University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Houston
Cajuns Downed in Houston
9/14/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Saturday, Sept. 14 2002
Statistical Recap
HOUSTON - Louisiana-Lafayette's offense struggled early, but came together late in a 36-17 loss to the University of Houston here at Robertson Stadium Saturday evening.
The loss extends the Cajuns losing streak against Conference USA schools to 16 games. The Cajuns next game will be at home against C-USA member UAB on Sept. 21 at 6 p.m.
The Cajuns scored two second half touchdowns in a valiant attempt to come from behind.
In the third quarter, Jon Van Cleave keyed a nine-play, 65-yard scoring drive with four completions for 52 yards. Jerome Coleman capped the drive with his first touchdown of the season, a five-yard run with key blocks from Wayne Stein and Blake Bourque.
The score came after UH's Barrick Nealy hit Brandon Middleton on a 55-yard scoring strike midway through the third stanza to give the Cougars a 29-3 lead.
Houston seemingly put the game away with an 82-yard scoring drive, ending in a one-yard plunge by Joffrey Reynolds. The score gave the Cougars a 36-10 advantage.
Late in the fourth quarter, Van Cleave hit Fred Stamps on a short pass that Stamps turned into a 78-yard touchdown.
Coleman led the Cajuns with 59 rushing yards, including his touchdown. He also added four catches for 17 yards.
Houston moved the ball well on their opening drive, consuming 40 yards on eight plays, before stalling on the Cajuns 27-yard line. Dustin Bell converted on a career best 44-yard field goal to give the Cougars a 3-0 lead.
The Cougars second scoring drive began after the Cajuns were forced to punt out of the back of their end zone. Houston moved 38 yards into the end zone on five plays, culminating in a two-yard touchdown run by Nealy. Bell's extra point try was blocked by Charley Smith, holding the Cougars lead at 9-0. The blocked kick was the Cajuns second in the last two games.
A Cajuns turnover resulted in three points for Houston. Bell converted a 37-yard field goal on the first play of the second quarter to give UH a 12-0 lead.
The Cajuns drove inside the Houston red zone midway through the second quarter. Louisiana-Lafayette opted to go for it on fourth-and-one at the UH 14-yard line. Van Cleave's pass landed incomplete and the Cougars regained possession.
The Cougars fumbled the ball back to the Cajuns with 4:31 remaining in the half. UL Lafayette started at the 35-yard line, marching 51 yards into the UH red zone. Sean Comiskey converted on a 38-yard field goal to cut into the UH lead to 12-3.
Houston answered quickly, moving 61 yards on seven plays, scoring a touchdown with three seconds remaining in the half. Nealy hit receiver Johnny Tyson with a 13-yard scoring pass to give the Cougars a 19-3 halftime lead.
-Ragin' Cajuns-
