Houston defensive back Will James (5) and wide receiver Jaquise Martin (10) looks up toward the referee for the call, during the second half of an NCAA football match between the Houston Cougars and the Texas Tech Raiders, Friday, September 18, 2026 in Lubbock, Texas. | Gillian Wisniewski/The Cougar
The Houston Cougars traveled to Statesboro, Georgia, on Sept. 26 and bested the Georgia Southern Eagles 42-28. This is the first time Houston has beaten Georgia Southern and the Cougars advance into the conference schedule at 3-1.
Fifth-year quarterback Conner Weigman threw for 239 passing yards and four touchdowns. Additionally, Weigman rushed for 14 yards and two touchdowns.
Senior running back Re’Shaun Sanford II had his first 100-yard game of the season, totaling 120 yards. Senior wide receiver Trent Walker had six receptions for 83 yards and scored a touchdown.
“I thought (Sanford) really ran the ball well,” said Houston head coach Willie Fritz. “(Walker) you saw him go crazy tonight.”
Georgia Southern started the game by advancing the ball to the 40-yard line. However, junior defensive back Javion White forced a fumble, giving Houston the ball.
On the Cougars’ first drive, Houston drove to the eight-yard line before Weigman ran it in to make it 7-0.
The Eagles’ second drive ended in a punt, giving Houston the ball back. The Cougars didn’t waste their second possession, marching down the field the same way they did on the first drive. They capped the drive with Weigman throwing a 22-yard touchdown to junior wide receiver Koby Young, widening the lead to 14 points.
During the second quarter, Georgia Southern senior quarterback Max Johnson connected with junior wide receiver Alex Taylor on a 40-yard touchdown, narrowing Houston’s lead to 14-7.
The Eagles tried an onside kick and recovered it, giving them a chance to tie the game at 14 apiece. Georgia Southern moved down inside Houston’s five-yard line after a 25-yard catch from junior running back Taeo Todd.
On the next play, freshman running back Ty Cummings ran the ball into the end zone, tying the game 14 apiece.
Houston responded with a touchdown on the next drive. The Cougars drove down to the Eagles’ two-yard line after a career-long 47-yard catch-and-run from senior tight end Patrick Overmyer. This let Weigman run it in for his second rushing touchdown of the game, making the score 21-14.
After a punt from Georgia Southern, Houston added more points on a Weigman touchdown pass to junior tight end Traville Fredrick Jr., widening the lead to 14 points.
With less than a minute left before halftime, Georgia scrambled for a touchdown to cut Houston’s lead to 14. However, time ran out making the score 28-14 at halftime.
The Cougars got the ball after halftime and scored another touchdown. On a third-and-seven, Weigman heaved a ball to Walker for a 23-yard touchdown catch.
The Eagles responded with a touchdown of their own. Georgia Southern pushed down to Houston’s 23-yard line. On fourth down, Johnson threw a 23-yard pass to Taylor for another touchdown, making the score 35-21.
Houston kept the pressure on as it advanced to the Eagles’ six-yard line. Once the fourth quarter started, Weigman threw his fourth touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Amare Thomas.
On their next possession, the Eagles marched to Houston’s 13-yard line and tried to convert on a fourth down. Sophomore quarterback Weston Bryan entered the game and threw a touchdown pass to sixth-year tight end River Helms, narrowing the score to two touchdowns.
following that, Houston’s possession consisted of run plays to drain the clock, giving Georgia Southern less time to work with. However, Houston faced a 4th down, forcing a punt and giving Georgia Southern a chance to cut the deficit to one score.
The Eagles faced another fourth down and once again moved the chains. With four minutes left, Georgia Southern searched for a touchdown but faced a second fourth down.
Johnson looked for a wide-open receiver but found no one, giving Houston the ball back. The Cougars drained the clock to zero to win the game 42-28.
“Really proud of the guys,” Fritz said. “They did a sensational job offensively controlling the clock, controlling the ball and converting on third downs.”
Houston will be looking to go 4-1 against the UCF Knights on Oct. 3 at TDECU Stadium.
sports@thedailycougar.com
