Saturday, September 18
Houston, Texas
6 p.m.
University of Houston
45
vs
0
Grambling
Photo by: For Houston Athletics
Houston Shuts Out Grambling, 45-0
9/18/2021 9:09:00 PM | Football
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Cougars dominate home opener, improve to 2-1 on season
HOUSTON – Houston Football powered past Grambling with a 45-0 shutout victory in its home opener led by freshman running back Alton McCaskill's 16 carries for 114 yards and two touchdowns on Saturday night at TDECU Stadium.
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Junior quarterback Ike Ogbogu stepped into the game in the first quarter after junior starting quarterback Clayton Tune exited on the team's third drive due to injury. Ogbogu completed 14-for-22 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns.
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Houston (2-1) has now won seven straight home openers, improving to 45-30 all-time while winning 12 of its last 14 home non-conference matchups dating to Sept. 6, 2014, against Grambling.
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Grambling (1-2) has been shut out in back-to-back road games this season, following its 37-0 defeat at the hands of Southern Miss last week. The shutout was Houston's first since blanking Lamar, 42-0 on Sept. 10, 2016.
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The Cougars defense held the Tigers to 102 yards of total offense, picking up three sacks and one forced fumble in the process.
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Sophomore wide receiver Nathaniel Dell hauled in both of Ogbogu's touchdown passes, racking up a team-high eight receptions alongside a career-high 134 yards along with the two scores.
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Senior cornerback Marcus Jones picked up the momentum early in second quarter after cutting through Grambling's special teams' unit for a 48-yard punt return touchdown to extend Houston's lead to 14-0.
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The score moved Jones into seventh all-time in Houston career punt return yards ahead of Billy Polson's 367 (1952-54).
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Houston has now opened all three games this season with a 10+ point lead at halftime while also holding opponents to seven points or less in the first half. The Cougars led Grambling, 21-0 at the break.
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McCaskill's performance marks his second straight multi-score game while making him the first Houston freshman to record 100+ rushing yards in a game since Mulbah Car's 109-yard performance against Lamar in 2016.
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Houston gets back in action when Navy comes to town for the Cougars' first American Athletic Conference game of the season at TDECU Stadium next Saturday at 6 p.m. Tickets are available by visiting UHCougars.com/tickets or by calling 713 GO COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours
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Junior quarterback Ike Ogbogu stepped into the game in the first quarter after junior starting quarterback Clayton Tune exited on the team's third drive due to injury. Ogbogu completed 14-for-22 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns.
Â
Houston (2-1) has now won seven straight home openers, improving to 45-30 all-time while winning 12 of its last 14 home non-conference matchups dating to Sept. 6, 2014, against Grambling.
Â
Grambling (1-2) has been shut out in back-to-back road games this season, following its 37-0 defeat at the hands of Southern Miss last week. The shutout was Houston's first since blanking Lamar, 42-0 on Sept. 10, 2016.
Â
The Cougars defense held the Tigers to 102 yards of total offense, picking up three sacks and one forced fumble in the process.
Â
Sophomore wide receiver Nathaniel Dell hauled in both of Ogbogu's touchdown passes, racking up a team-high eight receptions alongside a career-high 134 yards along with the two scores.
Â
Senior cornerback Marcus Jones picked up the momentum early in second quarter after cutting through Grambling's special teams' unit for a 48-yard punt return touchdown to extend Houston's lead to 14-0.
Â
The score moved Jones into seventh all-time in Houston career punt return yards ahead of Billy Polson's 367 (1952-54).
Â
Houston has now opened all three games this season with a 10+ point lead at halftime while also holding opponents to seven points or less in the first half. The Cougars led Grambling, 21-0 at the break.
Â
McCaskill's performance marks his second straight multi-score game while making him the first Houston freshman to record 100+ rushing yards in a game since Mulbah Car's 109-yard performance against Lamar in 2016.
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Houston gets back in action when Navy comes to town for the Cougars' first American Athletic Conference game of the season at TDECU Stadium next Saturday at 6 p.m. Tickets are available by visiting UHCougars.com/tickets or by calling 713 GO COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours
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