Although ranked favorably early in the season, the team finished with a 5–7 record, (4–4 in C-USA play) after season-ending injuries to starting quarterback Case Keenum and other key players.

[3] This reinforced the team's depth in the position, as senior Case Keenum was scheduled to compete in his last season in 2010.

[8] Case Keenum Jamal Robinson James Cleveland Marcus McGraw Patrick Edwards Tyron Carrier Roster As a season opener, Houston met with Texas State of the Southland Conference (a Division I FCS conference) for the fourth time in history.

[30] Texas State had been undefeated against Houston, and were led by fourth-year head coach Brad Wright.

Conference USA foe UTEP traveled to Robertson Stadium to face-off against Houston for the eighth time in history.

[31] After an interception thrown by senior Case Keenum to UTEP's Trauvan Nixon in the third quarter of the game, the quarterback attempted to tackle the opposing player.

It was later reported that Keenum was exhibiting symptoms of a mild concussion, but was showing dramatic improvement two days after the game.

[33] Junior running back Bryce Beall was named the Conference USA offensive player of the week.

In the third quarter, UCLA had a 42-yard field goal by Kai Forbath, the 2009 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award winner, and a touchdown again by Franklin (12 yards).

Houston scored twice in the fourth quarter, on James Cleveland's 10-yard pass from Terrance Broadway and on Matt Hogan's 31-yard field goal.

UCLA's Patrick Larimore, who had a career-high and team-high 11 tackles (10 solos), including three for loss, forced a fumble and broke up a pass in the game was named Pac-10 Conference defensive player of the week.