Tune’s TD throw completes Houston’s rally past La-Lafayette

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) — Clayton Tune linked with Nathaniel Dell for a 12-yard landing with 20 seconds remaining, and Houston rallied from a 13-point deficit to beat Louisiana-Lafayette 23-16 within the Independence Bowl on Friday.

The TD go was Tune’s third of the sport and fortieth of the season, tying the senior with Western Kentucky’s Austin Reed for essentially the most within the nation. Earlier than the successful throw, he accomplished a 41-yard go to KeSean Carter on first-and-30 to maneuver Houston into Ragin’ Cajuns territory.

Dell, a junior who plans to enter the NFL draft, had two landing catches, pushing his complete to a nation-best 17 this season.

The Cougars (8-5) by no means led till that late landing as Tune heated up amid unseasonably chilly temperatures in northwest Louisiana. It was 25 levels at kickoff, with a wind chill of 12 levels.

“At the moment was like the remainder of the 12 months,” Houston coach Dana Holgorsen mentioned. “The situations had been powerful, however they dealt with it nice.

“To be down at halftime and to return again on a two-minute drive and rating, that’s what the entire season has been about. They created a reasonably particular reminiscence, to win a bowl recreation like this.”

Louisiana-Lafayette (6-7) led 13-0 halfway by way of the second quarter and 16-6 at halftime.

Tune was named the sport’s offensive MVP, ending 19 of 28 for 216 yards. He led Houston on a 13-play, 70-yard drive to open the second half and hit Dell for a 2-yard landing that made it 16-13.

The Cougars stored it shut from there, setting the stage for Tune’s game-winner to the 5-foot-10 Dell, nicknamed “Tank.”

“That’s precisely the way in which I’d have scripted to exit,” Tune mentioned. “I noticed the protection, and we had a play referred to as to Tank. I noticed leverage for a greater route and he did, too. I had all the religion on the planet he would win on the route, catch the ball and get into the top zone. It was a straightforward choice for me. I couldn’t be happier with the way in which it occurred.”

Clinging to a three-point lead, Louisiana stuffed Houston on fourth-and-short on the Ragin’ Cajuns 5-yard line halfway by way of the third quarter, however the Cougars ultimately tied the sport on Kyle Ramsey’s 19-yard area early within the fourth.

The Ragin’ Cajuns wasted an opportunity to retake the lead when operating again Chris Smith fumbled on the Houston 4.

“They fought,” first-year Ragin Cajuns coach Mike Desormeaux mentioned. “We made a few errors in essential conditions, however I’ve by no means been extra pleased with them.”

Louisiana-Lafayette, positioned three hours south of Shreveport, took the opening kick and orchestrated a 15-play, 75-yard drive that ended when tight finish Johnny Lumpkin made a stunning landing catch within the nook of the top zone.

The Cajuns received three area objectives within the first half from by Kenneth Almendares (42, 42, and 22 yards). Chandler Fields completed 17 of 25 passing for 169 yards and a landing.

Tune’s first TD toss was a 33-yarder to Carter within the second quarter. Carter completed with 104 yards on three catches, and Dell had six receptions for 44 yards.

ELITE COMPANY

Tune and Reed, who threw six TD passes in Wednesday’s New Orleans Bowl victory over South Alabama, are three forward of Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams of Southern California and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud. Williams nonetheless has the Cotton Bowl recreation to play and Stroud’s Buckeyes are within the Faculty Soccer Playoff.

THE TAKEAWAY

Louisiana-Lafayette: First-year coach Michael Desormeaux guided the Ragin’ Cajuns to their first dropping season since 2017 (5-7). This system had posted three consecutive seasons with a minimum of 10 victories (34-5 in that stretch).

Houston: Coach Dana Holgorsen honored certainly one of his mentors, the late Mississippi State coach Mike Leach, by carrying a black hoodie with “STATE” on the entrance. Holgorsen performed for Leach at Iowa Wesleyan and later coached beneath him at Texas Tech. Leach died on Dec. 12.

UP NEXT

Louisiana-Lafayette: The Ragin Cajuns stay in-state to open the 2023 season as they’ll host one other Louisiana college, Northwestern State, on Sept. 2.

Houston: The Cougars open the 2023 marketing campaign at residence in opposition to UTSA on Sept. 2.

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