In a 3-OT thriller, Houston beats UTSA 37-35 at the Alamodome on Saturday. The Coogs rolled into San Antonio as the #24 team in the AP Top 25. But in the 1st half, they didn’t play like it.
Houston Beats UTSA in 3 OT
Houston possessed the ball six times in the first half, and this was the result:
- Punt
- Fumble
- TD
- Punt
- Punt
- End of 1st Half
Cougar fans among the 37,000+ in attendance sat in stunned silence as Houston went into halftime down 14-7 (an 11-yard TD pass from Tune to WR “Tank” Dell). UTSA scored twice in the 1st quarter on a 51-yard TD pass from QB Frank Harris to WR Joshua Cephus, and on a 38-yard run by Harris.
On their next two possessions of the 2nd half, more of the same for Houston: punt and punt.
UTSA drove down the field and Harris hit WR Decorian Clark for a touchdown to take a commanding 21-7 lead in the 3rd quarter.
But the Cougars called it a comeback.
At the start of the 4th quarter, Tune hit Dell for a 10-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 21-14. The Cougar defense woke up from hibernation and forced an interception of a Harris pass. Tune and company struck quickly to tie the game at 21-21 on a touchdown pass from Tune to Joseph Manjack IV.
Late in the game, Houston added a field goal to go up 24-21. With 0:23 left on the clock, UTSA converted two first down plays to get down into field goal range with just 0:02 seconds left in regulation. The Roadrunners field goal attempt was good as time expired to tie the game at 24-24.
1st OT
Houston possessed the ball first in the 1st OT period. After a false start penalty backed the Cougars up, Houston converted a field goal to take the 27-24 lead.
UTSA responded with a field goal of their own to tie the game at 27-27.
2nd OT
On the Cougars’ possession in the 2nd OT period, the offense was able to get the ball down to the 2-yard line. But the Cougars’ rushing attack was stuffed for no gain on consecutive plays. On the next play, Tune scored on a QB run. The 2-point conversion attempt was good on a pass from Tune to Dell. The Cougars led 35-27.
Harris promptly led UTSA down the field on their possession and scored on a pass play from Harris to Clark. Harris then scored on the 2-point conversion attempt to tie the game yet again at 35-35.
3rd OT-Houston Beats UTSA
By rule, the scoring shifted from a touchdown to a 2-point conversion. On the Cougars’ possession, Tune ran around the right end and launched himself toward the endzone. He was hit in midair and his body spun around and he helicoptered into the endzone to score the 2-points. Houston led 37-35.
Only one play for UTSA.
Harris took the snap and under pressure tried to hit an open TE Oscar Cardenas in the endzone. But the Cougars’ pressure forced him to overthrow his target and the ball fell to the ground incomplete.
Game over. Houston 37 – UTSA 35.
Stats of the Game
Houston:
- QB Clayton Tune: 206 yards passing, 3 TDs. One rushing touchdown.
- WR Nathaniel Dell: 2 receiving touchdowns.
UTSA:
- QB Frank Harris: 400 yards of total offense (337 passing, 63 rushing) and 4 touchdowns accounted for. Harris led the team in rushing.
- WR Joshua Cephus: 106 yards receiving, 1 TD.
- WR Zakhari Franklin: 10 catches, 100 yards
- WR Decorian Clark: 6 catches, 70 yards, 2 TDs
Houston Beats UTSA in a Well-Played Game Down the Stretch
This was a hell of a game played by two really talented teams. It was certainly worth the price of admission. The Cougars will rise in the Top 25 poll and should be the highest ranked Group of Five team come Tuesday (because Cincinnati lost to Arkansas). UTSA will regroup and coach Jeff Traylor will have his Roadrunners ready for their next opponent, and with a chip on their shoulder.
Thanks for reading.
For More Great Football Content
Follow us on Twitter at @GridironHeroics for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Football news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE
