With Kiel injured by halftime, and Tuberville not wanting to burn the redshirt of freshman Hayden Moore, reserve Michael Colosimo played the bulk of the second half. Though Colosimo led UC on a memorable touchdown drive, a 13-10 halftime deficit against Virginia Tech had turned to 30-10 and it was
touchdown passes, 15 returning starters and the massive renovation to Nippert Stadium. Instead, they sputtered to 3-3 out of the gate and finished 7-6. Kiel was not always healthy, but Hayden Moore performed admirably at times, including throwing for a school-record 557 yards in a loss at Memphis.
ennessee-Martin and Purdue. That led to a showdown with then-No. 6 Houston at Nippert. UC led with Hayden Moore at quarterback 16-12 early in the fourth quarter, before the Cougars reeled off 28 straight points, including back-to-back "pick six" scores. Houston left with a commanding 40-16 victory.
