TOUCHDOWN TRAVEL PLANS

United launches new flights to powerhouse schools for Houston college football fans

United launches new flights to powerhouse schools for Houston college football fans
Score some serious football travel with these new flights. Photo courtesy of United Airlines

As September nears, red-blooded (and orange-blooded and purple-and-gold-blooded) college football fans are prepping to travel to rep their alma mater. In fact, a new airline study finds that more than 80 percent of serious college football fans are likely to fly to see a game this season.

To fill the need for University of Texas Longhorns, Louisiana State University Tigers, and more who’re ready to jet to away games, United Airlines has added 120 new flights to its schedule and connections to more than 45 away games.

Collegiate powerhouse destinations include Alabama, Oklahoma, Iowa, Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Michigan. Tickets are on sale now in the United app and United online.

Travelers can now add these as connectors or potential routes. Here are some highlights specifically for Houston-area fans, by game and new flight dates to nearby and schools with large groups of alumnae here:

September 10: University of Alabama at UT
Two direct, round-trip flights (September 9-11) between Austin and Birmingham, Alabama

September 17: University of Oklahoma at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Direct, round-trip flight (September 16-18) between Oklahoma City and Lincoln, Nebraska

October 8 University of Tennessee at LSU

Direct, round-trip flight (October 7-9) between Knoxville, Tennessee and Baton Rouge, Louisiana

November 5: University of Alabama at LSU
Round-trip, direct flight (November 4-6) between Birmingham and Baton Rouge

Continue on CultureMap for information on Notre Dame vs. USC in November!

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM
The Astros beat the Phillies, 2-1. Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images.

Cam Smith hit an RBI single in the eighth inning to give the Houston Astros a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday.

The rookie's second hit of the game came off Orion Kerkering (5-3) and gave the Astros their fourth straight win.

Brandon Marsh tied the game on a sacrifice fly in the top of the inning to end the Phillies' 26-inning scoreless streak.

The Astros took a 1-0 lead on Yainer Diaz’s RBI single in the second inning. They only managed three more hits off Phillies starter Christopher Sanchez, who struck out 11 with zero walks over six innings. Sanchez has not issued a walk in three straight starts.

Hunter Brown lowered his league best ERA to 1.74 by scattering three singles over seven shutout innings, with nine strikeouts. He did not allow a runner to reach second base.

Bryan Abreu (3-3) struck out Trea Turner to end the eighth, and then struck out Kyle Schwarber, Alec Bohm, and Nick Castellanos in the ninth.

Abreu joined Julia Morales after the game and talked about his impressive performance!

Rafael Marchán had two of the Phillies' four hits. Bryson Stott reached base twice and scored the Phillies' lone run.

Key moment

Smith’s RBI.

Key stat

Brown’s 1.74 ERA is the fourth best in Astros history through 16 starts and the best since Justin Verlander posted a 1.60 ERA through 16 starts in 2018.

Up next

The Astros open a three-game series against the Cubs on Friday with LHP Brandon Walter (0-1 3.80 ERA) on the mound.

The Phillies open a three-game series at the Braves on Friday with RHP Mick Abel (2-1 3.47 ERA) against Atlanta RHP Bryce Elder (2-4 4.77).

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome