The Houston Cougars, ranked No. 23, are set to begin their season with a matchup against the Oregon State Beavers at TDECU Stadium this Saturday. This game marks a rematch of last year's thrilling encounter, where the Cougars triumphed over the Beavers 27-24 in overtime, showcasing the competitive spirit both teams bring to the field.
The game is scheduled to kick off at 11 a.m. CT and will be broadcast live on ESPN. Viewers can expect to hear Anish Shroff on play-by-play duties, with Andre Ware providing analysis and Morgan Uber reporting from the sidelines. For those who prefer radio, KPRC 950 AM will cover the game, featuring Kevin Eschenfelder, Ted Pardee, and Jeremy Branham, with a pregame show hosted by Matt Thomas starting at 10 a.m. Additionally, fans can stream the game via The Varsity Network app or SiriusXM on channels 138 or 199.
Historically, the Cougars have had the upper hand in their series against the Beavers, leading 3-1. The last meeting between the two teams took place on September 26, 2025, in Corvallis, Oregon, where Houston secured their victory in dramatic fashion during overtime.
Oregon State enters this season under the leadership of first-year head coach JaMarcus Shephard, who took over the program last November after serving as assistant head coach and co-offensive coordinator at Alabama. The Beavers are looking to improve upon a challenging 2025 season that saw them finish with a record of 2-10. This year, they are part of a restructured Pac-12 conference that includes new members such as Boise State and Colorado State, alongside traditional rivals like Washington State.
One of the key storylines for Oregon State is the introduction of Braden Atkinson as the starting quarterback. Atkinson, who previously played at Mercer, threw for an impressive 3,596 yards and 34 touchdowns last season, earning the Jerry Rice Award as the top freshman in the FCS. This change under center is part of an ongoing trend for the Beavers, as they have featured a different starting quarterback for eight consecutive season openers.
Defensively, the Beavers will rely on linebacker Aiden Sullivan, who was recognized as a preseason first-team All-Pac-12 selection after leading the team with 72 tackles last season. Coach Shephard has set the expectation that the team may face challenges as they adapt to new systems and personnel, stating, "There’s gonna be some adversity this year." This acknowledgment of potential growing pains reflects the Beavers' commitment to building a competitive program in the coming seasons.
As the Cougars and Beavers prepare to clash, fans can expect an exciting game that not only serves as a season opener but also sets the tone for both teams' aspirations in the 2026 college football season. With Houston looking to build on last year's success and Oregon State aiming for a fresh start under new leadership, this matchup promises to be a compelling contest.
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