The University of Houston Cougars are gearing up for a significant travel journey as they head to the Pacific Northwest to face Oregon State in a Friday night matchup at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon. This away game marks one of the lengthy trips in UH’s football history, as they rarely venture into the Pacific Time Zone for regular-season games. The trip is part of a home-and-home series that will see Oregon State travel to Houston next season.
Reflecting on his past experiences as a coach at Blinn College, UH head coach Willie Fritz downplayed the challenges of the long journey, joking that it’s far better than bus rides of his earlier coaching days. For Fritz and his team, this week’s cross-country journey comes with the comforts of flying first-class, staying in a quality hotel, and receiving excellent meals, unlike past experiences where he even drove the bus himself.
The last time that the Cougars played in the Pacific Time Zone was in 2012, and despite their historical struggles in this region, the team is looking to capitalize on an opportunity to start the season with a 4-0 record. As Fritz mentioned, the team plans to approach the game with their standard routine, treating it as a business trip. The players will enjoy the experience of flying, as most will likely fall asleep shortly after takeoff, according to Fritz.
With the game’s original schedule pushed forward to Friday night upon ESPN’s request, UH is set to benefit from an additional preparation day for their subsequent home game against Texas Tech. ESPN has graciously agreed to cover any extra travel costs resulting from the schedule shift.
This trip serves as a precursor and adjustment for UH to an evolving schedule as part of the Big 12 conference, where longer distances and expanded geographical travel will be common. The upcoming months will have them journeying to various locations such as Arizona State, UCF, and Oklahoma State, culminating in a schedule next year that poses one of the most notable travel challenges in UH’s history.
This encounter against Oregon State is not just about the game but also presents an excellent opportunity for the team and its players to embrace the challenges of extensive travel and diverse playing environments. The cool game-time temperatures in Corvallis are an added benefit, providing a stark contrast to Houston’s heat and humidity.
For the Cougars, who maintain a “business trip mentality,” optimistically navigating through this rigorous schedule may provide invaluable experience and teach valuable lessons as they continue to reach for success on a national stage.