Inches decide Big 12 opener as Houston falls to Texas Tech
A failed two-point conversion attempt denied the Houston Cougars a tie against the defending conference champions, ending their season-opening campaign in the Big 12 with a narrow 28-26 defeat.
The No. 22 Houston Cougars were denied a tie in their Big 12 conference opener by a margin of inches, falling 28-26 to No. 13 Texas Tech at Galaxy Stadium in Lubbock. The decisive moment arrived with 49 seconds remaining on the clock, when Houston quarterback Conner Weigman was stopped just short of the goal line on a two-point conversion attempt that would have forced overtime.
Houston controlled the early stages of the contest, establishing a 10-0 lead in the first quarter and maintaining a 17-14 advantage at halftime. The Cougars’ offensive momentum was highlighted by a 46-yard over-the-shoulder pass from Weigman to Koby Young, which secured the lead before the break. Despite trailing 28-20 with approximately three minutes left in the fourth quarter, Houston mounted a sustained response.
Weigman orchestrated a 10-play, 88-yard drive that culminated in a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Patrick Overmyer. The score set the stage for a potential tie, but the subsequent conversion attempt ended in frustration. Weigman, unable to locate an open receiver, attempted to run the ball to the left side of the field.
He was wrapped up by Texas Tech linebacker Austin Romaine at the three-yard line. A video review confirmed that Weigman’s knee touched the ground, ruling out a tie and sealing the victory for the Red Raiders. The result leaves Houston with a 2-1 record, while Texas Tech extends their dominance as the defending Big 12 champions.
The statistical performance suggests a competitive match, with Houston recording 458 total net yards compared to Texas Tech’s 425. Weigman completed 27 of 38 passes for 282 yards without an interception. The game featured a high volume of penalties, with Houston incurring seven for 60 yards, compared to five for 35 yards for Texas Tech.
Houston coach Willie Fritz acknowledged the narrow margin of defeat while emphasising the team’s standing within the conference. “There are no moral victories,” Fritz stated. “We came here to win, and we didn’t win.” However, he noted that the performance demonstrated the Cougars are contenders in the Big 12.
