Longhorns survive in Big 12 meeting against Houston Cougars

HOUSTON – What looked like an easy stroll through the pasture turned into a Cougars den as the Longhorns were forced to fight and claw their way out of Third Ward in a 31-24 win over Houston (3-4). Texas (6-1) jumped out to a 21-0 lead at the end of the first quarter thanks to a pair of touchdown tosses by Quinn Ewers and a one-yard touchdown run by Savion Red. 

The sold out TDECU Stadium was dead, the Cougars were reeling, and even a 32-yard touchdown from Donavon Smith to Matthew Golden looked more consolation prize than threat. But then Texas kept it weird, even outside of Austin. The Longhorns lined up for a field goal on 4th and six from the Houston 26, but head coach Steve Sarkisian called a fake that fooled no one. Nine plays later, the Cougars scored on a touchdown pass to cut the lead to 21-14. Instead of 24-7.