounts by providing proof of American citizenship, but students without American citizenship may not be able to do so.  

Other Iranian students expressed concerns that their career plans could be delayed due to these suspensions.

“I want to apply to a Juris Doctor or Medical Doctor program, but to apply for these programs I need to meet their admission requirements, which includes taking the LSAT,” said pre-nursing junior Donya Oufi. 

The Trump administration said in a press release that the sanctions against Iran are intended to end what it refers to as the Iranian threat. 

But even non-Iranian students worry that these sanctions will set a dangerous precedent that allows the government to control the rights of certain communities.  

“I believe that sanctions being used by the government to deny Iranians their right to take the LSAT is a blatant act of racism by the Trump administration and goes against the Constitution,” said political science freshman Sanjeev Ganesh. “In no way am I implying that Iranians will be placed in internment camps, but historically, our government has alienated communities based on their country of origin, like Japanese Americans during World War II.”

Some political science professors share Ganesh’s sentiment, and even say that prohibiting certain citizens from educational services is in violation of the Constitution.

“Assuming that this report is accurate, this is not lawful,” said John B. Neibel Professor of Law David Crump. “It might be lawful if it were a law about immigration but not against Iranian-Americans, who presumably are citizens. This would violate the 14th Amendment of the Constitution and the Civil Rights Act of 1968.”

Iranian-American lobbies like The National Iranian American Council have challenged LSAC’s decision to comply with the U.S’s sanctions. The organization said that they wrote a letter to LSAC urging them to not overcomply with the sanctions to restrict the rights of Iranian citizens.

Though it is common for Iranian students to come to the States for educational opportunities, these sanctions will now be halting the career plans of both people of Iranian ethnicity and Iranian citizenship, the alumnus said.

“I have some cousins and relatives in Iran who are extremely smart and would probably have better opportunities by coming to America,” the alumnus said. “But unfortunately, these people are unable to do so because something as simple as education is being taken away from them. Even I, who have lived here my whole life, am in fear of whether or not I could pursue my dreams and education after this.”

news@thedailycougar.com

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"Iranian students prohibited from taking LSAT in new sanctions by Trump administration" was originally posted on The Cougar

Courtesy of The Cougar

Happy Daily Cougar day to the UH community! About three years ago, I never knew Oct. 5 would become such an important day in my life. This year marks the 92nd anniversary of the publication. 

However, what a lot of readers don’t know is that The Cougar actually came into existence in 1928 with its first issue in April, when our University was Houston Junior College. This technically makes us more than 98 years old. 

Last week, I dove deeper into the history of the publication and I realized how big of a part The Cougar has been over the years at UH and in Houston. 

Looking through the photos I could sense how the editorial board, for every Editor-in-Chief, is more than a team. It’s their family they get super lucky with and get to spend some incredible time, creating priceless memories. 

What started as a classroom project, quickly became an integral part of the University, resonating voices of everyone who associates with UH. 

The Cougar, being the oldest student organization on campus, is the bearer of witnessing UH’s unique story, every achievement, improvement and development. With each volume, The Cougar is a testament of the University’s legacy. 

We have covered everything ranging from campus, local, national and international news. It was truly a humbling experience to realize that Vol. 92 is now an integral part of something so important. 

However, I also realized something else. Over the past decade, a lot has changed: typewriters were replaced by laptops, telephones with smart phones and physical prints everyday with digital publishing. 

One thing that remained constant was The Cougar’s commitment towards the UH community. It was you, our readers and our passion to keep making your voices heard that kept us going. 

The publication has endured fires, floods, pandemics and storms, but we have never missed a beat and kept the UH community informed. Rain or shine, The Cougar has always been there. 

As Editor in Chief, I truly feel honored that I share my name with a list of some incredible voices like former Motion Picture Association of America Chairman Jack Valenti and Pulitzer-prize winning photographer Adrees Latif, who were once a part of The Cougar as well.

Not to mention, all the journalists who have worked for the Houston-area newspapers, television and radio stations over the many years relentlessly to keep the industry going. 

The Cougar is more than just a newspaper. It’s a place for everyone who has a passion for storytelling and wants to seek the truth behind every reasoning and in between every line. 

It unites the community and all student journalists together. While for some the newspaper acts like their reliable source of information, for others, like me, it becomes a family!

editor@thedailycougar.com

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"Daily Cougar Day: The legacy continues" was originally posted on The Cougar

A student of the University of Houston inspects closely at the artworks within the “Structures of Feeling” art exhibition, on Thursday, September 24, 2026, in Houston, Texas. | Gillian Wisniewski/The Cougar

Art senior AJ Ogden is exhibiting mixed-media artwork about Houston’s highways, particularly I-45, at the Third Space Gallery to explore how these massive structures shape the city and its residents. 

For most Houston residents and UH students, Interstate 45 is simply a background to the daily commute: a stretch of concrete to travel through on the way to somewhere else. For Ogden, it is something worth stopping to explore.

Ogden uses a combination of painting, photography, drawing and printmaking. Through her work, she examines the physical structures surrounding the city and asks viewers to reconsider the role these structures play in shaping communities and environments around them.

Ogden’s exhibition alternates between black-and-white photography, handmade prints and other works created from reclaimed materials. The arrangement of the gallery is intentional: one side features silver gelatin photographs, while the other contains colorful, vibrant handmade work.

Ogden described the black-and-white photographs as a kind of research phase, with the ideas becoming more elaborate as visitors move through the exhibit.

“I think the introduction of color can come as an intimidation thing for a lot of artists,” Ogden said. “So, sometimes when you’re trying to figure out a concept, you start with values and then you kind of elaborate once you have those figured out.”

One side of the exhibits features primarily silver gelatin photographs produced in the University’s darkroom. Silver Gelatin is a black-and-white photographic printing process that uses silver suspended in gelatin to create a light-reactive image. 

The use of photography is especially significant to Ogden, who has painted for years but rejects the idea that painting and photography exist in opposition to each other.

“I’ve been painting for a long time, and I think a lot of painters define painting in opposition to photography,” Ogden said. “But I think painting benefits so much from photography. The relationship between the camera and painting as a discipline, it’s a lot longer and deeper than people give it credit for. ” 

Ogden also uses reclaimed materials to create prints depicting Houston’s highways. Some of the works are made from discarded packaging, including soda boxes and material from Kolache Factory.

The choice of materials is tied to the subject itself. Highways are massive, permanent structures, but the experience of traveling along them can feel temporary and disposable, Ogden said.

The prints use intaglio techniques, in which an image is carved into a surface and ink is applied to the recessed areas. By using discarded packaging as the printing surface, Ogden creates a contrast between the scale of highways and the disposable materials often littered around them.

Ogden said the highways represent “moments of your day that you’re not really paying attention to.” 

“When you’re on the highway, you’re trying to get past that part so that you can get to living,” Ogden said.

Anthropology and archaeology have also influenced Ogden’s approach to the work. The title of her exhibit, Structures of Feeling, was coined by literary theorist Raymond Williams to describe the cultural complexities which artists take inspiration from. 

Anthropology, Ogden says, provides a way to examine how people experience and understand the world, while archaeology allows us to view material remains of a culture and assess their values. That perspective led Ogden to consider highways as a form of contemporary material culture.

As an archaeology student, Ogden became accustomed to looking at the physical remains of past cultures and considering what those remains might reveal about the people who created them. 

Ogden found that the same approach is applicable to the highways that dominate modern Houston.

“They are enormous objects that have a huge impact on the shape of our lives and where we can live, and they’re often under-discussed, even though they have that status,” Ogden said. “They have the ability to pave over neighborhoods and destroy them to make way for this.”

Ogden said she finds it fascinating that despite the profound impact highways have on Houston residents, they are often treated as objects that should be ignored rather than examined.

That recognition is at the center of Ogden’s work with Interstate 45. Instead of presenting the highway simply as an eyesore or a mundane piece of infrastructure, the exhibition asks viewers to consider its cultural significance and place in our daily lives

“I think there is a perverse beauty in them,” Ogden said. “And, a beauty that comes with a forced familiarity.”

For Ogden, creating art about the highways is ultimately an attempt to understand something that is deeply embedded in everyday life.

“Maybe this is an attempt to comprehend the beast that I live with,” Ogden said.

Her attempts to communicate this beauty reached painting senior Jasmine Diaz, who reflected on the nostalgia evoked by the artwork. 

Having grown up around Houston’s major highways, Diaz says the roads feel like a familiar part of home and everyday life: the highways may carry people to different destinations, but the shared experience of traveling them creates a sense of connection.

“It’s like a home in a way,” Diaz said. “We’ve all been there. We all travel that same road, but at the end of the day, we’re all going to separate places.”

The exhibition also reflects Ogden’s belief in the importance of giving student artists opportunities to create and exhibit their work publicly.

Ogden said undergraduate arts programs like the one at UH provide students with experience that extends beyond creating individual pieces. Students also learn about organizing exhibitions, writing show proposals, managing projects and handling the administrative work that accompanies a career in the arts.

For Ogden, those opportunities allow young artists to develop ways of expressing their experiences and sharing them with a broader audience.

“I think it’s hugely important to give young artists, especially artists in undergrad, the opportunity to practice modes of expressing that reality that can access the public and can get grant funding and can keep them alive and producing art,” Ogden said.

The value of student exhibitions extends beyond the artists themselves, Ogden said. Campus galleries can introduce students and visitors to new artists, ideas and perspectives

“I can’t tell you how many shows I’ve attended in this gallery and made friends and learned about an artist I didn’t know about or a thing I didn’t think about,” Ogden said.

news@thedailycougar.com

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"Structures of Feeling: Artist AJ Ogden finds beauty in Houston highways" was originally posted on The Cougar

UH hosted the Artemis II crew and staff after they broke the record for the farthest distance traveled from Earth during their space mission: 252,756 miles. The event was held on Sept. 30 at the Fertitta Center. 

Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche presented astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen and staff with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Honor Award medals. 

The National Aeronautic Association and its international partner Fédération Aéronautique Internationale also presented two records to the astronauts: one for the highest altitude above the surface of the Earth, which was set two years ago, as well as another for distance from Earth, a feat that had not been broken for 58 years. 

“The pride, excitement and resilient support from the city of Houston reminded us just how deeply this mission resonated with our community and how proud we are to call Space City home,” Wyche said. “The golden age of space exploration is here, and America is back in the business of sending astronauts to the Moon and bringing them home safely.” 

NASA’s goal for this mission was to initiate its long-term return to the Moon and to set a precedent for future missions to Mars. 

The crew was selected in April 2023. They spent three years training for the mission in the Vehicle Assembly Building in Florida, but despite extensive preparation for the April 1 launch day, the crew said they were still shocked by the scale of their launch. 

“We practiced this day a number of times, but on the real day, it is very different,” Wiseman said. “Specifically, when you get up to the rocket and it’s no longer unfueled, now it’s venting and it just has a completely different presence.”

One of the highlights of the astronauts’ mission was witnessing the solar eclipse, Glover said. 

“Something that dawned on me right after we got back was that if we launched 48 hours later, we wouldn’t have seen that eclipse,” Glover said. “But it would have happened anyway, and that really has stuck with me. We got to see this gift in this one little slice.”

The mission ended with a successful, safe splashdown in Houston, where the crew’s capsule was brought down to the Pacific Ocean by parachutes. 

The astronauts described how this experience changed their own personal trajectory in life. Viewing Earth from a farther distance reinforces that humans have the power to protect and change our planet, Koch said. 

“When we looked back at it (Earth), it was this incredible, beautiful, glorious lifeboat,” Koch said. “You could cover it up with your thumb, that’s how far away it was, but it was ours and the global scale is actually not that big. This is our planet. It can be whatever kind of world we want it to be.”

news@thedailycougar.com

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"From space to UH: Artemis II crew speaks at Fertitta Center after record-breaking mission" was originally posted on The Cougar

Lily Huynh/the cougar

Student journalists are growing increasingly concerned about the precedent set by the White House’s recent media ban and growing distrust in media as a whole. 

Last month, the White House banned CNN, Politico and MS NOW reporters from its press pool, citing inaccurate and negative reporting. Since then, the media outlets have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump, calling his actions a direct attack on the First Amendment. 

“The president and his administration have continued to make clear that this ban has only one purpose: to punish reporting he doesn’t like,” said head lawyer for CNN, Politico and MS NOW Theodore J. Boutrous Jr. 

Although a judge has lifted the ban, the White House continues to push back. College journalists are following the story amid the tension. 

According to a recent blog post by the Student Press Law Center, incidents such as these reveal a climate where officials are encouraged to treat scrutiny as misconduct and access as a favor.

The SPLC also highlights the Sherrill v. Knight (1977) case in relation to this First Amendment battle. It emphasizes the claim that although the White House is not constitutionally obligated to allow every journalist into its doors, it must not deny access on unclear grounds. 

This type of situation is on the mind of several UH student journalists as well. 

“We’re in a position where we’re a part of the community that we’re covering and speaking to,” said journalism junior David Uribe. “It just makes it harder to do that when you can’t fully express without the fear of what backlash can happen because of that.”

Some students, such as Dylan Hembrough from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, are all too familiar with being pressured as well after the student newspaper published articles the university disapproved of. After some time, the university began recording several interviews with the student newspaper. 

“Moves such as these threaten freedom of speech and freedom of the press, allowing the SIUE administration to shape a story in real time and potentially frighten employees into self-censoring,” Hembrough stated in a blog post.

As for the more widespread ramifications, Uribe said he’s worried that journalists might start to self-censor, adding on to an existing lack of trust in media.

“I think this situation is just making journalists more cautious in everything they do, not only what they’re reporting, but where they’re reporting it from, like their sources,” Uribe said. “I feel like it will make independent reporters more important, rather than big stations covering things.”

Journalism junior Gilberto Manzanares calls the ban incredibly stupid and petty.

“I don’t believe this ban will necessarily affect how universities treat student journalists directly, but it’s definitely inconsiderate and discouraging for students in this field,” Manzanares said. “It’s not only preventing journalists from reporting on these topics but also affecting how we receive information as the general public.”

Students also believe that the White House’s actions are authoritarian and journalists should have the right to interview the president and others in positions of power. 

“Journalists should be back in the White House fairly soon, because access to the White House is not a privilege, it’s a right,” said political science senior Jeffrey Hernandez Jr.

Hernandez believes that people should seek out news independently, especially as major media outlets grow more polarized. 

“If anything, this should just show future students how important journalism is,” Hernandez said. “Journalists are really on the front lines of every conflict, whether it’s with a camera or with a pen. They’re an extremely important part of the political process, and without them, nothing really works.”

news@thedailycougar.com

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"‘Incredibly stupid and petty’: Student journalists react to White House media ban" was originally posted on The Cougar

Houston defensemen Trey Barker (23) skates in the first period against DBU on Wednesday, Oct. 02, 2026 in Sugar Land. (Oscar Herrera/The Cougar)

Houston has always been a city with a diverse range of sports. From Soccer to Football, there are multiple clubs and athletic departments that many people follow throughout the course of their respective seasons.

The Houston hockey team is an example of one of these teams but has faced unfortunate circumstances since their distance to campus and game times conflict with other clubs and departments.

However, the hockey team has begun to build their reputation online through their social media presence, posting clips of them playing their games and interviews with players and coaches.

“We’re in Houston so not many people know what hockey is in the first place,” said sophomore forward Grant Sturdevant. “I think just in general, us posting about it and getting on the timeline of people who scroll on TikTok, it’s helping us.”

Introductions and the season

Starting off with coaching, the team is led by Head Coach Chris Bilec, who is the second head coach in club history. He has seen immense playing time throughout his years at Army West Point and devoted his life to coaching after serving his time.

“Hockey’s been so good to me that I’m just giving back to the community,” Bilec said. “That’s how Hockey can impact their lives too.”

With him came the three captains for the season with sophomore forward DJ Hoffman, sophomore defenseman Austin Droit and Sturdevant leading the charge for the 2026-27 season.

All three players have previous experience playing Hockey with different teams and schools, but have all joined together in Houston for this season.

“I’m definitely honored that I was selected to be an alternate captain for the team and I take it with a lot of pride,” Droit said. “There’s first game jitters but once you get in after your first or second shift you finally settle in.”

Hoffman, Droit and Sturdevant have grown with Hockey in their own ways and have had some amazing experiences playing and enjoying the game.

“My dad got me into the sport and from there it’s been my passion for the rest of my life,” Hoffman said. “Me and him would skate here at Sugar Land and public skate occasionally. I remember there was a time where I saw some kid jump on the ice with full gear and my eyes just lit up.” 

When talking about the season, the Cougars have been very successful in their first few games gaining a record of 3-1 overall. They took an even series against DBU but shut out Rice in their first two games of the season.

“I’m hoping this season we not only win all of our games but we grow as a team on campus and get that fanbase of students,”  Sturdevant said. “I know it’s hard since we’re in Sugar Land but I’m hoping we can make an impression to people who are on campus and let them know that we have a hockey team.”

What’s next?

The Houston hockey team is starting to grow traction and the team hopes to see more people come out to their games.

“Where else are you going to watch hockey in Houston?” Sturdevant said. “If you see our TikToks, Instagram reels, anything like that, that’s us trying to get you to come out to a game.”

Hockey will begin their next series on Oct. 9 at home against East Texas Baptist University, at the Sugar Land Ice and Sports Center.

sports@thedailycougar.com

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"Houston on ice: Get to know the Houston Hockey team" was originally posted on The Cougar

Houston head coach Willie Fritz walks on the sideline during the first quarter of an NCAA College Football match between the University of Central Florida and the University of Houston Cougars on October 3, 2026, at TDECU Stadium in Houston. | Matthew Guzman/The Cougar

The Houston Cougars have dropped to No. 22 spot in the AP poll after a comeback 27-17 win over UCF on Oct. 3 at the TDECU stadium. 

Houston trailed by 17 points in the first half, then scored 27 unanswered points to seal the win. 

Previously, the Cougars jumped up to the No. 20 spot in the poll after a 49-28 win against Georgia Southern. Houston is currently 4-1 in the season and 1-1 in the Big 12 Conference.

Additionally, the Cougars have remained ranked to begin the season in the first six polls for the first time since 2016, according to Houston Athletics.

Houston will now travel to face Kansas State in the upcoming week and will come back home against No. 18 Oklahoma State on Oct. 17. After that, the Cougars square up against No. 12 Utah on Oct. 24.

sports@thedailycougar.com

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"Going down: Houston drops to No. 22 in AP poll" was originally posted on The Cougar

Former United States Representative Beto O’Rourke participates in the Next Gen Hot Ones event at the University of Houston on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 in Houston. | Matthew Guzman/The Cougar

Former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke visited campus on Sept. 30 with his organization Powered by People to speak with students about voter registration ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. In the evening, O’Rourke participated in a Hot Ones-style challenge in partnership with NextGenUH.

For their tabling event, Powered by People set up a pop-up tent alongside NextGen UH and the James Talarico Campaign. 

Powered by People’s volunteers handed out ice cream to those who checked their registration status. Additionally, the Talarico Campaign gave candy and campaign merchandise to those who attended and checked out the booth.

“We try to offer students here an opportunity to be involved, volunteer, register folks to vote and assist them in making sure that they can actually exercise their right to determine the outcome of these elections,” O’Rourke said. “So hopefully we’re doing something that’s productive and provides community, too.”

O’Rourke has made his visits an annual event at UH and other campuses across Texas with Powered By People. However, this was O’Rourke’s first time doing a Hot Ones challenge. 

