UH won despite four turnovers, including a pair of critical fumbles—one that set up a UCA (0-1) score just two minutes into the game and another midway through the fourth quarter as UH looked to take the lead. But the Warriors hung tough, reeling off 17 unanswered points in the second and third quarters, scoring with just 82 seconds left in the game after trailing by a point, and recovering a fumble in the waning seconds to secure the win.

 

Alexander threw for 304 yards and tied a career-high with three touchdown tosses. The senior also rushed for a career-high 76 yards.

 

The real hero of the game, however, was junior wide receiver Greg Salas, whose winding catch-and-run eventually set up the game-winner. UH had the ball on its own 26-yard line trailing 20-19 with just 2:26 remaining in the game when Salas took an Alexander toss 66 yards down to the Bears 8-yard line. The Warriors would score three plays later. Salas finished with a team-high seven catches and  a career-high 180 yards receiving and one touchdown reception.

 

The UH defense shut down on the Bears (0-1) for good when they recorded two sacks on the final possession. Corey Paredes took down UCA quarterback Robbie Park and forced a fumble that was recovered by Richard Torres in the final minute of the game.

 

#R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane#, Spencer Smith and Mana Silva led the UH defense with 10 tackles each.

 

For the third straight season. UH opened its home schedule with an FCS team. But unlike its last two games, which UH won by double-digits, this one came down to the wire. Running back Brent Grimes scored all three UCA touchdowns, but it wasn't enough as the Warriors won its home opener for the fourth straight year.

 

The Warriors will play their next three games on the road, beginning with a date versus Washington State at Seattle's Qwest Field on Sept. 12.