TUNE UP FOR WIN
QB Tune accounts for 5 touchdowns, 306 total yards; defense shuts out Bulls in first half
Clayton Tune accounts for five TDs in rout of South Florida.
All week, coach Dana Holgorsen challenged the University of Houston. Coming off apair of blowout losses, Holgorsen told each player to “look in the mirror.”
The image in the mirror Saturday afternoon?
“We wanted to come out and show the defense we truly we are,” defensive end Derek Parish said.“We can’t let those last few weeks get us.”
Clayton Tune accounted for five touchdowns, Marcus Jones returned a punt 72 yards for a score, and the Cougars kept South Florida scoreless for nearly three quarters in a confidencebuilding 56-21 victory at TDECU Stadium.
Parish scored on an 85yard fumble return in the second half as the Cougars scored in all three phases. After losses to Central Florida and Cincinnati by a combined 51 points, UH responded with a season-high 505 yards total offense and highest point total in the 18game Holgorsen era.
UH improved to 3-3 overall, 3-2 in the American Athletic Conference.
“Pretty determined football team, really,” Holgorsen said. “I think we took a step in the right directions.”
UH played with at least 15 players out of the game, a combination of injuries and COVID-19-related issues, Holgorsen said. The injured players included the Cougars’ top offensive playmaker (Marquez Stevenson), leading rusher (Kyle Porter), top defensive player (Payton Turner) and two starting linebackers (Donavan Mutin and JoVanni Stewart).
South Florida dealt with its own issues, with coach Jeff Scott saying after the game the Bulls were “one more injury or positive (COVID-19 case)” from not being able to meet the required roster numbers.
The Cougars moved the ball at will, rushing for a season-high 319 yards despite the absence of Porter and No. 2 back Mulbah Car leaving with an injury in the third quarter. UH received steady production from Chandler Smith (75 yards), Kelan Walker (61 yards), Car (49) and walk-on James Fullbright III, who scored the first touchdown of his career.
Tune accounted for 306 total yards — 165 passing, a game-high 120 rushing and his first career reception for 21 yards.
“We worked hard on that last week,” Holgorsen said. “We worked really hard on that thisweek. If people play man coverage like that and don’t account for the quarterback, Clayton Tune is going tomake you pay.”
Tune capped a threeplay, 75-yard drive that took just 56 seconds with a 28yard touchdown to Bryson Smith. The junior quarterback followed with touchdown runs of 26 and 13 runs and added a 33-yard pass to Keith Corbin for a 28-0 halftime lead. It was the first time UH led after the first quarter or at halftime this season.
UH outgained South Florida 346-111 in the first half. The Bulls’ first third-down conversion came at the 7:14 mark of the third quarter.
“We talked about it all week, and went out there and started fast,” Holgorsen said. “I think we can put that to rest.”
UH did not let up to begin the second half.
South Florida (1-7, 0-6 AAC) was forced to punt on the opening drive. Jones, an All-American returner at Troy, caught the ball at the 28-yard line, made a move to his right, followed a few blockers before taking off down the sideline, hurdling one final defender for a 72yard touchdown. It was the longest punt return in TDECU Stadium and first punt return for a touchdown by UH in a home game since 1996.
“It seemed like it was just a matter of time before he was going to do that,” Holgorsen said. “He’s one of the best in the country. He’s pretty special.”
Later in the third quarter, South Florida drove to the UH 7-yard line. On second down, defensive end David Anenih delivered a blindside hit, forcing a fumble by quarterback Jordan McCloud. Parish scooped up the ball and ran 85 yards for his first career touchdown. Parishhada biggame with five tackles, 1½ sacks, two tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries.
South Florida scored all its points during an eightminute stretch between the third and fourth quarter. Leonard Parkerhad a 2-yard touchdown run, Omarion Dollison caught a 2-yard pass and Bentlee Sanders had a 38-yard pick-six off Tune.
After the turnover, Holgorsen kept his first-team offense on the field, with a 21point lead and 10:22 left in the game.
“We just wanted to finish the game and get the bad taste out of our mouth,” Tune said.
UH responded with 14 points in the span of 20 seconds. Christian Trahan caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Tune. On the ensuing kickoff, Fullbright forced a fumble that was recovered by Shaun Lewis. On the next play, Fullbright scored on a 14-yard run.
“The coaches have been preaching finish, finish, finish,” Corbin said. “We just cameout and dominated on both sides of the ball.”