“If your events are to come and listen to somebody lecture you, there’s a certain group that wants to do that,” O’Rourke said. “But if it’s like, ‘come watch this dude eat hot wings’, that brings in a different group that may not be as politically involved.”

This will be the only time O’Rourke does a Hot Ones challenge, as he hopes to keep it from becoming a gimmick. 

Powered by People aims to keep students engaged in the upcoming midterm election rather than another Hot Ones contest. 

“Early voting starts on October 19, runs to the 30, Election Day is November 3 and the deadline to register to vote is the fifth, so we really want to catch people before that Monday deadline,” said executive director of Powered By People Aimee Prudhomme. 

The goal is to increase interest and turnout among young voters across all Texas campuses.

“In the last presidential election, 47.7% of us actually voted in our generation and who knows what could have happened if more of us would have voted,” said political science junior and president of NextGenUH Olivia Rodriguez. “If we can make as many efforts as possible to get as many people registered, we can increase the likelihood that more people will vote.”

Rodriguez hopes the younger mindset toward politics will change as a result of the day’s events.

“I believe we can make a change as this new generation,” Rodriguez said. “We can try to develop democracy into a more positive environment where people don’t have to be informed about everything, but at the same time they can still be involved.”

While it is important for a new generation to become involved, O’Rourke’s goal is to avoid alienating previous voters. 

“I think part of what we suffer from in this country is we’ve kind of categorized and divided people based on these easy descriptions or their past voting history,” O’Rourke said.

To O’Rourke, it is imperative to give those who may not seem up to the challenge or are grouped into a certain demographic the chance to be seen and heard.

“In losing that opportunity, we’ve also lost a chance to persuade them or to engage with them,” O’Rourke said. “You really must try to treat everyone with respect and dignity and there’s no better way to show respect than to meet people where they are.”

Alongside initial interactions with people interested in getting involved, Powered By People plans to maintain a relationship with voters.

“The special thing that we do is we always ask permission to stay in touch with someone, to remind them to come out to vote,” Prudhomme said. “It’s not enough to register someone.”

Those who registered or confirmed that they were already registered were sent a text by the volunteer they spoke with, allowing them to be buddied up until the coming election.

The main idea is to be a friend to the students on each campus, so that their voice never dwindles, according to O’Rourke.

Voter registration efforts targeting young voters focus especially on helping them overcome any aversion they might have to the polarized nature of politics at such a heated moment in history.

“You’re not only making sure folks are registered, you’re making sure that folks are informed, you’re making sure the voters can maybe get involved further than just going out and voting,”  said political science senior and Talarico Campaign volunteer Jonathan Alvarenga.

news@thedailycougar.com

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"Beto O’Rourke combines voter registration efforts with first-ever Hot Ones challenge" was originally posted on The Cougar

Houston offensive line Rhett Gray (54) celebrates with fans after an NCAA College Football match between the University of Central Florida and the University of Houston Cougars on October 3, 2026, at TDECU Stadium in Houston. | Matthew Guzman/The Cougar

No. 22 Houston was able to beat UCF 27-17 after being down 17 points going into the second half. However, Houston was able to score 27 unanswered points to get its first conference win of the year and go 4-1 on the season.

What fans said

The helmets and jerseys were the talk of the fans. The Cougars wore helmets that had different designs of planets on them for the “Gridiron Galaxy” while wearing the blue uniforms. 

Many fans loved the helmet-and-jersey combination.

“They’re sick; I really like the blue,” said supply chain master’s student Juan Martinez. “The helmets are also pretty fun. It combines the colors of UH campus.”

Even Houston players talked about the helmets and how good-looking they were.

“Yeah, those are elite for sure,” said senior linebacker Latreveon McCutchin. “I was trying to sneak mine in but they had a bucket waiting for us.”

Beyond the football game, fans also expressed happiness with the variety of food.

“There is a lot of variety of foods and activities to do,” Martinez said. “So far there were some potato wedges with some mayo. That was fantastic.”

However, there were still some issues that were going on in TDECU Stadium. The heat got to a lot of students.

“It’s really hot so we stay in the inner rings,” mechanical engineering senior Amit Paul said. Martinez agreed, suggesting a later kickoff. “It’s very hot. I think they should change the games to night games.” 

Attendance remained an issue for Houston. The crowd had 25,593 in a stadium that could fill around 40,000. 

“I feel like more people could be here, but it’s pretty good,” said mechanical engineering senior Santiago Morales.

At halftime, many Houston fans talked about the uncertainty of Houston coming back from 17-0. 

“We can come back but hopefully we win this game,” Martinez said. Paul attributed the Cougars’ struggles to the heat, while Morales noted improvements that could be made on the field.

“They could do better on the offense,” said Morales. “The defense is playing good.” 

After halftime, Houston was able to put up 27 points, with the three touchdowns coming from fifth-year quarterback Conner Weigman and six points coming from junior kicker Jonathan Dimas. 

Overall, Built By Houston gave fans more reaction and interaction as the season went on, giving them a reason to stay after the Cougars fell behind by 17 points. The Cougars are now 4-1 and are headed to Kansas State. However, if Oct. 3 was any sign of excellence, the home crowd has a lot to look forward to when Houston comes back on Oct. 17 to face Oklahoma State. 

sports@thedailycougar.com

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"Houston fans react to game at TDECU Stadium" was originally posted on The Cougar

Houston running back Re’Shaun Sanford (6) celebrates after getting a first down during the first quarter of an NCAA College Football match between the University of Central Florida and the University of Houston Cougars on October 3, 2026, at TDECU Stadium in Houston. | Matthew Guzman/The Cougar

The No. 20 Houston Cougars bested the University of Central Florida Knights 27-17 on Oct. 3 at TDECU Stadium. This is the Cougars’ fifth win against the Knights in series history. 

Fifth-year quarterback Conner Weigman threw for 239 passing yards. Additionally, Weigman is the first Cougar to run for three touchdowns since 2023. Head coach Willie Fritz said Weigman was sick in the game.

“He is sick as a dog but he fought through it,” Fritz said. “He played really well in the second half. Proud of him.”

Junior running back Re’Shaun Sanford II ran for 62 yards. Senior tight end Patrick Overmyer led the Cougars in receiving yards with 76. Fritz talked about the similarities between Overmyer and former Houston tight end Tanner Koziol.

“Both of them are really tall, long, fast, quick and catch the ball in traffic,” Fritz said. “Both of them are really smart too.”

UCF started the game with the ball and senior quarterback Keyone Jenkins threw a 49-yard pass to senior wide receiver Josh Derry. After a pass interference flag on senior linebacker Jaden Yates, UCF was positioned at the nine-yard line. 

On third and 13, Jenkins threw a screen pass to Derry for a touchdown, giving UCF its first lead of the game, 7-0. 

On Houston’s first possession, it tried to respond. However, Houston was forced to punt from UCF’s 40-yard line after an offensive pass interference call on senior wide receiver Amare Thomas. 

The Knights were pinned at the three-yard line but tried to score another touchdown. Instead, they got stopped at the 34-yard line on fourth down, forcing UCF to punt. 

The Cougars marched down the field efficiently and cut the gap to the 44-yard line after Sanford caught a 20-yard pass. 

At the start of the second quarter, the Knights were called for holding, moving the ball to the 23-yard line. Marked at the three-yard line on fourth down, Houston went for it but Weigman’s pass was tipped. 

On the third drive, UCF was spotted on its own three-yard line, went three-and-out and punted back to the Cougars. Senior wide receiver Trent Walker returned the ball to the 26-yard line.

Desperate to put points on the board, junior wide receiver Koby Young gained 15 yards off a run, putting Houston to the 11-yard line. The Cougars faced another fourth down on the three-yard line. 

Yet again, Weigman’s pass was too high for Sanford, forcing another turnover on downs. UCF faced another third down at the four-yard line and couldn’t convert, punting the ball again to Houston. 

Weigman completed a 17-yard pass to Thomas to position the Cougars at the 14-yard line. He completed another pass to Overmyer, but UCF stripped the ball, allowing UCF to recover it.

This time, the Knights moved the ball downfield and threatened to score another touchdown. Jenkins completed a 35-yard pass to sophomore wide receiver Waden Charles. 

With two minutes left in the second quarter, the Knights positioned themselves at the 20-yard line. The Knights faced a fourth down and opted to settle for three, making the score 10-0. 

Houston got the ball back and scrambled to get its first touchdown of the game. However, Houston faced a fourth down and punted it to the Knights. UCF ran the clock out and went into halftime.

“We just didn’t execute as well as we needed to,” Fritz said. “A lot of our mistakes were at the point of attack.”

In the third quarter, the Cougars started with the ball but punted again, lengthening their scoreless streak. A 37-yard run by junior running back Duke Watson positioned the Knights at the two-yard line. Jenkins then scrambled into the end zone to make the score 17-0. 

After the touchdown, Houston was desperate to get a touchdown on the board. At the 19-yard line, Weigman scrambled for a 19-yard touchdown to narrow the score to 10 points. 

UCF tried to convert on third and 16; however, senior linebacker Latreveon McCutchin tipped and picked off Jenkins, putting Houston at the two-yard line. 

“Guess I’m not as fast as I was last year,” McCutchin said.

At the one-yard line, Weigman sneaked into the end zone, making the score 17-14. 

At the start of the 4th quarter, Houston got the ball back after a UCF punt. 

At the one-yard line, Weigman ran in for his third rushing touchdown of the game and gave the Cougars the lead, making the score 21-7. 

UCF gets the ball and Jenkins gets sacked by senior defensive lineman Khalil Laufau, making it third and 12. A pass by Jenkins to Derry got the Knights close to the first-down marker but they decided to punt instead. 

Weigman’s 43-yard completion to Walker got Houston on the 20-yard line. However, Houston stalled and settled for a field goal, making the score 24-17. 

With two minutes left, UCF went for it on a 4th down but Jenkins pass was incomplete, giving Houston the ball back and getting a field goal in, making the score 27-17.

