In the last home game of the regular season, No. 17 Houston Football knocked off Memphis 31-13 on Friday night at TDECU Stadium to finish the American Athletic Conference regular season undefeated.

The Cougars (10-1, 8-0 American) clinched an undefeated conference record for the first time since 2011 and second time in their 75-year history while snapping a five-game losing streak against the Tigers (5-6, 2-5 American).

Houston found a spark early in the second quarter with a punt block by sophomore Ja'Kori Morgan to set up the Cougars at the Memphis 36-yard line. On the very next play, freshman running back Alton McCaskill broke free for a season-long 36-yard touchdown rush to open the scoring for the Cougars. McCaskill's second quarter score was his 15th rushing touchdown of the season, moving him up to a tie for second all-time for Houston single-season rushing touchdowns with Jackie Battle in 2006.

Following a punt on the Tigers' next possession, the Cougars drove 93 yards down the field in 11 plays as junior quarterback Clayton Tune found sophomore wide receiver Nathaniel Dell in the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown pass to extend the Houston lead to 14-0. After a Memphis field goal put them on the board for the first time in the game, the Cougars responded with a six play, 63-yard drive capped off by a 20-yard rushing touchdown by Tune for Houston's third straight possession with a touchdown to lead 21-3 at halftime.

Coming into the third quarter, Memphis established a promising drive before senior cornerback Marcus Jones came up with an interception for his fourth in as many games. The Memphis offense capitalized on a Houston turnover as freshman quarterback Seth Henigan completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to junior running back Asa Martin to cut the deficit to 21-10. The Tigers' defense forced another punt on the next Cougars' possession, followed by an eight-play, 86-yard drive resulting in a 22-yard field goal by freshman kicker David Kemp to make it a one-possession game at 21-13.

After exchanging punts, the Cougars capped off a short possession with a five-play, a 29-yard drive with a 34-yard field goal by Witherspoon to make it a two-possession game at 24-13 late in the fourth quarter. Following a Memphis turnover on downs inside its own territory, Houston iced the game with a 4-yard touchdown rush by junior running back Ta'Zhawn Henry to extend the lead to 31-13.

The Cougars' defense shined once again as they held the Tigers to 24 total yards in the fourth quarter. It also marked the second consecutive game without allowing a first-half touchdown to an opponent, marking the first time since 2015.

Tune finished the game with 20 completions for 264 yards and one passing touchdown. Henry finished the game as the leading rusher for the Cougars thanks to 13 carries for 73 yards and one touchdown. Dell led all receivers with seven receptions for 100 yards and one touchdown, while Jones finished the game with two interceptions and 29 punt return yards on the night.

UP NEXT
The Cougars will play their last regular season game when they go on the road and face the UConn Huskies on Saturday at 11 a.m. in Hartford, Conn.