Houston unveils “Gridiron Galaxy” helmets, with 10 different variations, for UCF game

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The Space Race is on.

While Houston and UCF is not an official rivalry, it’s certainly heading in that direction.

UCF has branded itself as “Space U” since 2017, famously hosting an annual Space Game in Orlando. Last November, Houston became the first team to spoil UCF’s perfect Space Game record, escaping Orlando with a 30-27 victory. After the game, Houston head coach Willie Fritz quipped, “We talked about it a little bit that we’re Space City. We showed a video about it last night. Coach (Derrick) Sherman did a presentation giving them a little background on NASA and Houston. When they call back in they say ‘Houston,’ don’t they?”

Earlier this week, UCF unveiled its space-themed uniforms for its upcoming Oct. 30 Space Game against Baylor.

Three days later, Houston threw its own submission into the Space Race.

On the eve of their game against UCF, the Cougars unveiled new alternate uniforms, leaning into the city of Houston’s space ties.

Before Friday night, it was known that Houston would don its “Houston Blue” alternates, which were previously worn in 2024 against Baylor and 2025 against Texas Tech. But the highlight of Saturday’s uniform goes beyond the Houston Blue.

It’s the helmet — or helmets. Houston introduced the “Gridiron Galaxy” collection of helmets, which will be worn against Space U on Saturday.

The 10 different helmets, hand-painted by Armando Villarreal Studios, represent the eight different planets, the Sun, and dwarf planet Pluto.

Both programs want to claim space, and the best way to do that is on the field. Houston vs. UCF kicks off from TDECU Stadium in Houston at 12 p.m. ET and will be televised on ESPN2.

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