UH falls to Baylor 20-10
Photo Credit: University of Houston Athletics
Houston ended up with only 147 total passing yards, and Cougars quarterback Zeon Chriss passed for 126 yards with only 54% completion.
“We’re having a tough time offensively, there’s no doubt about it…we’re gonna get it fixed,” Fritz said.
Baylor received to start the game, but junior cornerback Jeremiah Wilson intercepted Bears junior quarterback Sawyer Robertson at the Baylor 36 yard line. Houston had a couple strong runs to start their first drive but junior quarterback Zeon Chriss gave the interception right back in the endzone.
The Bears got on the board first with a five yard touchdown pass to tight end Michael Trigg on a long 14 play, 80 yard drive that took over five minutes.
After exchanging punts, Wilson got his second interception of Robertson and this time returned it 41 yards to the end zone as the game was tied at 7-7.
However, Baylor responded with a 23 yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Astyn Hawkins on an 11-play drive for the 14-7 advantage.
The Bears had yet another long drive, this one over six minutes long that resulted in a 45 yard field goal to end the first half with a 17-7 lead after a bad snap and loss of 25 yards on 3rd down.
Chriss ended up with only two completions for the Houston offense that had 57 yards total at halftime.
The Cougars received the ball to start the third quarter and went on a 13 play drive that took almost seven minutes, but came up empty as the 47 yard field goal from senior kicker Jack Martin was no good.
Houston got the ball right back and once again drove down the field on a 13 play drive that went 74 yards in over six minutes. This time, the 24 yard field goal by Martin was good which brought the deficit back to one score at 17-10.
UH had an opportunity to tie the game twice with the defense holding the Bears. Houston punted on their first chance and Chriss threw his second pick of the game to senior cornerback Lorando Johnson at the UH 41 yard line on what looked to be a promising drive after picking up a first down.
Baylor was able to get a 50 yard field goal out of the turnover that made it a two score game at 20-10. The game was effectively out of reach for the Cougars after junior wide receiver Mekhi Mews fumbled on the ensuing kickoff and was recovered by Baylor at the Houston 43 yard line.
The Bears were able to drain out most of the clock before Robertson threw his third pick, intercepted by junior safety AJ Haulcy. Houston got the ball last, but Chriss threw his third interception to officially end it. The Bears now have the all-time series lead 15-14-1 after the first game ever between these two teams on the UH campus.
“There’s nothing but love in there [locker room] after the game, nobody is hating on each other so we’ll build off of it,” Wilson said.
Even with four turnovers total from offense and special teams, the Houston defense limited one of the top offenses in the nation over the last two months to just 20 points (10 points from turnovers). Baylor was second among Power four schools in points per game (40.6) coming in.
“As a defense, this was our team this year. Shiel Wood puts that fire in us…it’s no doubt we’re one of the top defenses in the country,” senior linebacker Jamal Morris said.
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