HOUSTON – The #22/22 Houston Football team looks to keep its season-opening success rolling as the team hosts Southern for a 6 p.m., Saturday kickoff on ESPN+.
 

Houston (1-0, 0-0 Big 12) vs. Southern (1-1, 0-0 SWAC)

Saturday, Sept. 12 | 6 p.m. 

TDECU Stadium | Houston, Texas

Broadcast: ESPN+

Radio: KPRC 950 AM
 


Senior running back Makhi Hughes, one of the nation’s best running backs heading into 2026, bounced back in a big way in his reunion with head coach Willie Fritz, rushing for nearly 100 yards (98) and a touchdown. His 2,947 rushing yards is second-most by active running backs in the country. Hughes rushed for 1,300+ yards in each of his first two seasons at Tulane. The Birmingham, Ala., native averages 5.3 rushes per carry and scored 15 touchdowns in 2024 at Tulane. Hughes was an Freshman All-American in 2023 and a two-time All-AAC selection while at Tulane.

 
Houston had arguably the best tight end in the country in 2025 and then went copy-paste with transfer Patrick Overmyer in 2026. The 6-5 tight end from Kingwood, Texas hauled in 84 receiving yards in the season opener – third most in the country, second most in the Power 4.

 
Receiver Amare Thomas was one of three Big 12 receivers in Week 1 with 100+ receiving yards and a receiving touchdown. Among the three receivers, Thomas’ 133 receiving yards were the second most.


Houston is ranked in the top 25 in both the AP Poll (#22) and the USA Today Coaches Poll (#22). It marks the first time since 2022 that the Cougars were ranked in the Week 1 AP Poll since 2022 and the highest ranking since 2016 when the Cougars were #15. 

 
Houston’s 533 yards of total offense (228 rush, 305 pass) were the most yards in a season opener at home since compiling 621 yards (266 rush, 355 pass) in a 52-24 win over Tennessee Tech inside TDECU Stadium on Sept. 5, 2015. The 533 yards of total offense was the most by Houston since posting 538 yards (186 rush, 352 pass) in a 38-7 win over Sam Houston on Sept. 23, 2023.

 
The Cougars dominated the running game in their opener against Oregon State, outgaining the Beavers on the ground 228-26, the most rushing yards by Houston in a season opener since rushing for 241 against Oklahoma in 2019. Senior Makhi Hughes rushed for 98 yards and a score while junior Re’Shaun Sanford II added 75 yards and a score. Three different Cougars scored on the ground with quarterback Conner Weigman also hitting pay dirt with his legs.

 
Fifth-year quarterback Conner Weigman was the only Big 12 QB with 300+ passing yards as well as 1+ passing TD and 1+ rushing TD in a game during Week 1. Weigman connected with his favorite receiver, senior Amare Thomas, for the game’s first touchdown – a 31-yard catch and run that included broken tackles and down-field blocking. Weigman and Thomas have connected for touchdown passes in seven consecutive games.

 
Junior Javion White posted the highest Pro Football Focus pass rush grade (87.6) among Big 12 defenders in week one, joining Latreveon McCutchin (74.5) and Jalen Mayo (71.8) as one of three Cougars with 70+ grades in the category. 


After opening the season with a 30-17 loss to Alabama State, Southern bounced back with a 34-15 win over Kentucky State last weekend. 

 
Quarterback Christian Johnson started the season 32-for-55 for 374 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He threw for 200 yards and posted both of his aerial scores in last week’s win. The team’s leading rusher, Trey Holly, narrowly missed out on a 100 yard game last week as he tallied 99 yards on the ground with a pair of scores.

 
Defensively, Tay James has led the Jaguars this season with 15 stops, including a sack, while adding an interception. 




LAST TIME AGAINST SOUTHERN




Houston won the 2013 season opener against Southern on Aug. 30 to move to 2-0 in the series against the Jaguars.

 
 The Cougars downed their feline foes, 62-13, inside Reliant Stadium in Houston’s first season in the American Athletic Conference.

 
David Piland and John O’Korn split quarterback duties for Houston, combining to go 26-for-38 for 255 yards and four touchdowns. Daniel Spencer tallied nine receptions for 102 yards and two touchdowns while also adding a 45-yard rushing touchdown. Ryan Jackson posted 120 rushing yards and two touchdowns to highlight a 372-yard team performance on the ground. 

 
Tomme Mark caught his first career interception while both Zach McMillian and Derrick Mathews posted nine tackles each. 




A HOUSTON WIN WOULD BE …




Houston’s fourth consecutive win.

 
Houston’s second consecutive 2-0 start.

 
Head Coach Willie Fritz‘s 263rd career win.

 
Move Houston to 6-3 all-time on Sept. 12. 

SINGLE-GAME TICKETS
Don’t miss any of the action. Purchase single-game tickets today by clicking here.

SEASON TICKETS

University of Houston Football season tickets are on sale for the 2026 season. For as low as $150, fans can get in on the excitement of Year 3 of the Head Coach Willie Fritz era with pivotal matchups against Oregon State, Southern, UCF, Oklahoma State, Cincinnati and Baylor as the Cougars look to improve on their 10-win season in 2025.

To purchase season tickets, click here. 

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