The Cougars then ran the clock out for their first conference win of the season.

“I think (the defense) kept fighting and every day you got to do the very best,” Fritz said. “Sooner or later the breaks are going to fall your way.”

Next week, Houston travels to Manhattan, Kansas, to face off against the Kansas State Wildcats on Oct. 10.

sports@thedailycougar.com

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"Houston topple UCF Knights 27-17, gets first conference win" was originally posted on The Cougar

Houston defensive back Javion White (0) celebrates after stopping a first down from Oregon State during the second half of an NCAA College Football match between the Oregon State Beavers and the Houston Cougars on September 5, 2026, at TDECU Stadium in Houston, Texas. | Matthew Guzman/ The Cougar

The No. 20 Houston Cougars will look to grab their first conference win of the season when the University of Central Florida Knights visit Houston on Oct. 3 at TDECU Stadium.

In its only other conference game, Houston was an inch away from tying the game in a heartbreaking loss to now-No. 12 Texas Tech. Houston responded with a strong road performance against Georgia Southern on Sept. 26.

For Houston, fifth-year quarterback Conner Weigman has been a consistent passer, tossing 11 touchdowns to just one interception thrown in the first game of the season.

He will face a UCF defense that allows 268 passing yards per game. In both games against FBS opponents, Weigman threw the ball at least 30 times and that trend may continue on Saturday against UCF’s tough run defense.

The Knights’ run defense has been a wall so far, allowing just 3.2 yards a carry. In their last matchup against TCU, they held the Horned Frogs to a whopping 1.2 yards a carry. 

However, Houston boasts a strong rushing attack, runs for 5.1 yards per carry this season and averaged almost five yards a carry in the game against Texas Tech. Junior running back Re’Shaun Sanford II has been especially efficient this season, averaging an outstanding 6.8 yards per carry. 

UCF hasn’t shown an ability to be an offensive threat against other FBS teams. In both games against an FBS team, Pittsburgh and TCU, the Knights have scored 28 points. The Knights have also struggled on third down, converting just 28% of their attempts. 

UCF’s first option, junior running back Duke Watson, has rushed for almost nine yards a carry through its first four games. 

Houston’s run defense like allowed just 3.1 yards a carry. An issue in Houston’s last conference game against Texas Tech was a difficulty tackling, as the Red Raiders would have 168 total rushing yards.

UCF held TCU to 33 rushing yards last week, meaning that the Cougars may have to rely on Weigman to get their first conference win.

UCF’s running game is efficient and has the ability to break for big yardage, but Houston’s run defense ranks the best in the Big 12, allowing only 63.5 yards per game.

sports@thedailycougar.com

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"Preview: No. 20 Houston looking to get first conference win against UCF" was originally posted on The Cougar

Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026 in Houston. (Oscar Herrera/The Cougar)

University of Houston freshman goalkeeper Delilah Burns has been invited to attend the Dominican Republic U-20 national team’s ID camp later this month in Atlanta, Georgia.

The camp will take place from Oct. 8-11. Burns’ hometown is roughly two and a half hours from where the camp will be located. 

“Its going to be super nice,” Burns said. “My mom is going to be able to come and I’m going to be able to see my family.” 

Burns mentioned that since she was regrouped because of her age, her mom got the invitation before she did.

“I was regrouped and they cycle age groups,” Burns said. “I got called back through their US scout, but my mom got the information before I did.”

She has been invited by the Dominican Republic five previous times, Burns feels honored to be asked to come back.

“It means a lot to represent the country,” Burns said. “But it also means more to play with the same teammates and to be called up over and over again is a huge honor.”

Burns played with the U15 team in the CONCACAF, where she was a part of the runner up team and played with the U17 team and qualified for the World Cup. 

Next summer is the next women’s World Cup and Burns mentioned that trying to get back on the team for the big event is huge, but Burns has a way to stay calm and collected under pressure. 

“There is a lot of pressure, it is huge to honor and play for the Dominican Republic,” Burns said. “I take it one step and one day at a time.”

This will be Burns’ first camp for the team that is not in the Dominican Republic. The main difference is that she thinks with it being in the United States, it will bring a different atmosphere than the camps she has attended in the past.

“It might be a little different, I’m not going to see most of the local girls,” Burns said. “I’m expecting it to be more competitive not only because they like to go domestic first then international, but since it will be majorly international the pool is smaller.”

With Burns being a freshman she thinks that being invited early in her college career is important because of this being in a different age group. 

“I just aged out of U17 and U20 is a step-up,” Burns said. “There are a lot of years between 17 and 20, but the pool is way bigger.”

Burns’ path to Houston moved quickly after she committed in June, which included reclassifying shortly afterward.

“I committed in June, decided to reclassify the next week and I came in on July 4,” Burns said. “So it was a big turnaround in three weeks.”

She played high school in Florida so coming to Houston came with a difference, but also something that reminds her of home. 

“How big everything is in Texas,” Burns said. “Houston is a lot like Tampa with diversity and I really like that aspect.”

In the 2024-25 season playing for Robinson High School in Florida, Burns accrued an 80% save rate in 924 minutes of playing time. As the camp approaches, those stats that she gained that year give her a boost of confidence. 

“The save percentages and those stats from high school really does benefit and that does boost my confidence,” Burns said. “Being able to look back on what I have done to know that I can do more.”

The Cougars are in the beginning of their Big 12 conference slate and with the camp occurring, it helps Burns move forward in the rest of her freshman campaign.

“I think it is a good reminder why I do love soccer,” Burns said. “Just seeing those faces relive the accomplishments with the same girls, that’s going to be a great way to not only push myself, but to sit back in my seat and look around.”

As the Houston Cougars are on a three-game conference winning streak and being a freshman, Burns has pressure but says she lives in the moment for the game that she loves. 

“Yes there is pressure, but one thing that I love about soccer is that whenever I’m doing it in the moment I don’t think about everything going on,” she said. “I only look at the pressure after or before and I try to live in the moment while I’m doing it. 

sports@thedailycougar.com

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"Delilah Burns invited to U-20 Dominican Republic camp" was originally posted on The Cougar

Jack Massing, One of the 2 creators of the Statue of the 4 Lies, opens up the time capsule and shows the time capsule instructions to the crowd at the Statue of 4 Lies Time Capsule Reveal on September 26, 2026 at Houston, Texas. | Mikele Rodriguez/The Cougar

UH, along with artist Jack Massing, unveiled the time capsule at the Statue of Four Lies during a two-day event on Sept. 25 and 26.

The event marked the 16th anniversary of the Statue of Four Lies’ installation by the Art Guys and with it, the reveal of a long-awaited time capsule sealed in the wall behind the statue. 

“We are revealing what the Art Guys left us in this capsule here that was installed in 2010,” said UH President Renu Khator. “I wasn’t too happy that I didn’t know what was in the capsule, but today I feel like it is so exciting that we get to reveal it and see what is inside.”

The unveiling was hosted by UH and put together by the Public Art University of Houston System, with live music, free food for guests, a petting zoo and two inflatable slides named after the Houston art team, the Art Guys.

The Art Guys, made up of the late Michael Galbreth and Jack Massing, both of whom are alumni and former educators at UH, were commissioned to create the statue.

“It was conceived in 2009 and installed in 2010,” Massing said. “Today, we’re honoring the 100th anniversary of the University of Houston, which is next year.”

The statue’s lies are not to harm the viewer, but to open up different interpretations, according to Massing.

“We like to use wit and humor to animate our work and then open it up for more questions,” Massing said. “Questions make people think, answers typically do not. They give you a final resolution when you get an answer.”

The statue has gained a reputation for students accessorizing it, much like a bronze statue or bronze painted man in the city inviting tourists.

“That’s what was intended,” Massing said. “We took it off the pedestal and put it on the ground so that the students here could interact with us, and we can continue to perform for however long these are here.”

Fittingly, the ceremony and time capsule reveal contained plenty of wit and humor.

Within the time capsule was a suitcase containing two pairs of underwear, one with the Tasmanian devil from “Looney Tunes”, the other a Krispy Kreme-themed pair of underwear. Also inside were some old socks and a combination of numbers with an unknown meaning as of now. 


While the crowd laughed at the reveal of the suitcase, they became shocked to find that there is, in fact, another time capsule inside of the time capsule, which will be revealed April 1, 2083.

Although the Statue of Four Lies does lie about its original date’s significance and it even bends the truth on its full reveal, UH still sees this as the kick-off for centennial celebrations to come.

“What better way to start your centennial than to come here,” Khator said. “We know we are going to have a birthday party in March, we know we are going to have our finale sometime in October and we know that there will be at least a dozen curated events to mark the centennial.”

For now, the mystique of the statue remains. With a whole new mystery to the reveal set for 2083, the statue stands in Lynn Eusan Park, waiting for its next show.

news@thedailycougar.com

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"UH unveils Statue of Four Lies time capsule" was originally posted on The Cougar

Houston midfielder Ava Shannon (6) takes a shot from a corner kick, during the second half of an NCAA women’s soccer match, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Houston, Texas. | Wyatt Chastain/The Cougar.

The Houston Cougars faced off against the Oklahoma State Cowgirls on Sept. 27. The Cougars saw themselves gain their first win against the OSU, turning their record against the Cowgirls to 1-2.

Both teams showcased an all-out defensive battle in today’s match-up, but Houston had most of the possession in the first half. Fifth-year defender Laney Gonzales took the first shot of the game, but the OSU Cowgirls blocked it.

Houston got their first corner kick shortly after, but OSU put an aggressive defense on the Cougars to stop them from getting an early goal.

At the 14-minute mark, Houston missed a potential goal, but the header was off target.

Houston and OSU played an even battle through 30 minutes of the first half, with both teams wanting a chance to get on the board. 

