Ward powers Houston past Florida State

Associated Press

ATLANTA

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 turnover-plagued Florida State 38-24 in the Peach Bowl on Thursday.

Florida State, which won the national championship two years ago, was favored by seven points.

“It means that we’ll play against anybody, anywhere,” Ward said. “We won’t back down from anyone.”

Florida State’s Sean Maguire, who was carted off the field with a sprained left ankle late in the first quarter, returned but threw four interceptions.

Dalvin Cook was held to 33 yards rushing with a touchdown and a lost fumble. That left the Seminoles with five turnovers — half their total of 10 in 12 regular-season games.

Houston scored the most points allowed by Florida State this season. “Our turnovers had a lot to do with it,” said coach Jimbo Fisher.

The No. 9 Seminoles (10-3), who trailed 21-3 at halftime, tried to rally with two fourth-quarter touchdown passes by Maguire.

Fisher said X-rays showed no structural damage to Maguire’s ankle.

Maguire said the injury “limited some stuff, but it was fine.”

Ward, the nation’s only player to run and throw for 1,000 yards this season, threw for 238 yards and ran for 67 yards for No. 14 Houston (13-1).

“To be on this stage and do it with everybody watching, this bowl is huge,” said Houston running back Kenneth Farrow. “It means a lot for our program.”

Linebacker Matthew Adams said the win “puts our name out there with all the other great programs.”

Houston safety Trevon Stewart and cornerback William Jackson III each had two interceptions. Stewart recovered a fumble.

Ward, the junior who started at wide receiver early last season before becoming a full-time quarterback, had touchdown runs of 7 and 6 yards. He left the game briefly after taking a hit in the third quarter, and was shaken up again with about 4 minutes remaining.

Ward returned to take the final snaps of the game, raising his arm in celebration before laying on his back, wallowing in the confetti which fell from the Georgia Dome roof. He was named offensive MVP of the game.

“It hasn’t hit me yet. It just doesn’t seem real,” Ward said.

Houston backup quarterback Kyle Postma’s 29-yard run set up Ryan Jackson’s game-clinching 2-yard touchdown run with about 2 minutes left.

Ward completed 25 of 41 passes with one touchdown and one interception.

Houston’s only loss this season, to Connecticut, came when Ward was out with an injury. He kept the Florida State defense off-balance by leading the Cougars’ fast-tempo, no-huddle attack.

The Cougars won 13 games for the second time in school history, following the 2011 season.