Re’Shaun Sanford II, Houston run all over Oregon State

HOUSTON — For Re’Shaun Sanford II, the biggest victory Saturday morning came long before his 56-yard touchdown sprint electrified University of Houston fans at TDECU Stadium.

After spending the past year rebuilding his body and following an ACL  injury, Sanford finally got the answer he’d been waiting for every time he cut, absorbed contact and accelerated through open space. 

Sanford rushed for 75 yards and a touchdown as No. 23 Houston opened its season with a 33-20 victory over Oregon State before a crowd of 28,742. For the junior running back, the performance was proof that months of preparation had paid off.

YES SIR 😤@moneybagrrae pic.twitter.com/CdCifjL4vz

— Houston Football (@UHCougarFB) September 5, 2026

Mamba inspiration

“One of the biggest (questions) when you’re coming back from an injury that took you out and you haven’t gotten to play in a long time (is) what the first hit is gonna feel like,” Sanford said. “Can I make this cut like I used to? Things like that. We were watching a video yesterday and Kobe Bryant was saying ‘your preparation builds confidence.’ 

“The way you prepare, the way I prepare now, rehab allowed me to have confidence in my cuts. My preparation in the weight room allowed me to have confidence in getting hit. You know, I’ve built my body up for the last 365 days to be able to withstand hits and things like that.”

More from Our Esquina

El Salvador trip grounds Houston kicker Jonathan Dimas

Iowa receiver Tony Diaz capitalizes on mom’s sacrifices

Rice safety Jo Chavez proves he belongs

That confidence showed early as the Cougars jumped out to a fast start. Fifth-year quarterback Conner Weigman connected with senior wide receiver Amare Thomas for a 31-yard touchdown. After Oregon State briefly took the lead, junior kicker Jonathan Dimas answered with a 42-yard field goal.

Jonathan Dimas shines

The Beavers answered with their longest passing play of the afternoon, a 71-yard connection between quarterback Braden Atkinson and wide receiver Jesse Legree. Houston countered with a 47-yard completion from Weigman to wide receiver Koby Young and a 56-yard touchdown run from Sanford. Dimas later added a 32-yard field goal to extend the Cougars’ lead.

“I saw the corner out there. It’s one-on-one,” Sanford said. “I know we always wanna win our one-on-ones. And as a good running back, you can’t let the first person tackle. 

“After I made him miss, I saw a whole lot of green grass, and I just started running.”

Weigman continued to push the ball downfield, finding tight end Patrick Overmyer for a 31-yard gain that helped set up senior running back Makhi Hughes’ one-yard touchdown run. Oregon State cut into the deficit on a seven-yard touchdown pass from Atkinson to Legree, but Houston answered when Weigman found Thomas for a 37-yard gain on a crucial fourth-quarter drive.

Two plays later, Weigman scored on a one-yard keeper. Dimas’ extra point capped the scoring.

“He’s had a very positive attitude the whole time,” Cougars’ head coach Willie Fritz said of Sanford. “Sometimes I forget that he’s had two serious back-to-back injuries because he has a really good attitude about everything. We’re really happy for him. It’s good when a guy overcomes adversity, and he certainly has.”