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This miracle on 11th St. belongs to the Cougars

Tulsa's Damaris Johnson hauls in a touchdown catch against Houston's Roisean Haynes on Saturday. CORY YOUNG/Tulsa World

 
By JOHN KLEIN Senior Sports Columnist
Published: 11/8/2009  2:19 AM
Last Modified: 11/8/2009  5:48 AM
Go to John Klein's Blog

THERE HAVE been a few miracles in the history of the University of Tulsa football.

Nothing has been more unbelievable, more devastating than Houston's 46-45 victory on Saturday night at Chapman Stadium.

In what has to be one of the most disappointing finishes in TU football history, Houston pulled out a remarkable victory when all hope seemed to be gone for the 13th-ranked Cougars.

Houston seemed out of time and out of chances, but scored nine points in the final 21 seconds to literally pull a victory from the jaws of defeat.

Matt Hogan was good on a 51-yard field goal as time expired and the Coogs pulled out the victory. Hogan's previous long was 34 yards.

It was plenty long and right through the middle.

That was just the final incredible play during a finish full of them.

"I've never been more proud," Tulsa coach Todd Graham said. "We were very deserving to win. We just didn't finish it."

Tulsa appeared a sure bet to pull off this upset in the final seconds.

The Hurricane took a 45-37 lead with just over three minutes to go.

This game was far from over.

Houston drove 61 yards for a touchdown in those final three minutes. A 1-yard pass brought the Cougars to within 45-43 with just 21 seconds left.

Then
the game rode on a two-point attempt. Or, so we thought. Tanner Antle sacked Case Keenum and it appeared TU was about to pull off the upset.

But again, Tulsa was unable to make a play. On the onside kick, Houston recovered.

"You don't give them a chance like that," Graham said.

It was a long shot, but the Cougars, and their magnificent offense, had 20 seconds to make something happen from their own 39.

Keenum completed passes of 14 and 13 yards to get to the Tulsa 34.

That's when Hogan knocked home the game-winner as time expired.

The crushing defeat was Tulsa's fourth straight loss, sending TU to 4-5 on the year and taking away any hope for the Conference USA title.

"We've got three games left, and we've got to win those to go to a bowl," Tulsa quarterback G.J. Kinne said.

Kinne was fabulous in the loss. He threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns. He repeatedly scrambled out from under pressure to run for 100 yards and another TD. He's the first TU quarterback to pass for over 300 yards and run for 100 in a game.

"I'm really proud of how he played," Graham said.

It was an incredible finish to a highly entertaining game.

In what might have been Tulsa's best game of the season, the Golden Hurricane led for most of the second half and looked to be equal to or better than Houston.

It was a game of yards and points. The two teams combined for 1,229 yards and 61 first downs.

Keenum was everything advertised and certainly made his case for the Heisman. He certainly didn't hurt his chances, both with his off-the-chart stats against TU and the way he rallied his team to the unlikely victory.

Keenum was nothing short of sensational. He hit 40-of-60 passes for 522 yards and three touchdowns.

The Cougars were virtually unstoppable, gaining 695 yards on 100 snaps.

"(Keenum's) the best in the country," Graham said.

This game had huge swings of momentum caused by little defense and officiating goofs. One huge reviewed play overturned a fumble and kept alive TU's final touchdown drive.

Other reviewed plays nullified what would have been a safety for Tulsa. Another review of a fumbled punt by Houston, which didn't appear to be touched, led to an easy Tulsa touchdown.

In other words, the reviews helped and hurt Tulsa.

But it was TU's play, especially on offense, that was a big turnaround from the recent losses.

Tulsa, which struggled to score in losses to Boise State, Texas-El Paso and SMU, had no such trouble against the Cougars.

The Golden Hurricane scored the first two times it had the ball in the game.

TU scored the first three times it touched the ball in the second half, stretching out to a 38-27 lead in the third quarter.

Everyone knew this game was far from over. Houston has the nation's best offense and Tulsa was playing at peak form.

But when Tulsa finally got that final TD on Charles Clay's 1-yard run, the Hurricane was in good shape with a 45-37 lead with just over three minutes to go.

No one should ever count out Houston and no one did. No one left.

Even after Antle sacked Keenum on the two-point attempt and the victory seemed so close, it wasn't over.
By JOHN KLEIN Senior Sports Columnist

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COMMENTS 
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6 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Golden Hurricane, Tulsa (11/8/2009 4:30:46 AM)
Unfrigginreal. Can't add much to that, just a devastating loss.
Report Comment
canesablowin', (11/8/2009 10:53:19 AM)
The performance we saw from Kinne was what fans were expecting all season long. This was a breakout game against a top ranked opponent that could prove to be the type of game we see regularly from Kinne the rest of the season and for the future. It's no surprise that improved O-line protection holds the key to any quarterback's success and we saw that last night. An improved O-line, stable of outstanding receivers and Kinne at the controls could have CUSA offering up another QB next season for end of season honors.
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Phred_53, Stillwater (11/8/2009 9:57:48 AM)
Keenum is the most deserving of ALL the Heisman hopefuls. However, since he doe snot play for a "Big Name" team he won't be in the top three. Heck he may not even get invited to the party. What a travesty. On a side note, I think the kid will laugh all the way to the bank in the NFL. Case Keenum knows how to win.
Report Comment
huricandeoro, (11/8/2009 3:09:37 AM)
very similar to the memphis loss in basketball...in fact right before the onside kick I said, "this feels a lot like memphis." I guess I jinxed it so blame the loss on me
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UHGuy, Houston (11/8/2009 2:06:09 PM)
FYI, Keenum and every receiver and back will be back next season for Houston along with at least offensive linemen. At least 8 from its lousy defense will also be back. Most people don't know, but Houston rotates 8 defensive linemen 5 are pure or readshirt freshman. Keenum says he will be back at Houston next year. Maybe he will win the Heisman next year, this year is too stacked against him unfortunately.

Kinne played a great game. Housont could not stop him from runing on most pass plays. It will be a great game next year also.
Report Comment
driller, houston (11/8/2009 8:00:29 AM)
I was a little shocked that the officials gave us the ball on the punt that never touched anybody. We need to find that official and thank him. He handed us 7 points for absolutely no reason. And we boo an obvious forward pass that the officials didn't rule a fumble for a safety? Let's see 7 points minus 2 = 5. Not bad for a night filled with ups and downs. But take away just the 5 points and we don't get to enjoy the thrilling finish. What a game and what a performance by two great quarterbacks. If Keenum isn't Heisman material I don't know who is.
 

 
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