Houston, TX (Sports Network) - G.J. Kinne rushed for a team-high 190 yards and scored a rushing touchdown to lead the Tulsa Golden Hurricane to a 28-25 victory over the Houston Cougars in a Conference-USA bout at Robertson Stadium.
Kinne also threw for 154 yards and two touchdowns for Tulsa (7-3, 4-2), which is tied with SMU for the lead in the West Division.
David Piland threw for 291 yards and three touchdowns for Houston (5-5, 4-3), but the quarterback also hurt his team's chances by tossing five interceptions. James Cleveland hauled in one of the touchdown passes and finished with 94 yards on seven receptions, while Kierrie Johnson collected five catches for 140 yards and one score.
Tulsa found the end zone on its opening possession, as Alex Singleton capped off a 10-play, 85-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run.
Less than two minutes into the second stanza the Cougars evened the score at seven apiece when Piland connected with Justin Johnson on a 14-yard scoring strike.
However, the Golden Hurricane closed out the first half with two straight scores, beginning with a four-yard touchdown pass from Kinne to Jameel Owens.
Less than two minutes later Kinne tossed another score, this time hooking up with Clay Sears for a five-yard touchdown.
Houston cut its deficit to 21-10 early in the third quarter with a Matt Hogan 32-yard field goal.
Tulsa, however, pushed its lead to 28-10 when Kinne plunged into the end zone on a one-yard run.
Late in the third quarter Houston pulled within 11 points when Piland connected with Cleveland for a 19-yard touchdown pass.
Houston struck again early in the final frame when Piland hit Johnson with a 66-yard touchdown. The Cougars also converted a two-point conversion, bringing them within a field goal of tying the contest.
However, Tulsa would be able to hold on to that three-point lead to earn the victory.
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