LUBBOCK, Texas – University of Houston senior quarterback Conner Weigman threw for 282 yards and three touchdowns, but it would not be enough in a 28-26 loss to Big 12 Conference-rival #13/12 Texas Tech in Galaxy Stadium on Friday night.
 
#22/22 Houston rallied late and moved to within 28-26 when Weigman hit junior tight end Patrick Overmyer on a 10-yard touchdown pass with 49 seconds left. However, following a replay review, the Cypress, Texas, native was ruled down just shy on the potential game-tying 2-point conversion.
 
After the Cougars’ ensuing on-side kick went out of bounds, Texas Tech converted a first down to seal the win.
 
The Cougars jumped out to a 10-0 lead after the first quarter and held a 17-14 lead at the break. Unfortunately, the Red Raiders outscored Houston 14-9 in the second half to take the win.
 
Senior running back Makhi Hughes led the Cougars with 71 rushing yards on 15 carries while Overmyer posted eight receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown, and senior wide receiver Amare Thomas hauled in seven catches for 75 yards and a score to lead Houston.
 
With the loss, Houston fell to 2-1 overall and 0-1 in Big 12 play. Texas Tech improved to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in league action.
 
The Cougars took the opening kickoff and used a 12-play drive to march to the Texas Tech 13 before junior kicker Jonathan Dimas’ 31-yard field goal gave Houston a 3-0 lead.
 
On Texas Tech’s first play from scrimmage, senior defensive back Will James hauled in a pass that Texas Tech quarterback Tommy Castellanos tried to throw away to set up the Cougars near midfield.
 
Ten plays later, senior quarterback Conner Weigman hit senior wide receiver Amare Thomas on an 11-yard touchdown pass. Thomas was originally ruled down  after fighting through a tackle at the 1-yard line, but an officials’ review determined the Birmingham, Ala., native crossed the goal line before he was down with 3:32 left in the opening period.
 
The score stayed that way until Hammond hit Kenny Johnson on a 35-yard touchdown pass with 14:08 left in the second quarter.
 
Texas Tech took a 14-10 lead on quarterback Tommy Castellanos’s 3-yard keeper up the middle with 3:39 left.
 
The Cougars responded on the ensuing drive to regain the lead. Starting on the Houston 25, Weigman rushed for four yards and completed three passes for 67 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown strike on an amazing over-the-shoulder catch by junior wide receiver Koby Young in the end zone with 1:11 remaining.
 
Texas Tech regained the lead on its first drive of the second half when J’Koby Williams scored on a 29-yard touchdown run with 12:41 left.
 
Houston pulled to within 21-20 when Dimas’ 28-yard field goal, his second of the night, capped a 13-play, 71-yard drive which consumed nearly half of the third quarter.
 
After the two teams alternated possessions, Texas Tech extended its lead to 28-20 on Cameron Dickey’s 1-yard touchdown run up the middle with 7:36 left in the game.
 
Texas Tech quarterback Will Hammond threw for 257 yards and a touchdown on 17-of-27 passing with Kenny Johnson hauling in four catches for 113 yards and a touchdown.
 
UP NEXT
The Cougars close their non-conference schedule when they meet Georgia Southern in Statesboro, Ga., on Sept. 26. That game will kick off at either 2:30 p.m. (CT) or 3 p.m. (CT) and air on either ESPN2 or ESPNU depending on the results from Saturday’s games.
 
All Houston Football games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.
 
BUY TICKETS
The Cougars return home for their Built By Houston game on Oct. 3 against UCF. Houston is offering area code ticket deals including Houston-area area codes 713, 281 and 823. Fans can purchase by clicking here.

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