2024 Houston Christian Huskies football team

2024 Houston Christian Huskies football
ConferenceSouthland Conference
Record5–7 (3–4 Southland)
Head coach
Offensive schemePro spread
Defensive coordinatorZach Wilkerson (1st season)
Base defense3–4
Home stadiumHusky Stadium
2024 Southland Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 6 Incarnate Word $^   7 0     11 3  
Southeastern Louisiana   6 1     7 5  
Stephen F. Austin   4 3     7 5  
Lamar   4 3     7 5  
McNeese   3 4     6 6  
  3 4     5 7  
East Texas A&M*   2 4     3 9  
Nicholls   2 5     4 8  
Northwestern State   0 7     0 12  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant
  • * – East Texas A&M is ineligible for FCS postseason play due to transition from NCAA Division II.
Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2024 Houston Christian Huskies football team represented Houston Christian University in the 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Huskies played their home games at Husky Stadium in Houston, Texas, and compete in the Southland Conference. They were led by first–year head coach Jason Bachtel.

Preseason

Preseason poll

The Southland Conference released their preseason poll on July 22, 2024. The Huskies were picked to finish seventh in the conference.[1]

Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Nicholls 119 (9)
2 Incarnate Word 113 (8)
3 Southeastern Louisiana 94
4 Lamar 88 (1)
5 Stephen F. Austin 72
6 McNeese 64
7 Houston Christian 41
8 East Texas A&M 37
9 Northwestern State 25

Preseason All–Southland Teams

The Southland Conference announced the 2024 preseason all-conference football team selections on July 22, 2024. HCU had a total of three players selected.[2]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 317:00 pmat SMU*ACCNX/ESPN+L 7–5927,080
September 76:00 pmNo. 20 Tarleton State*ESPN+L 18–352,080
September 146:00 pmLouisiana Christian*
  • Husky Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPN+W 70–71,256
September 212:30 pmat UTSA*ESPN+L 7–4520,973
September 2812:00 p.m.at Indiana State*ESPN+W 27–243,466
October 56:00 pmNo. 22 McNeese
  • Husky Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPN+W 43–222,232
October 122:00 pmSoutheastern Louisiana
  • Husky Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPN+L 7–371,825
October 266:00 p.m.Stephen F. AustinESPN+L 6–556,246
November 22:00 pmat No. 9 Incarnate WordESPN+L 20–452,189
November 92:00 pmNicholls
  • Husky Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPN+W 24–212,081
November 161:00 pmat East Texas A&MESPN+L 40–412,354
November 232:00 pmat Northwestern State
  • Husky Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPN+W 62–241,783
  • *Non-conference game
  • Homecoming
  • Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

Game summaries

at SMU (FBS)

Game One – Houston Christian Huskies (0-0) at SMU Mustangs (FBS) (1-0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Huskies 0 7 007
Mustangs (FBS) 28 14 71059

