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Houston vs. Auburn

Tuesday, December 28, 2021, Birmingham Bowl

No. 21 Houston beat Auburn 17–⁠13. It was their seventh meeting; Auburn leads the series 5–⁠2.

Neutral site21Houston12–⁠2 in 2021
17
Neutral siteAuburn6–⁠7 in 2021
13

Final at Protective Stadium, Birmingham77°F, overcast, wind 12 mphTV: ESPNAttendance 47,100

MVP Clayton Tune (QB, Houston)Wikipedia

Official
Michael MothershedGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Houston730717
Auburn0310013

Standouts

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licenses; credits on each player’s page.

Player stats

Houston

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Clayton Tune26/4028321
Seth Green0/1001
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Alton McCaskill1478020
Clayton Tune743024
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Nathaniel Dell10150027
Jake Herslow565126
Christian Trahan330020
Jeremy Singleton217016
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Deontay Anderson9000
Donavan Mutin81.500
Gervarrius Owens81.500
Damarion Williams6000
David Anenih2110

Auburn

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
T.J. Finley19/3722710
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Tank Bigsby1696032
Malcolm Johnson Jr.224014
Jarquez Hunter51708
Ja’Varrius Johnson1202
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Tank Bigsby568051
Kobe Hudson457130
John Samuel Shenker554041
Ja’Varrius Johnson120020
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Chandler Wooten120.501
Wesley Steiner6000
Bydarrius Knighten50.500
Smoke Monday5100
Nehemiah Pritchett2001
Andrew Leota1110

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

HoustonAuburn
398Total yards352
283Passing yards227
115Rushing yards125
6.9Yards per pass6.1
4.4Yards per rush4.3
19First downs15
6–⁠14Third downs4–⁠15
1–⁠2Fourth downs1–⁠3
2Turnovers0
6–⁠34Penalties3–⁠35
29:50Possession30:10
1Sacks (by defense)1

Efficiency

HoustonAuburn
37%Success rate39%
0.05EPA per play−0.04
1.54Explosiveness1.21
−0.03Rushing EPA0.01
0.09Passing EPA−0.08
32%Passing-down success27%
−0.05First-down EPA−0.04
−0.05Second-down EPA0.12
0.45Third-down EPA0.20
15%Havoc by its defense16%

From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.

Before kickoff

Our ratings and the line, going in

Our ratings (scores only)

Houston 63% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

The line

Houston −1.5, over/under 49.5.

The last line on file before kickoff: the consensus line when the books publish one, otherwise a single major sportsbook’s.

Before kickoff, the win chances were Houston 54%, Auburn 46%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.

Every drive

Auburn end zoneHouston end zoneQ1 HoustonTouchdown, 12 playsQ1 AuburnPunt, 3 playsQ1 HoustonPunt, 3 playsQ1 AuburnPunt, 3 playsQ1 HoustonPunt, 5 playsQ1 AuburnTurnover on downs, 12 playsQ2 HoustonField goal, 9 playsQ2 AuburnField goal, 8 playsQ2 HoustonPunt, 4 playsQ2 AuburnPunt, 7 playsQ2 HoustonEnd of half, 1 playQ3 AuburnField goal, 7 playsQ3 HoustonPunt, 5 playsQ3 AuburnTouchdown, 11 playsQ3 HoustonInterception, 3 playsQ3 AuburnPunt, 5 playsQ3 HoustonTurnover on downs, 7 playsQ4 AuburnPunt, 5 playsQ4 HoustonInterception, 5 playsQ4 AuburnPunt, 3 playsQ4 HoustonTouchdown, 8 playsQ4 AuburnTurnover on downs, 4 playsQ4 HoustonEnd of game, 6 plays
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Auburn drives left to right, Houston right to left.
  1. Q1 HoustonTouchdown, 12 plays, 87 yards
  2. Q1 AuburnPunt, 3 plays, −1 yard
  3. Q1 HoustonPunt, 3 plays, −2 yards
  4. Q1 AuburnPunt, 3 plays, 7 yards
  5. Q1 HoustonPunt, 5 plays, 33 yards
  6. Q1 AuburnTurnover on downs, 12 plays, 55 yards
  7. Q2 HoustonField goal, 9 plays, 45 yards
  8. Q2 AuburnField goal, 8 plays, 67 yards
  9. Q2 HoustonPunt, 4 plays, 20 yards
  10. Q2 AuburnPunt, 7 plays, 37 yards
  11. Q2 HoustonEnd of half, 1 play, 2 yards
  12. Q3 AuburnField goal, 7 plays, 57 yards
  13. Q3 HoustonPunt, 5 plays, 22 yards
  14. Q3 AuburnTouchdown, 11 plays, 78 yards
  15. Q3 HoustonInterception, 3 plays, 15 yards
  16. Q3 AuburnPunt, 5 plays, 27 yards
  17. Q3 HoustonTurnover on downs, 7 plays, 31 yards
  18. Q4 AuburnPunt, 5 plays, 21 yards
  19. Q4 HoustonInterception, 5 plays, 42 yards
  20. Q4 AuburnPunt, 3 plays, 1 yard
  21. Q4 HoustonTouchdown, 8 plays, 80 yards
  22. Q4 AuburnTurnover on downs, 4 plays, 8 yards
  23. Q4 HoustonEnd of game, 6 plays, 6 yards

