Houston wrapped up its non-conference schedule with a road win in Statesboro, and the result pushed the Cougars up from No. 25 to No. 20 in the AP Poll. They beat Georgia Southern 42-28, and the game followed a familiar script: Houston jumped ahead, Georgia Southern answered to tie it at 14-14 early in the second quarter, and then the Cougars pulled away enough to keep the Eagles at arm’s length the rest of the way.
The biggest edge for Willie Fritz’s team came on the ground. Houston piled up 202 rushing yards to Georgia Southern’s 66, and the backfield did most of the damage.
Re'Shaun Sanford II carried 17 times for 120 yards, while Makhi Hughes added 16 carries for 70 yards. UCF fans will recognize Hughes from his 2023 freshman season at Tulane.
Up front, All-Big 12 Preseason selection Shadre Hurst helped set the tone with his blocking.
Conner Weigman was efficient enough to keep the offense humming. He finished 17 of 22 for 239 yards and four touchdowns, added six rushes for 14 yards, and scored once on the ground. Georgia Southern quarterback Max Johnson actually threw for more yards, but it took him more attempts to get there.
Houston’s defense had a stronger result on the scoreboard than on the stat sheet. Even with All-Big 12 Preseason selection Will James in the secondary, the Cougars gave up 289 passing yards on 27 completions, and one receiver went for 119 yards and two touchdowns on six catches.
That sets up a noon Eastern kickoff Saturday, when UCF meets Houston.
Oklahoma State also delivered a result that matters for the Knights’ schedule, knocking off West Virginia 41-24 behind a strong second half and moving into the Top 25. The Mountaineers leaned heavily on the run, with Cam Cook and Michael Hawkins Jr. combining for 57 carries, 296 yards and three touchdowns. Hawkins struggled throwing the ball, finishing 10 of 22 for 132 yards with an interception.
The Cowboys had plenty of offense of their own. Caleb Hawkins topped 100 rushing yards, and quarterback Drew Mestemaker, the Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year, completed 20 of 27 passes for 389 yards and three touchdowns with one interception.
Wyatt Young was his favorite target, catching eight passes for 192 yards and a score. Sam Keltner added four field goals, a boost that helped Oklahoma State build its lead and stay in control late.
UCF will head to Stillwater to face the No. 19 Cowboys on Oct. 10 at noon Eastern.
Georgia State, meanwhile, responded to its loss to the Knights by closing out non-conference play with a 35-14 win over Northern Illinois. Taron Dickens was sharp for the Huskies, going 28 of 42 for 320 yards and a touchdown, and Northern Illinois actually outgained Georgia State 432-342. But the Panthers made the key plays that changed the game, forcing two turnovers and stopping three of four fourth-down tries.
In Other News...
Houston Finally Has A Big 12 Opportunity Fans Can Feel
Houstons climb into the AP top 20 after beating Georgia Southern has given the program something it has been waiting on since joining the Big 12: a chance to play the role of a real league contender with the rankings to back it up. The comparison to the 2021 season is hard to miss, but this version feels different because the Cougars have paired strong playmakers with a roster that has, for the most part, backed up the buzz with results.
The next stretch will say a lot about how real this opportunity is, especially with No. 19 Oklahoma State waiting on the schedule. Houstons pass defense remains the clearest concern, and in a league this deep, one vulnerable spot can quickly turn a promising run into a stressful one. If the Cougars are going to keep this momentum rolling, they will have to prove the ranking is a sign of something sturdier than a hot start. [Read more 🡒]
Conner Weigman Is Turning Houstons Hot Start Into Something Bigger
Conner Weigmans debut stretch at Houston is already drawing national attention, and the senior quarterback picked up two weekly honors after powering the Cougars past Georgia Southern. He landed on the Manning Award Stars of the Week and the Davey OBrien Great Eight lists, recognition that comes on the heels of one of the most productive outings of his college career.
Weigman was efficient and explosive all at once, completing 17 of 22 passes for 239 yards and four touchdowns through the air while adding two more scores on the ground. For Houston, the bigger takeaway is what the hot start suggests about the ceiling of an offense that has quickly found a rhythm behind its new leader. [Read more 🡒]
Case Keenum Gave Houston Fans A Feel Good NFL Moment
Case Keenums return to the NFL had a little extra meaning for Houston fans watching from afar. In his first start in 1,009 days, the former Cougar quarterback helped the Chicago Bears to a 27-7 victory, a reminder of the steadying presence that made him such a beloved figure during his time in Houston and in the pros.
It was also a notable weekend for a couple of other former Cougars taking their first steps into the league. Dean Connors made his professional debut with the Los Angeles Rams, while Tanner Koziol got his first NFL action with the Jacksonville Jaguars, adding another layer to a weekend that had a distinctly Houston feel for anyone tracking the programs alumni. [Read more 🡒]