What Is 2017 Houston Cougars football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 Houston Cougars football team represented the University of Houston in the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 5–7 record under head coach Major Applewhite. They competed in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) and played home games at TDECU Stadium.

Key Facts

The 2017 Houston Cougars finished the season with a 5–7 overall record
They played in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) West Division
Head coach Major Applewhite led the team in his first season
The Cougars scored 319 total points across 12 games, averaging 26.6 per game
They lost to the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 35–45 in the 2017 Armed Forces Bowl

Overview

The 2017 Houston Cougars football team represented the University of Houston during the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the program's first season under head coach Major Applewhite, who took over after the departure of Tom Herman following the 2016 season.

The Cougars competed in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) and played their home games at TDECU Stadium in Houston, Texas. Despite high expectations following a strong 2016 campaign, the team struggled with consistency and finished with a losing record.

Record: The team ended the season with a 5–7 overall record, failing to qualify for a bowl game until a late invitation to the Armed Forces Bowl.
Conference: Houston played in the AAC West Division, finishing fourth with a 3–5 conference record.
Head Coach: Major Applewhite served as head coach for the first time in 2017, compiling a 5–7 record in his debut season.
Offensive Output: The Cougars averaged 26.6 points per game, totaling 319 points across 12 regular-season games.
Key Game: Houston lost to SMU 31–38 in October, a critical setback in their AAC standings and bowl eligibility hopes.

Season Performance Breakdown

The 2017 season was marked by offensive inconsistency and defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in conference play. While the team showed flashes of potential, injuries and turnovers derailed several key opportunities.

Quarterback Play: D’Eriq King emerged as the starting QB mid-season, throwing for 1,304 yards and 11 touchdowns with 5 interceptions in 7 starts.
Running Game: Duke Catalon led the team with 613 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns on 137 carries.
Defensive Struggles: The defense allowed an average of 31.8 points per game, among the worst in the AAC.
Home Record: Houston went 4–2 at TDECU Stadium, including a 42–34 win over Arizona in September.
Bowl Appearance: Despite a losing record, the Cougars were invited to the Armed Forces Bowl on December 23, 2017.
Bowl Result: They lost to Louisiana Tech 35–45, finishing the year with a 5–8 overall record including the bowl game.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2017 Houston Cougars compared to the previous and following seasons in key performance metrics:

Season	Overall Record	AAC Record	Head Coach	Bowl Result
2016	13–1	8–0	Tom Herman	Won Peach Bowl
2017	5–8	3–5	Major Applewhite	Lost Armed Forces Bowl
2018	8–5	5–3	Major Applewhite	Won Birmingham Bowl
2019	8–5	5–3	Major Applewhite	Lost Texas Bowl
2020	3–4	3–4	Major Applewhite	No Bowl

The 2017 season marked a significant downturn from the 13–1 campaign of 2016, largely due to the transition in coaching and quarterback instability. However, the team rebounded in 2018 and 2019, showing resilience despite the 2017 setback.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season was a pivotal moment in Houston football history, highlighting the challenges of sustaining success after a coaching change and the volatility of college football programs.

Coaching Transition: The shift from Tom Herman to Major Applewhite tested program depth and continuity, resulting in a steep learning curve.
Recruiting Impact: A losing season affected recruiting momentum, though the program retained several key 2018 signees.
Quarterback Development: D’Eriq King’s emergence provided hope for future seasons, showcasing dual-threat potential.
Fan Engagement: Attendance at TDECU Stadium dipped slightly, reflecting fan concerns over performance and direction.
Conference Relevance: The AAC standings showed Houston slipping, reducing their national profile compared to 2016.
Program Resilience: The recovery in 2018 and 2019 demonstrated the program’s ability to adapt and rebuild quickly.

The 2017 season serves as a cautionary tale about the fragility of college football success, but also as a foundation for future growth under new leadership.