Houston team holds up the cougar paw towards the Houston fan section after an NCAA college football match between the Houston Cougars and the Texas Tech Raiders, Friday, September 18, 2026 in Lubbock, Texas. | Gillian Wisniewski/The Cougar
The No. 25 Houston Cougars head to Statesboro, Georgia, to take on the unranked Georgia Southern Eagles in their final nonconference matchup of the season. The two teams are scheduled for their first-ever meeting on Sept. 26 at 3 p.m Central at Allen E. Paulson Stadium.
The matchup is significant to coach Willie Fritz, who coached Georgia Southern in the 2014 and 2015 seasons, leading the Eagles to a Sun Belt championship in his first season. However, Fritz maintained that his main priority is to get back on track and win the game.
“It’s a business trip,” Fritz said during a press conference on Sept. 21.
The Cougars are looking to get back on track after a narrow 28-26 loss to the current No.11 Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Fifth-year quarterback Conor Weigman threw for 282 yards and three touchdowns, leading yet another elite offensive showing for the Cougars. His final score went to senior tight end Patrick Overmyer with 49 seconds remaining. Needing a two-point conversion to even the score, Weigman came up just a hair short in a replay review call that ultimately decided the game.
Senior running back Makhi Hughes led the rushing attack with 71 yards on 15 carries and helped the Cougars build an early 17-14 lead. In the aerial attack, senior wide receiver Amare Thomas pulled in seven catches for 75 yards, while Overmyer added eight receptions for 72 yards and the crucial score.
For Georgia Southern, the Eagles will enter 1-2 on Saturday afternoon following a heartbreaking 31-27 loss to Jacksonville State, squandering a 27-17 fourth-quarter lead.
The Eagles put together a productive rushing attack led by senior running back David Mbadinga, accounting for a total of 182 yards and three scores on the ground.
The matchup will be a test for both sides as their strengths contrast immensely. Houston averages an eye-popping 527.3 yards per game, ranking seventh nationally, while Georgia Southern is limiting their opponents to 255.3 yards per game, ranking 19th nationally.
Establishing an early ground attack and limiting negative plays could be the key to success for the Cougars.
What would a Cougars win mean?
A victory would push the Cougars to a record of 3-1 and complete an undefeated nonconference schedule before the Cougars host UCF on Oct. 3.
Avoiding a loss against the last nonconference game before a return to Big 12 play will pay dividends to a hopeful Cougars squad.
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