Whether Tom Herman is Houston’s coach in 2017 might depend on whether the Cougars are a member of the Big 12 by then. There is no margin for error, with even one loss too much to overcome with five Power Five conference (SEC, Big Ten, Pac-12, Big 12 and ACC) vying for four spots. Think back to OU’s last game of 2015, where a first-half lead disappeared into a 20-point loss to Clemson in the Orange Bowl.
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“We want to challenge ourselves because quality wins obviously count as well”, Herman said.
Starting off the game the Sooners took the ball and went right through the Cougars defense taking a 7-0 lead after a Joe Mixon 32 yard rushing touchdown.
It’s a football achievement that happens once in a blue moon and on Sunday Houston’s Brandon Wilson did just that.
The Sooners gather together before the AdvoCare Texas Kickoff college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Houston Cougars at NRG Stadium in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016.
“We decided in that timeout”, Herman said. And while it still might – both the first two playoff national champions lost games in September – the road has tightened because Oklahoma dared to come here and play a bunch of Cougars, who went 13-1 previous year, blasted Florida State in the Peach Bowl and decided they really don’t care about, say, money.
“I thought I stepped out, but I didn’t”, Wilson said. However, it’s impossible not to see a team like the Cougars handle the Sooners easily and not think about their ceiling. “They kept their oar in the water all the time”, Fleck said of his players. “It looked too good to be true”. Because the best cover guys wouldn’t be able to protect the field goal, you’re in a bit of a dilemma.
“That’s where you have to credit [UH]”, Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops said after the game. Led by explosive tailback Dalvin Cook and a strong defense, I like the Seminoles in what should be a really good football game. Senior quarterback Tiago Smith had 97 yards rushing and two scores. The Hawkeyes used the duo’s four touchdowns to take a 28-7 halftime lead and cruised the rest of the way. USC punter Chris Tilbey bobbled the snap on the ensuing drive to set up Alabama at the Trojans 15 and lead to Hurts’ TD run. (Note: It actually was 52-6.) Back down to Austin on Sunday, No. 10 Notre Dame will play Texas, speaking of money.
No. 2 Clemson 19, (at) Auburn 13: Deshaun Watson passed for 248 yards, including 174 to Mike Williams in his return from an injury.
Houston was 6-of-9 on third downs in the first half. And Brandon Wilson’s 109-yard (unofficially) kick-six was his fourth special teams touchdown of his career.
Sean White drove the offense to the Clemson 40, but two desperation heaves into the end zone fell incomplete, with the second getting batted around. Not only unsafe through the air, Ward also rushed for 861 yards on 170 carries while scoring 13 touchdowns. The following year, Oklahoma won the 2000 national championship, its first since Barry Switzer was at the helm in 1985. Quarterback Greg Ward Jr. handled it with the ideal blend of athleticism and poise. Quarterback Greg Ward Jr. overshot receiver Isaiah Johnson streaking toward the end zone late in the first half, and he sailed a few other deep throws throughout the game. That was a 51-yard drive set up by a fumble by Baker Mayfield. Williams had 11 catches for 158 yards.
The Aggies had a fourth-and-1 from the 1 in overtime when Knight waltzed into the end zone untouched for the score. Texas A&M sealed the victory when Justin Evans knocked down Josh Rosen’s pass at the goal line on fourth down. The Coogs never looked back.
Oklahoma’s defense had a rough first half to say the least.
Barry J. Sanders had 76 all-purpose yards and scored a touchdown. This wasn’t simply an off day for Oklahoma; it was another great Saturday for Herman and the Cougars, who have somehow achieved what just yesterday seemed impossible – made their bandwagon even fuller. Surprisingly, the Cougars only rushed for 89 yards. He was stopped at the 1 after weaving through the Lions for a 57-yard punt return.
Mason Rudolph completed 18 of 26 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns.
(24) OREGON 53, UC DAVIS 28: Dakota Prukop made his debut for OR, throwing for 271 yards and three touchdowns, and the host Ducks overcame a rocky start to defeat UC Davis.
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Dede Westbrook was a force from the receiver position with eight catches for 70 yards while Andrews added 94 receiving yards and two scores, but no one else emerged on the outside as a viable threat.
