Cornell University Athletics

Career Stats

At Cornell
Houska was an honorable mention All-Ivy selection at tight end on 2011 after serving as arguably the most versatile player in the Ancient Eight over the last two seasons. The tight end/running back led team in rushing yardage (404) and rushing touchdowns (5) after selflessly shifting positions midway through the year. He also caught 17 passes for 136 yards. While running out of the Wildcat formation, Houska ran, threw and caught touchdown passes during his career. Houska earned team offensive MVP honors as a junior in 2010. He ranked among the team leaders with his 27 receptions for 268 yards and two touchdowns. Running out of the Wildcat formation, he placed third on the team in rushing yards and scored once. He also threw for a touchdown, becoming the third Cornellian to run, catch and throw for a score in the same season in the last 30 years. Houska scored a pair of touchdowns at Brown, one rushing and one receiving. He caught a score at Harvard and tossed for one at Columbia. He finished second on the team in scoring with three touchdowns. Houska was also a special teams standout with four tackles. After arriving at Cornell as a safety, Houska transitioned to linebacker during the spring and to the other side of the football and immediately earned time in the rotation as a sophomore as the starting tight end. He earned his first letter as a dangerous pass-catcher and improving blocker, hauling in 13 passes for 132 yards and also making three special teams tackles. Houska played on the junior varsity as a freshman and has the skills, athletic ability and football instincts to contribute on the offense. He is enrolled in the School of Hotel Administration.

At Detroit Catholic Central
Houska was an all-league, all-Catholic and all-metro selection as a senior at Detroit Catholic Central HS. An academic all-state pick, he was a three-year letter winner, two-year starter and served as team captain in his final season. Houska also captained both the basketball and baseball teams.

Personal
Ryan J. Houska is the son of Mark and Ann Houska and has two younger sisters.