Houston Cougars get win No. 8 with 30-18 victory over Tulane Green Wave

Greg Ward, Jr. lunges for the end zone for
Houston's second TD of the game.
Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2016, All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2016 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 12, 2016) Jumping out to a 28-10 lead at halftime, the Houston Cougars went on to down the Tulane Green Wave by the score of 30-18 on John O’Quinn Field inside TDECU Stadium in Houston on Saturday, November 12, 2016. With the win, the Cougars move to 8-2 on the season and 5-2 in American Athletic Conference action. The loss moved the Green Wave to 3-7 in 2016 and 0-6 in conference play.

Houston first scored in the first quarter when JeremyWinchester recovered a fumble on a botched punt for six points. They added their second TD at the 6:27 mark of the first quarter on a five-yard Greg Ward, Jr. quarterback keeper. Tulane answered with 41 second remaining in the first period on a 21-yard pass from Glen Cuiellette to Darnell Mooney. With three kicking conversions after the TDs, Houston led 14-7 after 15 minutes of play. The Green wave cut the Houston lead to four when Andrew DiRocco booted a 41-yard field goal 1:21 into the second quarter. Houston responded six minutes later with a 16-yard pass reception from Ward, Jr. to Steven Dunbar for the Cougars’ third touchdown of the game. A little less than three minutes later, they increased their lead when Chance Allen was the

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2016, All Rights Reserved

recipient of another Ward, Jr. pass; this time a six-yarder for the score. That score closed out the first half with Houston leading 28-10. Tulane added to their point total with 4:27 remaining in the game on a 28-yard pass from Cuiellette to D.J. Owens. Houston tallied a team safety 42 seconds later to close out the scoring.

Ward Jr. completed 18-of-30 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns. Linell Bonner led all receivers with 97 yards in the air while Tulane’s Josh Rounds topped all rusher with 72 yards. Houston will have a short week as they next face No. 5 Louisville on Thursday, November 17 at home.