Play by play

1st quarter6 drives, then Houston 7, Auburn 0
Houston Touchdown, 12 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Evan McGuire kickoff for 65 yds , Ta’Zhawn Henry return for 13 yds to the Houst 13
14:501st & 10 at own 13Clayton Tune pass complete to Christian Trahan for 10 yds to the Houst 23 for a 1ST down
14:201st & 10 at own 23Clayton Tune pass complete to Nathaniel Dell for 9 yds to the Houst 32
13:452nd & 1 at own 32Alton McCaskill run for a loss of 6 yards to the Houst 26
13:163rd & 7 at own 26HOUSTON Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the Houst 21
13:003rd & 12 at own 21Clayton Tune pass complete to Nathaniel Dell for 18 yds to the Houst 39 for a 1ST down
12:301st & 10 at own 39Alton McCaskill run for 13 yds to the Aub 41 Alton McCaskill fumbled, recovered by Houst
11:501st & 10 at opp 41Clayton Tune run for 4 yds to the Aub 37
11:202nd & 6 at opp 37Clayton Tune pass complete to Nathaniel Dell for 3 yds to the Aub 34
10:303rd & 3 at opp 34Clayton Tune pass complete to Ta’Zhawn Henry for 2 yds to the Aub 32
9:554th & 1 at opp 32Clayton Tune pass complete to Nathaniel Dell for 27 yds to the Aub 5 for a 1ST down
9:301st & goal at opp 5Alton McCaskill run for no gain to the Aub 5
8:522nd & goal at opp 5Clayton Tune pass incomplete
8:463rd & goal at opp 5Clayton Tune pass complete to Alton McCaskill for 5 yds for a TD, (Dalton Witherspoon KICK)Houston 7, Auburn 0
Auburn Punt, 3 plays
8:463rd & 10 at own 35Bubba Baxa kickoff for 62 yds , Jarquez Hunter return for 20 yds to the Aub 23
8:301st & 10 at own 23Tank Bigsby run for a loss of 1 yard to the Aub 22
8:052nd & 11 at own 22TJ Finley pass incomplete
7:593rd & 11 at own 22TJ Finley pass incomplete
7:524th & 11 at own 22Oscar Chapman punt for 48 yds, fair catch by Jaylen Erwin at the Houst 30
Houston Punt, 3 plays
7:471st & 10 at own 30Clayton Tune pass incomplete
7:352nd & 10 at own 30Ta’Zhawn Henry run for a loss of 2 yards to the Houst 28
7:023rd & 12 at own 28Clayton Tune pass incomplete
6:564th & 12 at own 28Laine Wilkins punt for 37 yds, punt out-of-bounds at the Aub 35
Auburn Punt, 3 plays
6:401st & 10 at own 35TJ Finley pass complete to Tank Bigsby for a loss of 3 yards to the Aub 32
6:152nd & 13 at own 32Tank Bigsby run for 10 yds to the Aub 42
5:373rd & 3 at own 42TJ Finley pass incomplete
5:304th & 3 at own 42Oscar Chapman punt for 46 yds, fair catch by Damarion Williams at the Houst 12
Houston Punt, 5 plays
5:201st & 10 at own 12Clayton Tune pass complete to Alton McCaskill for 3 yds to the Houst 15
4:452nd & 7 at own 15Clayton Tune run for 24 yds to the Houst 39 for a 1ST down
4:201st & 10 at own 39Clayton Tune pass complete to Alton McCaskill for a loss of 1 yard to the Houst 38
3:382nd & 11 at own 38Clayton Tune pass complete to Jake Herslow for 3 yds to the Houst 41
3:053rd & 8 at own 41Clayton Tune pass complete to Ta’Zhawn Henry for 4 yds to the Houst 45
