Houston claims berth in AAC title game with win over Navy

Houston got the ball back with just one minute and 30 seconds remaining in the half at its own 29-yard line, but Ward managed to orchestrate a masterful drive down to the Navy 28, with two long scrambles playing a significant role.

The University of Houston Cougars will play in the American Athletic Conference title game after beating the Midshipmen of Navy, 52-31, at TDECU Stadium Friday. The Cougars, meantime, are set to host the AAC championship game December 5 against either Temple or South Florida after winning the West Division by scoring the most points of opponent against Navy this year.

Rather than competing for the American Athletic Conference title and perhaps a berth in a New Year’s bowl, Navy must regroup for its most important game of the season December 12 against Army.

Junior receiver Demarcus Ayers had a dynamic afternoon for the Cougars, hauling in eight catches for 161 yards and a touchdown, while passing for a 29-yard touchdown.

Houston had 555 yards of total offense.

The Houston defense has been the weaker of the Cougars’ units this season, but even it rose to the occasion Friday. Ty Cummings hit a 45-yard field goal to end the half to give the Cougars a 24-14 lead. A really, really impressive showing for Ward considering that he missed all but one series of last week’s loss to UConn with an ankle injury. The Midshipmen made a decision to dial up the passing game, as Reynolds connected with Tyler Carmona for 41 yards before throwing a 26-yard touchdown to Jamir Tillman.

The No. 16 Navy Midshipmen will travel to take on the No. 21 Houston Cougars on Friday.

The first possession for Navy ended in fullback Chris Swain’s four-yard touchdown run to tie.

Will Houston pull off the win at home or does Navy knock them off for their tenth win of the season?

While it seemed as though the momentum was starting to shift in Navy’s favor, Houston put a stop to that with its third double-digit-play scoring drive of the first half.