Overview
- C.J. Stroud hit Jayden Higgins for 75 yards and Jaylin Noel for 43 on the first two drives to build a 14-0 lead.
- Houston then sputtered with five punts across 10 drives as Stroud threw two interceptions that disrupted momentum.
- A swarming defense produced five sacks and held Los Angeles to a field goal and one offensive touchdown through three quarters.
- Despite allowing zero sacks, evaluators highlighted persistent struggles against the blitz and pointed to adjustments needed from coordinator Nick Caley.
- The run game bled the clock late (Woody Marks 19 carries for 71 yards, Jawhar Jordan 8 for 36), while a 15-yard Dalton Schultz penalty, a late illegal contact on Tarheeb Still, and Cameron Dicker’s missed extra point proved pivotal.