Stephen Pinchback
39
4-2 , 2-1
41
Winner
3-3 , 1-2
4-2 , 2-1
39
41
Winner
| Team |
1st |
2d |
third |
4th |
F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
10 | 0 | 7 | 22 | 39 |
|
|
7 | 7 | 7 | 20 | 41 |
Game Recap: Football |
Smith reveals Johnson for 49-yard landing as time expires as a part of 41-39 comeback victory
HOUSTON – In the historical first assembly between the 2 techniques, the University of Houston Football staff used a last-second Hail Mary to take down rv/rv West Virginia, 41-39, for the Cougars’ first Big 12 Conference win.
The Cougars (3-3, 1-2 Big 12), down 39-35 with 12 seconds final, used a two-play, 57-yard power capped by means of a 49-yard, tip-drill landing move from junior quarterback Donovan Smith to sophomore broad receiver Stephon Johnson to seal the two-point victory over the Mountaineers (4-2, 2-1 Big 12).
Smith completed the sport 21 for 27 for 253 yards and 5 overall touchdowns (4 passing, one speeding), marking his 3rd occupation four-TD sport. After beginning with 5 completions on 11 makes an attempt, Smith went an excellent 16 for 16 with all 4 touchdowns and 214 yards throughout the remainder of the sport.
Johnson tallied two landing catches, together with the primary of his Cougar occupation, on 4 receptions, narrowly lacking out on his first 100-yard receiving sport with 96 yards. Sophomore broad receivers Joseph Manjack IV and Samuel Brown stuck the opposite two touchdowns for the Cougars.
Defensively, junior defensive again Isaiah Hamilton stuck his 3rd interception of the season whilst sophomore protection A.J. Haulcy tallied a season-best 15 tackles. Sophomore Matthew Golden persevered to shine on particular groups, recording his moment kick go back landing of the season, a 100-yard scramble within the first quarter.
Houston’s offense discovered luck in opposition to a West Virginia staff that has stifled offenses this season. West Virginia entered Thursday ranked twenty third nationally in first downs protection. However, the Cougars offense post 20 first downs, together with 18 within the ultimate 3 quarters. Houston’s 41 issues was once essentially the most allowed by means of the Mountaineers this season, a protection that ranked thirtieth nationally coming into the day by means of permitting handiest a mean of nineteen.0 issues in keeping with sport.
Pandemonium in Houston! #SCTop10 x @BoogieCO22 pic.twitter.com/bWAaylr4DA
— Houston Football (@UHCougarFB) October 13, 2023
The Cougars additionally persevered to give protection to the ball neatly because the offense delivered 0 turnovers for the fourth time this season. With Hamilton’s interception, Houston has now additionally gained the turnover combat in each and every sport this season.
West Virginia were given at the board first with a 27-yard box function from Michael Hayes. Houston straight away replied with Golden’s kick go back landing. Golden turns into the 8th Cougar to go back a kick for 100 yards and prolonged Houston’s streak to 3 consecutive seasons with a 100-yard kick go back TD.
The Mountaineers reclaimed the lead simply sooner than the top of the primary quarter the use of a 5-yard rush by means of CJ Donaldson to assert a 10-7 lead, however the Cougars replied to take a lead going into the locker room as Smith scrambled for a 2-yard landing to cross up 14-10 on the ruin.
Houston and West Virginia persevered to business blows in the second one part. The Mountaineers scored first in the second one part on a 35-yard move from Garrett Greene to Traylon Ray. The Cougars fought again as Manjack stuck his 3rd landing of the season to put Houston again on most sensible, 21-17.
West Virginia used a 1-yard Greene rush to ranking 54 seconds into the fourth quarter, however Houston rallied with Brown and Johnson catching TD passes to put the Cougars up by means of 11.
Trailing 35-24 with 7:28 final, West Virginia fixed a comeback and gave the impression to safe the win with a 50-yard landing catch by means of Hudson Clement with 12 seconds left that put the Mountaineers up 39-35. After an 18-yard go back at the resulting kickoff that was once driven again 15 yards due to a West Virginia unsportsmanlike penalty on its go-ahead ranking, Houston fixed the exciting walk-off landing power to snag the win.
The groups blended for 42 fourth-quarter issues. Houston completed 3-of-3 in crimson zone alternatives within the sport. After going 9 of 14 on crimson zone probabilities in its first 3 video games, Houston has long past 10 of eleven in its final 3 contests.
UP NEXT
Houston stays at house subsequent weekend to combat #9/#11 Texas at 3 p.m. Oct. 21 within TDECU Stadium.
The Cougars will rejoice Heroes Night, honoring army and primary responders.
The sport will likely be broadcast on FOX and can also be heard on 950 AM KPRC.
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