2:214th & 4 at own 45Laine Wilkins punt for 30 yds, fair catch by Ja’Varrius Johnson at the Aub 25
Auburn Turnover on downs, 12 plays
2:151st & 10 at own 25Tank Bigsby run for 8 yds to the Aub 33
1:402nd & 2 at own 33TJ Finley pass complete to Kobe Hudson for 5 yds to the Aub 38 for a 1ST down
1:151st & 10 at own 38Malcolm Johnson Jr. run for 10 yds to the Aub 48 for a 1ST down
0:401st & 10 at own 48Tank Bigsby run for 1 yd to the Aub 49
0:002nd & 9 at own 49Tank Bigsby run for 3 yds to the Houst 48
Q2 14:403rd & 6 at opp 48TJ Finley pass complete to Kobe Hudson for 10 yds to the Houst 38 for a 1ST down
Q2 14:201st & 10 at opp 38Demetris Robertson run for a loss of 5 yards to the Houst 43
Q2 13:452nd & 15 at opp 43TJ Finley pass complete to Demetris Robertson for 10 yds to the Houst 33
Q2 13:093rd & 5 at opp 33HOUSTON Penalty, Defensive Offside (5 Yards) to the Houst 28 for a 1ST down
Q2 12:401st & 10 at opp 28Tank Bigsby run for 8 yds to the Houst 20
Q2 12:042nd & 2 at opp 20TJ Finley pass incomplete
Q2 12:003rd & 2 at opp 20Tank Bigsby run for no gain to the Houst 20
Q2 11:244th & 2 at opp 20Timeout HOUSTON, clock 11:24
Q2 11:084th & 2 at opp 20TJ Finley pass incomplete
2nd quarter5 drives, then Houston 10, Auburn 3
Houston Field goal, 9 plays
11:001st & 10 at own 20Clayton Tune run for 13 yds to the Houst 33 for a 1ST down
10:301st & 10 at own 33Clayton Tune pass incomplete
10:252nd & 10 at own 33Alton McCaskill run for 11 yds to the Houst 44 for a 1ST down
9:451st & 10 at own 44Alton McCaskill run for 7 yds to the Aub 49
8:502nd & 3 at opp 49Clayton Tune pass complete to Jeremy Singleton for 16 yds to the Aub 33 for a 1ST down
8:241st & 10 at opp 33Clayton Tune pass incomplete
8:172nd & 10 at opp 33HOUSTON Penalty, Offensive Holding (-10 Yards) to the Aub 43
7:452nd & 20 at opp 43Clayton Tune pass complete to Alton McCaskill for 8 yds to the Aub 35
7:043rd & 12 at opp 35Clayton Tune pass incomplete
6:584th & 12 at opp 35Dalton Witherspoon 52 yd FG GOODHouston 10, Auburn 0
Auburn Field goal, 8 plays
6:524th & 12 at own 35Kyle Ramsey kickoff for 64 yds , Jarquez Hunter return for 22 yds to the Aub 23
6:461st & 10 at own 23TJ Finley pass incomplete
6:382nd & 10 at own 23TJ Finley pass complete to Shedrick Jackson for 4 yds to the Aub 27
5:553rd & 6 at own 27TJ Finley pass complete to Tank Bigsby for 51 yds to the Houst 22 for a 1ST down
5:051st & 10 at opp 22TJ Finley pass complete to Tank Bigsby for 11 yds to the Houst 11 for a 1ST down
4:451st & 10 at opp 11Tank Bigsby run for 1 yd to the Houst 10
4:052nd & 9 at opp 10Jarquez Hunter run for no gain to the Houst 10
3:143rd & 9 at opp 10TJ Finley pass incomplete
3:104th & 9 at opp 10Ben Patton 27 yd FG GOODHouston 10, Auburn 3
Houston Punt, 4 plays
3:044th & 9 at own 35Evan McGuire kickoff for 64 yds , Ta’Zhawn Henry return for 21 yds to the Houst 22
2:551st & 10 at own 22Alton McCaskill run for 17 yds to the Houst 39 for a 1ST down
