The Houston Cougars secured a 27-24 victory over Oregon State in an overtime thriller on Friday night.
The game, originally scheduled for Saturday, moved to Friday night for television. Ethan Sanchez clinched the win for Houston with a 24-yard field goal in overtime, following a hard-fought comeback from a fourth-quarter deficit.
Conner Weigman played a pivotal role for Houston, passing for 270 yards and two crucial touchdowns in the fourth quarter. This victory propels the Cougars to a 4-0 start, marking their best beginning to a season since 2016 when they won five games consecutively.
For the Oregon State Beavers, Maalik Murphy threw for 201 yards and one touchdown. The loss leaves the Beavers with a 0-5 record.
Despite leading 24-10 in the fourth quarter, Oregon State struggled to maintain their advantage. Weigman narrowed the gap with a 27-yard touchdown pass to Stephon Johnson, leaving 5:59 on the clock. He followed up with a 50-yard touchdown pass to Tanner Koziol, tying the game with 3:40 remaining in regulation.
Houston’s coach, Willie Fritz, acknowledged the difficulty of the win. He expressed relief that the team managed to rally in the fourth quarter, despite a lackluster first-half performance. His sentiments highlighted the resilience demonstrated by the players as they refused to concede defeat.
Following the tie, Oregon State positioned themselves for a potential win, reaching field goal range with just five seconds left. However, backup kicker Cameron Smith’s 46-yard attempt was blocked, forcing the game into overtime.
In the extra period, Oregon State’s fourth-and-1 attempt fell short, paving the way for Sanchez’s decisive field goal.
Tanner Koziol, reflecting on the game, remarked on the unity and resilience the team demonstrated in turning their fortunes around. He emphasized the importance of facing challenges head-on and expressed confidence in the team’s ability to emerge stronger.
Oregon State initially controlled the game, with Trey Glasper intercepting Weigman’s pass and setting up a 7-yard-line opportunity. Jake Reichle capitalized on this with a short touchdown run, giving the Beavers an early 7-0 lead. Maalik Murphy further extended their advantage with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Marquis Crosby, bringing the score to 14-0.
Houston attempted to respond in the second quarter, reaching Oregon State’s 1-yard line. Despite several attempts, Oregon State’s defense held firm, and Houston settled for a 25-yard field goal by Ethan Sanchez.
The Cougars then managed to score on Weigman’s 1-yard run, cutting the deficit to 14-10 by halftime.
Caleb Ojeda added to Oregon State’s lead with a 31-yard field goal in the third quarter. Hatcher’s 18-yard rushing touchdown further widened the gap, bringing the score to 24-10. However, Houston’s offense struggled before Weigman’s critical scoring pass to Johnson sparked a revival.
Oregon State’s coach, Trent Bray, commented on the team’s inability to finish the game strong. He acknowledged Houston’s quality and stressed the need for his team to maintain focus for the entire duration of matches.
Looking ahead, Houston returns to action against No. 12 Texas Tech next Saturday. The extra day of preparation could prove beneficial for the Cougars as they prepare for this challenging encounter. Oregon State, on the other hand, will face Appalachian State next Saturday.
