Texas State at Houston Game Stats
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Houston, Texas- The University of Houston broke open a close game in the second quarter as the Cougars handed Texas State a 68-28 loss in both teams' season-opening game before a sellout crowd of 32,119 at Robertson Stadium on Saturday night.
The Cougars took an early 13-0 lead in their first two drives of the game as Case Keenum threw touchdowns passes of 40 yards to Michael Hayes and 63 yards to Patrick Edwards. The first TD came on Houston's second play of the game.
Drenard Williams had a kickoff return of 28 yards to Texas State's 38-yard line on the Bobcats' second possession. Playing in his first game since October 17 last season, Karrington Bush gained 22 yards to give the Bobcats a first down at Houston's 45 yard line. But, Texas State's drive stalled when Tim Hawkins was sacked for a five-yard loss on a fourth-and-four play.
The Cougars struck quickly once again as Keenum connected with Edwards on the second play of the drive. The lone bright spot at the time came on the extra-point attempt when Marcus Clark blocked Matt Hogan's kick and Bryan Iwuji scooped up the miss. He was tackled at Texas State's 41-yard line.
After the failed extra-point try, Texas State climbed back into contention when freshman Tyler Arndt came into the game for the first time and led the Bobcats down the field 80 yards on 10 plays. After Dexter Imade began the drive with a one-yard run, Arndt completed the first two passes of his collegiate career to Da'Marcus Griggs. The first completion was for four yards and the second was for 18 yards on a third and 10 play after Texas State was called for illegal procedure.
Then, Bush gained 24 yards on three carries and Eric Gentry added four more yards on another attempt to put the ball on Houston's 35-yard line. Then, Arndt completed an 18-yard pass to Daren Dillard. After Frank Reddic gained three yards on the ground, Arndt capped off the drive with a 12-yard run to pull Texas State back to within 13-7.
After Tyron Carrier returned the ensuing kickoff 39 yards to Houston's 43-yard line, the Cougars drove down the field in eight plays to take a 20-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Houston seized control of the game in the second quarter as the Cougars outscored the Bobcats 34-0. The first score came after Texas State's Justin Garelick missed a 49-yard field goal attempt. Four plays later, Keenum connected on a 35-yard touchdown pass to Kerrie Johnson. Then, he threw a 17-yard TD pass to James Cleveland.
After Matt Nicholson recovered a fumble by Tim Hawkins, Keenum threw a 21-yard TD pass to Johnson six seconds later.
After the Bobcats were forced to punt in four plays, Edwards returned the punt by Ben Follis 40 yards down to Texas State's 17 yard line before he was tripped up by Sam Pier. Two plays later, Bryce Beall scored a touchdown from three yards out on a run up the middle.
Then, Nicholson intercepted a pass by Hawkins on a crossing route and returned it 42 yards for another touchdown. Hogan missed the extra point attempt to make the halftime score 54-7.
The Cougars opened the second half the same way they had begun the game with touchdowns on their first two drives in the third quarter. The first score came when Cotton Turner, who replaced Keenum, threw a 26-yard TD pass to Isaiah Sweeney. After Jeremy Smith intercepted another pass by Hawkins, Hayes scored the second touchdown.
The Bobcats scored their next touchdown when Arndt hit Eric Gentry on a two-yard touchdown pass to pull Texas State to within 68-14.
Texas State also scored the only points in the fourth quarter. The first points came on a one-yard touchdown run by Frank Reddic.
Then, Arndt scored on a five-yard quarterback draw to make the final score 68-28. The Bobcats look to rebound when they return home for three straight games at Bobcat Stadium. They play their first game next Saturday, September 11, against Southern Arkansas at 6:00 p.m. Texas State also plays host to Cal Poly on September 18 and against Southern Utah on September 25.