2:201st & 10 at own 39Clayton Tune pass complete to Jake Herslow for 8 yds to the Houst 47
1:492nd & 2 at own 47Clayton Tune sacked by Eku Leota for a loss of 8 yards to the Houst 39
1:493rd & 10 at own 39Timeout AUBURN, clock 01:49
1:433rd & 10 at own 39Alton McCaskill run for 3 yds to the Houst 42
1:434th & 7 at own 42Timeout AUBURN, clock 01:43
1:364th & 7 at own 42Laine Wilkins punt for 43 yds, fair catch by Ja’Varrius Johnson at the Aub 15
Auburn Punt, 7 plays
1:301st & 10 at own 15TJ Finley pass complete to Kobe Hudson for 30 yds to the Aub 45 for a 1ST down
1:261st & 10 at own 45TJ Finley pass incomplete
1:202nd & 10 at own 45TJ Finley pass complete to Demetris Robertson for 5 yds to the 50 yard line
1:053rd & 5 at the 50TJ Finley pass complete to John Samuel Shenker for 5 yds to the Houst 45 for a 1ST down
0:571st & 10 at opp 45TJ Finley pass incomplete
0:532nd & 10 at opp 45TJ Finley pass incomplete
0:433rd & 10 at opp 45TEAM run for a loss of 3 yards to the Houst 48 TEAM fumbled, recovered by Aub
0:354th & 13 at opp 48Oscar Chapman punt for 33 yds, downed at the Houst 15
Houston End of half, 1 play
0:001st & 10 at own 15Alton McCaskill run for 2 yds to the Houst 17
3rd quarter6 drives, then Auburn 13, Houston 10
Auburn Field goal, 7 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Bubba Baxa kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
14:501st & 10 at own 25TJ Finley pass complete to Shedrick Jackson for 9 yds to the Aub 34
14:052nd & 1 at own 34Tank Bigsby run for 15 yds to the Aub 49 for a 1ST down
13:351st & 10 at own 49Tank Bigsby run for 32 yds to the Houst 19 for a 1ST down
12:451st & 10 at opp 19Tank Bigsby run for a loss of 4 yards to the Houst 23
12:222nd & 14 at opp 23TJ Finley pass incomplete
12:173rd & 14 at opp 23TJ Finley pass incomplete
12:174th & 14 at opp 23HOUSTON Penalty, Defensive Offside (5 Yards) to the Houst 18
12:124th & 9 at opp 18Ben Patton 35 yd FG GOODHouston 10, Auburn 6
Houston Punt, 5 plays
12:074th & 9 at own 35Evan McGuire kickoff for 53 yds , Nathaniel Dell return for 11 yds to the Houst 23
11:551st & 10 at own 23Clayton Tune run for 2 yds to the Houst 25
11:252nd & 8 at own 25Clayton Tune pass complete to Nathaniel Dell for 17 yds to the Houst 42 for a 1ST down
11:001st & 10 at own 42Alton McCaskill run for 3 yds to the Houst 45
10:232nd & 7 at own 45Clayton Tune pass incomplete
10:193rd & 7 at own 45Clayton Tune pass incomplete
10:124th & 7 at own 45Laine Wilkins punt for 33 yds, fair catch by Ja’Varrius Johnson at the Aub 22
Auburn Touchdown, 11 plays
10:061st & 10 at own 22Tank Bigsby run for 4 yds to the Aub 26
9:262nd & 6 at own 26TJ Finley pass complete to John Samuel Shenker for 41 yds to the Houst 33 for a 1ST down
9:001st & 10 at opp 33TJ Finley pass complete to Tank Bigsby for 7 yds to the Houst 26
8:202nd & 3 at opp 26TJ Finley pass complete to Tank Bigsby for 2 yds to the Houst 24
