![\"HOUSTON,](\"https:\/\/platform.underdogdynasty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/172\/2026\/10\/gettyimages-2298430584.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100\")
<\/a><\/p>\nHOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 03: Conner Weigman #1 of the Houston Cougars scrambles for a touchdown in the second half against the UCF Knights at TDECU Stadium on October 03, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n
Houston outside linebacker Latreveon McCutchin didn\u2019t even know about Weigman\u2019s illness until the postgame press conference.<\/p>\n
\u201cConner\u2019s a soldier,\u201d McCutchin said. \u201cThat just shows what type of leader he is to go out there through the circumstances that he\u2019s dealing with and playing for us. That\u2019s not something that he\u2019s sitting around, pouting about, and letting everybody know. He played through it, and we came out victorious.\u201d<\/p>\n
McCutchin was responsible for the ultimate momentum-shifting moment of the afternoon. Immediately after Houston sliced the deficit to 17-7 in the late third quarter, the defense forced the Knights to a 3rd-and-12. McCutchin batted UCF quarterback Keyone Jenkins\u2019 pass at the line of scrimmage straight into the air, snatched the floating ball, and carried it down to the 2-yard line.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust before that play, we talked a lot this week about positive self talk,\u201d McCutchin said. \u201cBefore I walked on the field, I kept telling myself that, \u2018You\u2019re the best. You\u2019re the best. No one can mess with you.\u2019 I just put myself in that mental mindspace to be positive, and that worked out for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was a d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu moment for the linebacker, who similarly snagged an interception at the line of scrimmage against UCF last year, returning it for a 45-yard pick-six to spark a double-digit comeback for the Cougars.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe does that in practice,\u201d Fritz said. \u201cHe catches balls when he is rushing that are five yards away from. I\u2019ve seen him do it 10 times in practice. Obviously, he\u2019s done it a few times in game, but that was a huge play for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
McCutchin\u2019s near-pick-six set Houston up for its second touchdown, but at the same time, the play also set back the UCF offense. Jenkins suffered an apparent lower body injury on the play, which was later diagnosed as a cramp. The UCF quarterback room, already down starter Alonza Barnett III, turned to Boise State transfer Kaleb Annett for one fourth quarter possession before Jenkins ultimately finished the contest.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was cramping,\u201d UCF head coach Scott Frost said. \u201cI thought he played good again. The interception was just unfortunate. Great play by (McCutchin). I wish we were a lot more explosive offensively. We keep trying to be. We\u2019re missing some guys. It was just a weird game.\u201d<\/p>\n