Saturday, October 26
Houston, Texas
6 p.m.
University of Houston
3-5 , 2-3
17
vs
14
Utah
4-4 , 1-4
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Utah
7
0
7
0
14
Houston
0
7
0
10
17
Football Wins on Last-Second Field Goal vs Utah
10/26/2024 9:43:00 PM | Football
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Jack Martin drills 43-yarder as time expires to lift Cougars to win
HOUSTON (AP) — University of Houston senior kicker Jack Martin booted a 43-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Cougars to a 17-14 win over Utah during their annual Homecoming game inside TDECU Stadium on Saturday night.
Junior defensive back A.J. Haulcy intercepted a Brandon Rose pass with 1:55 remaining to set up Houston at its own 46. The Cougars then ran it eight straight times to the Utah 25 to set up Martin's field goal which was Houston's first game-winning field goal since Matt Hogan's 51-yarder at Tulsa on Nov. 7, 2009.
In his third-straight start, sophomore quarterback Zeon Chriss was 6-of-13 for 61 yards passing with two touchdowns and he for 45 yards for Houston (3-5, 2-3 Big 12). Junior wide receiver Stephon Johnson caught a 21-yard touchdown pass in the second, and junior wide receiver Joseph Manjack IV caught a 28-yard touchdown pass with nine minutes left in the fourth. Chriss has started both of Houston's Big 12 wins.
Earning his first collegiate start, freshman running back J'Marion Burnette led the Cougars with 81 yards rushing while redshirt freshman running back Re'Shaun Sanford II added 72 yards on the ground for Houston, which rushed for 228 yards, the most in a Big 12 game since joining the league in 2023.
Isaac Wilson finished 13-of-22 passing for 171 yards with a touchdown before being replaced by Rose with 8 ½ minutes left in the third quarter. Rose completed 7 of 15 passes for 45 yards for the Utes (4-4, 1-4), which lost its fourth straight game.
Brant Kuithe caught five passes for 113 yards and a 71-yard touchdown reception on the Utes' second play from scrimmage.
Micah Bernard rushed for 51 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown with five minutes left in the third quarter to put the Utes ahead 14-7.
It was the first game for Utah interim offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian, who replaced Andy Ludwig this week. Utah out-gained Houston 306-289 in total yards.
THE TAKEAWAY
Utah: The Utes' defense was stout again, holding Houston to 3 of 15 on third downs. Utah entered allowing opponents to convert on 26% of their third-down attempts, which was fifth in the nation.
Houston: The Cougars' offense continued to struggle in the red zone. Houston had four chances to score from the 1-yard line – two opportunities each in the second and third quarters - and could not convert.
UP NEXT
Following Saturday's game, Houston continues its brief homestand when it meets Big 12 Conference-rival Kansas State at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Kickoff. That game will air on FOX and can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.
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Tickets for all home Football contests are available by calling 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, or by clicking here at any time.
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SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by purchasing tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective and by joining 46ers and The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
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STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
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Junior defensive back A.J. Haulcy intercepted a Brandon Rose pass with 1:55 remaining to set up Houston at its own 46. The Cougars then ran it eight straight times to the Utah 25 to set up Martin's field goal which was Houston's first game-winning field goal since Matt Hogan's 51-yarder at Tulsa on Nov. 7, 2009.
In his third-straight start, sophomore quarterback Zeon Chriss was 6-of-13 for 61 yards passing with two touchdowns and he for 45 yards for Houston (3-5, 2-3 Big 12). Junior wide receiver Stephon Johnson caught a 21-yard touchdown pass in the second, and junior wide receiver Joseph Manjack IV caught a 28-yard touchdown pass with nine minutes left in the fourth. Chriss has started both of Houston's Big 12 wins.
Earning his first collegiate start, freshman running back J'Marion Burnette led the Cougars with 81 yards rushing while redshirt freshman running back Re'Shaun Sanford II added 72 yards on the ground for Houston, which rushed for 228 yards, the most in a Big 12 game since joining the league in 2023.
Isaac Wilson finished 13-of-22 passing for 171 yards with a touchdown before being replaced by Rose with 8 ½ minutes left in the third quarter. Rose completed 7 of 15 passes for 45 yards for the Utes (4-4, 1-4), which lost its fourth straight game.
Brant Kuithe caught five passes for 113 yards and a 71-yard touchdown reception on the Utes' second play from scrimmage.
Micah Bernard rushed for 51 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown with five minutes left in the third quarter to put the Utes ahead 14-7.
It was the first game for Utah interim offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian, who replaced Andy Ludwig this week. Utah out-gained Houston 306-289 in total yards.
THE TAKEAWAY
Utah: The Utes' defense was stout again, holding Houston to 3 of 15 on third downs. Utah entered allowing opponents to convert on 26% of their third-down attempts, which was fifth in the nation.
Houston: The Cougars' offense continued to struggle in the red zone. Houston had four chances to score from the 1-yard line – two opportunities each in the second and third quarters - and could not convert.
UP NEXT
Following Saturday's game, Houston continues its brief homestand when it meets Big 12 Conference-rival Kansas State at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Kickoff. That game will air on FOX and can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.
Â
Tickets for all home Football contests are available by calling 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, or by clicking here at any time.
Â
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by purchasing tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective and by joining 46ers and The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
Â
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
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–– UHCougars.com ––
Team Stats
UTA
HOU
Total Yards
306
289
Pass Yards
216
61
Rushing Yards
90
228
Penalty Yards
54
30
1st Downs
12
16
3rd Downs
4
3
4th Downs
1
1
TOP
28:58
31:02
1st Quarter
UTA 7, HOU 0
UTA - Kuithe,Brant 71 yd pass from Wilson,Isaac (Becker,Cole kick) 2 plays, 72 yards, TOP 00:47
2nd Quarter
UTA 7, HOU 7
HOU - Johnson,Stephon 21 yd pass from Chriss,Zeon (Martin,Jack kick) 3 plays, 23 yards, TOP 01:34
3rd Quarter
UTA 14, HOU 7
UTA - Bernard,Micah 14 yd run (Becker,Cole kick), 3 plays, 22 yards, TOP 00:56
4th Quarter
UTA 14, HOU 14
HOU - Manjack IV,Joseph 28 yd pass from Chriss,Zeon (Martin,Jack kick) 10 plays, 85 yards, TOP 05:43
UTA 14, HOU 17
HOU - Martin,Jack 43 yd field goal 9 plays, 29 yards, TOP 01:55
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
6
TD
2
YDS
61
INT
1
Players Mentioned
RB
/ FootballQB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
K
/ Football
RB
/ Football
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