Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Houston’s dramatic 29-28 victory over Texas Tech was one of the most thrilling games I’ve seen in a long time. And plucky quarterback Case Keenum was the major reason why the Cougars escaped with this one, persevering through all kind of problems before snatching the victory away with 49 seconds left.

Keenum drove the Cougars 95 yards in 16 plays at the end of the game, repeatedly confusing a gasping Texas Tech defense that finally wore down as the game was ending.

It wasn’t the scoring barrage I expected before the game started, but the offenses were just as good -- if not better -- than I anticipated.

The two teams combined for 61 first downs, 1,065 total yards and 774 yards of passing.

And in the process, Keenum stamped himself as a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender -- particularly if the Cougars can keep winning.

It’s easy to second guess Mike Leach. I'm amazed the Red Raiders didn’t go for a field goal that would have given them an eight-point lead with 10:56 remaining.

Taylor Potts struggled tonight and the Red Raiders inexplicably didn’t use the running game late in the game that had the Cougars on the ropes early.

Tech should have used the running game more in the fourth quarter while nursing a five-point lead and getting some good field position.

Instead, they rushed the ball only six times for 21 yards in the fourth quarter. Through the first three quarters, they rushed the ball 26 times for 143 yards for an average of 5.5 yards per carry.

The drive that still baffles me is the one that came after freshman Will Ford’s interception. Tech abandoned the running game that was so successful.

Their failure to move the clock gave the Cougars one more chance. Keenum made the most of it.

That drive and not going for the field goal earlier in the fourth quarter will have Tech fans muttering well into the night.