Houston quarterback Conner Weigman (1) celebrates his touchdown, during the second half of an NCAA football match between the Houston Cougars and the Oregon State Beavers, Saturday, September 5, 2026 in Houston, Texas. | Gillian Wisniewski/The Cougar
The Houston Cougars hung on against the Oregon State Beavers 33-20 on Sept. 5 at TDECU Stadium. The Cougars are now 4-1 against the Beavers in series history.
The first quarter started with the Beavers pushing down the field and closing in on the 50-yard line. However, junior defensive back Javion White sacked sophomore quarterback Braden Atkinson for 11 yards, causing Oregon State to punt.
On the tenth play of the Cougars’ first possession, fifth-year quarterback Conner Weigman threw a touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Amare Thomas for 31 yards, giving Houston the early lead, 6-0, due to a missed field goal by junior kicker Jonathan Dimas.
Following Houston’s touchdown, Atkinson completed a 71-yard pass to freshman wide receiver Jesse Legree. This resulted in a three-yard rushing touchdown by Atkinson, giving Oregon State the lead, 7-6.
Houston’s second drive followed with Weigman making a 49-yard pass to junior wide receiver Koby Young, setting the Cougars up at the 16-yard line. After an Oregon State sack, Houston settled for a 42-yard field goal by Dimes to give Houston back the lead, 9-7.
To begin the second quarter, senior running back Makhi Hughes fumbled the ball, giving Oregon State control, but the Beavers still punted the ball.
After punts from both teams, Houston was able to march down the field and end the drive with a 56-yard rushing touchdown by junior running back Re’Shaun Sanford, widening the Cougars’ lead to 16-7.
Houston closed out the half with a field goal, taking a 12-point lead over Oregon State, 19-7.
After a 30-minute weather delay, both teams went three-and-out to start the third quarter. At the 11-minute mark, Weigman was able to complete a 30-yard pass to senior tight end Patrick Overmyer, advancing to Oregon State’s 44-yard line.
The Cougars ended the nine-play drive with a rushing touchdown by Hughes, giving the Cougars a lead of 19.
Oregon State answered with a touchdown of its own after Atkinson threw a 25-yard pass to Legree, moving to the seven-yard line. Atkinson then threw a seven-yard touchdown pass back to Legree but could not convert on the two-point conversion, making the score 26-13.
At the start of the fourth quarter, Weigman completed a 27-yard pass to Thomas, setting up at Oregon State’s 43-yard line. However, Weigman threw an interception to junior defensive back Sailasa Vadrawale.
Atkinson threw a pass to senior tight end Eric Olsen for 24 yards, lining up at Houston’s 40-yard line. With nine minutes left in the fourth quarter, senior running back AJ Newberry scampered into the end zone and make the score 26-20.
With six minutes left in the game, Weigman threw a 37-yard completion to Thomas and then scramble it in for a touchdown. The Beavers tried to keep the game close, but White sacked Atkinson on fourth down to ultimately seal the game for the Cougars.
“It was the second sack of my whole career,” White said. “It felt amazing.”
The Cougars then ran out the clock to win the game 33-20. Weigman had 305 passing yards and a touchdown. Thomas went on to have 133 receiving yards and a touchdown, while Hughes had 98 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Houston will take on Southern in the upcoming week at 6 P.M. on Sept. 12.
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