DONOVAN SMITH NEWS

Throws three interceptions in loss Smith completed 15 of 24 passes for 173 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions during Saturday's 42-14 loss versus Kansas. He also had 14 rushes for 45 yards.

Impact Smith was back under center Saturday, but the mediocre results for him continued to persist. Zeon Chriss and Ui Ale also saw a few snaps under center, so it's safe to say that Smith's job is still far from secure. Things won't get any easier for the Ciugars against a stalwart Utah defense next week.

OCTOBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Demoted after sub-par play Smith was 2-for-2 passing for 13 yards during Friday's 30-19 victory versus TCU. He also had five rushes for 24 yards.

Impact Smith came in briefly for a few plays, but it was Zeon Chriss who assumed the quarterback duties this week in a chance that could very well be permanent. Chriss brought the Cougars out of the doldrums and came away with a win, something that has proved to be elusive for Smith, who only had a win against Rice to his credit.

OCTOBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Logs another terrible outing Smith completed 8 of 12 passes for 71 yards and one interception during Saturday's 20-0 defeat against Iowa State. He also had seven rushes for 47 yards.

Impact Things keep getting worse for Houston, and the team finally pulled Smith in favor of Zeon Chriss during the 20-0 rout. He's recorded under 150 yards passing in four of five games, and is currently sitting on a horrible 2:5 TD/INT ratio. It appears that a change has to be made, but Chriss may not be the answer either. Chriss is a very one-dimensional running quarterback who may not improve Houston's fortunes enough to matter.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Stifled in embarrassing loss Smith was 11-for-16 passing for 73 yards and one interception during Saturday's 34-0 defeat against Cincinnati. He also had 10 rushes for 27 yards.

Impact Smith regressed after showing signs of improvement against Oklahoma, but the horrible result seems to be less the exception and more the rule for an offense that struggles weekly. It won't be surprising if the team makes a change, as Ui Ale has shown flashes in limited action and waits in the wings.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Two TDs on the ground in win Smith completed 12 of 21 passes for 142 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 33-7 victory against Rice. He also had eight rushes for 36 yards with two touchdowns.

Impact Although Smith regressed after a bounce-bak in the passing game last week, he was otherwise productive in Houston's second win of the season. Houston wideouts will continue to see lower numbers if Smith's volume continues to sag, but Smith's value is creeping up.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Shows mprovement in narrow loss Smith was 24-for-28 passing for 260 yards, one touchdown and one interception during Saturday's 16-12 defeat to Oklahoma. He also had seven rushes for negative eight yards.

Impact Houston was a huge underdog coming into Saturday's game, but Smith surprised with a vastly improved result against the Sooners. Houston's defense proved to be the real star, holding Oklahoma to 16 points. Although Houston didn't fare much better in the scoring column, Smith's stat line was exponentially better than his Week 1 result. Smith's output in the upcoming game against Rice will go a long way toward establishing a more reliable baseline for Smith's fantasy viability.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Shows mprovement in narrow loss Smith was 24-for-28 passing for 260 yards, one touchdown and one interception during Saturday's 16-12 defeat to Oklahoma. He also had seven rushes for negative eight yards.

Impact Houston was a huge underdog coming into Saturday's game, but Smith surprised with a vastly improved result against the Sooners. Houston's defense proved to be the real star, holding Oklahoma to 16 points. Although Houston didn't fare much better in the scoring column, Smith's stat line was exponentially better than his Week 1 result. Smith's output in the upcoming game against Rice will go a long way toward establishing a more reliable baseline for Smith's fantasy viability.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Struggles in opening loss Smith completed 15 of 30 passes for 135 yards and two interceptions during Saturday's 27-7 defeat to UNLV. He also had 11 rushes for -12 yards.

Impact The Willie Fritz era in Houston did not start out well, and Smith was a key reason for the lack of success. Smith was already in the hot seat after a string of bad performances to end the season, and despite winning the job over Zeon Chriss in camp, a change may be coming if Smith is unable to right the ship.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Struggles in opening loss Smith completed 15 of 30 passes for 135 yards and two interceptions during Saturday's 27-7 defeat to UNLV. He also had 11 rushes for -12 yards.

Impact The Willie Fritz era in Houston did not start out well, and Smith was a key reason for the lack of success. Smith was already in the hot seat after a string of bad performances to end the season, and despite winning the job over Zeon Chriss in camp, a change may be coming if Smith is unable to right the ship.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Ends season with 28 total TDs Smith was 12-for-20 passing for 161 yards, one touchdown and one interception during Saturday's 27-13 defeat to UCF. He also had 14 rushes for 24 yards.

