The Arizona Wildcats were unable to recover in the fourth quarter resulting in their first loss of the season, 19-16, against the Houston Cougars at Arizona Stadium.
In the first quarter, Houston quarterback and Scottsdale native, Kyle Allen was unable to get the ball over the goal line causing a fumble, but was recovered by teammate Linell Bonner. Arizona forced Houston to a 25-yard field goal giving the Cougs a 3-0 lead.
Arizona took time off the board when trying to score going on a 12-play, 52-yard drive before Josh Pollack kicked a 45-yard field goal to tie the game.
The Cougs were able to get their first touchdown of the season after Allen completed a 49-yard pass to Steven Dunbar, which set up a pass to Linell Bonner to take the lead, 10-3.
It was a back-and-fourth battle in the second as Arizona responded quickly with Taylor rushing 54 yards on the drive to get Arizona to the goal line and in for the score. However, the following play was an 81-kickoff return by John Leday and Houston came back would score a touchdown to lead 17-10 into the half.
Coming into the third quarter Dawkins rushed 12-yards, but was hit by defensive lineman Ed Oliver who forced a fumble giving Houston the ball.
After two complete passes by Allen, Arizona safety Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles made his third interception of the season, however, it placed the Wildcats at their own 7-yard line. The ensuing posession Dawkins fumbled the ball and it was recovered by the Wildcats in the end zone giving Houston a safety, a lead of 19-10 and the only points Houston would score in the second half.
“I feel like I could have deflected it [interception],” Flannigan-Folwes said. “Before the play it was just the heat of the moment and the ball was just floating in the air so I felt like I could just catch it and make the play.”
The Wildcats went on another long drive with 16 plays and 82 yards but had to settle for a 21-yard field goal.
During the fourth quarter Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez continuously switched between Dawkins and backup quarterback Khalil Tate. Tate would lead a drive to get Arizona three more points off the strength of a Pollack 42-yard field goal, but it would be the last points of the night for Arizona.
Follow Syrena Tracy on Twitter