at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, University Park, Texas

  • Date: Saturday August 31, 2024
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 91 °F (33 °C)
  • Game attendance: 27,080
  • Referee: Nate Blake
  • TV announcers (ACCNX/ESPN+): Doug Sherman, Tyoka Jackson, and Marilyn Payne
Game information
First quarter
  • SMU – Jordan Hudson 28-yard pass from Preston Stone (pass failed), 10:47. Mustangs 6–0. Drive: 4 plays, 84 yards, 1:20.
  • SMU – Brashard Smith 1-yard run (Collin Rogers kick), 7:07. Mustangs 13–0. Drive: 7 plays, 59 yards, 3:05.
  • SMU – Brashard Smith 2-yard run (Collin Rogers kick), 3:04. Mustangs 20–0. Drive: 6 plays, 55 yards, 1:58.
  • SMU – Anthony Booker Jr. 16-yard fumble return (L. J. Johnson Jr. run), 2:03. Mustangs 28–0.
Second quarter
  • SMU – Jake Bailey 4-yard pass from Preston Stone (Collin Rogers kick), 13:42. Mustangs 35–0. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 1:50.
  • HCU – Deuce McMillan 10-yard pass from Cutter Stewart (Dillon Fedor kick), 12:19. Mustangs 35–7. Drive: 4 plays, 50 yards, 1:23.
  • SMU – Key'Shawn Smith 35-yard pass from Kevin Jennings (Collin Rogers kick), 5:05. Mustangs 42–7. Drive: 4 plays, 42 yards, 1:28.
Third quarter
  • SMU – Derrick McFall 17-yard run (Gabriel Lorenzo kick), 7:35. Mustangs 49–7. Drive: 9 plays, 85 yards, 3:58.
Fourth quarter
  • SMU – Kevin Jennings 6-yard run (Gabriel Lorenzo kick), 14:48. Mustangs 56–7. Drive: 11 plays, 64 yards, 4:24.
  • SMU – Collin Rogers 23-yard field goal, 1:54. Mustangs 59–7. Drive: 16 plays, 69 yards, 10:50.
Statistics HCU SMU
First downs 10 28
Total yards 157 595
Rushing yards 34 369
Passing yards 123 226
Turnovers 3 1
Time of possession 24:56 35:04
Team Category Player Statistics
Houston Christian Passing Cutter Stewart 10/25, 118 yards, TD, 2 INT
Rushing Champ Dozier 7 rushes, 22 yards
Receiving Ismael Fuller 2 receptions, 38 yards
SMU Passing Kevin Jennings 10/14, 148 yards, TD
Rushing Brashard Smith 9 rushes, 108 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Jake Bailey 4 receptions, 59 yards, TD

vs. No. 20 Tarleton State

Game Two – No. 20 Tarleton State Texans (1–1) vs Houston Christian Huskies (0–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 20 Texans 0 0 000
Huskies 0 0 000

at Husky StadiumHouston, TX

  • Date: Saturday September 7, 2024
  • Game time: 6:00 PM CST
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Jordan Smith, Brandon Kruse
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics TAR HCU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Tarleton State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Houston Christian Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Louisiana Christian (NAIA)

Game Three – Louisiana Christian Wildcats (NAIA) (0–1) at Houston Christian Huskies (0–2)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Wildcats {NAIA) 0 0 707
Huskies 15 14 281370

at Husky Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: September 14
  • Game time: 6:00 pm
  • Game weather: Wind: NE 4 mph • Weather: Sunny • Temp: 94 °F (34 °C)
  • Game attendance: 1,256
  • Referee: Matt Beck
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Jordan Smith, Brandon Kruse
Game information
First Quarter
  • (14:46) HCU – Semaj Brown 83-yard kickoff return, Dillon Fedor kick (Houston Christian 7–0)
  • (8:26) HCU – Deuce McMillan 35-yard pass from Eli Brickhandler, Drake Martinez pass (Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:14; Houston Christian 15–0)
Second Quarter
  • (8:47) HCU – AJ Wilson 34-yard pass from Eli Brickhandler, Dillon Fedor kick (Drive: 5 plays, 49 yards, 2:10; Houston Christian 22–0)
  • (7:00) HCU – Calvin Hill 25-yard run, Dillon Fedor kick (Drive: 2 plays, 34 yards, 0:47; Houston Christian 29–0)
Third Quarter
  • (12:39) HCU – Drake Martinez 24-yard pass from Cutter Stewart, Dillon Fedor kick (Drive: 4 plays, 32 yards, 1:18; Houston Christian 36–0)
  • (7:17) LCU – Datlan Cunningham 1-yard run, Levi Hilborn kick (Drive: 15 plays, 75 yards, 5:22; Houston Christian 36–7)
  • (5:57) HCU – Ismael Fuller 71-yard pass from Cutter Stewart, Dillon Fedor kick (Drive: 3 plays, 78 yards, 1:13; Houston Christian 43–7)
  • (3:47) HCU – Cutter Stewart 1-yard run, Dillon Fedor kick (Drive: 4 plays, 21 yards, 1:56; Houston Christian 50–7)
  • (0:22) HCU – Semaj Brown 65-yard interception, Dillon Fedor kick (Houston Christian 57–7)
Fourth Quarter
  • (10:53) HCU – Darryle Evans 2-yard run, Dillon Fedor kick (Drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 2:42; Houston Christian 64–7)
  • (2:38) HCU – Darryle Evans 66-yard run (Drive: 2 plays, 67 yards, 0:55; Houston Christian 70–7)
Statistics LCU HCU
First downs 20 21
Total yards 98–323 64–496
Rushing yards 66–168 47–217
Passing yards 155 279
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 15–32–4 11–17–0
Time of possession 35:11 24:49
Team Category Player Statistics
Louisiana Christian Passing River Thompson 12/23, 129 yards, 2 INT
Rushing Daylon Charles 14 carries, 51 yards
Receiving Sammy Feaster 4 receptions, 53 yards
Houston Christian Passing Eli Brickhandler 6/6, 126 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Darryle Evans 12 carries, 122 yards, 2 TD
Receiving AJ Wilson 3 receptions, 77 yards, TD