OSU Cowgirls get their first shot of the game at the 38-minute mark, but the shot goes off target. Shortly after OSU’s first shot, fifth-year midfielder Morgan Donohue passes to junior midfielder/forward Skylar Millar to get Houston on the board, kicking the ball toward the bottom center of the goal to end off the first half.

After halftime, OSU displays an aggressive attack, eager to get on the board after Houston’s goal. The Cowgirls got a corner kick similar to Houston’s first corner kick in the first half, but missed a potential goal with a header. 

Sophomore forward Samira Minor tries to get Houston another goal at the 76-minute mark, but the shot was met by fifth-year goalkeeper Avery Bass. Minor goes for another shot at the bottom center of the net, but Avery Bass was there again to save another potential goal.

Both teams showed balanced effort on defense and offense, but OSU took their defense to another level in the second half and couldn’t finish on offense.

With an all-out defensive match-up, Houston took the win, 1-0 and extended their record to 5-1-3.

The Houston Cougars will remain at home to face the 6-1-2 West Virginia Mountaineers on Friday, Oct. 2 to seek another victory.

sports@thedailycougar.com

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"Houston bests Oklahoma State 1-0, improves to 7-1-3" was originally posted on The Cougar

Houston defender Laney Gonzales (13) celebrates scoring a goal with teammates during the second half of an NCAA women’s college soccer match against Iowa State, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026 in Houston. (Oscar Herrera/The Cougar)

The Houston Cougars return to the Carl Lewis International Complex on Sept. 24 and light up the scoreboard with a thrilling 2-1 comeback over the Iowa State Cyclones. 

The Cougars found their spark after halftime, turning a one-goal deficit into a 2-1 comeback victory over Iowa State. After a slow opening 15 minutes, Houston faced an early challenge but answered with a second-half surge that brought the crowd to life.

The opening half was a battle for momentum, with both teams recording just one shot in the first 15 minutes. Houston senior forward Adelhia Ghonda picked up a yellow card, adding an early bump to a tightly contested opening period.

Iowa State broke through in the 18th minute when senior midfielder Lucy Froitzheim headed the ball into the net. Sophomore forward Sophie Forrester and senior defender Erin Hopewell combined to provide the assists, giving the Cyclones a 1-0 advantage.

Houston refused to let the deficit slow their momentum. The Cougars created several opportunities before halftime, including a header that found the net but was later ruled offside, sending Houston into the break still searching for a breakthrough.

Then came the second-half spark Houston had been waiting for. The Cougars came flying forward, repeatedly testing the Iowa State defense and goalkeeper while building chance after chance in search of the equalizer.

The breakthrough arrived in the 68th minute when fifth-year defender Laney Gonzales curled a corner kick directly into the right side of the net for an olimpico goal, leveling the match and sending Houston’s momentum into another gear.

Houston didn’t wait too long to turn the momentum into a lead. Just six minutes later, sophomore forward Bailey Cate found the bottom-right corner with Gonzales providing the assist, completing a thrilling turnaround and putting the Cougars ahead 2-1.

From there, Houston kept pressing forward and finished with 21 shots with nine on target. The Cougars took advantage of Iowa State’s non-aggressive defending in the second half and continued creating chances until the final whistle.

The comeback not only gave the Houston Cougars their first Big 12 victory of the season, but it also pushed their record to 6-1-3. After trailing at the half, Houston flipped the script with a lively second half and walked away with a victory worth celebrating.

The Cougars will keep the home fires burning on Sunday, Sept. 27, welcoming the 5-3-2 Oklahoma State to the Carl Lewis International Complex with hopes of carrying their winning energy into another exciting matchup.

sports@thedailycougar.com

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"Houston soccer stuns Iowa State in thrilling 2-1 comeback victory" was originally posted on The Cougar

Chloe Sales/ The Cougar

No other kind of television has had a greater impact on Gen Z popular culture than the chaotic and entertaining genre of reality TV. The genre invites viewers to watch manufactured but compelling drama. 

Despite its fame, the quality and viewership of reality television have changed significantly due to production shifts and social media. 

So, what’s wrong with reality television right now and how did its previous glamour fade into boredom?

When production gets in the way

The production value across platforms is formulaic, a purposeful move to keep viewers immersed in the genre’s “reality” despite manufactured conflicts between cast members. 

Creating the visual style of a reality show takes multi-angle camera shots, heavy editing and a documentary-like style. 

Producers map out potential conflicts and dramatize them for entertainment. Camera crews follow cast members and confessionals give viewers insight into what cast members are thinking. 

The production is intentional, keeping viewers immersed in the drama and convincing us the show is real. However, as cable television declines, shows struggle to compete with streaming services.

As camera quality and audio become more important, production levels increase. Yet, as high-tech as it gets, it can take away the immersion. 

The “trashiness” of reality television is part of the appeal because viewers want to be spectators of messy drama, but higher production quality seems designed to show itself off. 

Take the Real Housewives franchise and its current production style. Scenes now include producers’ voices during confessionals and visible cameras capturing the cast. Producers may be chasing reflexivity, but breaking the fourth wall only draws attention to the machinery behind the screen.

This is far from what we want. What is supposed to be an escape dies when we are reminded that everything is manufactured.

Social media killed the drama

Another issue with reality television is social media, particularly how cast members and production use it to create drama. 

A common trend is cast members exchanging strong words over social media, building excitement. But when they finally meet face-to-face, their insults turn soft.

For example, Angelina’s feud with JWoww and Snooki on Jersey Shore, where they nearly came to blows in Season 4 due to Angelina’s gossiping in interviews and social media posts. The backstage drama built enough context to keep viewers hooked when it reached the screen.

In Love Island Season 7, Huda’s claims about Olandria in interviews led Olandria to fire back on social media with multiple posts and unfollowing her castmates. However, when they spoke face to face, their answers were vague and felt regurgitated from their PR teams. 

These shows often rely on off-screen social media beefs to set the stage for on-screen conflict. 

We miss the mess

Reality television is and always will be the media’s guilty pleasure.

Whether it’s from MTV or Bravo, this genre has cemented itself in history as some of the messiest and most entertaining TV. Reality television drama is about verbiage, arguments and iconic one-liners; it keeps us coming back every week. 

Despite its production issues and social media infiltration, hopefully reality TV will return to its former greatness because, in the end, we don’t watch reality TV for perfection; we watch it for the mess.

opinion@thedailycougar.com

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"What happened to reality TV? It isn’t what it used to be" was originally posted on The Cougar

Saul Sanchez/The Cougar

The transition from childhood to adolescence has become increasingly abrupt. The disappearance of tween culture, a space created for those between childhood and adolescence, typically ages nine to 12, has become increasingly noticeable.

Tweens of the past had a section of pop culture meant just for them, giving them space to outgrow PBS Kids without having to dive straight into something like “Breaking Bad.”

Unfortunately, today’s tweens no longer have the same space. They face a choice between being a kid for too long and growing up too fast. But what happened to tween culture, and why does losing a space specifically made for this age group matter?

What made up tween culture?

Tween culture was unique in that its themes were liminal, just like the age group it represents. The group’s initial recognition as a distinct demographic was largely driven by marketing, as industries began to recognize tweens as a separate consumer group.

Movies, shows and music all contributed to the height of tween culture in the late 1990s and 2000s. Networks like Disney Channel and Nickelodeon played a major role in carving out this space.

Media targeted at tweens took realistic issues they might face and turned them into plotlines without watering them down completely. Popular shows like “Degrassi,” “That’s So Raven” and “Lizzie McGuire” featured relatable characters learning life lessons and growing into themselves, much like tweens do in real life.  

Tween fashion drew heavily from the clothes worn in these television shows. Stores like Hot Topic, Claire’s and Justice also became associated with tween fashion.

Music aimed at this age group was often pop-oriented and featured little to no profanity. R&B-leaning groups like OMG Girlz and Mindless Behavior also appealed to tween audiences. Alternative and emo acts like Paramore and My Chemical Romance weren’t necessarily aimed at tweens, but they still attracted young fans.

Online games and platforms like Club Penguin, GirlsGoGames and, later, Minecraft and Roblox were also prevalent in tween culture. Sandbox games were especially popular because they prioritized expression and creativity over structured plotlines. 

What caused the decline?

Several factors contributed to the decline of tween culture, including the rise of streaming and social media. Television shows were at the forefront of tween culture, but with the rise of streaming services, shows have shifted toward more mature themes. 

As a result, television specifically targeted toward tweens has become less prominent. Production companies shy away from the liminality that comes with tweenhood. Creating content that explores mature themes while remaining age-appropriate and engaging can be a difficult balance, especially compared with programming made strictly for mature audiences.

The presence of the internet and social media hasn’t done tween culture any favors either. As social media has grown in popularity, children have gained access to it at younger ages, potentially exposing them to content intended for older audiences.

Exposure to lifestyle and beauty content can be developmentally harmful for such an impressionable group. When tween culture was at its peak, this wasn’t much of an issue; a thirteen-year-old wanting to imitate something Lizzie McGuire did wouldn’t be a problem, because Lizzie McGuire herself is 13. 

Alternatively, if a 13-year-old wanted to imitate something Alix Earle did, that would be problematic, because she is a 26-year-old woman. The difference is that one gives tweens someone their own age to relate to, while the other gives them an adult lifestyle to imitate.

Why does it matter?

Young people deserve spaces made specifically for them, especially during childhood. Giving young people space to grow into themselves at their own pace is important.

Without spaces specifically designed for tweens, young people can feel pressured to move directly from children’s media to content created for teenagers and adults. Tweens deserve spaces where they can learn who they are without feeling pressured to grow up the moment they hit double digits. 

Bringing back a culture made specifically for them could give young people something increasingly difficult to find online: permission to simply be their age.

opinion@thedailycougar.com

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"The death of tween culture" was originally posted on The Cougar

Nina To/The Cougar

Since the dawn of time humans have loved fashion, art and media. From releases of blockbuster hits Obsession and Backrooms to hobbies like crafting and bedazzling, this past summer has pulled us further toward this attraction like a moth to a flame. 

