Houston athletic director Eddie Nuñez is urging fans to arrive early when the Cougars host Colorado on Friday night at TDECU Stadium, where a sellout crowd appears likely.
Nuñez said this week the school has sold nearly 30,000 tickets for the Big 12 matchup, not including the student allotment. With a capacity of 40,000, the stadium could see its largest crowd in years.
“Come early,” Nuñez said on Monday. He want Cougars fans to be in their seats before kickoff to avoid congestion and create the best atmosphere possible.
Houston AD Eddie Nuñez says Friday’s Colorado game sales between 25,000-30,000 right now and doesn’t include student draw.
— Joseph Duarte (@Joseph_Duarte) September 8, 2025
His other message: “Come early.” pic.twitter.com/B1iR5I9Meb
The anticipated spike in attendance is fueled in part by the “Prime Effect.” Since Deion Sanders’ arrival at Colorado, he has drawn national attention and packed stadiums around the country. This week, that spotlight shifts to Houston, where Sanders and the Buffaloes will meet a Cougars team off to a strong start.
Houston improved to 2-0 with a 35-9 win over Rice in last Saturday's crosstown rivalry. Cougars head coach Willie Fritz is in the midst of his second season and said the short week has demanded urgency.
“I told the guys in the room, we just got to put this game to bed,” Fritz said. “Short week...we play on Friday night, not Saturday... so we’re all going to get in there early as coaches. We’ve already worked in the summer, somewhat on Colorado... game plan, offense, defense, kicking game.”
Fritz added that Colorado’s recent performances, including a 31-7 win over Delaware, means adjustments will be necessary. But he stressed that preparation and discipline will define Houston’s chances.
“You never want to sit back and dwell on past successes,” Fritz said. “Some people think, ‘Oh, that’s good,’ just to keep momentum. I’ve seen guys have a great game and the next game they suck because they don’t put the same amount of work into it.”
Nuñez, who took over at Houston last year after serving as athletic director at New Mexico, said the energy surrounding the matchup is exactly what he envisioned when joining the Big 12.
Houston and Colorado meet for the first time as conference foes. Kickoff for the Big 12 Friday Night Lights special is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
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