Houston head coach Willie Fritz speaks during an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026 in Houston. | Gillian Wisniewski/The Cougar
The No. 14 Houston Cougars traveled to Colorado and lost to the Buffaloes, 42-32, as they fall to 8-3 on the season.
Fifth-year quarterback Conner Weigman surpassed the 5,000-yard passing mark as a Houston Cougar.
Houston started out with the ball and rapidly advanced it deep into Colorado’s territory. The Cougars were unable to cap the drive off with a touchdown, so they settled for a field goal to get the early lead, 3-0.
On Colorado’s opening drive, the Cougars allowed the Buffaloes to move the chains once before they were forced to punt.
Houston managed to capitalize on Colorado’s failed drive with another to extend the lead to 10-0. Senior running back Makhi Hughes scampered into the end zone for an eight-yard rushing touchdown.
The Buffaloes started their second drive at their own six-yard line after a muffled return. However, Colorado didn’t let the positioning affect it, as the Buffaloes advanced into Houston’s territory.
Senior running back Richard Young ran to the left and left Houston in the dust, then scored a 38-yard touchdown.
With only a three-point lead, Houston was determined to widen that gap back to double digits. Junior running back Re’Shaun Sanford II began the drive with a 40-yard run to get to Colorado’s 35-yard line.
Weigman finished the drive with a four-yard pass to senior wide receiver Amare Thomas for a touchdown, extending the lead to 10 points.
After another punt from Colorado, Houston settled for three points on a 52-yard kick by junior kicker Jonathan Dimas, making the lead 20-7.
Concerned about the gap, fifth-year running back DeKalon Taylor rushed a 67-yard touchdown run for Colorado to keep the Cougars within striking distance.
With 50 seconds left in the second quarter, Colorado received the ball back after a third-and-out from Houston.
Another rushing touchdown added to the Buffaloes’ score when sophomore running back JaQuail Smith scored on a 32-yard run, giving Colorado a one-point lead.
Halftime ended with Colorado up 21-20, and Colorado got the ball back after the 15-minute break.
Colorado’s junior quarterback Isaac Wilson tried to connect with a receiver, but senior defensive end Myles Parker tipped the ball, and junior defensive back Javion White intercepted it.
However, Weigman got sacked and fumbled the ball on the first play of the drive, giving the ball back to Colorado.
In an instant, Colorado widened the score to eight after Wilson connected a 45-yard catch-and-run touchdown from junior wide receiver Joseph Williams.
Houston quickly scrambled to catch up after a 29-yard run from Hughes to get to Colorado’s 42-yard line.
Facing a fourth-and-one, head coach Willie Fritz chose to go for it. Weigman couldn’t complete a pass to senior tight end Patrick Overmyer, giving Colorado the ball back.
On a third-and-five, freshman quarterback Kaneal Sweetwyne ran the ball and scrambled into the end zone to give Colorado a 35-20 lead.
After punts from both teams, Houston tried to keep this game within one score. Weigman tried to throw to senior wide receiver Trent Walker but junior defensive back Boo Carter intercepted the ball.
Colorado failed to convert on a fourth, giving Houston a chance to bring life back to the scoreboard. Facing a fourth-and-five, Weigman threw a touchdown pass to Overmyer but failed the two-point conversion, making the score 42-26.
However, Colorado tacked on another score by Young, keeping the game out of reach for the Cougars.
The Cougars kept running, as they scored again but failed to convert on the two-point attempt, ultimately ending the game 42-32.
Houston will hope to return to the win column on the road against West Virginia on Nov. 21.
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