Houston beat Georgia Southern 42-28 in Willie Fritz’s first return to Paulson Stadium since 2015. The Cougars scored on each of their first six series, converted eight of nine third downs and got a career-high 120 rushing yards from Re’Shaun Sanford II to move to 3-1.
Houston led 14-0 before Georgia Southern tied the game with a 40-yard flea-flicker touchdown and a score after recovering a surprise onside kick. The Cougars answered with two touchdowns in the final six minutes of the first half. Trent Walker had six catches for 83 yards, including a touchdown that put Houston ahead 35-14 early in the third quarter.
Georgia Southern quarterback Max Johnson passed for 384 yards and three touchdowns without an interception; Alex Taylor had 119 receiving yards and two scores. Houston has allowed an average of 306 passing yards per game against FBS opponents this season, a key area for improvement. Georgia Southern (1-3) has lost three straight and visits Coastal Carolina next Saturday; Houston (3-1, 0-1 Big 12) hosts UCF.
