HOUSTON (AP) -- Emeke Egbule returned a fumble 24 yards for a touchdown with 1:21 remaining to give No. 13/12 Houston a 38-31 win over Tulsa on Saturday night.
The game was tied at 31-31 when Garrett Davis knocked the ball out of the hands of quarterback Dane Evans. Egbule scooped it up and dashed into the end zone for the score.
Tulsa (4-2, 1-1 American) had a chance to tie it, but Jesse Brubaker was stopped just short of the goal line after a reception on the last play of the game to seal Houston's victory. The play was reviewed and upheld.
It was a close call for the Cougars (6-1, 3-1) a week after Navy beat them 46-40 for their first loss of the season after a 5-0 start.
"We got the taste out of our mouth," Houston coach Tom Herman said.
Tulsa never led, but had twice rallied from 14-point deficits to tie the game. The second time came when James Flanders scored on a 3-yard run with 3:31 left.
The Golden Hurricane forced a punt after that, but the fumble by Evans came two plays later.
Houston's Dillon Birden ran for 82 yards and three touchdowns playing in place of injured starter Duke Catalon.