Houston vs. SMU: Live updates, score, results, highlights, for Saturday's NCAAF game

Game Recap

The Houston Cougars lost to the SMU Mustangs when the teams previously met two seasons ago, but they didn't allow SMU the same satisfaction this time around. The Cougars walked away with a 44-37 victory on Saturday. That's two games in a row now that they have won by seven points.

Houston's offense came in ready to rumble, picking up 23 points in the first half. SMU was right behind to make the score 23-20 heading into the break. The offense for Houston continued to do well in the second half, scoring another 21 points to put the game away.

QB Clayton Tune hadn't helped Houston's cause all that much against the East Carolina Pirates last week, but the same can't be said for this game. The Cougars can attribute much of their success to Tune, who passed for four TDs and 412 yards on 37 attempts, and WR Nathaniel Dell, who caught nine passes for three TDs and 165 yards. Working against Houston was the performance of RB Ta'Zhawn Henry, who rushed for 49 yards on 21 carries.

Special teams collected 14 points for Houston. K Dalton Witherspoon delivered a perfect 3-for-3 game. One of the most memorable scores? A 100-yard kickoff return for touchdown from CB Marcus Jones in the fourth quarter.

RB Tre Siggers put forth a good effort for the losing side as he punched in one rushing touchdown in addition to snatching one receiving TD. Near the top of the highlight reel was Tanner Mordecai's 50-yard TD bomb to Siggers in the second quarter.

The win bumped Houston's record up to 7-1. With their first loss of the season, SMU fell to 7-1.

Houston will square off against the South Florida Bulls at 7:30 p.m. ET next Saturday at Raymond James Stadium. The Cougars are 6-0 after wins this year, and South Florida is 2-3 after losses. SMU will hit the road for the second straight week as they head to Liberty Bowl Memorial at noon ET next Saturday. The Memphis Tigers also suffered a recent defeat, falling 24-7 to the UCF Knights last Friday.