Tulane Uses Trick Play To Set Up Game-Winning TD, Beats Houston 38-31
With the game tied 31-31, The Tulane Green Wave called a fake kneeling play to gain a first down with 0:21 seconds left on the clock, catching the Houston Cougars completely by surprise.
On the very next play, Green Wave QB Justin McMillan (an LSU transfer) threw a dart to WR Jalen McCleskey between two Cougar defenders and McCleskey raced to the endzone for the game-winning score with 0:03 seconds left as The Green Wave beat Houston 38-31 on Thursday night in The Big Easy.
The win improved Tulane’s record to 3-1, while Houston fell to 1-3. That is Houston’s second loss in as many weeks after losing to Washington State last week.
McMillan completed only 7 passes on the night, but 3 of those went for touchdowns, none more important than the 53-yard strike to McCleskey to win the game. He finished with 186 yards passing and zero interceptions. He also rushed for 91 yards and a TD.
McCleskey caught just 4 passes but gained 120 yards receiving and scored 2 TD’s.
RB Darius Bradwell added 113 yards on the ground for the Green Wave.
The Cougar defense did sack McMillan 4 times and recovered a fumble.
Cougar QB D’Eriq King passed for 229 yards and 2 TD’s and 1 INT, and rushed for 116 yards on 17 carries and a TD.
King set the NCAA record with 15 consecutive games scoring a TD both rushing and passing. The record was previously held by former Florida Gators QB Tim Tebow.
Both teams combined for over 1000 yards of total offense. The Green Wave defense held Houston scoreless in the 3rd quarter and recorded 3 sacks and an INT. But missed scoring opportunities (2 missed field goals) and poor tackling on the final drive cost the Cougars a victory.
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