Fans packed Robertson Stadium in the form of 32,207 against Texas State, the second highest attended game at the venue. | Nine Nguyen/The Daily Cougar
Over the previous three seasons, the Houston Cougars have amassed nine of the top 10 crowds in the history of Robertson Stadium. However, with the opening-game loss to Texas State University, the questions remain regarding attendance moving forward into the season.
“We understand that the fans expect us to play at a certain level, and we expect to play at that same level,” redshirt sophomore quarterback David Piland said. “We can understand them being unhappy — I would be too.”
If recent history is any indication, the Cougars’ faithful fans will remain loyal to the program.
Through six games of the 2010 season, UH (3-3) had lost its top two quarterbacks, a heartbreaker against Rice and their 18-home-game winning streak.
Instead of bailing ship, the final two games of that season at Robertson hosted 32,008 (UCF) and 30,046 (Tulsa) visitors.
“Nothing’s crossed my mind that they wouldn’t come out and support us Saturday like they did this past game,” said head coach Tony Levine. “We need them to be like that again this week.”
Although none of the losses two seasons ago appeared as devastating or surprising like this year’s opener, the culture appears to be changing on campus and all-around interest hit its peak following last season’s perfect 12-0 regular season.
Then again, during an early season of uncertainty, one inevitable moment remains: We will know more about the direction of the team after Saturday and whether the fans will be around to see it.
“We’ve had one chapter in our book,” Levine said. “That chapter was a bad chapter, but we’re not going to put the book down. We’re going on to chapter two. There are 12 total guaranteed, and we’re going to read the whole thing.”
