Sophomore Charles Sims rushed for 199 of his 207 yards in the first half and scored two touchdowns as No. 11 Houston remained perfect with its 73-17 victory over host Tulane on Thursday night.

Sims rushed for more than 100 yards for just the third time in his career and the second time this season for the Cougars (10-0, 6-0 C-USA), who won their eighth straight against the Green Wave (2-9, 1-6 C-USA). 

Houston, which has scored more than 50 points in its last five games, totaled five first-half touchdowns, including a 72-yard run by Sims with 18 seconds left in the second quarter. Sims also had a 52-yard score as the Cougars took a 35-10 lead into halftime.

Case Keenum, the NCAA’s all-time leader in every major passing category, completed 22 of 29 passes for 325 yards and three touchdowns – all to Patrick Edwards.

Edwards finished with five catches and a game-high 129 receiving yards and also returned a punt 70 yards for a TD for the Cougars, who eclipsed the 70-point mark for the second time this season and are off to the best start in school history.

Tulane, which entered with the nation’s 102nd-ranked defense, didn’t have much of a chance against Houston’s high-powered attack. The Green Wave were outgained 735-331, turned the ball over once and was forced to punt on nine of their 15 possessions.

Running back Orleans Darkwa finished with 123 yards on the ground and scored both Tulane touchdowns, including a 3-yard run early in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 59-17. 

Tulane has lost eight in a row after a 2-1 start and hasn’t won since defeating UAB on Sept. 17. The loss, the Green Wave’s worst of the season, was their fifth straight by 16 points or more.