Due to NCAA sanctions, Houston was ineligible to be invited to a bowl game and was banned from being ranked in the Coaches Poll.

The Cougars lost only once in the season, to eventual SWC champions Texas, and were ranked 10th in the final AP Poll of the year.

Quarterback David Klingler finished third in voting for the Heisman Trophy, leading the nation with 54 passing touchdowns and 374 completions.

[1] [3] [4] The Cougars drove 95 yards for the game-winning touchdown, a 1-yard run by Chuck Weatherspoon with 20 seconds remaining.

[5] [6][7] In the 62–45 victory over the Sun Devils, David Klingler set the Division I-A single-game passing record with 716 yards.