FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) – Greg Ward threw three touchdowns in the final 3:41 of the Armed Forces Bowl, two after Houston recovered onside kicks, and completed a game-winning 2-point conversion as the Cougars beat Pittsburgh 35-34 with an improbable comeback Friday.
Pitt (6-7) led 31-6 when ACC offensive player of the year James Conner had his second touchdown run with 14 minutes left in the game.
Houston (8-5) went on to the biggest comeback in an FBS game this season, and the third-largest in a bowl game.
Ward had an 8-yard TD pass to Deontay Greenberry before the Cougars recovered their first onside kick, then got another after Demarcus Ayers’ 29-yard TD catch on fourth-and-13.
After Greenberry caught a 25-yard touchdown with :59 seconds left, interim coach David Gibbs opted for a win-or-lose 2-point conversion try. Greenberry made a leaping catch in the back corner of the end zone.