Houston Edges Oregon State 33-20 Behind Weigman's 305 Yards

Decisive Drive Seals Home Win

Conner Weigman capped Houston’s scoring drive with a one-yard quarterback run in the fourth quarter, lifting the Cougars to a 33-20 victory over the Oregon State Beavers at TDECU Stadium on Saturday. The win improves Houston’s record to 1-0, while Oregon State falls to 0-1.

The game was tightly contested through the first half, with Houston holding a narrow 19-7 lead entering the third quarter. The Cougars’ defense stifled the Beavers’ offense for much of the middle periods, forcing a scoreless second quarter from Oregon State and limiting their output to just six points in the third.

First Half: Field Goals Set the Tone

Houston established an early advantage thanks to its kicking game and a pivotal first-quarter touchdown. Amare Thomas caught a 31-yard pass from Weigman for the Cougars’ first score, though Jonathan Dimas missed the extra point, making it 6-7 after Braden Atkinson’s three-yard run for Oregon State.

Dimas added a 42-yard field goal late in the first period to give Houston a 9-7 edge. The Cougars extended their lead in the second half with a 56-yard touchdown run by Re’Shaun Sanford II and another Dimas field goal, a 32-yarder, pushing the margin to 19-7 at halftime.

Oregon State struggled to find rhythm offensively, managing only three points in the first two quarters. The Beavers’ offense relied heavily on Atkinson’s arm, but they could not sustain drives against Houston’s defensive front.

Third Quarter: Houston Extends Lead

The Cougars broke the game open in the third quarter when Makhi Hughes scored on a one-yard run, increasing Houston’s lead to 26-7. Hughes finished with 98 rushing yards on 17 carries, providing a crucial ground attack for the home team.

Oregon State responded with a touchdown pass from Atkinson to Jesse Legree, cutting the deficit to 26-13. However, the Beavers failed on their two-point conversion attempt, leaving them trailing by 13 points as they entered the final period.

Fourth Quarter: Final Push

The fourth quarter saw both teams score seven points each. AJ Newberry’s four-yard run gave Oregon State its final touchdown, making it 26-20. Houston answered immediately with Weigman’s one-yard plunge to seal the win.

Weigman finished 20-of-30 passing for 305 yards and one interception. Amare Thomas led all receivers with eight catches for 133 yards and a touchdown. For Oregon State, Atkinson completed 29 of 48 passes for 376 yards and one touchdown, while Legree caught five passes for 136 yards.

The final score reflects Houston’s balanced attack and timely kicking. The Cougars outgained the Beavers in total points, capitalizing on scoring opportunities throughout the game. Attendance at TDECU Stadium was 28,742.

Sources

https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401856778