Zeon Chriss News, Rumors, Updates - Houston Cougars

Mediocre outing in loss Chriss completed 16 of 27 passes for 191 yards and one interception during Friday's 27-3 loss versus Arizona. He also had 18 rushes for 55 yards.

Impact Although Chriss has improved the Cougars' offense, his contribution wasn't enough to make a dent in the final score. Houston's defense is usually the team's saving race, but they barely showed up in the blowout loss. Chriss will probably hold on to the job due to his dual-threat skills, but it's a tenuous hold at best.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Connects on every pass in victory Chriss was 11-for-11 passing for 103 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 24-19 victory against Kansas State. He also had 22 rushes for 75 yards with one touchdown.

Impact Although Chriss only threw 11 passes, he didn't throw a single incomplete pass and padded his line with a good dual-threat effort on the ground. Winning two straight games seemed like a tall order before Chriss took over for Donovan Smith, but the team has found a way to win despite the obvious limitations of the offense. The Cougars will regroup on the bye week as they face tough stretch of games coming up. There's a sliver of hope for bowl contention if they can go 3-0 to end the season, but wins over Baylor and BYU are unlikely.

NOVEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

No. 17 Kansas State Wildcats vs. Houston Cougars Highlights | FOX College Football

NOVEMBER 3 • FOX SPORTS

Pulls out surprise win Chriss was 6-for-13 passing for 61 yards, two touchdowns and one interception during Saturday's 17-14 victory over Utah. He also had 17 rushes for 45 yards.

Impact Houston can thank their defense for keeping Utah in check, as their offense didn't do much to help their cause. Even though the team has moved on from Donovan Smith, Chriss is not getting the job done through the air either. He was able to toss two short passes for touchdowns, but generated only 106 yards of total offense in the narrow win.

OCTOBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Will start vs. Utah Chriss (hamstring) will start Saturday's game against Utah, Matt Zenitz of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Having Chriss back under center is a massive boost for Houston, as he left the Week 8 contest against Kansas after attempting just four passes and playing 18 snaps. This means Donovan Smith will continue to operate as a backup. Chriss has played five times for Houston this season, completing 67.7 percent of his passes for 187 yards and a 1:2 TD:INT.

OCTOBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Should be available Saturday Chriss (hamstring) is expected to play Saturday against Utah, Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Chriss was banged up against Kansas, as he only attempted four passes, one of which was picked off. He was announced as the starter moving forward prior to Week 8, so unless he's medically unable to go, Chriss should remain Houston's starting signal caller.

OCTOBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Officially announced as starter Chriss will be Houston's starter moving forward, GoCougs.com reports.

Impact Chriss replaced the struggling Donovan Smith for Houston in Week 6, and led the Cougars to an upset win over TCU. Now, he'll be the starter moving forward. He's tossed for 161 yards, one touchdown and one interception on 66.7 percent completion this season.

OCTOBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Assumes starting role in win Chriss was 15-for-18 passing for 141 yards and one touchdown during Friday's 30-19 win against TCU. He also had 11 rushes for 97 yards with one touchdown.

Impact After a horrific first month under center, Donovan Smith was benched in favor of Chriss, who gave the offense a much-needed shot in the arm. Although his dual-threat capability was no secret, he surprised with a very accurate night through the air. The defense was also able to contain a prolific TCU offense, but Chriss' contribution will likely result in a permanent change at quarterback.

OCTOBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Replaced QB in blowout loss Chriss completed 1 of 4 passes for one yard and one interception during Saturday's 20-0 loss versus Iowa State. He also had seven rushes for 29 yards.

Impact The loss could be the final straw for Donovan Smith, who has played poorly through five games. It appears tnat Chriss is the next man up, but he has limitations as a signal caller. He's not yet an adept passer and is more of a wildcat option for the team, but thereis another passer waiting in the wings. We could see a combo of Chriss and UI Ale if the Cougars end up benching Smith next week against TCU.

SEPTEMBER 30 • ROTOWIRE

Replaced QB in blowout loss Chriss completed 1 of 4 passes for one yard and one interception during Saturday's 20-0 loss versus Iowa State. He also had seven rushes for 29 yards.

SEPTEMBER 30 • ROTOWIRE

Steps in after QB struggles Chriss was 2-for-5 passing for 19 yards during Saturday's 34-0 defeat versus Cincinnati. He also had eight rushes for 27 yards.

Impact Chriss is a much better rusher then Donovan Smith, but the Cougars won't get much help in the passing game if they decide to opt for the sophomore moving forward. Ui Ale is a more conventional signal-caller, and the cap on Chriss' dual-threat ability is evident.

SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Active in Week 3 Chriss (shoulder) appeared unhindered as he warmed up ahead of Saturday's 33-7 win over Rice, Chris Baldwin of the PaperCity Magazine reports.

