Houston Football: 3 takeaways from Birmingham Bowl win over Auburn

Dec 28, 2021; Birmingham, Alabama, USA; Houston Cougars wide receiver Nathaniel Dell (1) is tacked by Auburn Tigers linebacker Cam Riley (35) and Auburn Tigers safety Donovan Kaufman (1) during the first half of the 2021 Birmingham Bowl at Protective Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 28, 2021; Birmingham, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers safety Bydarrius Knighten (19) pursues Houston Cougars wide receiver Nathaniel Dell (1) during the second half of the 2021 Birmingham Bowl at Protective Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Nathaniel Dell might be nation’s most underrated receiver

Nathaniel Dell came into Tuesday’s game as the top target for Clayton Tune and the Auburn defense knew that and they still couldn’t stop him. Heck, they couldn’t slow him down either.

The talented sophomore wideout finished the day with 10 catches for 150 yards and really helped aid some late drives by the Cougars which led to the game-winning score. He finished his sophomore year with 90 catches for over 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns and I have a feeling he’s going to be regarded as one of the nation’s best receivers in 2022.

Sometimes all it takes is a big bowl performance in order for players to make names for themselves, especially against Power Five foes, and Dell did just that.

When Houston needed a big first down or some yards on second and third-and-long, he was able to burn the Auburn secondary down the field and pick up the necessary yardage.

Dell may have been the nation’s most underrated receiver this year — or at least one of the most underrated from the Group of Five.

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