Final Analysis: UH Football v. Tulsa

With Saturday’s 37-30 loss to Tulsa at TDECU Stadium, UH football ended their regular season with much to be desired.

The UH offense performed well early; in particular, the connection between quarterback Clayton Tune and wide receiver Nathaniel Dell was routine in what was the quarterback-receiver duo’s final home game together.

The Cougars managed to hold onto a 24-20 lead going into the half, despite letting Tulsa score a touchdown in the final minute of the half on a keeper from quarterback Braylon Braxton.

Braxton’s name was all over the UH defense throughout the game, finishing with four total touchdowns.

Starting the second half with possession, the Golden Hurricane were quick to take their first lead of the game with a 52-yard connection between Braxton and wide receiver JuanCarlos Santana. The Cougars never took the lead back.

Down the stretch of the fourth quarter, Tulsa expanded its lead to 37-27. A last-second effort from the Cougars to mount a comeback fell short, only netting a field goal.

Frustrations were visibly high amongst UH players and staff following the loss, which came on the team’s senior night. Redshirt freshman Sam Brown was caught on camera slapping a Tulsa player following the game; despite head coach Dana Holgorsen saying he hadn’t heard about the incident during his post-game interview, UH football put out a statement launching an investigation into the incident shortly after.

Despite the loss, both Clayton Tune and Nathaniel Dell reached significant career milestones on Saturday, including Tune becoming the first quarterback in American Athletic Conference history to throw for 100 career touchdowns and Dell reaching 100 receptions on the season.

The Cougars now wait for word on who they will be playing in their Bowl game to finish out the year.