Conner Weigman threw for 343 yards and five touchdowns, including two to Amare Thomas, to lead No. 20 Houston to a 35-32 win over No. 18 Oklahoma State on Saturday.
UH's defense forced two turnovers and made a fourth-down stop near the goal line as the Cougars (6-1, 3-1 Big 12) became bowl eligible with their sixth win and remained in the Big 12 race.
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After Oklahoma State pulled within 28-25 on a 66-yard touchdown catch-and-run early in the fourth quarter, the Cougars answered as Weigman led an 85-yard drive that took just two minutes.
He hooked up with Koby Young on a 48-yard touchdown to push UH's lead to 10.
Oklahoma State made one last push, pulling within 35-32 on a 8-yard touchdown catch by Justin Bowick. Mestemaker finished with 365 yards and three touchdowns.
Thomas had been quiet the last two games as defenses focused on the All-Big 12 receiver.
Thomas set up two key touchdown drives late in the second half, delivering a 51-yard catch-and-spin move to set up Trent Walker's 2-yard touchdown catch.
After Oklahoma State scored late in the third quarter, the Cougars were faced with fourth-and-2 at the Cowboys 21. Weigman found Thomas in back right corner of the end zone for a 28-17 lead.
Thomas finished with seven catches for 126 yards as UH beat a ranked opponent at home for the first time since a 24-19 win over No. 16 Kansas State in 2024.
Oklahoma State (4-2, 2-1 Big 12) managed only a field goal in the first half before Ayo Adeyi scored on a 13-yard run and Drew Mestemaker hit Wyatt Young for a 2-yard TD.
Each time the Cowboys scored, UH answered right back.
After holding the Cowboys to a field goal on their opening drive, Patrick Overmyer hauled in a 2-yard touchdown, his fifth in the last two games, and Thomas added a 7-yard TD catch for a 14-3 halftime lead.
To begin the second half, Oklahoma State marched down the field 75 yards, capped by Adeyi's run to the right side. The drive was aided by a fumble recovery by left tackle Shaun Torgeson.
Will James had an interception and had three pass breakups.
UH's defense played without three starters - nose guard De'Marion Thomas, linebacker Jaden Yates and cornerback Jalen Mayo.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
NO. 20 UH 35, NO. 18 OKLAHOMA STATE 32
| Oklahoma St. | 3 | 0 | 14 | 15 | - | 32 |
| Houston | 7 | 7 | 14 | 7 | - | 35 |
First Quarter
OKST_FG Keltner 23, 8:39.
HOU_Overmyer 2 pass from Weigman (Dimas kick), 2:19.
Second Quarter
HOU_A.Thomas 7 pass from Weigman (Dimas kick), 2:22.
Third Quarter
OKST_Adeyi 13 run (Keltner kick), 10:57.
HOU_T.Walker 2 pass from Weigman (Dimas kick), 9:05.
OKST_W.Young 2 pass from Mestemaker (Keltner kick), 4:45.
HOU_A.Thomas 21 pass from Weigman (Dimas kick), 2:00.
Fourth Quarter
OKST_Hawkins 66 pass from Mestemaker (Bowick pass from Mestemaker), 11:57.
HOU_K.Young 48 pass from Weigman (Dimas kick), 9:48.
OKST_Bowick 8 pass from Mestemaker (Keltner kick), 4:54.
___
| OKST | HOU | |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 25 | 26 |
| Total Net Yards | 499 | 505 |
| Rushes-yards | 25-134 | 40-162 |
| Passing | 365 | 343 |
| Punt Returns | 1-18 | 0-0 |
| Kickoff Returns | 4-50 | 2-34 |
| Interceptions Ret. | 1-20 | 1-1 |
| Comp-Att-Int | 22-34-1 | 24-33-1 |
| Sacked-Yards Lost | 1-9 | 2-20 |
| Punts | 1-42.0 | 2-41.5 |
| Fumbles-Lost | 2-1 | 0-0 |
| Penalties-Yards | 9-71 | 5-60 |
| Time of Possession | 24:48 | 35:12 |
___
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING_Oklahoma St., Hawkins 17-68, Mestemaker 6-34, Adeyi 2-20. Houston, Hughes 18-77, Weigman 11-52, Sanford 9-36, (Team) 2-(minus 3).
PASSING_Oklahoma St., Mestemaker 22-34-1-365. Houston, Weigman 24-33-1-343.
RECEIVING_Oklahoma St., Hawkins 7-125, W.Young 5-99, Coleman 3-77, Bowick 3-27, Kolb 2-28, T.Lewis 1-6, Adeyi 1-3. Houston, A.Thomas 7-126, T.Walker 7-104, Overmyer 5-32, K.Young 3-68, Sanford 1-10, Hughes 1-3.
MISSED FIELD GOALS_None.
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There’s more to Houston with the Chronicle. Subscribe today for just 25¢.This article originally published at Oh, what a night: Conner Weigman's big game helps UH outlast Oklahoma State in top-20 matchup.
