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Houston Football: 3 takeaways from thrilling 3OT win at UTSA

By Dante Pryor

Dec 28, 2021; Birmingham, Alabama, USA; Houston Cougars quarterback Clayton Tune (3) looks to pass against the Auburn Tigers during the first half of the 2021 Birmingham Bowl at Protective Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2021; Birmingham, Alabama, USA; Houston Cougars quarterback Clayton Tune (3) looks to pass against the Auburn Tigers during the first half of the 2021 Birmingham Bowl at Protective Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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FRISCO, TEXAS – DECEMBER 21: Frank Harris #0 of the UTSA Roadrunners passes the ball against the San Diego State Aztecs at Toyota Stadium on December 21, 2021, in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
FRISCO, TEXAS – DECEMBER 21: Frank Harris #0 of the UTSA Roadrunners passes the ball against the San Diego State Aztecs at Toyota Stadium on December 21, 2021, in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) /

2. Frank Harris was a one-man show for UTSA

UTSA quarterback Frank Harris was a one-man wrecking crew for the Road Runners this afternoon, throwing for 337 yards, three touchdowns, chipping in 63 rushing yards, and one touchdown. The Roadrunners needed every one of those yards because they did not have much offense outside of Harris.

Harris found his favorite receivers early and often against Houston. Joshua Cephus led the Roadrunners in receiving yards (106) with one touchdown. Zakhari Franklin led UTSA in receptions (10), and tight end Oscar Cardena had two touchdown receptions.

The run game had difficulty tonight, mustering just 104 yards on 28 rushes; Harris had 63 yards by himself. The Houston pass rush got to Harris four times as well.

Defensively, head coach Jeff Traylor had to like what he saw. The Roadrunners had five sacks and recovered one fumble. UTSA bottled Houston’s run game as well. The Cougars mustered 140 rushing yards but averaged under four yards per rush attempt.

The defense was outstanding for about three and a half quarters. Then quarterback Clayton Tune found a way to lead the Cougars to 17 fourth-quarter points and overtime. The UTSA offense did the defense no favors with its inability to score a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

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