Houston tops Temple to win American Athletic Championship

For Houston Cougars fans, Saturday’s game was a chance to celebrate the Coogs American Athletic Conference championship victory.

Herman helped the Cougars to their second 12-win season and first since they went 13-1 in 2011 under former coach Kevin Sumlin and quarterback Case Keenum.

Greg Ward, Jr. ran for 148 yards and two touchdowns to secure Houston’s spot as the Group of Five representative and earn the Cougars a trip to either the Peach Bowl or Fiesta Bowl. In a statement, he said: “After viewing initial videos of today’s postgame activity, I am extremely disappointed and angered with the actions taken by individuals employed by our security contractor CSC”.

Ward was named the game’s Most Outstanding Player thanks to his legs. However, the powerful Cougs pushed their way over Temple 24-13, all but clinching a New Year’s Six Bowl bid.

The Owls failed on its final fourth-down try when Walker fielded a bad snap and scrambled for 9 yards to the Houston 19, two shy of a first down with 1:58 left. “Limit the explosives. They have some good, big-time receivers on the outside with a lot of speed”. The fan appears to get up and walk away. “We had to keep playing and not let the crowd be a factor”.

Herman has one message for his team. “They’re a fun team to watch”.

RB Jahad Thomas is second in the American with 1,188 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns. He caught 12 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown. Walker to Robby Anderson 13 yards out to give them some life. The Owls have not allowed a touchdown in their past two games after giving up 104 points in their previous two contests.

Starting running back Kenneth Farrow missed the Navy game with a high ankle sprain. It was his fourth 100-yard rushing game and the sixth time he’s run for two scores. Herman said Wilson would likely play both offense and defense against Temple.

In addition to the noise, or perhaps in part because of it, Temple lost turnovers on its first two drives. Defensive end Nate Smith has eight sacks to lead the Owls’ stingy defense.

Temple’s defense held on the ensuing series, and the offense marched into Houston territory but finally stalled when Walker threw an incomplete pass behind Adonis Jennings on fourth and 3 from the Cougars’ 38. Houston ranks fifth nationally with 28 takeaways and has scored five times on defense this season.

Tom Herman came to Houston after helping Ohio State to a national championship last season with designs on returning the Cougars to national prominence.

And fans seem to agree, they’re excited to see where the program goes from here, hoping Coach Matt Rhule is here to stay.