University of Houston
3-5 , 3-4
Hawaii
5-4 , 4-4
Houston Falls in New Mexico Bowl to Hawai'i
12/24/2020 6:10:00 PM | Football
Wide receiver Nathaniel Dell leads with six catches for 112 yards and TD
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Hawai'i (5-4) took advantage of two Houston turnovers to score 14 points in the first quarter and built a 21-0 lead at the halftime break.
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However, the Cougars (3-5) mounted a comeback in the second half and moved to within a touchdown in the third quarter.
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After compiling only 87 yards in the entire first half, Houston took the second-half kickoff and embarked on a 17-play, 75-yard drive that was capped when junior quarterback hit Dell on a 7-yard touchdown strike for a 21-7 Hawai'i lead with 7:39 left.
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Forcing a 3-and-out on Hawai'i's next possession, the Cougars made it a one-score game at 21-14 when Tune connected with junior tight end Christian Trahan on a 26-yard touchdown with 3:45 remaining.
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Unfortunately, that would be as close as Houston would get the rest of the way. On the ensuing kickoff, Hawai'i's Calvin Turner outraced the Cougar defenders to the end zone on a 92-yard touchdown return.
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Tune finished with 216 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 20-of-38 passing but was picked off three times. Trahan posted five catches for 88 yards and a score, while senior running back Mulbah Car led the Houston ground attack with 47 rushing yards on 15 carries.
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Hawai'i quarterback Chevan Cordeiro led the Rainbow Warriors with 136 passing yards and three touchdowns.
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On the defensive side, Houston defensive back Hasaan Hypolite led the Cougars with 10 tackles, including five solo stops, and added a pass breakup. Senior safety Deontay Anderson logged nine tackles and one sack as the Cougars limited Hawai'i to just 35 total yards.
Team Stats
HAWAI'I 7, HOU 0
HAWAI'I - HUNTER, Dae Dae 3 yd pass from CORDEIRO, C. (SHIPLEY, M. kick) 2 plays, 8 yards, TOP 0:35
HAWAI'I 14, HOU 0
HAWAI'I - TURNER, Calvin 75 yd pass from CORDEIRO, C. (SHIPLEY, M. kick) 1 plays, 75 yards, TOP 0:12
HAWAI'I 21, HOU 0
HAWAI'I - LAULU, Jonah 4 yd pass from CORDEIRO, C. (SHIPLEY, M. kick) 7 plays, 80 yards, TOP 3:17
HAWAI'I 21, HOU 7
HOU - DELL, Nathaniel 7 yd pass from TUNE, Clayton (WITHERSPOON, Da kick) 17 plays, 75 yards, TOP 7:21
HAWAI'I 21, HOU 14
HOU - TRAHAN, Christi 26 yd pass from TUNE, Clayton (WITHERSPOON, Da kick) 5 plays, 83 yards, TOP 2:03
HAWAI'I 28, HOU 14
HAWAI'I - TURNER, Calvin 92 yd kickoff return (SHIPLEY, M. kick)
