Cougars Hold Off Beavers, 33-20, Behind Weigman's 305-Yard Performance

Cougar Offense Dominates Home Opener

The Houston Cougars secured their season-opening victory on Saturday, September 5, by defeating the Oregon State Beavers 33-20 in front of 28,742 fans at TDECU Stadium. The home team established an early lead that they maintained throughout the contest, finishing with a 1-0 record while dropping Oregon State to 0-1.

Conner Weigman was the focal point of the Houston attack, completing 20 of 30 passes for 305 yards with one touchdown and one interception. His performance highlighted a balanced offensive effort that outscored the visitors in every quarter.

Early Momentum Shifts in the First Quarter

Houston struck first in the opening period, with Amare Thomas catching a 31-yard touchdown pass from Weigman. Although the extra point kick failed, the play gave the Cougars a 6-0 lead. Oregon State responded quickly through Braden Atkinson, who ran 3 yards for a touchdown and Caleb Ojeda’s kick to take a 7-6 advantage.

Houston reasserted itself before halftime, as Jonathan Dimas connected on a 42-yard field goal to make the score 9-7. The second quarter saw Houston extend their lead further, with Re’Shaun Sanford II rushing 56 yards for a touchdown and Dimas adding a 32-yard field goal, giving Houston a 19-7 lead entering the break.

Third-Quarter Exchange and Final Stretch

The third quarter featured continued offensive production from both sides. Makhi Hughes rushed 1 yard for a touchdown, pushing Houston’s lead to 26-7. Oregon State cut the deficit with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Atkinson to Jesse Legree, though the two-point conversion failed, leaving the score at 26-13.

In the fourth quarter, Oregon State’s AJ Newberry ran 4 yards for a touchdown, narrowing the gap to 20-26. Houston closed the game with a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Weigman, capping a 33-20 final margin.

Key Performances and Game Stats

Beyond Weigman’s passing, Amare Thomas contributed significantly with 8 receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown. Makhi Hughes added 98 rushing yards on 17 carries and a score for Houston. For Oregon State, Atkinson passed for 376 yards and a touchdown on 29 of 48 attempts.

Kourdey Glass rushed for 25 yards, while Jesse Legree led the Beavers in receiving with 136 yards and a touchdown on 5 catches. The Cougars’ depth and execution proved decisive in their home debut.

Sources

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