With a spot in the New Years Six line-up waiting for the champion of the American Athletic Conference, Houston appears to be in a favorable position. The Cougars took advantage of an early Temple turnover and lead the Owls at home 17-3 at halftime of the American athletic Conference Championship Game. A second-quarter 47-yard touchdown run by quarterback Greg Ward Jr. helped pad the lead for the Cougars.
Temple quarterback P.J. Walker made a costly error on the game’s opening drive when he decided to get rid of a football while being taken down, but did so by tossing the ball right into the hands of a waiting Tyus Bowser. Houston’s offense then got to work with it’s up-tempo style, which caused the Owls to use a timeout on a fourth and short as they tried to get in defensive formation. Houston picked up the first down after the timeout and a few plays later pushed into the end zone for the first score of the game. Javin Webb carried the football across the goal line for the first score of the game.
Temple’s second possession started to buyild some momentum and move down the field, although Temple receivers bailed Walker out on a few throws along the way. The promising drive ended with a turnover though when Robby Anderson had the ball knocked loose by Trevon Stewart just inside the Houston 10-yard line. Houston was forced to punt on their possession as the Owls defense started to crack down a bit.