Auburn Tigers Host Houston Cougars at Protective Stadium in a Close Football Game
The Auburn Tigers, with a season record of 6-7, faced off against the Houston Cougars, who came into the game with an impressive 12-2 record. The final score was a narrow 17-13 in favor of the visiting team.
In front of a full house at Protective Stadium, the Auburn Tigers put up a valiant effort but ultimately fell short against the Houston Cougars. The home team managed to accumulate 352 total yards during the game with an average gain of five yards per play from their 66 plays. Despite two fumbles by the Tigers, they were able to recover both without any turnovers.
The passing game saw Auburn's quarterback throwing for 227 yards and achieving a pass rating of over one hundred eleven. Out of thirty-seven attempts, nineteen were completed which included one touchdown pass that covered twelve yards. The receiving corps was targeted thirty-seven times and made nineteen receptions with their longest catch being fifty-one yards.
On the ground, Auburn rushed for one hundred twenty-five yards on twenty-nine attempts. Their longest run was an impressive thirty-two-yard dash through Houston's defense. However, they did not manage to score any rushing touchdowns despite having five red zone attempts.
Special teams played their part as well; two field goals were successfully made from within forty yards contributing six points to Auburn's total score. Kick returners also added forty-two return yards on two returns.
Defensively, Auburn showed resilience by intercepting two passes and forcing two fumbles while recording one sack for eight lost yardage against Houston's offense. They defended well against third-down conversions allowing only four successes out of fifteen attempts by Houston.
Despite these efforts by the Tigers' defense and special teams unit along with some solid offensive plays throughout four quarters of football action under artificial lights in Birmingham Alabama – it wasn't enough as time ran out leaving them just shy of victory over their opponents who had seventeen points compared to thirteen scored by home side at end fourth quarter when whistle blew signaling end this week eighteen regular-season game between these two college football programs.