Thursday, August 28
Houston, Texas
7 p.m.
University of Houston
1-0 , 0-0
27
vs
0
Stephen F. Austin
0-1 , 0-0
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
SFA
0
0
0
0
0
Houston
7
10
7
3
27
Houston Rolls in Season-Opening Shutout Win
8/28/2025 10:38:00 PM | Football
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Cougars take 27-0 victory over Stephen F. Austin inside TDECU Stadium
HOUSTON (AP) – University of Houston quarterback Conner Weigman threw for 159 yards and three touchdowns in his Cougar debut, and the Cougars beat Stephen F Austin 27-0 in the season opener for both teams inside TDECU Stadium on Thursday night.
Weigman, a transfer from Texas A&M, finished 15-of-24 and threw touchdown passes of 11 yards to senior tight end Tanner Koziol and 39 yards to sophomore running J'Marion Burnette in the first half as Houston built a 17-0 halftime lead. Weigman, who also rushed for 39 yards, found junior wideout Amare Thomas for a 20-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
Koziol, a Ball State transfer, finished with 63 yards on seven catches, and Thomas, a UAB transfer, caught three passes for 44 yards.
It was Houston's first shutout since defeating Grambling 45-0 on Sept. 18, 2021, and first shutout in a season opener since beating UNLV 69-0 on Sept. 2, 1989.
Houston outgained the Lumberjacks 343-144.
Sam Vidlak was 13 of 26 passing for 52 yards and an interception, and Gavin Rutherford was 4 of 7 passing for 53 yards and an interception for SFA (0-1). Kylon Harris caught four passes for 20 yards, and Jordan Nabors had 21 yards on three receptions.
THE TAKEAWAY
SFA: The Lumberjacks could get very little going offensively as the Cougars' defense was in the backfield most of the night. The Lumberjacks finished with 39 yards rushing.
Houston: The Cougars looked much improved from last season when they were one of the worst offensive teams in the nation. The Cougars' defense had two sacks, two interceptions and held SFA to 3-of-16 on third downs.
UP NEXTÂ
SFA plays at Abilene Christian on Sept. 6.
Houston plays at crosstown rival Rice on Sept. 6.
TWO-GAME MINI PLAN
Want some flexibility? Buy a two-game mini-plan which includes the Colorado game and one game of your choice between Arizona, West Virginia or TCU. Mini plans start at just $85. To purchase a mini-plan, click here.Â
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by purchasing season tickets, and by joining The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
--- Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
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Weigman, a transfer from Texas A&M, finished 15-of-24 and threw touchdown passes of 11 yards to senior tight end Tanner Koziol and 39 yards to sophomore running J'Marion Burnette in the first half as Houston built a 17-0 halftime lead. Weigman, who also rushed for 39 yards, found junior wideout Amare Thomas for a 20-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
Koziol, a Ball State transfer, finished with 63 yards on seven catches, and Thomas, a UAB transfer, caught three passes for 44 yards.
It was Houston's first shutout since defeating Grambling 45-0 on Sept. 18, 2021, and first shutout in a season opener since beating UNLV 69-0 on Sept. 2, 1989.
Houston outgained the Lumberjacks 343-144.
Sam Vidlak was 13 of 26 passing for 52 yards and an interception, and Gavin Rutherford was 4 of 7 passing for 53 yards and an interception for SFA (0-1). Kylon Harris caught four passes for 20 yards, and Jordan Nabors had 21 yards on three receptions.
THE TAKEAWAY
SFA: The Lumberjacks could get very little going offensively as the Cougars' defense was in the backfield most of the night. The Lumberjacks finished with 39 yards rushing.
Houston: The Cougars looked much improved from last season when they were one of the worst offensive teams in the nation. The Cougars' defense had two sacks, two interceptions and held SFA to 3-of-16 on third downs.
UP NEXTÂ
SFA plays at Abilene Christian on Sept. 6.
Houston plays at crosstown rival Rice on Sept. 6.
TWO-GAME MINI PLAN
Want some flexibility? Buy a two-game mini-plan which includes the Colorado game and one game of your choice between Arizona, West Virginia or TCU. Mini plans start at just $85. To purchase a mini-plan, click here.Â
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by purchasing season tickets, and by joining The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
--- Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
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–– UHCougars.com ––
Team Stats
SFA
HOU
Total Yards
144
343
Pass Yards
105
152
Rushing Yards
39
191
Penalty Yards
60
65
1st Downs
7
18
3rd Downs
3
7
4th Downs
0
0
TOP
25:11
34:49
1st Quarter
SFA 0, HOU 7
HOU - Koziol,Tanner 11 yd pass from Weigman,Conner (Sanchez,Ethan kick) 7 plays, 41 yards, TOP 02:58
2nd Quarter
SFA 0, HOU 10
HOU - Sanchez,Ethan 40 yd field goal 9 plays, 33 yards, TOP 03:47
SFA 0, HOU 17
HOU - Burnette,J'Marion 39 yd pass from Weigman,Conner (Sanchez,Ethan kick) 9 plays, 96 yards, TOP 03:46
3rd Quarter
SFA 0, HOU 24
HOU - Thomas,Amare 20 yd pass from Weigman,Conner (Sanchez,Ethan kick) 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 06:24
4th Quarter
SFA 0, HOU 27
HOU - Sanchez,Ethan 43 yd field goal 4 plays, 3 yards, TOP 00:49
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
15
TD
3
YDS
159
INT
0
CMP
1
TD
0
YDS
-7
INT
0
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
WR
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