What Is 1973 Houston Cougars football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1973 Houston Cougars football team represented the University of Houston during the 1973 NCAA season under head coach Bill Yeoman, finishing with a 7–4 record and a loss in the 1973 Astrodome Classic to Tulane.

Key Facts

The 1973 Houston Cougars finished the season with a 7–4 overall record
Head coach Bill Yeoman led the team in his 17th season at Houston
The Cougars played their home games at the Astrodome
They competed as members of the Southwest Conference (SWC)
Houston lost 27–17 to Tulane in the 1973 Astrodome Classic

Overview

The 1973 Houston Cougars football team represented the University of Houston during the 1973 NCAA University Division football season. Led by head coach Bill Yeoman in his 17th year, the team competed as a member of the Southwest Conference (SWC) and played its home games at the Astrodome, one of the first indoor stadiums used for college football.

The Cougars posted a solid season, finishing with a 7–4 overall record and a 4–3 mark in conference play. Despite not winning the SWC title, the team earned a spot in the 1973 Astrodome Classic, a postseason bowl game held in their home stadium, where they faced Tulane University.

Season record: The Cougars finished the year with a 7–4 overall record, including four wins in Southwest Conference play.
Head coach:Bill Yeoman, in his 17th season, continued to implement his signature veer offense that had made Houston a national threat in the late 1960s.
Home stadium: The team played all home games at the Astrodome, a revolutionary domed stadium that opened in 1965 and was considered a marvel of modern sports architecture.
Postseason appearance: Houston participated in the 1973 Astrodome Classic on December 8, 1973, marking one of the few bowl games hosted indoors at the time.
Bowl result: The Cougars lost to Tulane 27–17 in the Astrodome Classic, ending their season on a disappointing note despite strong regular-season performances.

Season Performance and Key Games

The 1973 season featured a mix of competitive conference matchups and non-conference challenges, with the Cougars showing resilience but inconsistency. Their schedule included tough opponents from the SWC and independents, testing the depth of Yeoman’s squad.

September 8 opener: Houston defeated SMU 21–17 in their season debut, setting an early tone with a close win at the Astrodome.
October 6 game: A pivotal 24–14 victory over Texas Tech boosted conference standings and showcased the veer offense’s effectiveness.
October 20 loss: The Cougars fell 17–10 to Arkansas, a non-conference opponent, highlighting defensive struggles in high-pressure games.
November 10 showdown: A critical 21–14 win over Texas A&M kept Houston in contention for a strong SWC finish.
November 17 rivalry game: The team lost 21–14 to TCU, a setback that ultimately cost them a better postseason opportunity.
November 24 finale: Houston closed the regular season with a 31–14 win over Rice, reclaiming the Bayou Bucket rivalry trophy.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1973 season compares to other notable years in Houston football history:

Season	Overall Record	SWC Record	Bowl Result	Head Coach
1973	7–4	4–3	Lost Astrodome Classic (27–17 vs. Tulane)	Bill Yeoman
1968	9–2	4–2	Won Cotton Bowl (36–49 vs. Alabama)	Bill Yeoman
1976	10–2	6–1	Won Sun Bowl (34–14 vs. Maryland)	Bill Yeoman
1978	8–3	6–2	Won Bluebonnet Bowl (35–37 vs. Maryland)	Bill Yeoman
1989	9–3	N/A (independent)	Won Cotton Bowl (20–45 vs. BYU)	Jack Pardee

The 1973 season falls between Houston’s peak years under Yeoman in the late 1960s and mid-1970s. While not as dominant as the 1976 or 1968 teams, the 1973 Cougars demonstrated competitive strength within the SWC and maintained national visibility through their high-profile home venue and offensive identity.

Why It Matters

The 1973 Houston Cougars season is a notable chapter in the program’s history, reflecting both continuity and transition during a period of sustained success under Bill Yeoman. The team maintained national relevance through its innovative offense and iconic stadium, even as conference competition intensified.

Legacy of the veer: The 1973 team continued to showcase Yeoman’s pioneering veer offense, which influenced future college football strategies nationwide.
Astrodome impact: Playing in the Astrodome gave Houston a unique advantage and media presence, helping elevate the program’s national profile.
Postseason innovation: The Astrodome Classic was one of the few indoor bowl games, highlighting Houston’s role in evolving postseason formats.
Recruiting influence: Success in 1973 helped maintain strong recruiting momentum in Texas and beyond, especially for skill-position players suited to the veer.
Conference competitiveness: The 4–3 SWC record demonstrated Houston’s ability to compete with traditional powers like Texas and Arkansas.
Historical context: This season occurred during a golden era of Houston football, bridging the 1968 Cotton Bowl team and the dominant 1976 squad.

Though not a championship season, the 1973 campaign reinforced the University of Houston’s status as a football innovator and consistent contender in the Southwest Conference during the 1970s.