Following Penn State's first touchdown in the TicketCity Bowl, the Cougars return the ball to midfield, leading 17-7. Case Keenum hits a short pass before missing on second down, bringing up and 3rd-and-7, but hits Patrick Edwards down to Penn State's 35 for a first down.
On the next set of downs, Houston faces a 4th-and-1 and Penn State forces an incompletion at its own 25 to get the ball back. A huge play for Penn State. The difference between Houston getting some points to stem the Nittany Lions' momentum and Penn State having a chance to make this a one possession game.
The Lions go 3-and-out offensively on the next drive, but turning the Cougars away without points was a huge momentum boost.
Was a huge momentum boost.
After Houston gets the ball back, Keenum finds Edwards for 75 yards wide open down the middle of the field for a back-breaking touchdown. Drew Astorino slipped and fell, leaving Edwards with plenty of pasture to work with. Totally lets the air out of the balloon for the Lions.
With 1:43 left in the half, Houston takes a 24-7 lead.
Penn State goes 3-and-out on its next drive and Houston misses a field goal as time expires. The teams go to the half with the score still 24-7 Houston.