HOUSTON -- No. 13 Houston was coming off of its first loss and the Cougars were close to making it two in a row with Tulsa driving in a tie game late in the fourth quarter on Saturday night.It was then that Houstons defense responded with two huge plays to give the Cougars a 38-31 victory .The game was tied at 31-31 when Emeke Egbule returned a fumble 24 yards for a touchdown with 1:21 remaining. 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.I just knew I had to do something with it to keep us in the game, Egbule said.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 Houstons victory. The play was reviewed and upheld.He was really close ... I dont think you can get any closer than what it was, Tulsa coach Philip Montgomery said.It was a close call for the Cougars (6-1, 3-1) a week after Navy beat them 46-40 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.This is one of those games thats tough to swallow, Montgomery said. It really didnt feel like we lost the football game, it felt like we just ran out of time.The Golden Hurricane forced a punt after that, but the fumble by Evans came two plays later.Houstons Dillon Birden ran for 82 yards and three touchdowns playing in place of starter Duke Catalon, who missed his third straight game with a concussion.Herman thought this game was another good reminder for his players that they cant take any team lightly.Youre going to get their best shot. Youve earned that, he said. Everybody on your schedule is going to play you with their `A game. Weve got to understand that and understand that even when were up 17-3 we cant take our foot off the gas.THE TAKEAWAYTULSA: The Golden Hurricane ran out of late-game magic after overcoming a 31-point deficit, which was the largest in school history, to beat Fresno State 48-41 in double overtime two weeks ago before getting a 43-40 win over SMU in overtime last week.HOUSTON: The Cougars need to start playing more like the team that beat Oklahoma instead of the mistake-prone team that lost to Navy last week and struggled this week to get into the conference title game.POLL IMPLICATIONSHOUSTON: The Cougars could move up a couple of spots after No. 8 Wisconsin, No. 9 Tennessee and 12th-ranked Mississippi all lost on Saturday. However, some poll voters might penalize Houston for struggling against an unranked team.EDS EFFORT: Freshman defensive tackle Ed Oliver had another big game for the Cougars, piling up a season-high 12 tackles after finishing with 11 last week. He also batted down two passes to give him five for the season, had two tackles for losses and a quarterback hit.UP NEXTTULSA: The Golden Hurricane host Tulane next Saturday.HOUSTON: The Cougars visit SMU next Saturday.---More AP college football: http://collegefootball.ap.orgDeAndre Bembry Hawks Jersey . The native of Mont-Tremblant, Que., captured a World Cup downhill event Saturday, his second this year and fifth career victory on the circuit. Mike Bibby Jersey . The Nashville Predators were glad their captain was still on their side. Weber had a goal and two assists, and Roman Josi scored the shootout winner to lift the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Flyers on Thursday night. https://www.thehawkslockerroom.com/John-Collins-City-Edition-Jersey/ . Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, announced Wednesday that the team would assign Swedish forward Elias Lindholm to his nations team for the upcoming tournament. Bruno Fernando Jersey . Roman Josi had a goal and an assist to lead the Predators to a 4-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Monday night. Dominique Wilkins Hawks Jersey .ca! Hi Kerry, Heres an interesting one. I know its common knowledge that all players are responsible for their sticks. We witnessed that when Zack Kassian hit Edmontons Sam Gagner in the face after a missed check.Gregor Townsend insists Finn Russell is ready to cope with rugbys rough and tumble as he prepares to make his Glasgow return.The Scotland stand-off has not featured for Warriors since suffering a severe head injury in last seasons Guinness PRO12 semifinal defeat at Connacht in May.Russell -- who turns 24 on Friday -- spent four days in an Irish hospital following a sickening collision with teammate Zander Fagerson and even after returning to Glasgow struggled to shake off the effects of the injury.But he turned out for former club Ayr last week against Hawick and after emerging unscathed Russell has now been given the go-ahead to resume playing duties with Townsends team when they host Ulster on Friday night.The Scotstoun head coach said: Were delighted to have Finn back. Its a testament to the work of our medics, going right back to the incident which caused the injury, that he is able to return to the team.Its also testament to Finns dedication and confidence that he is now available again. He has really relished being involved in the contact side of things the last couple of weeks.He got a real test last week down at Hawick. He had to make some tackles and carry the ball, while his match fitness was tested but he came through it really well.Confidence is such a huge thing when youve been through the kind of injury Finn suffered. You want to know you are in the best possible care and going through the right processes to get you back in a really brilliant position.So we have made sure Finn has had all the time to make that full recovery -- but you have also got to drive it yourself.Finn was always a pllayer who loved the contact side of the game.dddddddddddd. Hes a very good tackling 10 and loves to carry ball too -- hes not shied away from that.Even before he was supposed to be getting involved in contact at training he was getting stuck in. Wed make him wear a pink bib in training so he would stand out but wed often see that pink bib getting a bit too close to the opposition.Hes full of confidence but its a big game for him to come back in to. Ulster will present a huge test but we believe he is more than ready for it.But while Russell is ready to resume action, utility back Peter Horne is facing a six-week lay-off after injuring his hand in last weeks defeat to Cardiff Blues.Townsend said: Peter again showed his toughness and bravery last week. I think he thought hed just dislocated his finger and carried on.He has played the last four games and was due a rest but its just disappointing the rest is going to take a number of weeks.As well as recalling Russell, Townsend has made another five changes - including giving academy graduate Lewis Wynne his first start at open-side flanker.Namibian international back-rower Tjiuee Uanivi will also make his first start after a couple of substitute appearances, while Greg Paterson comes in at lock.Italian international wing Leonardo Sarto returns to the side along with the Scotland centre pairing of Mark Bennett and Alex Dunbar.Russell will be partnered by scrum-half Henry Pyrgos in the half-backs for the sold-out Scotstoun clash. ' ' '