Houston had Texas Tech on the ropes Friday night, but the Cougars couldn’t finish the job.
Despite 282 passing yards and three touchdowns from senior quarterback Conner Weigman, No. 22 Houston dropped a 28-26 decision to No. 12 Texas Tech in a dramatic Big 12 matchup at Galaxy Stadium.
The Cougars had one final opportunity to tie the game after Weigman connected with junior tight end Patrick Overmyer for a 10-yard touchdown with just 49 seconds remaining. Houston went for two, but after a replay review, Overmyer was ruled down just short of the goal line, leaving the Cougars trailing by two.
Houston’s ensuing onside kick went out of bounds, and Texas Tech converted a crucial first down to run out the clock and escape with the victory.
The loss drops Houston to 2-1 overall and 0-1 in Big 12 play, while Texas Tech improves to 3-0 and 1-0.
Houston controlled much of the opening half, jumping out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter before taking a 17-14 advantage into halftime.
The Cougars opened the scoring with a 31-yard field goal from Jonathan Dimas following a 12-play drive. Houston’s defense then created an early opportunity when senior defensive back Will James intercepted Texas Tech quarterback Tommy Castellanos’ throwaway attempt.
Weigman capitalized on the turnover, finding senior wide receiver Amare Thomas for an 11-yard touchdown to put Houston up 10-0.
Texas Tech answered with touchdowns from Kenny Johnson and Castellanos to take a 14-10 lead, but Houston responded before halftime. Weigman connected with junior wide receiver Koby Young on a spectacular 46-yard touchdown pass, giving the Cougars a 17-14 lead heading into the break.
Texas Tech flipped the momentum in the second half.
J’Koby Williams opened the scoring after halftime with a 29-yard touchdown run to put the Red Raiders back in front. Houston answered with Dimas’ second field goal of the night, a 28-yarder that capped a 13-play, 71-yard drive and cut the deficit to 21-20.
Texas Tech then created some breathing room when Cameron Dickey powered into the end zone from one yard out with 7:36 remaining, extending the lead to 28-20.
Houston refused to go quietly.
Weigman orchestrated the late touchdown drive, finding Overmyer for the score and putting the Cougars within striking distance. But the failed two-point attempt proved decisive as Texas Tech held on for the two-point victory.
Overmyer finished with eight catches for 72 yards and a touchdown, while Thomas recorded seven receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown. Senior running back Makhi Hughes led Houston on the ground with 71 yards on 15 carries.
For Texas Tech, quarterback Will Hammond completed 17 of 27 passes for 257 yards and a touchdown, while Johnson finished with 113 receiving yards and a touchdown on four catches.
For Houston, the result was a tough opening chapter to Big 12 play — one that came down to inches in the final minute.
UP NEXT
Houston returns to action Sept. 26 when the Cougars travel to Statesboro, Georgia, to face Georgia Southern. Kickoff is scheduled for either 2:30 or 3 p.m. CT, with the game set to air on ESPN2 or ESPNU, depending on the results of Saturday’s games.