Renewal of people’s enjoyment of films and hobbies has united people with the belief that things are looking up in the creative world. 

This seems positive at first but unfortunately as quickly as trends emerge, they die. People constantly crave something new to satisfy them. 

Gen Z constantly searches for the next new trendy thing.

Dissatisfaction: A passed down trait

An article released by BBC in 2023 attributes the start of hustle-culture as we know it in the modern age to the “entrepreneurial boom in the 1990s and early 2000s.” Social media was born and constantly growing in popularity creating a new market to expand into. 

A narrative began that you too could be like these emerging tech moguls and millionaires if you just worked hard enough. 

At this same time many of Gen Z’s parents were entering adulthood, hearing everyday that they could be the creators of the next big thing. Naturally, this belief was passed onto, but it manifested in a different way. 

Now, we don’t expect this level of constant manufacturing of excellence from ourselves, we expect it from the world as a whole. 

This might be occurring for a few reasons. 

Firstly, it could be as a result of the fact that year by year, the amount of niches and trends to follow only continues to grow.

Our brains have been conditioned to consume everything from entertainment to news with an aggressive fervor, not wanting to miss the train of hype that always appears to be leaving the station. 

Another cause is Gen Z has been raised in a time of great uncertainty.

The economy, career landscape and politics of America have proven that at any point things could be upended and life as we know it can transform. The natural response to this is to try and accomplish as much as possible while things are stable and preserve good things while they last.

For whatever reason this phenomena occurs though and despite the positive results it may yield at times, it could be doing damage to our ability to find peace. 

Satisfaction: A goal to be aimed toward

If we are constantly striving for better, at what point do we get to celebrate the things that have been accomplished?

Stagnation is something worthy of being combatted, however, when someone does something worthy of praise, wondering what they’ll do next can lead to burn out and increased fear of failure. 

The music industry in particular is already suffering from these effects. Artists are taking longer to release music under the heavy thumb of public anticipation for constant speedy production of albums that are better than the last.

It would be a shame to see this happen to other art mediums. Even more than that though, it would be a shame to see this obsession with newness, greatness and speed be the thing that dims the passion of creators. 

Satisfaction is not synonymous with weakness or complacency, and should not be viewed as such. Instead, we should show appreciation for the things we consume and allow greatness to come with time. 

opinion@thedailycougar.com

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"Gen Z’s painful addiction to overconsumption" was originally posted on The Cougar

Houston’s setter Shannon Dworaczyk (9) serving against HCU during a NCAA women’s college volleyball match, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 at Fertiita Center. (Cody Strickler/ The Cougar)

Houston volleyball concluded the Flo Hyman Classic with a three-set sweep against Houston Christian at the Fertitta Center on Sept. 19.

Despite the sweep and long rallies, Houston continued to find themselves on the right side of the whistle, outnumbering the Huskies in kills by 20 and assists by 15.

Sophomore outside hitter Noemi Despaigne led the team in kills with 12 while senior outside hitter Alyssa Gonzales wasn’t far behind with 10. Graduate seventh-year middle blocker Aiden Conner led the team with seven blocks. Freshman setter Shannon Dworaczyk led the team in assists with 20.

The Cougars jumped out to an early 11-point lead in the final set to help put enough distance between them and the Huskies to clinch the sweep.

A competitive second set saw Houston Christian cut an eight-point deficit to just three points before Houston closed out the set with three straight scores, clinching it 25-19.

Despaigne added four more kills in the second set. Six different Cougars earned a kill in the second set.

The Cougars took over the first set by going on a 12-2 scoring run to gain a lead they would never relinquish, taking the set 25-14.

Jones led the team in kills in the first set with seven. Despaigne provided an additional five.

Redshirt junior outside hitter I’Onna Jones led the Huskies in kills with eight while senior middle blocker Allana Archie added five. Enisilina Savelio led Houston Christian with 21 assists.

Houston begins conference play when they travel to Lawrence, Kan., to take on the No. 22 Kansas Jayhawks on Friday, Sept. 25, at 6 p.m.

sports@thedailycougar.com

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"Cougars claw Huskies in a sweep to finish Flo Hyman Classic" was originally posted on The Cougar

Houston celebrates scoring against Texas State during an NCAA women’s college volleyball match, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas. | (Oscar Herrera/The Cougar)

The Flo Hyman Classic saw the 5-3 Houston Cougars split two games in the Fertitta Center, in which they fell to the 6-2 UTSA Roadrunners and won a thrilling match against the 5-4 Texas State Bobcats.

Houston had a hard time keeping up with the Roadrunners in the beginning of set one, being down as much as seven. The Cougars went on their 6-1 scoring run, starting with a kill by sophomore outside hitter Noemi Despaigne. The Cougars rallied, but fell in set one by a final score of 25-21. 

Set two was neck and neck in the beginning, but the Roadrunners went up early. Key plays by junior outside hitter Sydney Jones and freshman setter Shannon Dworaczyk pushed the Cougars closer to the lead.

With the help of junior outside hitter Kamille Gibson, the Cougars went on a 3-0 run, but the Roadrunners held on to win the set 25-18.

Set three started with aces by Dworaczyk and Despaigne and kills by Jones helped the Cougars to a 10-7 lead in the beginning of the set.

Key kills by Jones and Gibson, plus a shared block by senior middle blocker Alexis Roberson and junior setter Klaei Edison, pushed the lead up to eight, allowing Houston to win the set  25-21.

Houston had costly errors in set four to help UTSA get the lead early. Gibson had an ace late in the set, but the Roadrunners held on to win the set and the match by a score of 25-22. The all-time record between the two teams is now tied at five games apiece. 

Texas State, a newly established PAC-12 team, came with a win earlier in the afternoon, as they swept Houston Christian. This game had multiple scoring runs and the Cougars stayed calm under the pressure of the runs. 

“I think we did well without panicking because we have each other,” Jones said. 

The Cougars came out strong in the first set to build a lead as big as four. Texas State crept  closer to the lead that the Cougars had, but Houston held on to win 25-23. The Cougars went on one more 3-0 run to cut the deficit to three, but it wasn’t enough, as the Bobcats took set two, 25-21. 

Set three started off close, but the Cougars came out swinging and left Texas State’s hit percentage below .200. After taking over the court, landing kills and executing blocks, the Cougars won set three by the biggest margin of the match, 25-16.

Houston tried their best to close out the match in set four, getting out to an early lead, but Texas State knew they had to win to force a set five. The Cougars tried to close the gap to close out the match, but the Bobcats held the lead they gained in the set and took set four, 25-22.

In the fifth set, Texas State rallied to cut the deficit by three, but a kill by Jones ended the match for the Cougars in a five-set victory by a score of 15-11. The Cougar offense was led in kills by Jones, Despaigne and Gibson, who had over 75% of Houston’s kills. 

“Our offense is really good,” Despaigne said. “We are really happy with our offense.” 

The Cougars moved to 6-4 on the season after the five-set victory and broke a three-game losing streak.

The victory against Texas State was the first for the Cougars in 17 years and the first at home since 2008. The Cougars will return to the Fertita Center in a rematch with Houston Christian on Saturday, September 18, at 6:30 to close out the Flo Hyman Classic.

sports@thedailycougar.com

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"Houston volleyball splits day one of Flo Hyman Classic" was originally posted on The Cougar

Nina To/The Cougar

On Sept. 27, the Houston Cougars were ranked No. 20 in the AP Poll after a 42-28 win over Georgia Southern on Sept. 26. 

In the game, Houston totaled 441 yards against the Eagles. Fifth-year quarterback Conner Weigman threw for 239 yards and four touchdowns while having a 98.1 quarterback rating. On the ground, junior running back Re’Shaun Sanford ran for 120 yards on 17 carries. 

This is the highest ranking since 2021 and its the first time the Cougars have been ranked in five straight weeks to begin a season since 2016, according to Houston Athletics. 

Houston started at No. 23 in the preseason, then jumped to No. 22 after beating Oregon State 33-20. The Cougars remained in the same rank despite a 77-6 win against Southern in week two. 

However, after a close 28-26 loss to No. 12 Texas Tech, Houston sank down to the No. 25 spot in the AP poll during week three. Among ranked Big 12 teams, Houston is fifth, behind No. 10 BYU, Texas Tech, No. 13 Utah and No. 19 Oklahoma State. 

The Cougars will now face the UCF Knights on Oct. 3 at TDECU Stadium to start their conference schedule. 

sports@thedailycougar.com

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"Going up: Houston Cougars jump to No. 20 in the AP poll, first time since 2021" was originally posted on The Cougar

Houston defensive back Will James (5) and wide receiver Jaquise Martin (10) looks up toward the referee for the call, during the second half of an NCAA football match between the Houston Cougars and the Texas Tech Raiders, Friday, September 18, 2026 in Lubbock, Texas. | Gillian Wisniewski/The Cougar

The Houston Cougars traveled to Statesboro, Georgia, on Sept. 26 and bested the Georgia Southern Eagles 42-28. This is the first time Houston has beaten Georgia Southern and the Cougars advance into the conference schedule at 3-1. 

Fifth-year quarterback Conner Weigman threw for 239 passing yards and four touchdowns. Additionally, Weigman rushed for 14 yards and two touchdowns. 

Senior running back Re’Shaun Sanford II had his first 100-yard game of the season, totaling 120 yards. Senior wide receiver Trent Walker had six receptions for 83 yards and scored a touchdown. 

“I thought (Sanford) really ran the ball well,” said Houston head coach Willie Fritz. “(Walker) you saw him go crazy tonight.”

Georgia Southern started the game by advancing the ball to the 40-yard line. However, junior defensive back Javion White forced a fumble, giving Houston the ball. 

On the Cougars’ first drive, Houston drove to the eight-yard line before Weigman ran it in to make it 7-0. 

