PREVIEW: Coogs Close Non-Conference Schedule at Oregon State

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Houston Football team looks to remain unbeaten as it wraps up its out-of-conference schedule with a 9:30 p.m. CT, Friday, tilt against Oregon State at Reser Stadium.

GAME 4 – OREGON STATE

Houston (3-0, 1-0 Big 12) at Oregon State (0-4, 0-0 Pac-12)
Friday, Sept. 26 | 9:30 p.m. CT
Reser Stadium | Corvallis, Ore.
Broadcast: ESPN
Radio: KPRC 950 AM

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

The Cougars defense has allowed the fewest points through the first three games of the season (29) since the 1989 team allowed a program-low 14 points through three games to begin the season. The 29 points allowed through three games is the fifth-fewest points allowed through three games in program history.
Houston has not turned the ball over in its first three games of the season for the first time in school history and just the second span of three games without a turnover since not committing a turnover in a three game span from Sept 29, 2011 - Oct. 22, 2011.
Houston quarterback Conner Weigman became the first Cougar quarterback to rush for two touchdowns, 80+ rushing yards and throw for 200+ yards in a game when he did so against Colorado since D'Eriq King threw for 419 yards, and five touchdowns and rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns against South Florida (Oct. 27, 2018).
According to ESPN's Power Index, Houston's defensive efficiency ranks 5th nationally at 89.9 thanks to a 24.4% defensive third down percentage that ranks 13th nationally and a total defense that has allowed just 224 yards per game that ranks ninth nationally.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

Houston has started 3-0 for the first time since 2016 after winning its Big 12 Conference opener against Colorado 36-20 on Friday, Sept. 6. The 16-point win is the largest margin of victory in a Big 12 game by the Cougars since joining the league and marks the first Big 12 opening win since joining the conference.
Houston received votes in the Week 4 Coaches Poll for the first time since Week 2 in 2022 when Houston began the season ranked 25th nationally in the AP Preseason Poll and received votes through Week 3.
Through Week 3, Houston was one of just four Power Four teams -- and five programs nationally -- with no turnovers. The Cougars' six takeaways ranked 8th among P4 programs and 14th nationally.
After the Colorado game, First year offensive coordinator Slade Nagle was named the Big 12 Conference co-coordinator of the week by CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz after Nagle led the Cougars to score 36 points, the most by a Houston team in a Big 12 matchup since scoring 41 against West Virginia in 2023.
Friday marks the 4th all-time meeting between Houston and Oregon State and the first since 1970 inside the Astrodome. The meeting marks the first-ever matchup in Corvallis after the Cougars and Beavers first-ever meeting took place in Portland, Ore., about a 2-hour drive north from campus.

SCOUTING OREGON STATE

Oregon State has started the year 0-4, falling to Cal, Fresno State, Texas Tech and Oregon so far this season.
The Beavers are coming off a 41-7 loss to #6 Oregon in the 129^th edition of the Oregon State-Oregon Rivalry Series.
Maalik Murphy has taken the most snaps at quarterback for Oregon State this season, going 82-for-143 (57.3 percent) for 964 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions. Anthony Hankerson leads the Beavers on the ground with 228 rushing yards as well as two touchdowns while Dexter Foster and Skyler Thomas are tied for the team lead with 31 tackles each.

LAST TIME AGAINST OREGON STATE

Houston won the last meeting against the Beavers, 19-16, inside the Astrodome in Houston on Oct. 17, 1970.
Houston required heroics to win, scoring on a deflected punt to trail by one at halftime and a last-minute touchdown aided by an Oregon State pass interference call.
The Cougars posted 176 rushing yards and 68 passing yards in the game while making three interceptions on defense, including two from Richard Harrington.

A HOUSTON WIN WOULD ...

Move the Cougars to 4-0 to start a season for the first time since 2016 when the Cougars started 5-0 and finished the season 9-4 with a Las Vegas Bowl berth.
Move Houston to 3-1 against Oregon State and be the first win over the Beavers in Corvallis.
Move Houston to 249-209-10 in non-conference games.
Be Willie Fritz's first win over Oregon State (never coached against Oregon State).

COOGS ON THE ROAD

Cougar Meetup
- Friday, Sept. 26 from 5-7 p.m. PT
- Treebeerd's Taphouse
- 201 SW Second St., Corvallis, Ore. 97333
Register here. Event does not include food, drink or game ticket.

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