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End third quarter: BYU 26, Houston 15

The Cougars regained a bit of momentum in the third quarter after the epic meltdown to end the second quarter. They drove 53 yards on 15 plays and took a 26-15 lead on Trevor Samson's 27-yard field goal. The Cougars had a first-and-goal at the 10, but a holding penalty put them in a hole. So far, that's been the story of the game for the Cougars — untimely penalties. Freshman center Tejan Koroma, who was ejected in the final fall scrimmage, was ejected again. He took a swing at a Houston defender in front of the referee, and although it didn't appear to connect, it was, by rule, a punch.

Halftime: BYU 23, Houston 15

BYU 23, Houston 15 BYU appeared to be cruising to an easy win midway through the second quarter when Taysom Hill threw a 6-yard touchdown strike to Mitch Mathews, but Houston had other ideas. The red Cougars dominated the last eight minutes of the first half, and trail just 23-15 at halftime. First, Houston put together a 17-play drive as BYU sat back in a prevent defense and gave QB John O'Korn all kinds of time to throw. The Cougars' defense stiffened near the goal line, though, and Houston settled for a 29-yard field goal. On the next play, Taysom Hill's pass was tipped and intercepted, giving Houston great field position at BYU's 29. O'Korn quickly hit Deontay Greenberry on a 28-yard pass to the BYU 1, and the red Cougars were able to punch it in the end zone to get back in the game. The Cougars turned it over again just before halftime; Mitchell Juergens fumbled after a 38-yard reception. The red Cougars then converted a Hail Mary, as O'Korn lofted the ball to the end zone and Daniel Spencer hauled it in as the clock struck zero.

BYU 23, Houston 0

Taysom Hill is settling in after a bit of a rocky start throwing the football. Hill has completed 9 of his last 11 passes, including a 6-yard TD pass to Mitch Mathews that gave BYU a 23-0 lead.

The 16-play, 88-yard drive took 5:23 off the clock and came after Houston's best drive of the game. However, the red Cougars' field goal try barely got off the ground.

Hill is having the type of game he wanted to have in front of an ESPN national audience. He's completed 13 of 21 passes for 132 yards and a TD and rushed six times for 50 yards and a TD.

So far, BYU is putting the whipping on Houston that many expected. The red Cougars have just 80 total yards.

BYU 16, Houston 0

BYU is picking up where it left off against Texas five days ago. The Cougars marched almost effortlessly to the end zone midway through the first quarter, and took a 16-0 lead on Taysom Hill's 5-yard TD run.

BYU's defense has been as impressive as its offense, forcing two Houston punts and a safety.

The Cougars have 159 total yards and Houston has 19.

Blue Cougars on top early

It took them a bit of time to get going, but the BYU Cougars are on top of the Houston Cougars early at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

BYU leads 9-0 after an 11-yard TD run by Jamaal Williams and a safety by Zac Stout. Stout tackled UH's Ryan Jackson in the end zone to give the Cougars a 2-0 lead.

After UH's punt, BYU went 64 yards in five plays to take the 9-0 lead.

Quarterback Taysom Hill has been off-target early, overthrowing several open receivers. It will be interesting to see if he settles down now that BYU has a good lead.

The Cougars punted on their first possession, then had a touchdown called back on their second possession, just like last week vs. Texas.

Devon Blackmon broke free for a 33-yard TD catch, but was lined up incorrectly (off the line of scrimmage) and the Cougars were hit with an illegal formation penalty on the play.

Eight of BYU's 10 plays on the stalled drive were passing plays.

Patriotic night

BYU's 7 p.m. MT game tonight against Houston will have a patriotic feel as the school commemorates an important, and sad, day in U.S. history.

Both teams will wear special edition helmets in the game to honor those who died in the Sept. 11, 2011 terrorist attacks.

Also, between the first and second quarters, fans in the East stands will hold cards that spell out "We Will Never Forget."

Instead of the traditional Y painted at midfield, the logo is red, white and blue with a U.S. flag motif.

Algernon Brown out

Five days since drubbing Texas 41-7 last Saturday, the No. 25 BYU Cougars will be back in action tonight, taking on Houston (1-1) at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

The game will be televised nationally by ESPN.

BYU's task tonight will be keeping its momentum against a team that almost knocked it off last year. BYU beat Houston 47-46 at Reliant Stadium in one of quarterback Taysom Hill's best games.

Hill was spectacular in BYU's wins over UConn and Texas, including a leaping 30-yard touchdown run that just might become his signature play in 2014.

Hill will be without one of his top weapons, however.

Running back Algernon Brown, who suffered a sprained ankle against Texas, announced via Twitter before the game that he will not play tonight.

Adam Hine will get more reps, presumably, after scoring a pair of touchdowns against the Longhorns last week.