UH quarterback Conner Weigman has played in hostile environments and big games. Now he gets another chance as the Cougars look to take a big step in Friday’s Big 12 opener at Texas Tech.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
The challenge this week for University of Houston quarterback Conner Weigman isn’t preparing for a big game.
It’s making sure he doesn’t treat it any differently.
Same routine. Same preparation.
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“He’s pretty even-keel,” UH offensive coordinator Slade Nagle said. “He has a routine, he’s consistent and we expect no different this week.”
Weigman has been through his share of high-pressure games in college. But Friday’s Big 12 opener against No. 13 Texas Tech in Lubbock carries added significance — a chance for the No. 22 Cougars to make an early statement against the defending conference champion.
And an opportunity for Weigman to make his case as one of the Big 12’s top quarterbacks.
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“I’m always hungry and motivated to perform,” Weigman said of the high stakes of the Cougars’ biggest game of the season. “This is my last year, and I have to go make something happen.”
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In three seasons at Texas A&M, Weigman was never able to reach his full potential because of nagging injuries that eventually cost him the starting job. He found a fresh start at UH, leading the Cougars to a 10-win season that was capped by his MVP performance in a win over LSU in the Texas Bowl.
Continuity was one reason Weigman returned to UH this season. For the first time in his career, Weigman is playing consecutive seasons in the same system with the same offensive coordinator (Nagle) and quarterbacks coach (Shawn Bell).
There was another reason: a shot at a Big 12 title.
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“I for sure had a chip on my shoulder last year,” Weigman said this summer.
“I felt like I had something to prove. I still do. It was a good season, but I feel like I’m one of the more talented quarterbacks in the country and can do whatever is asked of me. I just have to do it at a very consistent level, and I’m ready to do that this year.”
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Galaxy Stadium, Lubbock
TV: Fox
Radio: 950 AM
That consistency has become one of Weigman’s defining traits in 15 games as UH’s quarterback.
Nagle said he noticed the consistency midway through last season, and it’s helped establish Weigman as the leader of a UH offense that is averaging 55 points and 562 yards — both among the top 10 nationally — through two wins against Oregon State and Southern. Weigman has thrown for 425 yards with four touchdowns and only one interception in about six quarters of action.
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“He’s the leader of our offense,” Nagle said. “I just think the consistency and maturity level that he showed obviously wears off on the rest of the guys.”
His teammates noticed the change, too. Right guard McKenzie Agnello said Weigman began to show a commanding presence in the huddle a month into last season.
“You could see it in his eyes,” Agnello said at Big 12 media days in July. “You could see it in his face and demeanor.”
To date, Weigman’s biggest wins at UH are against No. 24 Arizona State and LSU. He ran for 111 yards and two touchdowns in the road upset against the Sun Devils last October. Two months later, he threw for 230 yards and four touchdowns in the bowl win.
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And against ranked teams? Weigman is 4-3 against the Top 25. Two of the wins came against Missouri and LSU in his final season with the Aggies in 2024.
“Conner has played in a lot of hostile environments,” UH coach Willie Fritz said. “He’s done this a bunch of times. I like the fact he’s got experience doing that. He’ll do a great job.”
There also may be added motivation for Weigman after he was knocked out of last year’s meeting against Texas Tech in the first half with a concussion. The Cougars lost the game 35-11.
Now comes another shot at the Red Raiders.
Or, if you ask Weigman, just another game in a season that guarantees only 12.
“We work dang near 365 days a year to get 12 Saturdays a year,” Weigman said. “I don’t take any one for granted, and I’m going to go out there and put my best foot forward every week.”