Memphis vs. Houston: Score, Highlights and Twitter Reaction

Erasing two 20-point deficits, the No. 24 Houston Cougars secured a come-from-behind victory thanks to backup quarterback Kyle Postma, defeating the No. 21 Memphis Tigers on Saturday night, 35-34.

Postma, who stepped in for starter Greg Ward Jr. at the end of the first half, overturned 20-0 and 34-14 deficits and provided the game-winning touchdown on a seven-yard scramble with less than two minutes left in the contest.

ESPN showed Postma's game-winner (via Blue):

"

What a way to stay unbeaten! UHCougarFB beats Memphis, becomes first team this year to rally from 20+ down in 4th. https://t.co/XOgTegO6qm

— Blue (@TheColorIsBlue) November 15, 2015"

Houston pulled off something not many teams have done, as ESPN Stats & Info pointed out:

Having attempted just six passes entering Saturday night, Postma went 21-of-33 for 236 yards and two total touchdowns.

To say Postma was an afterthought entering Saturday is an understatement, as ESPN 97.5's Raheel showed:

The win ensured that Houston kept pace with Navy for the lead in the American Athletic Conference West Division and all but ended Memphis' hopes of earning the conference crown. 

The Tigers' season took a blow in difficult fashion, as they had a chance to kick a game-winning field goal with 19 seconds left, but Jake Elliott, who made two prior field goals Saturday, missed a 48-yard attempt.

Houston's offense didn't generate much in the first half, punting on four of its first six drives and fumbling the ball away on the other two.

Memphis, on the other hand, did not have as many issues putting points on the board. The Tigers started the game by scoring 20 unanswered points as Lynch was finding the end zone with big plays. 

He first hit Alan Cross for a 38-yard touchdown at the beginning of the second quarter to cap off an 11-play, 93-yard drive that took just 4:26 off the clock. 

The second came with 1:52 left in the first half, when Lynch hit Doroland Dorceus with a screen pass for a 61-yard touchdown to help Memphis secure a 20-0 lead. 

ESPN (via American Football) shared the replay of Dorceus' big run after the catch:

Lynch set a new school record during the first half, as the Memphis Tigers tweeted:

He finished the day with 278 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Things looked as though they were getting worse for Houston, who watched Ward go down after suffering an ankle injury toward the end of the half. His absence was worrisome for Houston's chances Saturday night and for the rest of the season, as ESPN.com's Sam Kahn Jr. speculated:

But in stepped Postma, who immediately made his presence felt by leading the Cougars to their first score of the game with a 30-yard touchdown pass to Linell Bonner. 

ESPN (via American Football) showed Houston's opening touchdown:

Houston picked up where it left off to start the third quarter, getting within six after a Kenneth Farrow seven-yard rush made it 20-14.

ESPN showed Farrow's touchdown:

Using Dorceus on the ground, Memphis came up with a quick answer to gain a more insurance. Dorceus rushed for 46 of the Tigers' 68 yards, including a six-yard touchdown, on their scoring drive.

ESPN (via American Football) provided the replay of Dorceus' second touchdown of the night: 

Tevin Jones helped put the Tigers up by 20 once again at 34-14 thanks to a perfectly run option play that gave him his first rushing touchdown of the season.

Lynch was doing everything right, even the pitch to Jones, as Khan looked on:

ESPN's Robert Flores didn't expect to see such a healthy lead for Memphis:

Postma wasn't fazed, though, and drove Houston down the field to set up Farrow's second touchdown of the game, a 10-yard rush, to get within 13 at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

Dorceus gave the ball back to the Cougars deep in Memphis territory after a fumble, but Houston turned the ball over on downs inside the Tigers' 10-yard line with nine minutes left to play. 

Memphis was in the giving mood, however, and Lynch made his first mistake of the night, getting picked off by linebacker Elandon Roberts on the Tigers 39. It was just Lynch's second interception of the season.

Houston made Memphis pay after Javin Webb punched in a one-yard rush to help bring the Cougars back within six points with 5:49 left in the game.

After a Memphis punt, Houston had an opportunity to take the lead, and Postma continued to make plays. He drove the Cougars into Memphis territory with less than three minutes left after a 22-yard scramble, which excited Yahoo Sports' Dr. Saturday:

A pass-interference call on Memphis' Chris Morley put the ball inside the Tigers' 10, and Dr. Saturday probably got more excited after Postma scrambled for a seven-yard touchdown to help put the Cougars up by one with 1:27 left in the game.

The win kept Houston undefeated at 10-0, tied with Navy atop the division. With two games remaining, the Cougars have to beat Connecticut before a final regular-season matchup against Navy that could decide who goes to the AAC Championship Game.

Post-Game Reaction

This is a game that will stick around Memphis for quite some time as their second loss of the season all but ends their chances at a larger bowl appearance. 

It was a number of mistakes that left the door open for Houston, as Tigers head coach Justin Fuente has to try and finish this season strong despite this loss. He spoke with the media, via the Commerical Appeal's Tom Schad:

But what a year it's been for Houston's Tom Sherman, who is 10-0 in his first season as a collegiate head coach. He is leading a tight-knit group whose camaraderie helped turn things around on Saturday night, as he spoke with the media via KPRC's James Starks:

It couldn't have been done without Postma, who Herman says was ready to go, per Starks:

Even after Postma's triumphant emergence onto the national stage, Herman was quick to remind everyone that Ward Jr. is still the man, per ABC 13's David Nuno:

Regardless of who is under center, there is something special brewing in Houston as the Cougars will surely continue their rise up the College Football Playoff standings. While it is unlikely that they will be cracking the top-10, even if they beat Navy in two weeks, Houston could be playing in a big bowl game come the postseason. 

Stats courtesy of ESPN.com.