Houston Cougars at UTSA Roadrunners
· NCAA - FootballNo. 24 Houston escapes with 37-35 victory over UTSA in 3 OTs
Tune leaped over a defender to score on a 13-yard run and the 24th-ranked Cougars escaped with 37-35 victory over UTSA in three overtimes Saturday.
“If there’s a will, there’s a way,” Tune said. “I just wanted to win more than they did. So, I was going to do anything possible to make it happen.”
Per NCAA rules for a third overtime, Tune’s winning run was a 2-point conversion. The Roadrunners were unable to match the score as their final pass floated out of bounds.
Tune was 22 of 32 for 206 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 51 yards and a TD.
Houston rallied from a 14-point deficit in the second half at the Alamodome to snap UTSA’s 10-game home winning streak.
“They've got that 12th man on their side,” Roadrunners coach Jeff Traylor said. “He’s the best player in college football. His name is Mo — Mo Mentum. We gave it to them, and you can’t give Houston momentum.”
Houston dominated the final quarter, maintaining possession for 10 minutes, 30 seconds in driving 77 yards on 18 plays. The drive ended with Bubba Baxa kicking a 35-yard field goal with 26 seconds remaining for a 24-21 lead.
Tune ran for three first-down conversions in the final drive of regulation, including two during which he scrambled out of the pocket after not finding an open receiver.
UTSA matched the feat in far less time, driving 55 yards in 23 seconds for a 37-yard field goal by Jared Sackett to force overtime.
Baxa and Sackett kicked matching field goals in the first overtime.
After Tune scored on a 1-yard run and threw for the 2-point conversion in the second overtime, Roadrunners quarterback Frank Harris matched the output by running in the conversion after tossing a touchdown pass to De’Corian Clark.
“Nothing that happened surprised me,” Holgorsen said. “I knew it was going to be a tough game. I knew we were going to have to fight hard.”
Harris completed 28 of 43 passes for 337 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 63 yards and a score.
Holgorsen expressed concerns over crowd noise being pumped into the stadium, which is forbidden by the NCAA and was vehemently denied by UTSA.
There was no need for artificial celebration as the Roadrunners put on a show for the 37,526 in attendance, the fifth-largest crowd in school history.
SHOULDERING THE LOSS
Traylor took full responsibility for the loss.
UTSA was called for an illegal substitution penalty with 4:12 remaining in the third quarter that resulted in a first down instead of a turnover on downs. The penalty was called after the Roadrunners stopped the Cougars for no gain on fourth-and-1.
Houston was able to score on that drive, cutting UTSA’s lead to 21-14.
“The mistake is one that I will never forgive myself over the rest of my coaching career,” Traylor said.
“We had such a great opportunity here at the Dome. The head ball coach let it slip away.”
SOUND CHOICE
Baxa was named Houston’s starting kicker after an extended competition that lasted longer than Holgorsen expected.
Baxa rewarded Holgorsen by converting both of his field goal attempts as well as three extra points.
“You’ve got to show that you can make those things, too,” Holgorsen said. “I’m kind of glad that he was put in that situation.”
THE TAKEAWAY
Houston: After a slow start, Tune demonstrated he could lead the Cougars with his poise. In addition to converting crucial third downs by running, Tune also threw 32 passes without an interception.
UTSA: The Roadrunners continued to show their resiliency and ability to match up against national competition following last season's 12-2 mark, which resulted in UTSA's first national ranking.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
The Cougars should remain in the AP Top 25 and could move up in the rankings following a close victory against a tough opponent on the road. The Roadrunners had won 11 of 12 at the Alamodome entering Saturday’s game.
UP NEXT
Houston: At Texas Tech on Sept. 10 and hosts Kansas on Sept. 17.
UTSA: At Army on Sept. 10 and at Texas on Sept. 17.
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How To Watch
How can I watch Houston Cougars vs. UTSA Roadrunners?
- TV Channel: Cougars at Roadrunners 2021 College Football, week 1, is broadcasted on CBSSN.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
Matchup Prediction
Scoring Summary
TD | 2nd Period 14:02 | Nathaniel Dell 11 Yd pass from Clayton Tune (Bubba Baxa Kick) | |
TD | 2nd Period 12:20 | Joshua Cephus 51 Yd pass from Frank Harris (Jared Sackett Kick) | |
TD | 2nd Period 6:30 | Frank Harris 38 Yd Run (Jared Sackett Kick) | |
TD | 3rd Period 4:12 | De'Corian Clark 15 Yd pass from Frank Harris (Jared Sackett Kick) | |
TD | 4th Period 14:54 | Nathaniel Dell 10 Yd pass from Clayton Tune (Bubba Baxa Kick) | |
TD | 4th Period 12:19 | Joseph Manjack IV 20 Yd pass from Clayton Tune (Bubba Baxa Kick) | |
FG | 4th Period 0:23 | Bubba Baxa 35 Yd Field Goal | |
FG | 4th Period 0:00 | Jared Sackett 37 Yd Field Goal | |
FG | 5 0:00 | Bubba Baxa 35 Yd Field Goal | |
FG | 5 0:00 | Jared Sackett 39 Yd Field Goal | |
TD | 6 0:00 | Clayton Tune 1 Yd Run (Nathaniel Dell Pass to Clayton Tune for Two-Point Conversion) | |
TD | 6 0:00 | De'Corian Clark 13 Yd pass from Frank Harris (Frank Harris Run for Two-Point Conversion) | |
7 0:00 | Clayton Tune Run for Two-Point Conversion |
Statistics
HOU | UTSA | |
---|---|---|
20 | 1st Downs | 24 |
13-21 | 3rd down efficiency | 5-12 |
0-0 | 4th down efficiency | 0-2 |
346 | Total Yards | 441 |
206 | Passing | 337 |
22-32 | Comp-Att | 28-45 |
6.4 | Yards per pass | 7.5 |
140 | Rushing | 104 |
44 | Rushing Attempts | 28 |
3.2 | Yards per rush | 3.7 |
11-75 | Penalties | 6-54 |
1 | Turnovers | 1 |
1 | Fumbles lost | 0 |
0 | Interceptions thrown | 1 |
35:27 | Possession | 24:33 |
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