King throws 3 TD passes, Houston beats E. Carolina 52-27
HOUSTON -- D'Eriq King threw for three touchdowns and ran for a score, the Cougars converted three turnovers into scores, and Houston became bowl eligible, beating East Carolina 52-27 on Saturday.
King was 15-of-21 passing for 330 yards and scored on a 2-yard run on Houston's (6-3, 4-2 American Athletic Conference) opening drive and the Cougars led 21-0 after the first. King threw a 5-yard TD pass to Courtney Lark, a 75-yarder to Steven Dunbar and a 62-yarder to Linell Bonner that was set up by Emeke Egbule's fumble recovery.
Dunbar gained a career-high 171 yards on six receptions and Bonner had seven catches for 147 yards.
Brandon McDowell had a 74-yard pick-six in the fourth quarter as the Houston defense held the Pirates to 36 yards rushing.
Terrell Williams' interception set up Duke Catalon's 22-yard TD run and Mulbah Car scored on a 1-yard run.
Gardner Minshew set a conference single-game record for completions for East Carolina (2-7, 1-4). He was 52-of-68 passing for 463 yards, with TD throws of 34 and 9 yards to Trevon Brown, who had 11 receptions for 141 yards, and an 18-yarder to Quay Johnson, who caught 14 passes for 115 yards.
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Game Information
2023 American Athletic Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| SMU | 8-0 | 11-3 |
| Tulane | 8-0 | 11-3 |
| UTSA | 7-1 | 9-4 |
| Memphis | 6-2 | 10-3 |
| South Florida | 4-4 | 7-6 |
| Rice | 4-4 | 6-7 |
| Navy | 4-4 | 5-7 |
| North Texas | 3-5 | 5-7 |
| UAB | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Florida Atlantic | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Charlotte | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Tulsa | 2-6 | 4-8 |
| Temple | 1-7 | 3-9 |
| East Carolina | 1-7 | 2-10 |
2023 Big 12 Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 8-1 | 12-2 |
| Oklahoma State | 7-2 | 10-4 |
| Oklahoma | 7-2 | 10-3 |
| Iowa State | 6-3 | 7-6 |
| Kansas State | 6-3 | 9-4 |
| West Virginia | 6-3 | 9-4 |
| Texas Tech | 5-4 | 7-6 |
| Kansas | 5-4 | 9-4 |
| UCF | 3-6 | 6-7 |
| TCU | 3-6 | 5-7 |
| Houston | 2-7 | 4-8 |
| BYU | 2-7 | 5-7 |
| Baylor | 2-7 | 3-9 |
| Cincinnati | 1-8 | 3-9 |
NCAAF News