Impact Chriss, who was unavailable during last week's 16-12 loss against Oklahoma, appears to have recovered from the shoulder injury that held him out against the Sooners. The sophomore transfer from UL-Lafayette should continue to be Donovan Smith's primary backup option.

SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Not available Saturday Chriss (shoulder) will be unavailable for the game versus Oklahoma Saturday, Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Chriss was the primary backup QB so now if something were to happen to the starter, Ui Ale would next in line.

SEPTEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Runs wildcat in loss Chriss was 0-for-0 passing for zero yards during Saturday's 27-7 loss versus UNLV.

Impact Although Chriss only showed up for a few snaps, he' sin a unique position after Donovan Smith's abysmal showing against UNLV. Smith will probably get another chance to prove himself, but Chriss could find himself in a starting role if the trend continues.

SEPTEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Runs wildcat in loss Chriss was 0-for-0 passing for zero yards during Saturday's 27-7 loss versus UNLV.

Impact Although Chriss only showed up for a few snaps, he's in a unique position after Donovan Smith's abysmal showing against UNLV. Smith will probably get another chance to prove himself, but Chriss could find himself in a starting role if the trend continues.

SEPTEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Louisiana transfer QB Zeon Chriss sets a pair of Power Five visits Louisiana transfer QB Zeon Chriss showed to be one of the top freshman passers in the country this season, and he's drawing robust interest...

DECEMBER 29, 2023 • 247SPORTS.COM

Entering transfer portal Chriss (leg) is entering the transfer portal, Pete Thamel of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Chriss will consider a transfer now that Louisiana-Lafayette's 2024 team could potentially have multiple proven quarterbacks (others including Chandler Fields and Ben Ben Wooldridge) competing to be a primary option. The redshirt freshman excelled during 2023, a year during which he logged more than 1,500 scrimmage yards and 15 touchdowns.

DECEMBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out vs Southern Miss Head coach Michael Desormeaux indicated Monday that Chriss (leg) will not be active for Thursday's game against Southern Miss, Wil Herren of KADN News15 reports.

Impact Chriss was carted off the field during the game against Arkansas State with a right leg injury. The redshirt freshman will miss this week's game and in his place, Chandler Fields will get the start.

NOVEMBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Carted off field Chriss was carted off the field in the third quarter of Saturday's game against Arkansas State, Chris Hudgison of Region 8 News reports.

Impact Chriss hurt himself on a keep during an option play and needed the cart to get off the field and into the locker room. The injury did not look good at first glance, however, more clarity on the situation should be revealed after tests are done. Chriss was having an impactful game, completing 12-of-18 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown while running in a score. Chandler Fields will man the helm under center the rest of the game.

NOVEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Efficient on limited workload Chriss was 13-for-17 passing for 145 yards and two touchdowns during Saturday's 33-20 win versus South Alabama. He also had 10 rushes for 30 yards.

Impact Though Chriss only attempted 17 passes, he connected on 76.5 percent of his attempts and found the end zone twice. However, Chriss endured his worst rushing output since Week 1 with just 30 yards.

OCTOBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Zeon Chriss throws 2 TD passes and Ragin' Cajuns defeat South Alabama 33-20

Zeon Chriss threw two touchdown passes and Kendre’ Gant’s 55-yard fumble return for a score was part of a big day for the Louisiana-Lafayette defense in a 33-20 win over South Alab...

OCTOBER 29, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tops 100 yards on the ground Chriss completed 14 of 28 passes for 106 yards, one touchdown and one interception during Saturday's 20-17 defeat versus Georgia State. He also had 17 rushes for 119 yards.

Impact Though Chriss struggled greatly as a passer -- setting a season low in passing yards and completion percentage -- he excelled as a runner, taking 17 carries for 119 yards. Over five games, Chriss has tallied 906 passing yards and an 8:5 TD:INT while rushing for 446 yards and five scores.

OCTOBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takeaways from Louisiana football Vermilion & White game: Zeon Chriss, defense better in 2023? Vermilion defeated White during Louisiana football's spring game. Here are some takeaways.

APRIL 7, 2023 • THEADVERTISER.COM

Throws game sealing interception Chriss completed four of six passes for 25 yards and one interception

Impact The freshman quarterback played the fourth quarter for the Ragin' Cajuns as they attempted to hold off Houston's comeback effort. After falling down 23-16, Chriss was intercepted attempting to drive down the field for a game winning touchdown.

DECEMBER 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

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No. 17 Kansas State Wildcats vs. Houston Cougars Highlights | FOX College Football

Zeon Chriss throws 2 TD passes and Ragin' Cajuns defeat South Alabama 33-20