HOUSTON – University of Houston junior quarterback Donovan Smith threw for 378 yards and three touchdowns, but it would not be quite enough as a valiant Cougar comeback fell short in a 31-24 loss to #8/8 Texas inside TDECU Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Texas running back CJ Baxter rushed 16 yards for a touchdown with 5:37 left in the game and the Longhorns halted a Cougar drive on 4th-and-1 inside the Texas 10 in the final minute to seal the win.
Houston (3-4, 1-3 Big 12) fell behind 21-0 midway through the second quarter, but Smith threw scoring passes of 32 and 3 yards to Matthew Golden, and a 21-yarder to Joseph Manjack IV as the Cougars tied it at 21 with 12:29 remaining in the third quarter. Manjack caught six passes for 88 yards, Samuel Brown caught four passes for 80 yards, and Golden caught seven passes for 88 yards for Houston.
Houston outgained Texas 392-360 in total yards while the Longhorns the Cougars 141-14 in rushing yards.
After the teams traded field goals, Baxter rushed for a 16-yard TD to give Texas a late 31-24 lead.
Photo: Tim Warner / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
Jonathon Brooks rushed for 99 yards and Xavier Worthy had 92 receiving yards and a touchdown for Texas (6-1, 3-1 Big 12). Quinn Ewers was 23 of 29 for 211 yards and two touchdowns, but exited after taking a hit on a scramble late in the third quarter. Ewers was replaced by Maalik Murphy on the Longhorns' first drive of the fourth quarter.
Ewers threw touchdown passes of 14 and 42 yards in the opening quarters, and Savion Red scored on a 1-yard run as Texas built a 21-0 lead with 12:49 left in the first half.
THE TAKEAWAY
Texas: The Longhorns dominated the opening 22½ minutes as they built a 21-0 lead. Texas' secondary struggled against Houston's passing offense. Texas committed six penalties for 60 yards and struggled on third downs, going 3 of 12. Texas was 3 of 5 on fourth downs.
Houston: The Cougars were able to get back into the game by almost completely abandoning the run game. Houston committed one penalty for 15 yards. Houston also struggled on third downs, going 4 for 13. The Cougars were 2 of 3 on fourth downs.
SERIES HISTORY
Saturday's game was the first meeting between the schools since 2002.
UP NEXT
Following Saturday's game, Houston returns to action when it meets Kansas State at 11 a.m., Saturday, inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kan.
The game will air on ESPN2 and can be heard on 950 AM KPRC.
Photo: Tim Warner / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images