Football Rolls in Season-Opening Win over Oregon State

Saturday, September 5

Houston, Texas

11 a.m.

University of Houston

1-0 , 0-0

Oregon State

0-1 , 0-0

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Oregon St.	7	0	6	7	20
Houston	9	10	7	7	33

Football Rolls in Season-Opening Win over Oregon State

9/5/2026 4:16:00 PM | Football

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Senior quarterback Conner Weigman throws for 305 yards and touchdown; Joins Reshaun Sanford II and Makhi Hughes with rushing scores

Football Recap, vs. Oregon State (Sept. 5, 2026)

HOUSTON – University of Houston fifth-year quarterback Conner Weigman threw for 305 yards and a touchdown and rushed for another, and senior wide receiver Amare Thomas hauled in eight catches for 133 yards and a score to lead the #23/24 Cougars to a 33-20 win over Oregon State inside TDECU Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Scoring on their first drive of the season, the Cougars built a 26-7 lead and held off a Beaver rally in the second half to win their fifth straight season opener. Houston also has won six of its last seven openers. Only a 38-21 loss to Texas Tech on Sept. 4, 2021, during the Good Sam Texas Kickoff in NRG Stadium prevents a longer streak.

Thomas led the Cougars with his receiving totals and posted the fourth 100-yard game of his career. His 133 receiving yards trailed only his 157 yards at Oklahoma State on Oct. 11, 2025. Saturday also marked his 14^th consecutive game with at least one reception.

While Weigman and Thomas were leading the aerial attack, junior running back Re'Shaun Sanford II and senior running back Makhi Hughes took care of the ground assault as each rushed for at least 75 yards with Sanford's 98 yards leading all players.

Sanford used a 56-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter to give the Cougars a 16-7 lead, and Hughes 1-yard plunge midway through the third period gave Houston a 26-7 advantage.

The Cougars rolled to 533 of total offense with 305 through the air. It was the program's most yards of total offense since posting 538 yards (186 rush, 352 pass) in a 38-7 win over TDECU Stadium inside TDECU Stadium on Sept. 23, 2023.

Houston also posted its highest total offense total in a season opener since accumulating 577 yards (257 rush, 320 pass) in a 45-27 win at Rice on Sept. 1, 2018. It was the Cougars' highest total in a season opener at home since compiling 621 yards (266 rush, 355 pass) in a 52-24 win over Tennessee Tech inside TDECU Stadium on Sept. 5, 2015.

The Beavers made it a one-possession game midway through the fourth quarter, but the Cougars embarked on a nine-play, 75-yard drive that took four minutes off the clock and was capped by Weigman's 1-yard touchdown with five minutes left.

Oregon State quarterback Braden Atkinson threw for 376 yards and a touchdown while receiver Jesse Legree led the Beavers with five catches for 136 yards and a touchdown.

After forcing Oregon State to punt on the opening possession of the game, the Cougars took over on their 15-yard line and drove 85 yards in 10 plays over more than eight minutes. Weigman connected with Thomas on a reception and the Birmingham, Ala., native broke several tackles before diving into the end zone for the first score of the season.

The Beavers took the lead when Atkinson scrambled around the right side into the end zone for a 7-6 lead with 6:17 remaining in the opening period.

The Cougars regained the lead on Jonathan Dimas' 42-yard field goal with 4:19 remaining in the period.

The score remained that way until midway through the second quarter when Sanford rumbled 56 yards into the end zone for a 16-7 lead with 6:27 left in the first half.

Following a missed Oregon State field goal try, the Cougars pushed their advantage on 19-7 on Dimas' 32-yard field goal with 35 seconds left in the half.

After a 30-minute weather delay to start the second half, Houston traded possessions before Hughes 1-yard plunge into the end zone gave Houston a 26-7 lead with 6:40 remaining in the period.

Oregon State cut the lead to 26-13 on Atkinson's 7-yard touchdown pass to Jesse Legree with 44 second left in the third quarter.

The Beavers took advantage of a Houston turnover and pulled to within 26-20 on AJ Newberry's 4-yard touchdown run up the middle midway through the final period.

The Cougars took over on the next possession and faced third-and-6 on the Oregon State 42 with 6:21 left. Weigman hit Thomas on a 37-yard strike to extend the drive and rushed up the middle from one yard out two plays later for the final margin of victory.

UP NEXT
The Cougars continue their home stand when they meet Southern at 6 p.m., Saturday, inside TDECU Stadium. That game can be seen on ESPN+.

From there, the Cougars hit the road for the first time and open Big 12 Conference play when they face #12/12 Texas Tech inside Galaxy Stadium Stadium at 7 p.m., Sept. 18, in. Lubbock, Texas. That game will be shown on FOX.

All Houston Football games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.

SEASON TICKETS
University of Houston Football season tickets are on sale for the 2026 season. For as low as $150, fans can get in on the excitement of Year 3 of the Head Coach Willie Fritz era with pivotal matchups against Oregon State, Southern, UCF, Oklahoma State, Cincinnati and Baylor as the Cougars look to improve on their 10-win season in 2025.

To purchase season tickets, click here. The online seat upgrade process will begin later this year.

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