Houston Football: 3 takeaways from season-opening win over Tulane

After Houston football’s mess with COVID-19, it took care of business against Tulane in a home opener for the 2020 season.

Out of all the teams in college football, the one that has struggled with COVID-19 the most has been Houston. The Cougars’ matchup with Tulane was their sixth attempt at a season opener. At times early in the game, it looked like this was their first time playing a team in different uniforms.

This matchup last year had one of the craziest endings of the 2019 season with Oklahoma State transfer receiver Jalen McClesky recording a catch and run as time expired to win the game for the Green Wave.

Tulane took full advantage of the opportunities given to them to begin this game. Clayton Tune started the game by throwing an interception for a touchdown on a fourth down while being pressured.

It would continue as Tune would get strip-sacked by Kevin Henry and would be recovered in the end zone by Jeffrey Johnson for a Tulane touchdown.

Finally, veteran receiver Keith Corbin would cough up the ball off of his knee on a catch and run. Tulane would go 50 yards on nine plays to finish in the end zone.

The tides would start to change as Houston drove down the field and scored on the ensuing possession. The momentum in favor of the Cougars would continue with the defense forcing a three and out and a passing touchdown would cut the deficit to 24-21. That would be the score heading into halftime.

Both teams would come out of the second half slow until Michael Pratt led a fantastic drive, capped off with a fade to Jha’Quan Jackson touchdown from eight yards out.

Didn’t take long for the Cougars as special teams star Marquez Stevenson would take the ensuing kickoff 96 yards to the red and white end zone.

Houston would add another touchdown late in the third to extend the lead to 42-31, heading into the fourth.

Stevenson dazzled in this game as early in the fourth, he would add a receiving touchdown off an excellent pass from Tune from 41 yards out.

From that point forward, Houston would suffocate the Green Wave with a solid run game and a solid defensive effort in route to a 49-31 win.

Notables from the game include 205 total yards and two touchdowns from Stevenson. Tune would finish the contest with 319 yards and three touchdowns.

Pratt would finish with 141 yards and a touchdown for the Green Wave.