For the first time since the 2022 season, the Houston Cougars are one of the nation’s top 25 college football teams in the eyes of the Associated Press, sitting at No. 22 as they play host to the West Virginia Mountaineers.
The two teams meet up for just the second time ever, the last time occurring in the 2023 season, resulting in a 41-39 victory for the Cougars off of a 49-yard Hail Mary touchdown from Donovan Smith to wide receiver Stephon Johnson in front of a lively Houston crowd.
The Houston Cougars sit 7-1 on the season, and West Virginia sits 2-6, searching for conference win number one on the year.
The Houston Cougars are led by quarterback Conner Weigman, who has truly seen a turnaround in his collegiate career during his first season in Houston, completing 123 of 193 passes for 1,581 yards and 12 touchdowns with only two interceptions.
Oct 25, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Houston Cougars quarterback Conner Weigman (1) hands off the ball to running back Dean Connors (44) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Running back Dean Connors, another big transfer pickup for the Cougars in the offseason, has paced the ground game with 586 yards and four scores, and to finish out the takeover of transfers, wide receiver Amare Thomas has been phenomenal as well, catching 30 passes for 535 yards and four touchdowns.
The two teams will kick off at 11:00 AM from TDECU Stadium in Houston, and be sure to check back here at game time for live updates as the action unfolds from “The Cage.”
Follow below for live updates as the game progresses.
1st Quarter
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
4th Quarter
West Virginia
14
7
No. 22 Houston
7
7
The Cougars win the toss and defer, West Virginia will receive opening kick.
The Cougars’ rushing defense is exposed early, allowing 57 yards, including 31 to Dion Hubbard as the Mountaineers march into the red zone, and quarterback Scotty Fox Jr. keeps it for a six-yard scoring run.
Mountaineers 7, Cougars 0
change of possession
Conner Weigman comes out hot, completing his first three passes for 20 yards, but after nearly losing the football on a fumble and an incomplete pass from Weigman on third down, the Coogs punt it away.
change of possession
The Mountaineers again torture the Cougars defense with their rushing game, which concludes with Cyncir Bowers running for a 21-yard touchdown.
Mountaineers 14, Cougars 0
change of possession
A 30-yard pass play from Weigman to Koby Young gets 15 added to it after a facemask call on West Virginia, and the Cougar offense finally comes alive with a touchdown connection between Weigman and tight end Tanner Koziol.
Moutaineers 14, Cougars 7
A false start by West Virginia on 4th and 6 forces them to punt for the first time on the day.
change of possession
The Cougars struggle to come up with an answer, and on third down, Conner Weigman loses the football and it is recovered by the Moutaineers.
change of possession
West Virginia wastes no time taking advantage, as Fox Jr. finds Cam Vaughn for a 24-yard touchdown pass.
Mountaineers 21, Cougars 7
change of possession
The Cougars are able to respond with an eight-play drive that sees Conner Weigman connect Amare Thomas for 18 yards, before keeping the ball and running it twice for an additional 24 yards, the second carry resulting in six points.
Mountaineers 21, Cougars 14
change of possession
A three-and-out results for the Mountaineers, unable to record any offense of note.
change of possession
The Cougars follow suit with a three-and-out of their own.