Today, in 2007, Houston became the first team in FBS history with a 300-yard receiver and
a 200-yard rusher in the same game. Donnie Avery caught 13 passes for 346 yards while Anthony Alridge ran for 205 yards in a 56-48 win over Rice. Avery scored two first-quarter touchdowns, and Alridge finished with four TDs.
Houston ran up 748 yards of offense on 81 plays (9.2 ypp) as Case Keenum (15/18 for 156 yards) and Blake Joseph (11/18 for 318 yards and 3 touchdowns) each played a half at QB. The teams combined for 748 yards, which was the second-most ever in Conference USA at the time
UH scored 28 points on 14 plays in the first quarter, then went 26 minutes without another point. Just before halftime, Joseph completed a 42-yard pass to the Rice 1-yard line with 15 seconds left. On first down, Joseph fumbled, and Rice recovered. The Owls led 34-28 at the half.
Case Keenum started the second half, but was intercepted four plays later. Rice scored on 11 plays but failed on a two-point conversion. It was 40-28.
Starting on the next play, Keenum completed 11 straight passes. He led the Coogs to touchdown drives on four of the next five drives, with all four scores coming on the ground. After Houston went up 56-48, Rice had 2:20 to tie it, but Loyce Means intercepted QB Chase Clement on the first play.
For six straight seasons, the Bayou Bucket teams combined for 60+ points, including four 80+ point games (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011) and two 100+ point games (2007, 2011).
Avery’s 346 yards is the sixth-highest in NCAA history. It is still a C-USA record and would have been the record in the Southwest Conference, the American, and the Big 12.
2007 Bayou Bucket box score via UHstats.com
Click on an image to enlage it. All photos courtesy of Houston Athletics.
