A view of the Houston Cougars helmet and logo during Big 12 football media day at AT&T Stadium. Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

University of Houston unveils Oilers-themed jerseys for Big 12 debut

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated Aug 31, 2023 7:39 PM ET

The Houston Cougars want to make a statement in their first game as a member of the Big 12.

This is why the school is debuting new “Luv Ya Blue” jerseys complete with white numbers outlined in red and the word “Houston” on top of its numbers as a tip of the cap to the Houston Oilers for its game against UTSA on Saturday.

“It’s a new season, it’s a new team, we’re in a new conference,” Houston head coach Dana Holgerson said in a video posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “But we’re going to start it off with an old-school look.”

Houston will wear these sweet commemorative uniforms Saturday vs. UTSA, paying tribute to City of Houston’s football history & the Oilers pic.twitter.com/CwlQRRuozu
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) August 31, 2023

Houston Cougars will wear Houston Oilers inspired uniforms for their home opener against UTSA on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/kKZqel4Wqg
— FB_Helmet_Guy (@FB_Helmet_Guy) August 31, 2023

In addition to the jerseys, Houston will also paint both end zones Columbia blue to honor the city’s football history and pay homage to the Oilers, who shared the Astrodome with the Cougars from 1965 to 1997 before the team moved to Memphis and became known as the Tennessee Oilers ahead of the 1997 NFL season.

The team moved to Nashville in 1999, changed its name to the Tennessee Titans and began playing its games at Nissan Stadium, which was known then as Adelphia Coliseum. The Titans will wear Oilers throwback jerseys during two regular season games in 2023, including one against the Houston Texans.

Houston revealed the jerseys in a video posted to its social media platforms, which was narrated by nine-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis, who’s also the school’s track and field coach.

“This is for the city that always has our back,” Lewis said. “This one is for the people that call this place home. Love you, Houston. This one is for you.”

Love you, Houston. This one is for you. #GoCoogs | #TEAM pic.twitter.com/X2Ul4SWwf5
— Houston Football (@UHCougarFB) August 31, 2023

Michael Gallagher

Michael Gallagher is a longtime sports journalist based out of Nashville with a decade of experience covering college football, mixed martial arts and prep sports plus the NFL and NHL — specifically the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators. He’s covered several notable sporting events including an AFC Championship game, a Stanley Cup Final, an NHL All-Star Game and an NHL Stadium Series. Some of his past bylines can be found at the Nashville Scene, SB Nation, The Hockey News and Fox Sports Knoxville

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