Senior running back Dean Connors returned to Rice Stadium in style, rushing for 132 yards and two touchdowns to power the University of Houston to a 35-9 victory over Rice in the Bayou Bucket Classic on Saturday night.
Connors, a Rice transfer, needed just 13 carries to deliver Houston’s first 100-yard rushing game of the season. His 54-yard touchdown late in the first half gave the Cougars the lead for good, and he sealed the win with a 42-yard scoring burst in the game’s final minutes. The performance marked the sixth 100-yard game of his career and his highest total since November 2024.
After a slow start, the Cougars’ offense came alive, racking up 378 total yards—190 on the ground and 188 through the air. Quarterback Conner Weigman completed 15 of 22 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown, while also scoring on a 9-yard run to push Houston ahead 14-3 in the third quarter.
The Cougar defense was just as dominant, holding an opponent under 10 points for the second straight week and forcing two turnovers. Cornerback Will James added a defensive highlight, returning an interception 37 yards for a touchdown to stretch the lead to 21-3 early in the fourth quarter.
Senior defensive back Latrell McCutchin Sr. anchored the defense with 11 tackles, while lineman Carlos Allen added nine.
Rice briefly closed the gap to 21-9 after a short touchdown run by quarterback Chase Jenkins, but Houston quickly responded. Weigman connected with receiver Stephon Johnson for a 74-yard touchdown strike, and Connors’ second long run of the night put the game out of reach.
With the win, Houston improved to 2-0 for the first time since 2018 and claimed its second straight Bayou Bucket victory. The Cougars have now beaten Rice in nine of the last ten meetings, with only a double-overtime loss in 2023 breaking up the streak.
