Houston Takes Big Win over North Texas

DENTON, Texas – University of Houston senior running back Patrick Carr rushed for 139 yards and a career-high three touchdowns, and sophomore quarterback Clayton Tune threw for 124 yards and a touchdown as the Cougars claimed a 46-25 win over North Texas inside Apogee Stadium on Saturday night.

Making only the third start of his career after senior quarterback D'Eriq King announced earlier this week that he was redshirting the rest of the season, Tune completed 16-of-20 passes, including each of his first seven, as the Cougars raced out to a 17-0 lead in a little over a quarter.

Tune also helped his own cause with 100 rushing yards, thanks to a career-long 55-yard run late in the game.

While Tune was leading the Cougars (2-3) though the air, Carr was a leader on the ground. The Woodlands, Texas, native recorded the second 100-yard rushing game of his career on 14 carries and set a new personal best with three rushing scores.

Carr also became the 56^th player in Houston history with multiple 100-yard rushing games during his career.

Houston's special teams weren't to be outdone. Thanks to an 82-yard kickoff return from Marquez Stevenson and a 60-yard punt return from Bryson Smith, the Cougars recorded the first kickoff and punt returns in the same game since a 54-27 win over Virginia Tech inside the Houston Astrodome on Oct. 12, 1973.

With the win, the Cougars ended their non-conference schedule with a 2-3 mark. North Texas dropped to 2-3.

Fine led the North Texas (2-3) offense with 353 yards and two touchdowns on 35-of-55 passing. M Lawrence hauled in nine catches for 120 yards to lead all players, while Siggers led the Mean Green with 83 rushing yards and a touchdown.

The Cougars wasted little time in putting their first mark on the scoreboard. After forcing a punt on UNT's opening possession, Carr burst through the middle and outraced UNT defenders 68 yards to the end zone for a 7-0 Houston lead with 8:58 left.

The Houston forced 3-and-out on UNT's next possession and needed only nine plays to take a 14-0 lead following Tune's 12-yard touchdown strike to Courtney Lark on his first reception of the season. Tune was 5-for-5 on the drive for 72 yards.

The Cougar defense remained solid on the Mean Green's next possession, forcing a turnover on downs at midfield. Tune led the Houston offense to the UNT 7 but could get no closer, leading to kicker Dalton Witherspoon's 26-yard field goal for a 17-0 lead with 14:35 left in the first half.

North Texas cut into the lead to make it 17-3 on Ethan Mooney's 41-yard field goal with 11:20 remaining in the opening half.

Both teams traded possessions until Mooney nailed a 46-yard field goal on the first play of the first half.

Houston took the opening kickoff of the second half and marched 60 yards in eight plays before capping the drive on Carr's 2-yard touchdown run with 11:19 left in the third quarter.

The Mean Green trimmed the deficit to 24-12 when running back Tre Siggers plunged into the end zone from four yards out with 7:12 left in the third. Linebacker Zamar Kirven recorded a sack on the ensuing PAT try to keep the Cougars' lead at 12.

However, the Cougars extended their lead on the next play. Stevenson hauled in the kickoff at the 18-yard line and outraced everyone for an 82-yard kickoff return touchdown. It was the first kickoff return touchdown of the Shreveport, La., native's career and the Cougars' first of the season.

UNT quarterback Mason Fine hit Jyaire Shorter on a 33-yard touchdown pass to move the Mean Green to within 31-18 with 4:13 left in the third quarter.

After a Dane Roy punt pinned the Mean Green on their 1-yard line, the Cougar defense forced UNT to put after another 3-and-out. Smith hauled in the punt and weaved his way through defenders for a 60-yard touchdown with 13:35 left in the fourth quarter. Tune then hit Stevenson on the ensuing PAT for a 39-18 Houston lead.

The score remained that way until Fine hit Jason Pirtle on a 15-yard touchdown to cut the Houston lead to 39-25.

Tune led the Cougars on their next possession, racing 55 yards down the sideline to the UNT 25-yard line. Carr took it from there, rushing for 13 yards around the right side and up the middle for 12 yards and his third touchdown of the night with 3:01 left in the game.

UP NEXT
With their open weekend coming up, the Cougars return to action when they meet Cincinnati on Oct. 12 inside TDECU Stadium.

Tickets are available by visiting UHCougars.com/tickets and following the appropriate links or by calling the Athletics Ticket Office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.

– UHCougars.com –

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Clayton Tune

Players Mentioned

Patrick Carr

D'Eriq King

Zamar Kirven

Courtney Lark

Dane Roy

Bryson Smith

Marquez Stevenson

Clayton Tune

Dalton Witherspoon

Players Mentioned

Patrick Carr

D'Eriq King

Zamar Kirven

Courtney Lark

Dane Roy

Bryson Smith

Marquez Stevenson

Clayton Tune

Dalton Witherspoon

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