Impact Smith accounted for Houston's only touchdown on a forward pitch to receiver Stephon Johnson. The transfer quarterback totaled 28 touchdowns, 22 passing and six rushing, in his first season with the Cougars. It was a tough year for the Cougars in the new Big 12 conference as they did not earn enough wins to become bowl eligible. Smith is expected to return as the starter next year.

NOVEMBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ends season with 28 total TDs Smith was 12-for-20 passing for 161 yards, one touchdown and one interception during Saturday's 27-13 defeat to UCF. He also had 14 rushes for 24 yards.

Impact Smith accounted for Houston's only touchdown on a forward pitch to receiver Stephon Johnson. The transfer quarterback totaled 28 touchdowns, 22 passing and six rushing, in his first season with the Cougars. It was a tough year for the Cougars in the new Big 12 conference as they did not earn enough wins to become bowl eligible. Smith is expected to return as the starter next year.

NOVEMBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in three different ways Smith (shoulder) completed 17 of 29 passes for 235 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions during Saturday's 43-30 defeat to Oklahoma State. He also had 13 rushes for 63 yards w...

Impact Smith scored in three different ways by passing for a score, rushing for a score, and catching a touchdown from receiver Joseph Manjack. All of that was still not enough to hold off the Cowboys who rallied to beat the Cougars. That means that Houston will not be able to make a bowl game and their next game at UCF will be the last of the season.

NOVEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in three different ways Smith (shoulder) completed 17 of 29 passes for 235 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions during Saturday's 43-30 defeat to Oklahoma State. He also had 13 rushes for 63 yards w...

Impact Smith scored in three different ways by passing for a score, rushing for a score, and catching a touchdown from receiver Joseph Manjack. All of that was still not enough to hold off the Cowboys who rallied to beat the Cougars. That means that Houston will not be able to make a bowl game and their next game at UCF will be the last of the season.

NOVEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

May split reps due to shoulder issue Smith may share some reps under center Saturday against Oklahoma State Saturday due to a shoulder injury, Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Smith has struggled to the tune of a 4:5 TD:INT ratio over the last two week, throwing for just 338 combined yards in the contests, and it's possible his shoulder issue played a role in his play. Ui Ale is a candidate to see some reps with him Saturday, though it's unclear how they will be distributed if that's the case.

NOVEMBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Three picks against Cincinnati Smith was 16-for-28 passing for 102 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions during Saturday's 24-14 defeat against Cincinnati. He also had 13 rushes for 88 yards.

Impact Smith had a tough time against the Bearcats with a season-high three interceptions. He did salvage his fantasy performance with a season-high 88 rushing yards, but it wasn't a good look to allow Cincinnati their first ever Big 12 conference win. Smith has been hot and cold in 2023 with 25 total touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 10 games. Houston will play Oklahoma State next week.

NOVEMBER 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Three TDs in first conference win Smith was 21-for-26 passing for 236 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions during Saturday's 25-24 overtime win over Baylor. He also had 20 rushes for 66 yards with one touchd...

Impact Smith's fifth rushing touchdown of the year was a huge one has it occurred in overtime and preceded his successful two-point conversion for Houston's first Big 12 win. He also had multiple touchdown passes for the sixth time in nine games. With Houston's defense struggling to stop opponents, Smith is going to be put in situations where he can score a ton of fantasy points. He's a strong fantasy consideration for an upcoming game against Cincinnati.

NOVEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Shut down by Kansas State defense Smith completed 13 of 28 passes for 88 yards and one interception during Saturday's 41-0 defeat against Kansas State. He also had five rushes for three yards.

Impact Smith had his worst game of the season against the Wildcats. Houston even gave back-up Ui Ale a chance to play late in the game, but he didn't do much either as the Cougars were shut out for the first time this year. Smith and Houston should have much better production at Baylor next week.

OCTOBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Fights hard against the Longhorns Smith was 32-for-46 passing for 378 yards, three touchdowns and one interception during Saturday's 31-24 loss against Texas. He also had six rushes for -12 yards.

Impact Despite going down 14-0 early in the game, Smith and the Cougars fought back as the quarterback recorded his second 300-yard passing game of the season. The fact remains that Houston has an impressive set of receivers and Smith has the opportunity to put up some solid fantasy production each and every week. Smith has at least three touchdowns in three consecutive games and will need to keep that streak alive if the team is to compete at Kansas State next week.

OCTOBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE