Rice Spoils Yeoman’s Going-Away Party

HOUSTON —  Houston tried to give Bill Yeoman one last victory, but Quentis Roper stole it in the end.

Roper ran for one touchdown and passed for another in the final 5 minutes 36 seconds Saturday to give Rice a 14-13 win over Houston and Yeoman, who stepped down after 25 seasons as the Cougars’ coach.

While the Owls (4-7 overall, 2-6 in the Southwest Conference) celebrated their comeback victory, Yeoman remained on the field to hear himself praised by school officials, former players and fans.

“For you teary-eyed people, I’m sorry, I’m not,” Yeoman said. “ . . . I’ve had enough Cotton Bowls, East-West games and Hula Bowls to stroke my ego.”

The defeat ended Yeoman’s 25-year tenure with a record of 160-108-8, which ranked him sixth among active NCAA Division I coaches.

Houston (1-10, 0-8) had a 13-0 lead, but Roper spoiled Yeoman’s final game when he ran seven yards for a touchdown and passed 11 yards to Darrell Goolsby for the tying score with 18 seconds left. Freshman Glenn Ray Hines kicked the deciding extra point.