1966 Houston Cougars football team

1966 Houston Cougars football
ConferenceIndependent
Ranking
CoachesNo. 17
Record8–2
Head coach
Defensive coordinatorMelvin Robertson (2nd season)
CaptainDickie Post
Home stadiumAstrodome
Seasons
← 1965
1967 →
1966 NCAA University Division independents football records
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 1 Notre Dame       9 0 1
Colgate       8 1 1
No. 8 Georgia Tech       9 2 0
Army       8 2 0
Dayton       8 2 0
Houston       8 2 0
Memphis State       7 2 0
No. 9 Miami (FL)       8 2 1
Virginia Tech       8 2 1
Syracuse       8 3 0
Colorado State       7 3 0
New Mexico State       7 3 0
West Texas State       7 3 0
Villanova       6 3 0
Holy Cross       6 3 1
Southern Miss       6 4 0
Texas Western       6 4 0
Tulane       5 4 1
Florida State       6 5 0
Buffalo       5 5 0
Penn State       5 5 0
Air Force       4 6 0
Boston College       4 6 0
Navy       4 6 0
Utah State       4 6 0
Xavier       4 6 0
Pacific       4 7 0
San Jose State       3 7 0
Pittsburgh       1 9 0
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1966 Houston Cougars football team was an American football team that represented the University of Houston as an independent during the 1966 NCAA University Division football season. In its fifth season under head coach Bill Yeoman, the team compiled an 8–2 record, outscored opponents by a total of 335 to 125, and was ranked No. 17 in the final UPI/Coaches Poll.[1][2] The team led the NCAA in total offense with an average of 437.2 yards per game.[3]

Halfback Dickie Post was the team captain, led the team with 1,061 rushing yards, and was also selected by the Houston Chronicle as the Player of the Year.[4] Other statistical leaders included quarterback Bo Burris with 1,666 passing yards and split end Ken Hebert with 38 receptions, 800 receiving yards, and 113 points scored (11 touchdowns, 41 extra points, and two field goals).[5][6] Hebert's 113 points led all major college football players in 1966.[7]

The team played its home games at the Astrodome in Houston. The attendance at seven home games totaled 287,530, an average of 41,076 per game.[8]

  1. ^ "2018 Houston Football Media Guide" (PDF). University of Houston. pp. 126, 145. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  2. ^ "1966 Houston Cougars Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  3. ^ Media Guide, p. 202.
  4. ^ Media Guide, pp 109, 126, 192.
  5. ^ Media Guide, pp. 192-194.
  6. ^ "1966 Houston Cougars Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  7. ^ "Houston's Hebert Wins Point Title". The News-Palladium (AP story). December 7, 1966. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Media Guide, p. 150.