University of Houston
5-3 , 3-1
USF
1-7 , 0-4
Tune’s Historic Day Leads Football Past South Florida
10/29/2022 2:28:00 PM | Football
Senior signal caller surpasses 10,000 career passing yards in Homecoming victory
HOUSTON – Senior quarterback Clayton Tune surpassed 10,000 career passing yards as Houston Football topped South Florida 42-27 for its third consecutive American Athletic Conference victory on Saturday at TDECU Stadium.
The Cougars (5-3, 3-1 The American) rode Tune's career day to extend their winning streak while the Bulls fell to 1-7 overall and 0-4 in The American. Tune finished with 31 completions for 380 passing yards and four touchdowns, boosting him up to third all-time in program history with 10,130 passing yards, joining Case Keenum and Kevin Kolb as the only Cougar quarterbacks to achieve the feat.
After forcing a South Florida three-and-out on its first possession, Houston finished a seven-play drive with a 1-yard touchdown pass from Tune to wide receiver Nathaniel Dell in the middle of the end zone to strike first at 7-0. Dell finished with a game-high 112 receiving yards, his 10th career 100-yard receiving performance.
The Bulls pushed the ground game on their next two possessions as running back Brian Battie found the end zone twice, from 13 and 20 yards out, to lead 14-7.
The Cougars responded on their ensuing possession as running back Stacy Sneed punched his way into the end zone from eight yards out for his first career touchdown. Houston capitalized on a South Florida missed field goal as Tune found Dell down the field and in the end zone for the second time on the day, this time for 52-yard yards to regain the lead at 21-14.
Houston's defense held its own in the second quarter, forcing South Florida to turn the ball over on downs. The takeaway led to a game-long 12 play drive capped by a 12-yard touchdown pass from Tune to wide receiver Peyton Sawyer for his first-career touchdown reception to double the lead at 28-14. The touchdown pass to Sawyer pushed Tune over the 10,000 yard passing mark.
With four touchdowns in the first half, Houston scored 28 points at the break for the first time since it led 28-0 in the first half in a 45-10 road victory against Tulsa on Oct. 1, 2021.
South Florida cut the deficit to 28-21 after running back Michel Dukes found the end zone from one yard out midway through the third quarter. On the ensuing possession, the Cougars finished an eight-play drive as Sneed bullied his way for a second trip to the end zone from 12 yards out to stretch the Houston lead to 35-21.
Early in the fourth quarter, Houston extended the lead to 21 points with a 28-yard touchdown pass on a flea flicker from Tune to wide receiver KeSean Carter to lead 42-21.
Tune set a single-game career-high 83.7 completion percentage, topping his previous best of 80.8 against South Florida last season. In his last three games, Tune tossed 88 completions for 1,007 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. He also recorded four-plus touchdowns in a game for the fifth time in his career, doing so in each of the last two games.
UP NEXT
The Cougars head up I-45 to Dallas to play SMU next Saturday at 6 p.m. The game will be the first American Athletic Conference game on the NFL Network.
Fans may purchase single-game tickets for all remaining home games by clicking here.
Houston won the last meeting in 2021 against SMU on a late-game kick return touchdown by Marcus Jones.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023.
Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN The 46ers and The HUDDLE
Fans are invited to join the 46ers and the Huddle to directly support Houston Football. Members provide financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond operating budget. For more information about the 46ers and the Huddle, call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684) or click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Football on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarFB, and "Like" Houston Cougar Football on Facebook.
Team Stats
USF 0, HOU 7
HOU - Dell,Nathaniel 1 yd pass from Tune,Clayton (Ramsey,Kyle kick) 7 plays, 65 yards, TOP 03:19
USF 7, HOU 7
USF - Battie,Brian 13 yd run (Shrader,Spencer kick), 5 plays, 85 yards, TOP 02:48
USF 14, HOU 7
USF - Battie,Brian 20 yd run (Shrader,Spencer kick), 4 plays, 76 yards, TOP 01:42
USF 14, HOU 14
HOU - Sneed,Stacy 8 yd run (Ramsey,Kyle kick), 7 plays, 68 yards, TOP 03:00
USF 14, HOU 21
HOU - Dell,Nathaniel 52 yd pass from Tune,Clayton (Ramsey,Kyle kick) 7 plays, 79 yards, TOP 02:27
USF 14, HOU 28
HOU - Sawyer,Peyton 12 yd pass from Tune,Clayton (Ramsey,Kyle kick) 12 plays, 67 yards, TOP 05:57
USF 21, HOU 28
USF - Dukes,Michel 1 yd run (Shrader,Spencer kick), 12 plays, 65 yards, TOP 05:44
USF 21, HOU 35
HOU - Sneed,Stacy 12 yd run (Ramsey,Kyle kick), 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:26
USF 21, HOU 42
HOU - Carter,KeSean 28 yd pass from Tune,Clayton (Ramsey,Kyle kick) 3 plays, 46 yards, TOP 01:28
USF 27, HOU 42
USF - Carter,Chris 2 yd pass from Marsh,Katravis () 4 plays, 67 yards, TOP 00:43
