Staff and Wire Reports

HOUSTON — Former Patterson High School standout Trevon Stewart continued to shine in his freshman season as he led the University of Houston with 11 total tackles in the squad’s first win of the season, a 35-14 victory against Rice in Reliant Stadium Saturday.

Stewart, a defensive back, recorded eight solo stops and three assists as well as a ½ tackle for loss and two pass breakups.

For the season, Stewart is second on the team in total tackles with 39 while tied with senior defensive back D.J. Hayden for the team lead with three pass breakups. Senior linebacker Phillip Steward leads the squad with 47 total tackles.

In Saturday’s victory, Charles Sims ran for three touchdowns for Houston, which improved to 1-3 overall and picked up its first Conference USA win of the season. The CUSA season is the Cougars’ final one before moving to the Big East.

Sims scored on a 3-yard run and a 47-yard run that put the Cougars up 28-0 in the third quarter. He would later make a 16-yard run for his third touchdown. David Piland was 26 of 43 for 361 yards and two touchdowns, including a 31-yard pass to Daniel Spencer and a 25-yard pass to Larry McDuffey.

Rice scored in the third quarter when Sam McGuffie caught a 24-yard pass from Driphus Jackson. The two connected again for a touchdown on an 88-yard pass.

Rice (1-4, 0-2) had hoped to rebound from an overtime loss to Marshall.

The win keeps the Bayou Bucket in Houston.