Greg Ward Jr. leads No. 24 Houston past Tulane, 42-7

After getting throttled last week by one leading AAC championship contender (Temple), the Wave now gets to face the other in the 24th ranked University of Houston squad.

In their quest to stay flawless, the Cougars are set to face off against the Tulane University Green Wave in New Orleans Friday night. Ward is the only player nationally to average over 200 yards passing per game (260.4) and over 100 yards rushing per game (110.8). Houston enters play with a 5-0 record and is 3-2 against the spread, while Tulane is 2-3 straight up and 2-3 at the betting window in 2015.

Tulane’s defense held for the remainder of the quarter but the offense sputtered, going 0-of-4 on third-down conversions.

Ward’s pass incomplete on third and 14 but, Tulane linebacker Nico Marley was called for roughing the passer for hitting the quarterback “too high” although he didn’t appear to make contact with Ward’s helmet at any time. (1) runs with the ball on a keeper during the second quarter against the Tulane Green Wave at TDECU Stadium. First-year Houston coach Tom Herman, who was only the second coach in program history to win his first three games, is also one of only two new coaches in college football who remain unbeaten this season, along with Florida’s Jim McElwain.

Rob Kelley rushed for 43 yards off the left side of the punt formation down to the Houston 3-yard line.

Houston scored on a 5-yard run from Ward and then a 15-yard run by Demarcus Ayers to take a 28-7 lead into halftime. Tulane Green Wave rank at 118 for 115.0 road rushing yards where as Houston Cougars rank at 8 for allowing 70.0 rushing yards at home.

Tulane running back Dontrell Hilliard (26) is tackled by Houston…

Ward’s third touchdown run of the game, a 2-yard scamper in the third quarter, and Ayers’ 73-yard punt return capped the scoring.