The Oklahoma Sooners and Houston Cougars met up in a battle of two ranked teams at NRG Stadium to open the 2016 college football season. It was certainly an explosive match-up of two high-powered offenses, but it was the
The Houston Cougars went back and forth with their Big 12 opponent and had a huge game. They pulled away in the second half, using a 20-6 scoring run to pull off the upset.
The Sooners got things going early in the game as they quickly moved the field on their first possession of the game. Running back Joe Mixon finished off the drive with a 32-yard scamper into the endzone for the early lead.
Great TD run from Joe Mixon! #OUvsHOU #BoomerSooner https://t.co/r0HPyMUicf
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 3, 2016
Oklahoma’s defense held strong against the Cougars, but they were able to get three points on the board after a 35-yard field goal from Ty Cummings. This kept him perfect on his career.
The Sooners got things going again on offense and it was Mixon’s turn to show off once again. He set up his team up deep downfield after snagging a 60-yard pass with one hand after a bobble.
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Oklahoma had to settle for a field goal to make the score 10-3, but it wasn’t after quarterback Baker Mayfield took a shot from linebacker Matthew Adams.
💪 #OUvsHOU https://t.co/n5f4OZNaY0
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 3, 2016
The Cougars made some big plays on their next drive, but they once again had to settle for a Cummings field goal to make the score 10-6. They came up with a big stop on defense, forcing a punt after this big hit on running back Samaje Perine that seemingly knocked him out the game.
Oklahoma is moving the ball, but Houston is making them pay for it! #OUvsUH https://t.co/bmyjHOss37
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 3, 2016
Houston took advantage of their stop as they rolled right down the field. Quarterback Greg Ward Jr. found running back Duke Catalon from 14 yards out to give them the lead for the first time in the game.
Houston takes the lead! 13-10 with 10 minutes left in the 2Q. #OUvsUH https://t.co/1HBlh1avCW
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 3, 2016
The Sooners wasted little time answering as Mayfield found Mark Andrews from 64 yards out on a wide open play to reclaim a 17-13 lead.
Oklahoma answers with the 64-yard touchdown! This game is crazy! OU leads 17-13 #OUvsUH pic.twitter.com/agFNsrzWtR
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 3, 2016
Tom Herman’s club went down the field and answered with a third field goal from Cummings to make the score 17-16. The drive was helped out after a 15-yard unnecessary roughness call on freshman Parrish Cobb.
Unnecessary roughness called here on Oklahoma DB Parrish Cobb #OUvsUH https://t.co/nGssuhHIx4
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 3, 2016
The Cougars came up big on defense and forced a punt, which was fielded inside the 10-yard line. However, they were able to work the clock all the way down and move down the field to set up a career-long field goal by Cummings, which was his fourth of the day, after a pair of big plays on the drive.
GREG WARD JR #OUvsUH pic.twitter.com/EMg4JAm9Ph
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 3, 2016
https://vine.co/v/5i0UTrK7xKl
The Cougars took a 19-17 lead into halftime and were looking to start off the second half in a big way with the football. The third quarter opened up with a back-and-forth defensive struggle and it wasn’t almost until midway through the quarter that the Sooners attempted a field from 53 yards out.
However, the field goal was short and cornerback Brandon Wilson caught the ball and raced 109 yards for the touchdown. It was good and the score was 26-17 after the extra point.
KICK SIX pic.twitter.com/VYSpCSHD1D
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 3, 2016
The Cougars continued to pour it on in the third quarter as Ward found Tyler McCloskey from two yards out to make the score 33-17. They continue their dominance into the fourth quarter as they forced a turnover on a Mayfield sack.
The Sooners would not say die in the fourth quarter, however, as they fought back and moved down the field. Mayfield hit Andrews for his second touchdown of the game from about five yards out.
Great catch by Oklahoma's Mark Andrews #OUvsUH https://t.co/PI9EHN7xVm
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 3, 2016
It wasn’t enough, however, as the Cougars held on and pulled off the huge upset, winning the game 33-23. In the game, Ward finished with 321 yards passing and two touchdowns while Catalon rushed for 88 yards and caught four passes for 29 yards and a score.
Mayfield finished with 323 yards and two scores with Andrews catching both. Mixon finished with 40 yards on six carries with a touchdown and five receptions for 77 yards.
The Cougars will now host FCS opponent Lamar next week, while the Sooners look to bounce back with a match-up against Louisiana-Monroe next weekend.
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