Defense back Jordan Allen and defense lineman Ashton Porter celebrate after stoppimg Southern Jaguar’s offense on September 12th, 2026 at Houston, Texas.
The No. 22 Houston Cougars head to Lubbock, Texas, for their first road game to face the reigning Big 12 champions and No. 13 Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Houston leads the overall series record against Texas Tech with 18 wins, 17 losses and a tie. However, the Red Raiders have won the last seven games. The last time the Cougars won was in 2009, winning on a rushing touchdown by legendary quarterback Case Keenum, 29-28.
The Cougars are coming off a game where they rushed for a total of 388 yards. The leading rusher for that game was sophomore running back Zane Smith with 69 yards. Freshman running back John Hebert made his college debut in the third quarter, rushing for 20 yards and two touchdowns.
In the passing game, fifth-year quarterback Conner Weigman only threw for 120 yards and three touchdowns. Freshman quarterback Keisean Henderson came in the third quarter and threw for 83 yards and two passing touchdowns while also rushing for 54 yards and a rushing touchdown.
Junior wide receiver Koby Young caught three passes for 53 yards and two touchdowns. Finally, the defense only allowed six points and forced three turnovers.
For Texas Tech, the Red Raiders are 2-0 on the season as well. However, their second game against Oregon State was close. Beavers’ quarterback Braden Atkinson threw for 413 yards and two touchdowns. The Red Raiders got by after a 4th-down stop to seal the game.
During the weekly press conference, Houston head coach Willie Fritz said it’s important for Houston to be consistent in the passing game in order to win.
“We need to have a bunch of guys that can be vertical threats,” Fritz said on Sept. 14. “We need to have the ability to take some shots down the field.”
What would a win mean for Houston?
It has been 17 years since the Cougars beat the Red Raiders. Additionally, the last time both teams faced each other while in the AP poll was in 1989, when Heisman-winning quarterback Andre Ware led No. 13 Houston to a 40-24 win against No. 20 Texas Tech.
According to ESPN, Texas Tech has a 75.7% chance to beat Houston. With the Cougars coming in as the underdogs, a lot of pressure falls on them.
“It’s who prepares better and then who’s able to mentally and physically focus for three and a half hours,” Fritz said. “That team’s gonna have the best chance of winning.”
However, a win for Houston could dramatically improve their shot at winning the Big 12.
sports@thedailycougar.com
