UH Cougars Win 3OT Thriller at UTSA
The 24th ranked Houston Cougars win their season opener inside the Alamodome, defeating UTSA 37-35 in triple overtime.
SAINT ANTHONY – Senior quarterback Clayton Tune did his best John Elway impression Saturday inside the Alamodome, helicoptering across the goal line for a two-point conversion in triple overtime — for what turned out to be the game-winning score. – after #24 Houston won the season opener. vs. UT-San Antonio, 37-35.
“If there’s a will, there’s a way,” Tune said after the game. “I just wanted to win more than them.”
Tune finished his day 22-32 passing for 206 yards and 3 touchdowns while adding a game-high 51 yards on the ground, plus a rushing score in the second overtime period.
“It just shows the resiliency and character of the team. We know how good we are and how good we can be,” the fifth-year QB said.
After falling behind 21-7 in the third quarter, Tune ignited the Coogs’ offensive rally. His old roommate, former Pearland star Derek Parish, lit the fuse defensively.
Parish — who was playing the game in a cast on his right hand after surgery Thursday — lit up UTSA quarterback Frank Harris in the middle of the snap, triggering a swinging pass that was intercepted by former Ridge Point standout Nelson Caesar.
UH tied the game at 21 on the next play — a one-handed shot by Tomball Memorial alum Joseph Manjack IV, who was playing in his first game for his hometown Cougars after transferring from Southern California.
Former Pasadena Memorial kicker Bubba Baxa — a University of Miami transfer — hit a 35-yard field goal with 23 seconds left in regulation to give UH a 24-21 lead, only for the Roadrunners to answer with two quick shots in the field. setting the stage for connecting the game over time.
After trading field goals in the first overtime, Tune scored on a field goal in the second OT before UH was forced to go for two under the revised overtime rules adopted last year.
He threw a pass to wide receiver Nathaniel “Tank” Dell, who managed to tap a leg inbounds before going out.
After initially being ruled out of bounds, replays showed Dell put his right foot in, giving the Cougars a 35-27 lead.
In the third overtime, the teams alternated two-point conversion attempts from the two-yard line, starting with Tune crashing into the post, then leaping over a would-be tackler.
UTSA was unable to answer on its ensuing drive, securing the win for Houston.
Next up for the Cougars is a visit to Lubbock on Sept. 10 to take on Texas Tech — a preview of what’s to come when UH joins the Big 12 Conference in 2023.
