The No. 23 Houston Cougars kicked off their 2026 football season with a convincing 33-20 victory over the Oregon State Beavers at TDECU Stadium on Saturday. The Cougars, who have now won five of their last seven season openers, demonstrated their offensive prowess early in the game, establishing a lead that they would maintain despite a late surge from their opponents.
Quarterback Conner Weigman was instrumental in Houston's success, completing 23 of 31 passes for a total of 305 yards. He opened the scoring with a 31-yard touchdown pass to Amare Thomas on the very first drive, setting the tone for the Cougars' performance. Weigman also added a rushing touchdown late in the game to seal the victory.
Oregon State, entering the game as nearly three-touchdown underdogs, initially took a brief lead with a 3-yard touchdown run by Braden Atkinson, making the score 7-6. However, the Cougars quickly responded with 20 unanswered points. Re'Shaun Sanford II electrified the crowd with a 51-yard touchdown run, followed by a 1-yard plunge from Makhi Hughes. Jonathan Dimas, making his collegiate debut as a kicker, contributed with field goals of 42 and 32 yards, showcasing his potential as a reliable scoring option.
As the game progressed, Houston extended their lead to 26-7, thanks to Hughes' touchdown with just over six minutes left in the third quarter. However, Oregon State fought back, scoring on consecutive drives. Jess Legree caught a 7-yard touchdown pass, and A.J. Newberry added a 4-yard rushing touchdown, narrowing the gap as the Beavers capitalized on a strong drive set up by Sailasa Vadrawale III's efforts near the goal line.
Legree was a standout performer for Oregon State, finishing the game with five receptions for 136 yards. Despite the late-game momentum from the Beavers, Houston's defense, led by Javion White who recorded two sacks, managed to hold off the rally.
Weigman's final touchdown run, a 1-yard dive with 5:01 remaining, was set up by a crucial 37-yard reception from Thomas, who had an impressive outing with eight catches for 133 yards. The Cougars' rushing attack was also effective, with Hughes and Sanford combining for 173 of the team's total 228 rushing yards.
The game experienced two brief delays, one due to a fan running onto the field and another lasting 30 minutes because of inclement weather shortly after halftime. Despite these interruptions, the Cougars maintained their focus and composure to secure the win.
This victory not only marks a strong start for the Cougars in the 2026 season but also sets a positive tone as they look to build on their recent success in college football.
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