Conner Weigman leads UH over Oklahoma State

HOUSTON — When The Houston Cougars landed Conner Weigman from Texas A&M ahead of the 2025 season, coach Willie Fritz believed he was getting a quarterback capable of transforming the program. Midway through Weigman’s second season at UH, Fritz’s belief has only grown stronger.

“He is a darn good quarterback, and he just keeps getting a little better every single week,” Fritz said of Weigman. “As I said before, he’s smart, he’s really accurate, and he can also run the ball. He’s not a statue back there. He’s a very good football player, and we are fortunate to have him.”

Weigman validated that praise Saturday by leading Houston to a 35-32 victory over Oklahoma State. He threw for 343 yards and five touchdowns before a sellout crowd of 42,544 on Hispanic Heritage Night at TDECU Stadium.

High five

The senior quarterback accounted for each of Houston’s five touchdown drives. He consistently provided answers as the Cowboys narrowed the deficit, helping the Coogs maintain the lead throughout the game. The Cypress, Texas, native became the first FBS quarterback since 2024 to throw for at least 340 yards and five touchdowns against a Top 25 opponent.

“It feels great, Weigman said. “I know what I am capable of and I know I can consistently make those plays at a high level. When it is time to put the ball in the air, let’s go and let’s make a play.”

After Oklahoma State grabbed an early 3-0 lead on Sam Keltner’s 23-yard field goal, Weigman guided a 12-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Patrick Overmyer with 2:15 remaining in the first quarter.

More from Our Esquina

Iowa receiver Tony Diaz capitalizes on mom’s sacrifices

El Salvador trip grounds Houston kicker Jonathan Dimas

Texas A&M kicker David Olano made own path from Futbol to Football

Houston’s lead grew to 14-3 late in the second quarter. UH regained possession after safety Kentrell Webb intercepted quarterback Drew Mestemaker on a third-and-long pass. Weigman converted a fourth down with a 5-yard completion to Overmyer before finding Amare Thomas for a 7-yard touchdown with 2:22 remaining in the half.

Oklahoma State opened the second half with a 75-yard touchdown drive, capped by running back Ayo Adeyi’s 13-yard rushing score at the 10:57 mark of the third quarter to make it 14-10. Weigman connected with Thomas for a 51-yard gain to set up first-and-goal. Then he found Trent Walker for a 2-yard touchdown pass with 9:05 left in the third quarter, restoring the Cougars’ two-possession lead at 21-10.

‘Phenomenal’ Weigman

The Cowboys answered again when Mestemaker hit wide receiver Wyatt Young for a 2-yard touchdown with 4:45 remaining in the quarter, cutting Houston’s lead to 21-17. On the ensuing drive, Weigman produced one of the game’s biggest plays, scrambling 44 yards on third-and-long from Houston’s 28-yard line into Oklahoma State territory.

A few snaps later, facing fourth-and-3, he connected with Thomas for a 21-yard touchdown with 2:00 left in the third quarter, extending the Coogs’ lead to 28-17.

“I thought he was phenomenal tonight,” OSU Head Coach Eric Morris said of Weigman. “He put in some tight windows, man-to-man coverage, put it in some spots that gave his players a chance to make plays. 

“Going into this game, we had a ton of respect for him and what he’s done. I just think he’s improved so drastically over the course of the last year and a half. He’s just really comfortable in this offense.”

Oklahoma State continued to apply pressure in the fourth quarter. Wide receiver Caleb Hawkins turned a short completion into a 66-yard touchdown. Then the Cowboys added a successful two-point conversion to trim the deficit to 28-25 with 11:57 remaining. Less than three minutes later, Weigman provided the response. He found wide receiver Koby Young down the left sideline for a 48-yard touchdown strike that pushed Houston’s lead back to 35-25 with 9:48 to play.

“Conner Weigman is the best quarterback in the Big 12,” defensive back Will James said. 

Great quarterback play key

The Cowboys made one last push when Mestemaker connected with wide receiver Justin Bowick for an 8-yard touchdown with 4:54 remaining, making it 35-32. Weigman completed key third-down passes to Thomas and Walker on Houston’s final possession and added an 8-yard run of his own, allowing the Cougars to drain the remaining clock and secure the victory.

“It’s really important to have a great quarterback,” Fritz said.  “If you don’t have a great quarterback, you have to be great every place else. One year I had a great quarterback and he got injured, and we played a backup quarterback who wouldn’t get near the other guy, but we’re really good every place else.

“ We still won 10 games, but we’d have that other guy who won the national championship. So, if you have a great quarterback, you have a chance, you really do. I feel like Conner just gets better and better.”