at UTSA (FBS)

Game Four – Houston Christian Huskies (1–2) at UTSA Roadrunners (FBS) (1–2)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Huskies 0 7 007
Roadrunners (FBS) 10 21 7745

at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

  • Date: September 21
  • Game time: 2:30 pm
  • Game weather: None (played indoors)
  • Game attendance: 20,973
  • Referee: Darryl DeBerry
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Ted Emrich (play-by-play) and Charlie Strong (analyst)
Game information
First Quarter
  • (9:37) UTSA – Chase Allen 26-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 61 yards, 2:42; UTSA 3–0)
  • (2:21) UTSA – Devin McCuin 5-yard pass from Owen McCown, Chase Allen kick (Drive: 10 plays, 54 yards, 4:09; UTSA 10–0)
Second Quarter
  • (6:14) UTSA – Brandon High 9-yard run, Chase Allen kick (Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 2:33; UTSA 17–0)
  • (3:58) HCU – Jesse Valenzuela 20-yard run, Reed Chandley kick (Drive: 5 plays, 62 yards, 2:08; UTSA 17–7)
  • (2:13) UTSA – Willie McCoy 59-yard pass from Owen McCown, Chase Allen kick (Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:45; UTSA 24–7)
  • (0:47) UTSA – Robert Henry 17-yard pass from Owen McCown, Tate Sandell kick (Drive: 5 plays, 55 yards, 0:51; UTSA 31–7)
Third Quarter
  • (11:08) UTSA – Kevorian Barnes 8-yard run, Chase Allen kick (Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 3:44; UTSA 38–7)
Fourth Quarter
  • (13:57) UTSA – Jamel Hardy 5-yard pass from Eddie Lee Marburger, Tate Sandell kick (Drive: 14 plays, 76 yards, 5:49; UTSA 45–7)
Statistics HCU UTSA
First downs 12 34
Total yards 57–177 83–536
Rushing yards 32–50 51–269
Passing yards 127 267
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 13–25–0 23–32–1
Time of possession 24:29 35:31
Team Category Player Statistics
Houston Christian Passing Eli Brickhandler 7/12, 83 yards
Rushing Jesse Valenzuela 5 carries, 22 yards, TD
Receiving AJ Wilson 4 receptions, 71 yards
UTSA Passing Owen McCown 18/25, 226 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Bryson Donnell 12 carries, 74 yards
Receiving Willie McCoy 2 receptions, 85 yards, TD

at Indiana State

Game Five – Houston Christian Huskies (1–3) at Indiana State Sycamores (1–2)
Quarter 1 2 Total
Huskies 0
Sycamores 0

