UConn 20, Houston 17: What We Learned

51e8ec39143a96efe40ef061bc10f877-2Cougars come up short after wild 4^th quarter. Weird things happened in the Houston-UConn game during the decisive 4^th quarter. It started with backup QB Kyle Potsam throwing a 38-yard bomb to Chance Allen for Houston’s first TD of the game and ended with starting QB Greg Ward Jr. tossing an interception while the Cougars trailed 20-17 with about a minute left. Sandwiched between those two plays: a UConn trick-play for a TD, Houston’s Andrew Wilson’s taking the ensuing kickoff 94 yards to the house and plenty of big hits. Postma missed the last series of the game after enduring a couple of those shots. Ward Jr., who Postma replaced last week against Memphis after suffering a foot injury of his own, was forced into action while likely still being banged up. When the dust settled, Houston (10-1, 6-1) ended up with its only L of the 2015 season. Running game fails to power Houston offense. The numbers suggested that Houston should’ve had a big advantage running the ball on UConn. The Cougars entered the day with the nation’s No. 8 rushing attack; the Huskies, on the other hand, ranked No. 70 nationally in rushing defense. So it was surprising — and game-changing — that the Huskies clearly won this battle Saturday. Houston finished with 33 carries for 110 yards (only 3.3 yards per attempt). Running back Kenneth Farrow (14 carries for 46 yards) got bottled up time and time again for short gains. Houston’s offensive line didn’t seem to do Farrow any favors either, failing to generate much push up front all game. Turnovers kill Cougars. What’s the easiest way for a team to upset a superior opponent? A lot of people will tell you the answer is winning the turnover battle. UConn did just that Saturday, forcing four Houston turnovers, while committing none. The Cougars lost a pair of fumbles in the second quarter, and Postma and Ward Jr. both threw picks in the second half. UConn generated just 6 points off the four turnovers, but the damage was done. Ward Jr.’s game-ending interception was a fitting end to a game in which Houston couldn’t help but cough the ball up. The Cougars will still advance to the American Conference championship game with a win over Navy next week. But this blemish doesn’t look good with Bowl season right around the corner.