The Eagles’ second drive ended in a punt, giving Houston the ball back. The Cougars didn’t waste their second possession, marching down the field the same way they did on the first drive. They capped the drive with Weigman throwing a 22-yard touchdown to junior wide receiver Koby Young, widening the lead to 14 points. 

During the second quarter, Georgia Southern senior quarterback Max Johnson connected with junior wide receiver Alex Taylor on a 40-yard touchdown, narrowing Houston’s lead to 14-7. 

The Eagles tried an onside kick and recovered it, giving them a chance to tie the game at 14 apiece. Georgia Southern moved down inside Houston’s five-yard line after a 25-yard catch from junior running back Taeo Todd.

On the next play, freshman running back Ty Cummings ran the ball into the end zone, tying the game 14 apiece. 

Houston responded with a touchdown on the next drive. The Cougars drove down to the Eagles’ two-yard line after a career-long 47-yard catch-and-run from senior tight end Patrick Overmyer. This let Weigman run it in for his second rushing touchdown of the game, making the score 21-14. 

After a punt from Georgia Southern, Houston added more points on a Weigman touchdown pass to junior tight end Traville Fredrick Jr., widening the lead to 14 points. 

With less than a minute left before halftime, Georgia scrambled for a touchdown to cut Houston’s lead to 14. However, time ran out making the score 28-14 at halftime.

The Cougars got the ball after halftime and scored another touchdown. On a third-and-seven, Weigman heaved a ball to Walker for a 23-yard touchdown catch. 

The Eagles responded with a touchdown of their own. Georgia Southern pushed down to Houston’s 23-yard line. On fourth down, Johnson threw a 23-yard pass to Taylor for another touchdown, making the score 35-21. 

Houston kept the pressure on as it advanced to the Eagles’ six-yard line. Once the fourth quarter started, Weigman threw his fourth touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Amare Thomas. 

On their next possession, the Eagles marched to Houston’s 13-yard line and tried to convert on a fourth down. Sophomore quarterback Weston Bryan entered the game and threw a touchdown pass to sixth-year tight end River Helms, narrowing the score to two touchdowns. 

following that, Houston’s possession consisted of run plays to drain the clock, giving Georgia Southern less time to work with. However, Houston faced a 4th down, forcing a punt and giving Georgia Southern a chance to cut the deficit to one score. 

The Eagles faced another fourth down and once again moved the chains. With four minutes left, Georgia Southern searched for a touchdown but faced a second fourth down.

Johnson looked for a wide-open receiver but found no one, giving Houston the ball back. The Cougars drained the clock to zero to win the game 42-28. 

“Really proud of the guys,” Fritz said. “They did a sensational job offensively controlling the clock, controlling the ball and converting on third downs.”

Houston will be looking to go 4-1 against the UCF Knights on Oct. 3 at TDECU Stadium. 

sports@thedailycougar.com

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"Houston bounces back against Georgia Southern 42-28, advances to 3-1" was originally posted on The Cougar

Houston’s setter Shannon Dworaczyk (9) serving against HCU during a NCAA women’s college volleyball match, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 at Fertiita Center. (Cody Strickler/ The Cougar)

On Sept. 25, the Houston Cougars Volleyball team traveled to Lawrence, Kansas, to face the Kansas Jayhawks at home for the Big 12 Conference opener.  Kansas was ranked No. 19 heading into the game and was largely favored to win.

Kansas and Houston volleyball have faced off against each other eight times over the last forty-nine years. They first met each other in 1977, then again in 1988 and 1987 respectively, Houston taking the win in all three of these games. 

A thirty-six-year gap was surpassed before the teams would meet again in 2023, which began a losing streak for Houston. For the last five games, Kansas has beaten the Cougars.

Kansas scored the first points of the game off of a no-touch ace. For the majority of the first set, Kansas led but eventually Houston tied up the score at 23-23 and stayed even until the final 2 rallies, when Kansas took the win after another no-touch ace. The first set ended with a tight gap score of 31-19.

The next set went similarly, with Kansas scoring the first point, but the score stayed close up until the last few rallies, with the final score at 25-20. 

The final set began with Houston scoring the first point and maintaining a small lead over Kansas before they eventually came back and took it. The game concluded with a victory for the Jayhawks with a score of 25-15, giving them a 3-0 win over Houston. 

Although Houston did not come out with a win, a few players still had impressive performances. On the offensive side, junior outside hitter Sydney Jones managed fourteen kills out of a total of thirty-seven. 

The Houston Cougars Volleyball team next faces Kansas State on Sep. 27 at the Morgan Family Arena.

sports@thedailycougar.com

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"Houston loses to Kansas 3-0 in conference opener" was originally posted on The Cougar

Houston team holds up the cougar paw towards the Houston fan section after an NCAA college football match between the Houston Cougars and the Texas Tech Raiders, Friday, September 18, 2026 in Lubbock, Texas. | Gillian Wisniewski/The Cougar

The No. 25 Houston Cougars head to Statesboro, Georgia, to take on the unranked Georgia Southern Eagles in their final nonconference matchup of the season. The two teams are scheduled for their first-ever meeting on Sept. 26 at 3 p.m Central at Allen E. Paulson Stadium.

The matchup is significant to coach Willie Fritz, who coached Georgia Southern in the 2014 and 2015 seasons, leading the Eagles to a Sun Belt championship in his first season. However, Fritz maintained that his main priority is to get back on track and win the game. 

“It’s a business trip,” Fritz said during a press conference on Sept. 21. 

The Cougars are looking to get back on track after a narrow 28-26 loss to the current No.11 Texas Tech Red Raiders. 

Fifth-year quarterback Conor Weigman threw for 282 yards and three touchdowns, leading yet another elite offensive showing for the Cougars. His final score went to senior tight end Patrick Overmyer with 49 seconds remaining. Needing a two-point conversion to even the score, Weigman came up just a hair short in a replay review call that ultimately decided the game. 

Senior running back Makhi Hughes led the rushing attack with 71 yards on 15 carries and helped the Cougars build an early 17-14 lead. In the aerial attack, senior wide receiver Amare Thomas pulled in seven catches for 75 yards, while Overmyer added eight receptions for 72 yards and the crucial score. 

For Georgia Southern, the Eagles will enter 1-2 on Saturday afternoon following a heartbreaking 31-27 loss to Jacksonville State, squandering a 27-17 fourth-quarter lead. 

The Eagles put together a productive rushing attack led by senior running back David Mbadinga, accounting for a total of 182 yards and three scores on the ground. 

The matchup will be a test for both sides as their strengths contrast immensely. Houston averages an eye-popping 527.3 yards per game, ranking seventh nationally, while Georgia Southern is limiting their opponents to 255.3 yards per game, ranking 19th nationally.

Establishing an early ground attack and limiting negative plays could be the key to success for the Cougars. 

What would a Cougars win mean?

A victory would push the Cougars to a record of 3-1 and complete an undefeated nonconference schedule before the Cougars host UCF on Oct. 3. 

Avoiding a loss against the last nonconference game before a return to Big 12 play will pay dividends to a hopeful Cougars squad.

sports@thedaulycougar.com

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"Preview: No.25 Houston eyeing rebound at Georgia Southern as Fritz returns to Statesboro" was originally posted on The Cougar

Lily Huynh/The Cougar

The woman assaulted by UH defensive lineman Carmello Dedric Brooks asked that all charges against Brooks be dismissed.

Brooks appeared in court on Monday for two separate criminal charges, including one allegation that he physically assaulted a pregnant woman. However, the alleged victim, Nariah Harley, said police misunderstood what happened.

Harley said Brooks was the one who called the police because she would not leave his apartment. Prosecutors will review the claim after going over policy body camera footage. Harley also said she does not consider herself a victim.

Brooks is suspended from the football team, but it is unclear if he will still be able to attend classes while the charges are pending.

This is a developing story and The Cougar will continue to report on it.

news@thedailycougar.com

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"Update: Woman assaulted by UH football player asks court to drop charges" was originally posted on The Cougar

University of Houston grads move to RAD center for Shasta statue photos, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025 in Houston, Texas. | Raphael Fernandez/The Cougar

The U.S. News & World Report released their 2027 Best College rankings and UH has been ranked No. 137 overall nationwide and No. 4 among Texas public universities. 

This ranking marks a five-spot decrease from last year’s national ranking of No. 132. 

By removing all private universities from the list, UH ranks No. 67 among public universities nationwide. 

This ranking reflects UH’s momentum towards their goal of becoming a Top 50 public university, the University said.

“I’m incredibly grateful for our faculty and staff who keep moving the needle to elevate our students’ success,” said President and Chancellor Renu Khator in the announcement.“Together, we’ve risen in the rankings, and each move reflects our steady trajectory as a nationally recognized, Tier One university.”

The University also said that USN’s ranking reflects increased student success. 

UH’s first-year retention rate increased to 87 percent, its six-year graduation rate climbed to 66 percent and the graduation rate for students receiving federal Pell Grants rose to 64 percent.

Earlier this year, the University was ranked No. 52 among public research universities nationwide in the U.S. News Best Global Universities rankings.

UH also placed 19 programs in the Top 50 of the U.S. News’ Best Graduate Schools rankings, including four in the Top 10.

news@thedailycougar.com

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"UH ranked No. 137 overall, No. 4 among Texas public universities" was originally posted on The Cougar

Safiyya Lambert/The Cougar

Campus today is quieter than it used to be. UH saw only half the number of student protests in the 2025-26 year compared to the year before, from 12 to six, according to an analysis by The Cougar. This marks the second consecutive year of decline from the 2023-24 academic year, which saw 15 protests.

Prominent student activists attribute the decline to changes in the national political environment, fears over deportation and a sense of frustration over the inefficacy of protests.

Recently, UH was also ranked 183 out of 261 schools in the 2027 College Free Speech Rankings with a score of 58 out of 100 and an overall grade of F in speech climate, published by The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.

