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Start your day with BYU football: All-Cougars shootout with Houston in 2013

By Nathan Cunningham

Sep 3, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Taysom Hill (7) drops back to pass during the first half against the Arizona Wildcats at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Taysom Hill (7) drops back to pass during the first half against the Arizona Wildcats at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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BYU football traveled to Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas in 2013 for its first ever matchup with the UH Cougars. The game was a wild one.

BYU football started the 2013 season 1-2. The Cougars lost to Virginia in Week One, then rebounded with a romping of Texas back in Provo. In Week Three BYU football fell to Utah (sigh), but then the Cougars ripped off three-straight wins.

They were looking for four against the red Cougars.

Houston came into the game undefeated (5-0) and more than 33,000 fans were in the stands to see the Cougars and (other) Cougars go at it.

BYU football started things off with a bang. Spencer Hadley intercepted John O’Korn on Houston’s first play from scrimmage. Taysom Hill then led a drive down the field. Two completions to Cody Hoffman, and an option play to Jamaal Williams, BYU was up 7-0 just 55 seconds into the game.

Things never slowed down.

BYU added a field goal to go up 10-0 before Houston ran the following kick back 95 yards for a score. Ross Apo hauled in an 11-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 17-7 before eight minutes had run off the game clock.

Houston scored on a 69-yard touchdown pass, then picked off Taysom Hill’s next attempt and returned it for a score, taking a 21-17 lead. BYU would score again before the end of the quarter, bringing things to 24-21 – the 24 points were the most in quarter for the Cougars since 2012.

The craziness continued throughout the second half. With just over five minutes left in the game, Houston scored, taking a 46-41 lead. It was unsuccessful in getting the two-point conversion.

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With 1:50 left on the clock, BYU took over near the 50-yard line. Hill connected with Skyler Ridley twice on the drive, for 39 yards and a touchdown, giving BYU the lead.

Linebacker Alani Fua would seal the victory with an interception.

Hill completed 29-of-44 passes for 417 yards and four touchdowns. It was one of his best games in a BYU uniform. Hoffman also became the Cougars’ all-time receptions leader in the game.

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