Houston quarterback Conner Weigman (1) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during an NCAA football game against UCF on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026 at TDECU Stadium. | Oscar Herrera/The Cougar
Houston is traveling to Manhattan, Kansas, to face off against Kansas State on Oct. 10. Head coach Willie Fritz’s program is 1-1 in the Big 12 and heads into another conference matchup that could prove decisive for their position when November rolls around.
Fritz and the team are three weeks removed from their narrow loss against No. 12 Texas Tech with two more victories under their belt. This time, they’re marching toward Bill Snyder Family Stadium for a date with the Kansas State Wildcats.
Under offensive coordinator Slade Nagle, Houston has found the end zone 27 times, more than any other team in the conference. They’ve leaned on the right arm of fifth-year quarterback Conner Weigman, who has passed for 11 touchdowns with the second-highest efficiency in the conference.
The ground game is nearly as productive in scoring metrics. Senior running back Makhi Hughes and junior running back Re’Shaun Sanford II lead a rushing attack that averages 229.4 yards per game.
Weigman has also proven effective with his legs, most notably when he punched in three touchdowns on the ground in a 27-17 victory last week against UCF. That was their first victory against a Big 12 opponent this season and they expect a similar result nearly 750 miles away from home.
They’ll have to find the end zone against a stout Kansas State defense that is allowing the second-fewest yards in the conference, including the fewest in the air. However, they entered this contest a week removed from being torn apart for 271 rushing yards against the Cincinnati Bearcats.
That was their first loss of the season and the Bearcats are not as potent as the Cougars on the ground.
The Cougars possess a stellar defensive record of their own against the run, allowing an unrivaled 65.4 rushing yards per game across five games so far.
However, it remains to be seen how defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong calls defenses without star senior linebacker Jaden Yates. Yates was tied for a team lead in total tackles before suffering an apparent leg injury against UCF.
Houston wasn’t tremendously efficient last week against an average Knights defense, but its ability to outproduce opponents on the ground will give them an acceptable floor heading into a record-swinging contest.
There’s a lot to ponder for Fritz and the coaching staff in terms of preparation and previous results. A victory would be massive not only for their conference campaign, but their morale as well.
This time, however, it will have to come against a team capable of mitigating Houston’s offensive firepower away from the familiar grounds of the TDECU Stadium.
sports@thedailycougar.com
