Quarterback Greg Ward Jr. and the Houston Cougars showed they could thrive in a big-game atmosphere against a big-name opponent.
Ward ran for two touchdowns and threw for another, leading Houston past Florida State, 38-24, on Thursday at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta.
Florida State, which won the national championship two years ago, was favored by 7 points.
“It means that we’ll play against anybody, anywhere,” Ward said. “We won’t back down from anyone.”
Florida State quarterback Sean Maguire was carted off the field with a sprained left ankle late in the first quarter. He returned midway through the second quarter with the ankle wrapped, and he threw four interceptions in the Seminoles’ turnover-plagued game.