No. 14 Houston saw its College Football Playoff hopes collapse in a 42-32 loss to Colorado on Friday night in Boulder, surrendering 28 unanswered points after holding a 20-7 lead in the second quarter.
The defeat erased a top-15 College Football Playoff ranking and a Big 12 Championship appearance that were still on the table heading into the week.
Houston led 20-7 with 2:36 left in the second quarter before completely imploding on itself. The Cougars found themselves down 21-20 at halftime, and their offense was completely shut down in the third quarter with zero points and no answers. Fifth-year quarterback Conner Weigman threw an interception near the end of the third quarter on a late throw to the sideline, marking the first interception of the season that was actually his fault.
Although Houston’s defense came out with a key interception to start the second half, the offense gave the ball back immediately when Weigman was sacked by a free rusher and fumbled. Houston scored only 12 points total in the second half, with the final touchdown coming in garbage time, and failed to convert a short third-and-3 right before halftime that gave Colorado the ball back.
The Cougars were completely embarrassed on defense, giving up 249 rushing yards to a Colorado team that entered the contest as one of the worst rushing offenses in the Big 12. Colorado scored 42 points, by far the most the Buffaloes had scored this season, fueled by explosive plays.
Richard Young opened the scoring with a 38-yard rushing touchdown, followed by a 67-yard rushing touchdown from running back DeKalon Taylor and another massive run by running back JaQuail Smith.
In the third quarter, junior receiver Joseph Williams broke away for a 53-yard receiving touchdown, and true freshman quarterback Kaneal Sweetwyne ran in uncontested for a 14-yard rushing touchdown. Each back was given the opportunity to break one in the first half.
Fundamental defensive issues persisted, as missed tackles and poor angles continued to plague Houston. The Cougars also struggled on third down and could not get Colorado off the field as the Buffaloes finished an exceptional 10-for-14 on third down. Houston recorded zero sacks and surrendered almost 13 yards per completion.
Houston has a lot to think about after its potential CFP season went right down the drain, with another tough road game coming up against West Virginia.
Kentucky Collapses in Second Half, Falls to Florida 21-14
Kentucky’s path to the College Football Playoff hit a definitive, crushing roadblock on Saturday at Kroger Field, where...
Ohio Bobcats Sweep Delaware With 5-2 Win Led by Zupsansky Hat Trick
The Ohio Bobcats secured a decisive 5-2 victory over the Delaware Blue Hens on Saturday at Bird Ice...
Keene State Leads Western Connecticut 2-0 in First Period
Keene State College played Western Connecticut State in men’s ice hockey. Thor Hansen scored the first goal of...
Spectators React to Massive 30-Foot Waves Along Northern California Coast
Massive waves pounded the Northern California coast over the weekend, turning popular shoreline destinations into zones of genuine...