Armed Forces Bowl Halftime Update: Pittsburgh 17, Houston 6

Pitt started the 2nd quarter at the Houston 9 yard line and eventually (finally) saw James Conner plunge the ball in from the 1 on 3rd and goal to cap a 15 play, 92 yard, drive that lasted a decade 7 minutes and 7 seconds.

Houston would answer with a long drive of their own that was entirely thanks to the legs of Greg Ward Jr. and Kenneth Farrow as Pitt had no answer to Ward's scrambles or Houston's o-line clearing holes for the run game. Farrow ended the 15 play, 76 yard drive with a ferocious second effort after getting initially stood up at the 1. However, Houston kicker Kyle Bullard slipped and fell on a disastrous extra point attempt to keep Pitt in the lead at 7-6.

Chad Voytik found Tyler Boyd for 17 and 13 yard receptions on the next drive and RB Isaac Bennett ran past his UH counterpart from 12 yards out for a touchdown to finish a 9 play, 70 yard drive.

Houston's next drive stalled in their own territory and Pitt took over with around 30 seconds left. Voytik found WR Kevin Weatherspoon who cut past CB Brandon Wilson to put the Panthers inside UH territory. Chris Blewitt then hit an incredible 52 yard field goal to end the half and putt Pitt up by two possessions.

Pitt has completely shut down Houston's passing attack (30 yards total) but have at times had trouble containing Farrow and Ward on the ground. Although Houston has contained Pitt's rushing attack from making huge plays (20 carries for 76 yards), they don't have an answer for Tyler Boyd between the 20's. Right now all the momentum is with the Panthers.

Halftime stats of note:

• Tyler Boyd, Pitt: 5 receptions, 69 yards
• James Conner, Pitt: 11 carries, 27 yards, 1 TD
• Kenneth Farrow, Houston: 13 carries, 56 yards, 1 TD
• Greg Ward, Jr., Houston: 8 carries, 61 yards; 3-7 passing for 30 yards.