Gallery: Cougars clinch AAC Championship over Temple

The Cougars competed in their first conference championship game since 2011 and emerged victorious. | Justin Tijerina/The Cougar

Junior quarterback Greg Ward Jr. was an explosive force on the field, rushing 17 times for 148 yards and two touchdowns. | Justin Tijerina/The Cougar

The Cougars only passed for 106 yards but dominated the Owls in the ground game. | Justin Tijerina/The Cougar

For only the second time ever, UH won 12 games in a single season. | Justin Tijerina/The Cougar

UH clinched their 11th conference title of all time and their first AAC title in three years of competition. | Justin Tijerina/The Cougar

UH hosted the inaugural AAC title game after clinching the West division title last week. | Justin Tijerina/The Cougar

35,721 fans watched the American Athletic Conference Championship game from the stands at TDECU Stadium. | Justin Tijerina/The Cougar

Head coach Tom Herman is 12-1 as a head coach in his career at UH for a win percentage of .923. | Justin Tijerina/The Cougar