at Memorial Stadium, Terre Haute, Indiana

  • Date: September 28
  • Game time: TBA
  • Game weather: Wind: • Weather: • Temp:
Game information
First Quarter
    Second Quarter
      Third Quarter
        Fourth Quarter
          Statistics HCU INST
          First downs
          Total yards
          Rushing yards
          Passing yards
          Passing: Comp–Att–Int
          Time of possession
          Team Category Player Statistics
          Houston Christian Passing
          Rushing
          Receiving
          Indiana State Passing
          Rushing
          Receiving

          vs. No. 22 McNeese

          Game Six – No. 22 McNeese Cowboys (4–2) vs Houston Christian Huskies (2–3) – Game summary
          Quarter 1 2 34Total
          No. 22 Cowboys 0 0 000
          Huskies 0 0 000

          at Husky Stadium, Houston, Texas

          • Date: Saturday October 5, 2024
          • Game time: 6:00 PM
          • TV announcers (ESPN+): Garrett Jones, Jackson Cochran
          Game information
          First quarter
          Second quarter
          Third quarter
          Fourth quarter
          Statistics MCN HCU
          First downs
          Total yards
          Rushing yards
          Passing yards
          Passing: Comp–Att–Int
          Time of possession
          Team Category Player Statistics
          McNeese Passing
          Rushing
          Receiving
          Houston Christian Passing
          Rushing
          Receiving

          Southeastern Louisiana

          Game Seven – Southeastern Louisiana Lions (2–4) at Houston Christian Huskies (3–3)
          Quarter 1 2 34Total
          Lions 7 13 10737
          Huskies 7 0 007

          at Husky Stadium, Houston, Texas

          • Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024
          • Game time: 2:03 pm
          • Game weather: Wind: N 5mph • Weather: Sunny • Temp: 90
          • Game attendance: 1,825
          • TV announcers (ESPN+): Garrett Jones, Jackson Cochran
          • Box Score
          Game information
          First Quarter
            Second Quarter
              Third Quarter
                Fourth Quarter
                  Statistics SELA HCU
                  First downs 21 13
                  Total yards 69–446 65–326
                  Rushing yards 41–278 45–238
                  Passing yards 168 88
                  Passing: Comp–Att–Int 19–28–0 6–20–1
                  Time of possession 35:17 24:43
                  Team Category Player Statistics
                  Southeastern Louisiana Passing Eli Sawyer 18/26, 144 yards, 2 TD
                  Rushing Rodeo Graham, Jr. 8 carries, 109 yards
                  Receiving Darius Lewis 4 receptions, 46 yards
                  Houston Christian Passing CJ Rogers 4/12, 75 yards
                  Rushing Darryle Evans 20 carries, 128 yards
                  Receiving Deuce McMillan 2 receptions, 47 yards

                  at Stephen F. Austin

                  Game Eight – Houston Christian Huskies (3–4; 1–1) at Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (4–3; 2–2) – Game summary
                  Quarter 1 2 34Total
                  Huskies 0 6 006
                  Lumberjacks 3 21 211055

                  at Homer Bryce Stadium, Nacogdoches, Texas

                  • Date: October 26
                  • Game time: 6:02 p.m.
                  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 83 °F (28 °C)
                  • Game attendance: 6,246
                  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Chris Simmons, Courtnee Garcia
                  • Box Score
                  Game information
                  First Quarter
                    Second Quarter
                      Third Quarter
                        Fourth Quarter
                          Statistics HCU SFA
                          First downs 15 29
                          Total yards 68–208 67–561
                          Rushing yards 38–82 38–231
                          Passing yards 126 330
                          Passing: Comp–Att–Int 13–30–1 21–29–1
                          Time of possession 26:55 29:35
                          Team Category Player Statistics
                          Houston Christian Passing Eli Brickhandler 4/12, 69 yards, INT
                          Rushing Eli Brickhandler 9 carries, 31 yards
                          Receiving Deuce McMillan 2 receptions, 47 yards
                          Stephen F. Austin Passing Sam Vidlak 20/27, 316 yards, 5 TD, INT
                          Rushing Jaylen Jenkins 21 carries, 110 yards
                          Receiving Jordan Nabors 3 receptions, 108 yards, TD

