It was the fastball offense in the last six minutes with two scoring drives lasting just over 3 minutes combined. It was the three defensive stands in the fourth quarter, forcing punts, followed by two stops on QB sneaks in overtime. It was the blocked field goal at the end of regulation, perhaps getting iced by your own coach in overtime, then making the game-winner.
It took all three phases to flip a brutal three quarters into an inspired win. On a chilly night in Corvallis, this crew of Cougars came together to produce another Willie Special: stealing a game they had no business winning.
Judging by the numbers, there was no way it would happen:
The Cougars were 0/6 on 3rd down in the second half.
UH picked up more 3rd down conversions (4) in the second quarter than the rest of regulation plus overtime (2).
Houston’s 3 first downs in the rushing game were the fewest since the Texas game in 2023.
Houston’s 18 yards in the first quarter were the fewest since the Texas game in 2023.
UH lost the turnover battle, which they had never done in a win under Willie Fritz.
Through 3 quarters:
1. Conner Weigman was 9/20, and five of those completions were for a total of 17 yards.
2. UH had 55 rush yards on 23 attempts (2.3ypc) and had 45 yards in penalties (7.5 ypp).
3. UH averaged 3.6 yards per play.
In the first and third quarters:
1. Weigman was 3/9 for 8 yards.
2. Houston ran it 10 times for 13 yards.
3. UH was 1/6 on 3rd down.
Yet this team figured out a way to make it happen.
Half of Weigman’s 20 completions came in the 4th quarter. Nearly 60% of his yards came in the 4th, too (160/270).
The Cougars had the ball for just 10:08 in the second half, with 5:18 of it in the 4th quarter.
Houston averaged 10.0 yards per play in the 4th quarter.
On gameday, I wrote that, “This team is still learning how to win. They can sure take a big step tonight, though.”
That they did.