But in Texas, recent legislative restrictions have also limited the scope and scale of student protests. Senate Bill 2972 went into effect Sept. 1, 2025, resulting in a host of new constraints.

Student protesters are now prohibited from using amplification devices, engaging in “expressive activities” during the last two weeks of a semester or between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., making encampments and wearing facial coverings. Students must also present proof of identity upon request.

The bill has already been called unconstitutional and criticized for its vagueness and the potential for overregulation. But if its intended effect was to muffle student voices, it is perhaps succeeding.

“It is quite obvious that there is a lack of student protests and a lack of political outbursts compared to recent years,” said political science and philosophy senior Rafael Jimenez, who formerly served as the co-chair of the UH branch of the Young Democratic Socialists of America. “My first year here as a student, campus political culture was definitely much more intense. Then you compare that to events recently and it’s much more clear that student and faculty outrage isn’t as obvious as it was.”

A history of outrage

There certainly is no shortage of topics to be outraged about, according to student protestors. Jimenez points to safety for immigrant students and the rise of Flock cameras as two major areas of concern, in addition to what have become staples in the protesting sphere: Palestine, restrictions on DEI and specific to UH, safety on campus.

There are also other topics that have strayed to the edges of popular consciousness, but have historically been motivators for large-scale student protests: a new international war, major blows to environmental progress and large-scale funding cuts for U.S. health and humanitarian agencies. 

In the 1960s and 70s, the Vietnam War provoked massive protests at college campuses across the nation; now, though the Iran war has received attention at UH, no such collective demonstrations have emerged.

Young people were at the forefront of climate protests in the 2010s, but college campuses have been largely silent about major rollbacks on climate policy. While the shutdown of USAID has triggered international humanitarian crises, no domestic movement has emerged.

“It’s a combination of complacency, student frustration and incredibly hostile state and federal policy that makes organizing on a campus like ours incredibly difficult,” Jimenez said. “I think we’re going to continue to see less political action as this policy becomes more and more aggressive.”

In the fall 2023 alone, students protested the closure of the LGBTQ Resource Center, held two protests for Palestine and two separate walkouts, one in support of Palestine and the other in protest of the closure of DEI offices.

Near the end of the semester, Students for Justice in Palestine also staged a sit-in on the steps of Student Center South aimed at raising awareness about ongoing boycotts of Starbucks and McDonalds due to their alleged funding of Israel.

The momentum persisted: in spring 2024, students protested everything from Senate Bill 17 to President Renu Khator’s rejection of Student Fee Advisory Committee recommendations and a new sculpture installation on campus.

Calls for divestment also escalated over the course of six separate student-led events: protests, an encampment, a week-long sit-in from 8 a.m. to midnight at the Student Center steps and a community prayer. 

Even then, student protests weren’t always welcome: two students were arrested at the UH encampment. That same spring, students at the University of Texas at Austin set up a pro-Palestine encampment that was dismantled by law enforcement — who also arrested over 100 protestors. 

Then, Donald Trump was elected as president. In addition to continued calls for divestment — which was the subject of four protests from fall 2024 to spring 2025 — students rallied against Trump himself and the effects of his policies on immigrant communities. 

It was at this time that UH students also held what Deeds at UH President Mina Vuong remembers as an extraordinarily successful protest. The focus? Safety on campus after a series of high-profile crimes. 

“It was something that I could noticeably see that a lot of students were involved in — not just students in organizing, but also just students who cared or were affected or passionate about student safety on campus,” Vuong said. “I felt very good about that protest.”

Both Vuong and Jimenez agree that protests dwindled in the 2025-26 academic year — but not immediately. Even after SB 2972 went into effect, there were four student protests in the fall, including a hunger strike for divestment. 

In the spring, there were only two: a protest against the deadly crackdown on Iranian demonstrators and a call for divestment at a Board of Regents meeting.

Vuong doesn’t attribute the decline to state policy, though — she said she actually didn’t know that SB 2972 existed.

“I think a very, very big reason that I had no idea is that you don’t protest on these people’s terms,” Vuong said. “These are the oppressors and the very institutions that we are protesting against. It’s not very effective to protest on their terms. That would defeat the whole purpose of the protest.”

Yelling into a void

But students often don’t have a choice anymore. Without megaphones or speakers, students are having to simply cup their hands and shout their message, according to Jimenez. 

They’re also scared about potentially being surveilled at protests or risking their visa status. Even those who aren’t concerned about their immigration status still have to contend with the threat of facing criminal prosecution.

“It hinders the ability to create a proper disruption,” Jimenez said. “If you’re unable to really do what a protest is supposed to do and be loud and somewhat disruptive, then what’s the point? You might as well just write a little notecard to President Renu Khator and pray that she reads it.”

It feels like yelling out into a void. Futile and potentially perilous, Jimenez said.

But that’s not to say student activists have been idle — protest is far from the only form of political expression available to the American people.

Politically active student organizations, from YDSA and SJP to the Progressive Student Union and Coogs RISE, were hosting regular meetings and film showings and training sessions even as protests declined in number. 

“It’s this internal dissent that if these traditional types of protest aren’t working, what else can we do?” Jimenez said. “As long as UH and the state government try to continue limiting these protests, I think the conversation is always going to be: What else can we do in order to get our message across?”

It still isn’t certain what campus political life will look like this year. Jimenez, who will be a member-at-large of YDSA, plans to prioritize the comfort and safety of students.

“That’s one of the most heartbreaking things about being a student organizer: at the end of the day, we are still students, and we still have all our lives ahead of us,” Jimenez said. “Organizing is just an unfortunate thing that we have to do because we feel like something is so unjust that we have to do it.”

A note on the methodology: Protests are defined by the language used by the organizing groups. For instance, while healthcare advocacy efforts by graduate students in spring 2026 garnered widespread attention, Graduate Student Solidarity student organizers did not define their press conference as a protest. 

Protests included in the analysis were led by or involving UH students, and took place either on-campus at UH or at the location of a UH Board of Regents meeting. 

Further, ‘one’ protest is typically contained on one day and oriented on a single topic, but longer demonstrations that centered on a single theme were counted as just one protest. The hunger strike led by Students for Justice in Palestine lasted for weeks but is counted as one protest.

news@thedailycougar.com

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"The dying art of student protest" was originally posted on The Cougar

Lily Huynh/The Cougar

September is Suicide Prevention Month. A month to raise awareness about suicide prevention, reduce stigma around mental health and share important resources.

Globally, approximately 720,000 people die by suicide each year. Of those 720,000, a vast majority are young adults ages 15-29. In fact, suicide is the second leading cause of death among young adults.   

Stats aside, young adult mental health is still too often dismissed or misunderstood because of cultural taboos, long-standing stigma and generational differences. Breaking those barriers is not just about making mental health easier to talk about; it is about making sure young adults feel safe asking for help before they reach a crisis.

Cultural taboos

There is a lot of taboo around mental health conversations. Most of which comes from cultures. 

In some Asian, Middle Eastern, Latino and most immigrant communities, cultural stigma can make conversations about mental health particularly difficult. Concerns about family reputation or the belief that mental illness makes someone “crazy” or “sick” can discourage people from seeking help.

They hide it from the public and other friends and family. Seeing it as something shameful rather than their loved one simply needing help. This causes children of these immigrant households to hide their disorders from their families in order to keep the family’s “honor.”

As a first-generation Iraqi-American, I grew up around this mindset. Conversation around mental health was taboo and considered “eab.” A common word in Arab culture used to describe anything shameful that would “dishonor” yourself or your family. 

To an older, native Arab, the concept of being depressed or having anxiety simply doesn’t make sense. As long as you had a roof over your head and food on the table, you were objectively mentally healthy in their eyes. 

Cultural shame is ignorant and harmful. This exact “eab” mentality is engraved in the minds of many first-generation students. Causing them to also believe they have no real reason to feel the way they do. Mental health doesn’t need a reason. Sometimes it’s genetic, sometimes it’s the result of your environment and sometimes it just is. 

Historical stigma

Public stigma makes it feel impossible to have necessary conversations regarding mental health. Many individuals who deal with mental health disorders feel they might be viewed differently if they talk about their struggles. 

Unfortunately, discrimination surrounding mental health still exists. 

Public stigma can stem from misinformation and a lack of understanding surrounding mental health. In reality, poor mental well-being is closely connected with overall health. 

Generation gaps

Some young adults still encounter attitudes that dismiss conversations about mental health as being “soft” or “dramatic,” particularly across generational lines.

 According to the National Library of Medicine, “The idea that you can just ‘switch off’ or ‘stop over-thinking’ about your psychological state still exists within the Generation X.” 

This mindset is unfair and even cruel. 

Younger generations having greater access to mental health resources should be celebrated, not stigmatized. It feels as though college students have to be embarrassed or ashamed of the fact that they have access to mental health resources. 

UH impact

While the exact number of UH students who have died by suicide is unclear, three deaths on campus have been ruled suicides within the past decade. Two of which happened a month apart, both at Agnes Arnold Hall. The university took action and installed security screens on the building’s balcony. 

End the Stigma is a UH tradition featuring a colorful display of T-shirts designed to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.

The display began in September 2023, when 1,100 shirts were arranged around the fountain outside M.D. Anderson Library, representing the estimated 1,100 college students who die by suicide each year. The tradition emphasizes the importance of discussing mental health and breaking the stigma that can prevent students from seeking help.

While the action taken by the university is an important step, it’s just the start. No young adult should feel as though they have to reach a crisis before receiving support. Collectively, we need to become more comfortable having difficult conversations about mental health and challenging the stigma that keeps people silent.

To the young people reading this: Your mental health is serious and it deserves to be talked about. To older generations: It is never too late to rethink the way we talk about mental health.

If you or a loved one needs mental health support, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by call or text.

opinion@thedailycougar.com

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"Mental health should not be a silent struggle" was originally posted on The Cougar