7:403rd & 1 at opp 24TJ Finley run for no gain to the Houst 24 TJ Finley fumbled, recovered by Aub Keiondre Jones
7:104th & 1 at opp 24Timeout AUBURN, clock 07:10
7:044th & 1 at opp 24Ja’Varrius Johnson run for 2 yds to the Houst 22 for a 1ST down
6:301st & 10 at opp 22TJ Finley sacked by David Anenih for a loss of 7 yards to the Houst 29
5:592nd & 17 at opp 29Timeout HOUSTON, clock 05:59
5:512nd & 17 at opp 29TJ Finley pass complete to Ja’Varrius Johnson for 20 yds to the Houst 9 for a 1ST down
5:251st & goal at opp 9Tank Bigsby run for 1 yd to the Houst 8
4:502nd & goal at opp 8John Samuel Shenker run for 1 yd to the Houst 7
4:203rd & 0 at opp 7AUBURN Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the Houst 12
3:523rd & goal at opp 12TJ Finley pass complete to Kobe Hudson for 12 yds for a TD, (Ben Patton KICK)Auburn 13, Houston 10
Houston Interception, 3 plays
3:473rd & 13 at own 35Evan McGuire kickoff for 50 yds , Sedrick Williams return for 7 yds to the Houst 22
3:401st & 10 at own 22Clayton Tune pass complete to Nathaniel Dell for 20 yds to the Houst 42 for a 1ST down
3:271st & 10 at own 42HOUSTON Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the Houst 37
3:001st & 15 at own 37Clayton Tune pass complete to Christian Trahan for no gain to the Houst 37
2:282nd & 15 at own 37Clayton Tune pass intercepted Nehemiah Pritchett return for no gain to the Aub 37 AUBURN Penalty, Personal Foul (15 Yards) to the Aub 28
Auburn Punt, 5 plays
1:551st & 10 at own 28Tank Bigsby run for 9 yds to the Aub 37
1:452nd & 1 at own 37Malcolm Johnson Jr. run for 14 yds to the Houst 49 for a 1ST down
1:151st & 10 at opp 49TJ Finley pass complete to John Samuel Shenker for 5 yds to the Houst 44
0:252nd & 5 at opp 44TJ Finley pass complete to John Samuel Shenker for a loss of 1 yard to the Houst 45
0:123rd & 6 at opp 45TJ Finley pass incomplete
0:034th & 6 at opp 45Oscar Chapman punt for 10 yds, downed at the Houst 35
Houston Turnover on downs, 7 plays
0:001st & 10 at own 35Alton McCaskill run for 4 yds to the Houst 39
Q4 14:552nd & 6 at own 39Clayton Tune pass incomplete
Q4 14:463rd & 6 at own 39Clayton Tune pass complete to Nathaniel Dell for 25 yds to the Aub 36 for a 1ST down
Q4 14:101st & 10 at opp 36Clayton Tune pass complete to Nathaniel Dell for 2 yds to the Aub 34
Q4 13:302nd & 8 at opp 34Clayton Tune pass incomplete
Q4 13:243rd & 8 at opp 34Clayton Tune pass incomplete
Q4 13:174th & 8 at opp 34Clayton Tune run for 6 yds to the Aub 28
4th quarter6 drives, then Houston 17, Auburn 13
Auburn Punt, 5 plays
13:101st & 10 at own 28Jarquez Hunter run for 5 yds to the Aub 33
12:302nd & 5 at own 33Jarquez Hunter run for 8 yds to the Aub 41 for a 1ST down
11:501st & 10 at own 41Jarquez Hunter run for 5 yds to the Aub 46
11:102nd & 5 at own 46TJ Finley pass complete to John Samuel Shenker for 4 yds to the 50 yard line
10:353rd & 1 at the 50Jarquez Hunter run for a loss of 1 yard to the Aub 49
