Houston senior running back Anthony Alridge is somewhat of a workhorse these days.
Alridge carried the rock for a career-best 31 times for Houston (6-3, 5-1 Conference USA) in a 38-28 win against Southern Methodist (1-7, 0-5) Sunday at Robertson Stadium on ESPN.
He surpassed his previous high of 27 against Texas-El Paso on Oct. 27.
Alridge piled up his fifth consecutive 100-yard rushing performance with 154 yards, bringing his season total to 1,217 yards.
"Quick Six" had two rushing touchdowns and a passing touchdown – first of his career – to redshirt freshman wide receiver Chaz Rodriguez from 24-yards out.
"It felt great to throw that touchdown," Alridge said. "I’ve been looking for it all year long. It felt great coming out (of my hands) and he caught it.
"I learned (how to throw) from (redshirt freshman quarterback) Case Keenum and (sophomore quarterback) Blake Joseph, good people to learn from."
The game didn’t start off too well for Alridge.
In the first quarter, he rushed for 13 yards on 8 carries, averaging 1.6 yards per carry. But Alridge had a two-yard touchdown to tie the game at seven in the first quarter.
"(They) stacked the box like they always do, like everybody in the conference. It’s good. I enjoy the competition," Alridge said. "They make it hard for me but my teammates play hard.
"When I’m getting hit, they (my teammates) come through in the clutch, with (senior wide receiver) Jeron (Harvey), (senior wide receiver Donnie Avery) and Case. They provide big yardage and I do what I have to do in the second half."
Alridge did have a touchdown run that went for 36 yards in the second quarter that put the Cougars up 17-14.
After that run, it seemed to open up the field for him. Starting in the second half he made big plays down the stretch, including his game high 44-yard run on the fourth play in the third quarter.
"He’s a clutch player and he’s done a great job for us," head coach Art Briles said. "The offensive line did a great job too. It feels good to know that our players are going to respond when they’re called upon, not just Anthony, but all of them."
Avery and Alridge, the 2-22 connection, combined for 298 of the 552 Cougar offensive yards.
Avery caught 10 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown. On his second reception of the game, Avery went more than 1,000 yards receiving on the season.
"It’s the 2-22 connection. Everybody needs to see the 2-22 connection," Alridge said. "Everybody needs to see the ‘QB-hunter P. Hunt’ (senior defensive end Phillip Hunt).
"We got a great team at the University of Houston. We fly around and it’s exciting. With coach Art Briles and his offense (being) ludicrous, if I can say. It’s great being in this situation and at (Houston) and it’s great for everybody to see us."
