From Columbus to Houston. It only took 12 weeks to happen.
The Texans secured a 7-0 lead against the Tennessee Titans following Dameon Pierce’s 80-yard return on the opening kickoff. Second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud found a wide-open Cade Stover in the end zone for his first professional touchdown.
Here’s a look at the score below.
C.J. TO CADE ‼️ THAT BUCKEYE CONNECTION 🚀
📺 : @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/P6hD3b5rfH
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 24, 2024
Houston has been the first team to score in nine of its 12 games. The touchdown pass was Stroud’s first since the second quarter during the Week 10 loss to the Detroit Lions.
Stover, Stroud’s go-to. target during Stroud’s senior season at Ohio State, was expected to be a difference-maker in Houston’s 12-personnel offensive look when drafted in April. Stroud mentioned where they became close en route to a College Football Playoff berth in 2022.
In Columbus, Stover caught 36 passes for 406 yards and five touchdowns. Stroud advocated for Houston to pick Stover on Day 3 of the draft, leading to Houston trading up to the No. 123 pick with the Cleveland Browns.
Stover entered the season as the No. 3 tight end on the depth chart, but saw an increase in playing time after Brevin Jordan’s season-ending injury.
Entering Sunday, Stover had 10 receptions for 102 yards.