9:474th & 2 at own 49Oscar Chapman punt for 45 yds, fair catch by Marcus Jones at the Houst 6
Houston Interception, 5 plays
9:411st & 10 at own 6Clayton Tune pass incomplete
9:242nd & 10 at own 6Alton McCaskill run for 2 yds to the Houst 8 HOUSTON Penalty, Personal Foul (-4 Yards) to the Houst 4
8:453rd & 12 at own 4Clayton Tune pass complete to Nathaniel Dell for 23 yds to the Houst 27 for a 1ST down
8:201st & 10 at own 27Clayton Tune pass complete to Jake Herslow for 21 yds to the Houst 48 for a 1ST down
7:471st & 10 at own 48Seth Green pass intercepted Chandler Wooten return for no gain to the Houst 49
Auburn Punt, 3 plays
7:411st & 10 at opp 49TJ Finley pass incomplete
7:352nd & 10 at opp 49Tank Bigsby run for 1 yd to the Houst 48
6:573rd & 9 at opp 48TJ Finley pass incomplete
6:474th & 9 at opp 48Oscar Chapman punt for 48 yds for a touchback
Houston Touchdown, 8 plays
6:351st & 10 at own 20Clayton Tune pass complete to Jake Herslow for 7 yds to the Houst 27
5:552nd & 3 at own 27Clayton Tune pass complete to Jeremy Singleton for 1 yd to the Houst 28
5:303rd & 2 at own 28Clayton Tune pass complete to Nathaniel Dell for 6 yds to the Houst 34 for a 1ST down
4:471st & 10 at own 34Clayton Tune run for 2 yds to the Aub 36 for a 1ST down AUBURN Penalty, Personal Foul (15 Yards) to the Aub 49 for a 1ST down
4:351st & 10 at opp 49Alton McCaskill run for 3 yds to the Aub 46
4:082nd & 7 at opp 46Clayton Tune pass complete to Christian Trahan for 20 yds to the Aub 26 for a 1ST down
3:351st & 10 at opp 26Clayton Tune pass incomplete
3:272nd & 10 at opp 26Clayton Tune pass complete to Jake Herslow for 26 yds for a TD, (Dalton Witherspoon KICK)Houston 17, Auburn 13
Auburn Turnover on downs, 4 plays
3:272nd & 10 at own 35Bubba Baxa kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
3:171st & 10 at own 25Tank Bigsby run for 8 yds to the Aub 33
2:512nd & 2 at own 33TJ Finley pass incomplete
2:463rd & 2 at own 33TJ Finley pass incomplete
2:424th & 2 at own 33TJ Finley pass incomplete
Houston End of game, 6 plays
2:361st & 10 at opp 33Alton McCaskill run for 9 yds to the Aub 24
2:352nd & 1 at opp 24Timeout AUBURN, clock 02:35
2:302nd & 1 at opp 24Ta’Zhawn Henry run for no gain to the Aub 24
2:293rd & 1 at opp 24Timeout AUBURN, clock 02:29
2:203rd & 1 at opp 24Alton McCaskill run for 3 yds to the Aub 21 for a 1ST down
1:451st & 10 at opp 21TEAM run for a loss of 2 yards to the Aub 23
0:502nd & 12 at opp 23TEAM run for a loss of 2 yards to the Aub 25
0:203rd & 14 at opp 25TEAM run for a loss of 2 yards to the Aub 27

Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.

The series

Every Houston–Auburn game

Auburn leads 5–⁠2 in seven meetings.

Recent meetings
2021Houston 17, Auburn 13Birmingham Bowl
1973Auburn 7, Houston 0
1969Houston 36, Auburn 7Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl
1964Auburn 30, Houston 0
1963Auburn 21, Houston 14
1957Auburn 48, Houston 7

Around this game

Houston

Auburn