The Cougars (3-1, 2-0 C-USA) jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first half, but Tulane pulled within five, 28-23, in the fourth quarter before Beall put it away with his fourth touchdown, a 25-yard run with 3:58 remaining in the game.
Freshmen Terrance Broadway, who was making his first career start with senior quarterback Case Keenum's season over after an ACL tear last week against UCLA, finished 19 of 28 for 174 yards and one interception, and James Cleveland finished with four catches for 69 yards for Houston.
Kevin Moore led Tulane (1-2, 0-1 C-USA) with 156 yards and two touchdowns through the air, but he threw two costly interceptions late, both picked off by Houston's Loyce Means late in the fourth. Albert Williams finished with 83 yards for 14 carries.
