Jack Martin's 43-yard field goal as time expires sends Houston past Utah 17-14

HOUSTON (AP) — Jack Martin kicked a 43-yard field goal as time expired and Houston rallied for a 17-14 victory over Utah on Saturday night.

AJ Haulcy intercepted a Brandon Rose pass with 1:55 remaining to put Houston at its own 46. The Cougars then ran it eight straight times to the Utah 25 to set up Martin’s field goal.

It was Houston’s first game-winning field goal since Nov. 7, 2009, in Tulsa.

“That’s every kicker’s dream,” Martin said. “Definitely one of my items to cross off the bucket list.”

Zeon Chriss was 6 of 13 for 61 yards passing with two touchdowns and he rushed for 45 yards for Houston (3-5, 2-3 Big 12). Stephon Johnson caught a 21-yard touchdown pass in the second, and Joseph Manjack IV caught a 28-yard touchdown pass with nine minutes left in the fourth.

J’Marion Burnette had 81 yards rushing and Re’Shaun Sanford II added 72 yards on the ground for Houston, which rushed for 228 yards.

“We needed a break,” Houston coach Willie Fritz said. “I don’t know if we got one this year.”

Fritz, who is in his first season coaching Houston, earned his 250th win as a head coach.

Isaac Wilson finished 13 of 22 passing for 171 yards with a touchdown before being replaced by Rose with 8.5 minutes left in the third quarter. Rose completed 7 of 15 passes for 45 yards for the Utes (4-4, 1-4), who lost their fourth straight game.

“I’m trying to get a spark,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said of the decision to swap the quarterbacks. “Trying to create something. “We had only scored one touchdown and just couldn’t seem to get any momentum offensively, so we thought it was time to give Brandon a chance.”

Whittingham said the team would make a decision on the starting quarterback position after reviewing the tape.

Brant Kuithe caught five passes for 113 yards and a 71-yard touchdown reception on the Utes’ second play from scrimmage.

Micah Bernard rushed for 51 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown with five minutes left in the third quarter, to put the Utes ahead 14-7.

“We can only go one way,” Bernard said. We lost, what is this for four in a row? Where are we going now? We keep trying to win. … We have to figure something out. We need to put a W in the win column. That’s the only way we can go.”

It was the first game for Utah interim offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian, who replaced Andy Ludwig this week. Utah outscored Houston 306-289 in total yards.

The takeaway

Utah: The Utes’ defense was stout again, holding Houston to 3 of 15 on third downs. Utah came in allowing opponents to convert on 26% of their third down attempts, which was fifth most in the country.

Houston: The Cougars’ offense continued to struggle in the red zone. Houston had four chances to score from the 1-yard line – two chances each in the second and third quarters – and was unable to convert.

Utah: Hosts BYU on Nov. 9.

Houston: Hosts No. 16 Kansas State on Saturday.

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