Comeback in Memphis complete, Houston scores 26 fourth quarter points to top Tigers 33-32

In what seems to be a very tight race to win the American Conference in college football this year, the Houston Cougars came into Friday’s game 2-3. Surprising teams like Tulance, Central Florida, even Navy were ahead of Houston in the standings for the conference. Houston had lost to Tulane last Friday in overtime 27-24. Today, something felt oddly familiar by how the game started, yet at the same time seemed truly different, as the Cougars did not give up the fight. Memphis had an amazing balance of attack in the first half with Senior wide out Gabriel Rogers, Asa Martin, and Junior Caden Prieskorn all accumulating 163 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. Cougars trailed 17-7 at halftime and Memphis looked to have the game secured when Memphis quarterback, Seth Henigan threw a lateral to Gabriel Rogers who then found a wide-open Asa Martin in the end zone for a spectacular 41-yard touchdown. The lead at that point was 26-7 with 14:50 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Never count out the cougars though. Houston quarterback, Clayton Tune, threw two touchdowns inside the final minute of regulation, including an onside recovery by Houston to cap it off with 18 seconds left for a 2-yard touchdown; Clayton Tune found wide receiver KeSean Carter for the game-winning touchdown. The joy and cheer on the Houston sideline were contagious as every single coach and player on the staff were hopping up and down. A comeback of major magnitude being down that much and coming back to win in that manner stunned Tigers fans as they were all in shock and awe of what just happened.

The Cougars have beaten Memphis two straight years in a row prior to losing five games in a row against them. With the idle week coming up, Houston will use the time to rest and recover from injuries but will face Navy 10/22. In what seems to be a good matchup for climbing the standings in the American Conference., Memphis still has a solid record at 4-2 and can bounce back next week against a stingy defensive team in East Carolina Pirates. Both teams with two losses should be a true test to see who will challenge Cincinnati in the championship come December.