                          at No. 9 Incarnate Word

                          Game Nine – Houston Christian Huskies (3–5; 1–2) at No. 9 Incarnate Word Cardinals (6–2; 3–0)
                          Quarter 1 2 34Total
                          Huskies 3 3 01420
                          No. 9 Cardinals 10 21 14045

                          at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium, San Antonio, Texas

                          • Date: November 2
                          • Game time: 2:00 pm
                          • Game weather: Wind: SE 11 mph • Weather: Cloudy • Temp: 81
                          • Game attendance: 2,189
                          • Referee: Ed Bourgeios
                          • TV announcers (ESPN+): Karl Schoening (play-by-play), Sam Kaman (analyst) & Blair Villarreal (sideline)
                          Game information
                          First Quarter
                          • HCU – 12:16 Dillon Fedor 37 yard field goal
                            HCU 3–0 Drive: 7 plays, 33 yards, 2:36
                          • UIW – 8:08 Brack Peacock 25 yard field goal
                            Tied 3–3 Drive: 12 plays, 53 yards, 4:00
                          • UIW – 6:04 Dekalon Taylor 28 yard run, Brack Peacock kick
                            UIW 10–3 Drive: 2 plays, 41 yards, 0:35
                          Second Quarter
                          • UIW – 8:42 Roy Alexander 26 yard pass from Zach Calzada, Brack Peacock kick
                            UIW 17–3 Drive: 2 plays, 53 yards, 0:29
                          • HCU – 4:46 Dillon Fedor 34 yard field goal
                            UIW 17–6 Drive: 9 plays, 58 yards, 3:56
                          • UIW – 1:50 Zach Calzada 2 yard run, Brack Peacock kick
                            UIW 24–6 Drive: 9 plays, 82 yards, 2:52
                          • UIW – 0:12 Roy Alexander 9 yard pass from Zach Calzada, Brack Peacock kick
                            UIW 31–6 Drive: 6 plays, 71 yards, 1:01
                          Third Quarter
                          • UIW – 12:27 Jalen Walthall 50 yard pass from Zach Calzada, Brack Peacock kick
                            UIW 38–6 Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:33
                          • UIW – 1:45 Roy Alexander 3 yard pass from Zach Calzada, Brack Peacock kick
                            UIW 45–6 Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards, 4:05
                          Fourth Quarter
                          • HCU – 4:52 Jesse Valenzuela 16 yard run, Dillon Fedor kick
                            UIW 45–13 Drive: 9 plays, 92 yards, 3:46
                          • HCU – 1:53 AJ Wilson 32 yard pass from Cutter Stewart, Dillon Fedor kick
                            UIW 45–20 Drive: 5 plays, 85 yards, 1:31
                          Statistics HCU UIW
                          First downs 14 31
                          Total yards 64–301 89–573
                          Rushing yards 30–84 39–241
                          Passing yards 217 332
                          Passing: Comp–Att–Int 18–34–2 32–50–0
                          Time of possession 24:05 35:55
                          Team Category Player Statistics
                          Houston Christian Passing Cutter Stewart 10/12, 145 yards, 1 TD
                          Rushing Calvin Hill 4 carries, 53 yards
                          Receiving AJ Wilson 3 receptions, 111 yards, 1 TD
                          Incarnate Word Passing Zach Calzada 29/44, 306 yards, 4 TD
                          Rushing Dekalon Taylor 14 carries, 128 yards, 1 TD
                          Receiving Roy Alexander 7 receptions, 89 yards, 3 TDs

                          Nicholls

                          Game Ten – Nicholls Colonels (4–5; 2–2) at Houston Christian Huskies (3–6; 1–3)
                          Quarter 1 2 Total
                          Colonels 0
                          Huskies 0

