Ward scored on a 12-yard scramble with 11:45 left in the game to give Houston a 19-16 lead.
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The No. 6 Houston Cougars were trailing the Cincinnati Bearcats in the fourth quarter 16-12 before putting up 28 unanswered points to win 40-16 over the Bearcats.
Patience paid off on a night when Ward had his tested.
Houston Cougars college football team.
“The fourth quarter exemplified a veteran team that’s played in big games”, Houston coach Tom Herman said after the game, per the AP. “That’s what he does”. We’re playing four games in 20 days.
Quarterback Greg Ward Jr. returned to action for Houston after injuring his shoulder and missing the team’s blowout win over Lamar last week.
On UC’s next possession, Moore was forced to leave the game after he was sacked.
While Catalon had 61 rushing yards, Ward was the star of the show with 326 passing yards, 73 rushing yards and three total touchdowns. He lofted a handsome 39 yard strike to Chance Allen in the first quarter to show that his arm looked just fine but had issues throughout the half finding receivers because of a lack of protection from his offensive line. “God blessed me to go out there”.
He admitted: “It was ugly for a long time”.
“My understanding is it’s healing, and it should heal completely eventually”, Herman said.
The Bearcats might have a little something extra going in their favor for this one as well. While Justice and vehicle both may factor in to the rushing game for Houston, Ward and Catalon should lead the way.
“I just kept praying about it”, Ward said. “The offensive line did a great job blocking, and I was able to walk it into the end zone”. Still, Ward can serve as an efficient part of Houston’s aerial assault, as his 67.2% completion percentage put him ninth among all qualified quarterbacks. The Cougars improved to 3-0.
It was another game in which Ward proved his value on all fronts. He dispelled any worries about his arm with a 39-yard touchdown pass on the Cougars’ second series. It could be side-stepping a defender to hit him again across the middle for a big gainer that sets up a field goal. He’s the real deal, but has to stay upright.
The rushing attack has been inefficient early for Houston, as their 29.4% rushing success rate is 9-worst in the country this season, but the Cougars have a diverse array of rushing options. They’ve won the other 16 games under Herman.
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The Cougars likely need to go 13-0 with a win in the American’s championship game to make the College Football Playoff. However, the Cougars exploded in the final period, finally moving the ball offensively and forcing turnovers to pull away.
