Houston Cougars Hang On in Road Victory vs. Arizona State Sun Devils: Live Updates
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The Houston Cougars prepare for another road test in conference play, heading out to Tempe to take on the defending Big 12 champions, the Arizona State Sun Devils, after a hard-fought victory over the Arizona Wildcats a week ago.
Last time out, the Coogs came out alive in a battle with the Wildcats, winning the matchup on a walk-off field goal from kicker Ethan Sanchez. The victory improved the Cougars' record to 6-1 on the season and earned the Coogs bowl eligibility for the first time in a few years.
And with the team on the opposite side of the sideline, the Sun Devils will host the matchup, carrying a great sense of momentum after a huge upset victory over the No. 7 Texas Tech Red Raiders a week ago. The Red Raiders looked like the team to beat in the Big 12, and the Sun Devils were able to take them down 26-22.
Live Game Updates
The story of the game obviously revolves around the two starting quarterbacks in the Cougars, Conner Weigman and the Sun Devils' Sam Leavitt.
Weigman leads the Houston offense after another efficient outing a week ago, completing 15 of his 23 pass attempts for 164 yards and three passing touchdowns, with another big contribution on the ground with 14 attempts for 98 yards and another score in the running game.
Leavitt, on the other hand, had a solid game in his first game back from injury against the Red Raiders, completing 28 of his 47 pass attempts for 319 yards and a touchdown. The Arizona State offense obviously hums on the arm and legs of Leavitt. In his six games, the quarterback is 127 of 204 passing for 1,358 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions while adding another 211 yards rushing with three more scores on the ground.
Defensively, control of the game will be settled on the ground with both defenses being stout against the run.
The two teams' defensive fronts, both ranked in the top five in the fewest rushing yards allowed per game, with Arizona State allowing the second fewest with 110.9 yards a game, while the Coogs are not too far behind, allowing the fourth lowest with 123.6 rushing yards per game. Additionally, both teams do not give up much leeway to opposing running backs, with Houston allowing 3.3 yards per carry and the Sun Devils allowing just 3.6.
The game is set to kick off at 7:00 PM from Mountain America Stadium, and be sure to check right back here for live updates as the action unfolds.
Live Updates
The Coogs will start the ballgame on offense.
First Quarter
Houston takes their opening drive of the ball game and marches down 68 yards in 10 plays to the Arizona State eight-yard line, but could not punch it in. Ethan Sanchez converts from 26 yards out to put the Coogs up early.
Houston 3, Arizona State 0
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Arizona State looked to respond by driving the ball 61 yards in 11 plays to set up 31-yard field goal that fell wide right, keeping the Sun Devils from responding and keeping Houston in the lead. On the drive Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt was shaken up, leaving the game with a foot injury.
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The Coogs keep rolling with another long, sustained 10-play 80-yard touchdown drive to increase the score early on the road. The scoring drive was capped off by Conner Weigman punching the ball in from one yard out. Ethan Sanchez's extra point was good.
Houston 10, Arizona State 0
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Second Quarter
The Sun Devils would go backwards on their second drive of the game, going three and out and being forced to punt.
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For the first time all night, one of the Cougars' drives would stall out, being forced to punt after picking up just a single first down.
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Looking to build momentum with their first stop of the night, the Sun Devils were unable to, with Leavitt, who returned to the game, coughing up a turnover, fumbling the football, giving the Coogs the ball back.
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Houston was unable to do anything with the turnover, going out quickly with another three-and-out.
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Both defenses have come to play, with the Coogs forcing another quick empty possession by Arizona State, forcing them to punt.
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The Arizona State defense responds with a stop of their own, with the Houston offense going quietly once again.
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Sam Leavitt gets a few completions to get the Arizona State rolling; however, the drive stalls once it reaches midfield, with the Coogs forcing three straight incompletions, and will have to punt.
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A 16-yard run from Weigman ends the half; the Coogs will start the second half on defense.
Third Quarter
Houston's defense picks up right where it left off, forcing a three-and-out from the Arizona State offense on their first drive of the second half.
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The Coogs come out swinging out of the locker room, needing just a little over three minutes to find themselves back in the end zone. A big 32-yard connection from Weigman to tight end Tanner Koziol got the drive started and was capped off with Weigman finding Koziol for a seven-yard touchdown. Extra point was good.
Houston 17, Arizona State 0
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Arizona State looked to put themselves on the scoreboard with an 11-play 50-yard drive deep into Houston territory with Leavitt finding Chamon Metayer for a touchdown; however, an illegal shift penalty took the points off the board. Not being able to score a touchdown turned into not coming up with any points, with the Sun Devils forced to kick a 42-yard field goal that was no good.
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The Coogs keep pouring it on with another score, traversing 75 yards in 10 plays, taking over four minutes off the game clock. Capping off the touchdown drive was Weigman calling his own number with a rushing touchdown from seven yards out. Extra point was successful.
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Fourth Quarter
And now the Sun Devils put themselves on the scoreboard early in the fourth quarter, with Leavitt finding Carmen Harpole for the three-yard touchdown pass. The score capped off an eight-play 75-yard touchdown drive by Arizona State. ASU tried to go for two with the attempt unsuccessful.
Houston 24, Arizona State 6
The Cougars won't be able to respond after the Arizona State touchdown with a quick three-and-out.
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Arizona State scores in back-to-back possessions, driving the ball 50 yards in eight plays. Leavitt connects with Malik McClain for a big 36-yard pass to move the Sun Devils into Houston territory, with Arizona State being forced to settle and convert a 47-yard field goal attempt.
Houston 24, Arizona State 9
The Cougars looked to be aggressive, going for it on 4th & 13, with Weigman connecting with Harvey Broussard; however, the completion went for just six yards and the Sun Devils defense forced a turnover on downs.
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The Sun Devils keep their fourth-quarter momentum, with a seven-play 70-yard touchdown drive to keep cutting into the Cougars' lead. With Jeff Sims finding Chamon Metayer for a 27-yard catch and run touchdown. Extra point was good.
Houston 24, Arizona State 16
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The Cougars won't be able to muster any points to respond once again after taking off three minutes off the clock, but will be forced to punt after the drive stalled out.
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Houston's defense makes a huge play on fourth down, with defensive back Kentrell Webb breaking up a pass attempt from Sims to Derek Eusebio, forcing a turnover on downs. Houston will take over on the Arizona State 15-yard line.
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After the huge play on defense, the Coogs melted the remaining time left on the game clock and ended the game in victory formation for the final play of the game. The Cougars improve to 7-1 on the season and 4-1 in conference play.
Final: Houston 24, Arizona State 16