                          at Husky Stadium, Houston, Texas

                          • Date: November 9
                          • Game time: 2:00 pm
                          • Game weather: Wind: • Weather: • Temp:
                          • TV announcers (ESPN+): Randy McIlvoy, Jackson Cochran
                          Game information
                          First Quarter
                            Second Quarter
                              Third Quarter
                                Fourth Quarter
                                  Statistics NICH HCU
                                  First downs
                                  Total yards
                                  Rushing yards
                                  Passing yards
                                  Passing: Comp–Att–Int
                                  Time of possession
                                  Team Category Player Statistics
                                  Nicholls Passing
                                  Rushing
                                  Receiving
                                  Houston Christian Passing
                                  Rushing
                                  Receiving

                                  at East Texas A&M

                                  Game Eleven – Houston Christian Huskies (4–6; 2–3) at East Texas A&M Lions (2–8; 1–3)
                                  Quarter 1 2 Total
                                  Huskies 0
                                  Lions 0

                                  at Ernest Hawkins Field at Memorial Stadium, Commerce, Texas

                                  • Date: November 16
                                  • Game time: 1:00 pm
                                  • Game weather: Wind: • Weather: • Temp:
                                  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Greg Higgins, Adam Routon
                                  Game information
                                  First Quarter
                                    Second Quarter
                                      Third Quarter
                                        Fourth Quarter
                                          Statistics HCU ETAM
                                          First downs
                                          Total yards
                                          Rushing yards
                                          Passing yards
                                          Passing: Comp–Att–Int
                                          Time of possession
                                          Team Category Player Statistics
                                          Houston Christian Passing
                                          Rushing
                                          Receiving
                                          East Texas A&M Passing
                                          Rushing
                                          Receiving

                                          Northwestern State

                                          Game Twelve – Northwestern State Demons (0–11; 0–6) at Houston Christian Huskies (4–7; 2–4)
                                          Quarter 1 2 Total
                                          Demons 0
                                          Huskies 0

                                          at Husky Stadium, Houston, Texas

                                          • Date: November 23
                                          • Game time: 2:00 pm
                                          • Game weather: Wind: • Weather: • Temp:
                                          • TV announcers (ESPN+): Randy McIlvoy, Brennan Young
                                          Game information
                                          First Quarter
                                            Second Quarter
                                              Third Quarter
                                                Fourth Quarter
                                                  Statistics NWST HCU
                                                  First downs
                                                  Total yards
                                                  Rushing yards
                                                  Passing yards
                                                  Passing: Comp–Att–Int
                                                  Time of possession
                                                  Team Category Player Statistics
                                                  Northwestern State Passing
                                                  Rushing
                                                  Receiving
                                                  Houston Christian Passing
                                                  Rushing
                                                  Receiving

                                                  [3][4][5][6][7][8][9]

                                                  References

                                                  1. ^ "Southland Conference Announces 2024 Football Preseason Poll and All-Conference Team". www.southland.org. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
                                                  2. ^ "10 Football Student-Athletes Earn SLC Preseason Honors". hcuhuskies.com. July 22, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
                                                  3. ^ "2024 HCU Football Schedule". fbschedules.com. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
                                                  4. ^ "2024 Football Schedule". Houston Christian University. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
                                                  5. ^ "Houston Christian Huskies Schedule 2024". ESPN Enterprises, Inc. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
                                                  6. ^ Zach McKinnell (May 30, 2024). "2024 Houston Christian Football Schedule". ABG-SI LLC. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
                                                  7. ^ "2024 Houston Christian Football Tickets, Schedule, Where to Watch". Hearst LLC. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
                                                  8. ^ "Houston Christian Huskies". CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
                                                  9. ^ "2024 Houston Christian Huskies Schedule". Nolan Analytics LLC. Retrieved September 28, 2024.