Houston running back Bryce Beall rushed for four touchdowns and Loyce Means made two key interceptions the Cougars defeated host Tulane 42-23 on Saturday.

With the Cougars clinging to a 28-23 lead, Means intercepted a pass to set up Beall's fourth touchdown run, a 25-yard dash that ended Tulane's comeback bid. Means then picked off another pass and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown to cap the scoring.

Beall, who rushed 24 times for 113 yards, scored on touchdown runs of 1 and 3 yards to put the Cougars (3-1) on top early and Michael Hayes dove in from a yard out to give Houston a commanding 21-0 lead.

But Tulane answered with a pair of touchdown passes from quarterback Kevin Moore — a 13-yarder to Cody Sparks and a 36-yarder to Devin Figaro.

Beall punched in his third score of the day from a yard out in the final minute of the second quarter to take a 28-14 advantage into halftime.

Tulane used a field goal and a 12-play, 91-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter to close the deficit to five points but failed on a 2-point conversion and couldn't overcome Means' ball-hawking abilities in the end.

Making his first collegiate start in his hometown, freshman quarterback Terrance Broadway made an impressive showing after the top two quarterbacks on the depth chart went down to injuries. Broadway, who starred at Capitol High in New Orleans, completed 20 of 29 passes for 193 yards.