Houston Falls to #24 Navy in Season Finale

HOUSTON – University of Houston sophomore quarterback Clayton Tune threw for 393 yards and four touchdowns with two of those scores to wide receiver Marquez Stevenson, but it would not be enough in a 56-41 loss to No. 24/24 Navy inside TDECU Stadium on Saturday night.

The Cougars compiled more than 500 yards of offense and moved to within 35-34 late in the third quarter. Unfortunately, five turnovers leading to 21 Navy points proved to be too much for the Cougars to overcome.

Tune recorded the second 300-yard passing game of his career and fell just 14 yards shy of tying his career high. Stevenson finished with his third 100-yard receiving game of the season and the eighth of his career, tying for 11^th in Houston history with the latter total.

With the loss, Houston ended its season at 4-8 overall and 2-6 in American Athletic Conference play. Facing the 24^th-ranked Midshipmen, the Cougars tied a school single-season record with their sixth nationally ranked opponent of the year.

Navy improved to 9-2 overall and 7-1 in league play.

Running back Jamale Carothers led Navy with 188 rushing yards and five touchdowns, while quarterback added 146 yards and a touchdown.

Taking the opening kickoff, the Cougars wasted little time and grabbed a 7-0 lead with Tune hit sophomore receiver Tre'von Bradley for a 67-yard touchdown only 1:29 into the game.

The Midshipmen knotted the game on their opening drive, thanks to an 8-yard touchdown run from Carothers with 9:21 left in the first period.

After Houston fumbled the ensuing kickoff, Navy took over deep in Houston territory and took a 14-7 lead on Carothers' 17-yard touchdown run up the middle with 7:32 left.

The Cougars tied the game at 14-14 when senior running back Patrick Carr plunged into the end zone from five yards out with 2:13 left.

Navy regained the lead on quarterback Malcolm Perry's 15-yard run with 1:34 left, but the Cougars tied the game at 21-21 on Tune's 5-yard touchdown pass to junior receiver Marquez Stevenson with 13:32 left in the second quarter.

Following a Houston turnover, the Midshipmen gained a 28-21 lead on CJ Williams' 3-yard touchdown plunge with 9:38 left in the first half. The Cougars trimmed the deficit to 28-24 on Dalton Witherspoon's 27-yard field goal with 6:44 remaining.

Forcing Navy to punt, the Cougars took over near midfield and moved to within 28-27 on Witherspoon's 29-yard field goal with 64 seconds remaining in the first half.

Navy took a 35-27 lead on Carothers' 75-yard touchdown run up the middle on the first play from scrimmage of the second half with 14:49 in the third quarter.

The score remained that way until Tune connected with senior receiver Courtney Lark for a 26-yard touchdown for a Navy 35-34 lead with 5:48 remaining in the third quarter.

The Midshipmen pushed its lead to 42-34 on Carothers' 28-yard touchdown run with 2:07 left in the period.

Following a Houston turnover, Navy marched 80 yards in 80 plays and took a 49-34 lead on Tyrekk King-El's 18-yard touchdown with 9:52 left in the game.

Houston made it a one-score game on Tune's 22-yard touchdown pass to Stevenson with 5:50 remaining. However, that would be as close as the Cougars would get. Carothers scored from 19 yards out on Navy's ensuing possession, and the Cougars' fifth and final turnover with 2:25 left clinched the win for the Midshipmen.

– UHCougars.com –

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Clayton Tune

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Tre'von Bradley

Patrick Carr

Courtney Lark

Marquez Stevenson

Clayton Tune

Dalton Witherspoon

Players Mentioned

Tre'von Bradley

Patrick Carr

Courtney Lark

Marquez Stevenson

Clayton Tune

Dalton Witherspoon

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