Houston’s running back Tyreik Gray (26) was brought down by Navy’s… But his ability was on clearest display during Houston’s 96-yard scoring drive early in the fourth quarter, when he rushed for 11 yards on a critical third-and-10 to keep momentum on the Cougars’ sideline and put the game out of reach. Navy had chances to get back into the game in the second half if the defense could prevent the Cougars from moving the ball. Had Navy defeated Houston, the College Football Playoff selection committee would have had to wait an additional week to make a final determination on the New Year’s Six bowl pairings, as Navy plays Army on December 12. The Cougars needed just five plays to cover 74 yards thanks to wide receiver Demarcus Ayers’s one-hand catch that turned into a 62-yard touchdown. Ward has proved to be an excellent fit for his offense, and after missing most of the last two weeks – the comeback win over Memphis and the loss at UConn – with an injury, he started on Friday and shined against the Midshipmen.
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Cougars kicker Ty Cummings hadn’t made a field goal longer than 37 yards on the season entering the game, but he nailed a 45-yarder before halftime to give Houston a 24-14 advantage.
There’s a lot riding on No. 15 Navy’s visit to No. 21 Houston on Friday.
Navy’s Jamir Tillman caught five passes for 162 yards and a touchdown.
After Reynolds was intercepted on the second play of the second half, Ward threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Linell Bonner to increase Houston’s lead to 17 with 11 1-2 minutes left in the third quarter. This time, junior corner back Brandon Wilson, who filled in at running back with senior Kenneth Farrow out, carried for 17 yards and the score, the first offensive touchdown of his career.
The Odds: Houston is a 1 point favorite against Navy.
Houston will play Temple or South Florida next week in the AAC title game.
The first possession for Navy ended in fullback Chris Swain’s four-yard touchdown run to tie.
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If Ward and the offense as a whole continue to play like they did against Navy, then Houston may have a legitimate shot to knock off a big-conference team in a significant bowl game to close the campaign.
