Saturday, October 24
Salt Lake City, Utah
9:15 p.m. CT
University of Houston
6-2 , 3-2
13
at
21
Utah
7-0 , 4-0
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 0 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 13 |
| Utah | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 21 |
10/25/2026 12:55:00 AM | Football
Cougars 2-minute drill offense stalls deep in Utah territory
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – The #14 Houston Cougars team fell 21-13 to #10 Utah on Saturday night at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
The Cougars (6-2, 3-2 Big 12) delivered a strong defensive effort against the Utes (7-0, 4-0 Big 12), holding them scoreless in the first half and carrying a 13-7 lead into the fourth quarter.
Fifth-year quarterback Conner Weigman went 19 for 35 and threw for 282 yards, his third consecutive game with over 250 yards and his fifth of the season.
The first half was a defensive stalemate, but Houston broke the deadlock in the second quarter when junior kicker Jonathan Dimas converted a 24-yard field goal with 3:44 left on the clock, giving the Cougars a 3-0 lead.
A two-yard rushing touchdown by senior running back Makhi Hughes at the 6:46 mark of the third period, pushed the score to 10-0.
Utah responded quickly when Devon Dampier capped a rushing touchdown to trim Houston's advantage to 10-7. The Cougars then added a second field goal, again from Dimas, this time from 47 yards, extending the margin to 13‑7.
The decisive sequence unfolded in the fourth quarter. Wayshawn Parker broke free for a five-yard rushing touchdown, giving the Utes a 14-13 edge.
Dampier's nine-yard touchdown run with 2:09 left in the game restored returned the ball to Houston but the two-minute drill ended deep in Utah territory without points.
UP NEXT
Houston will enter its bye week before returning to TDECU Stadium to host Cincinnati on Saturday, Nov. 7. Kickoff time and the broadcasting network will be announced soon.
All Houston Football games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.
THE TAKEAWAYS
Houston: The Cougars stood toe-to-toe with Utah until the fourth quarter, when they faced more pressure and couldn't get the stops they were getting all game. The fumble was Houston's only turnover but it was a backbreaker. Coupled with their slim loss to Texas Tech, Houston is just a few plays away from the top of the Big 12.
Utah: In front of their 100th straight sellout, the Utes took a while to get going and their misdirection offense didn't seem to be fooling any Houston defenders. Dampier, whose two picks put Utah's win streak in jeopardy, still played the hero as he made big play after big play when it mattered most.
UP NEXT
Houston will enter its bye week before returning to TDECU Stadium to host Cincinnati on Saturday, Nov. 7. Kickoff time and broadcasting network will be announced soon.
All Houston Football games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.
BUY SINGLE-GAME TICKETS
Fans can purchase single-game tickets by clicking here.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by providing NIL opportunities 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 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.
The Cougars (6-2, 3-2 Big 12) delivered a strong defensive effort against the Utes (7-0, 4-0 Big 12), holding them scoreless in the first half and carrying a 13-7 lead into the fourth quarter.
Fifth-year quarterback Conner Weigman went 19 for 35 and threw for 282 yards, his third consecutive game with over 250 yards and his fifth of the season.
The first half was a defensive stalemate, but Houston broke the deadlock in the second quarter when junior kicker Jonathan Dimas converted a 24-yard field goal with 3:44 left on the clock, giving the Cougars a 3-0 lead.
A two-yard rushing touchdown by senior running back Makhi Hughes at the 6:46 mark of the third period, pushed the score to 10-0.
Utah responded quickly when Devon Dampier capped a rushing touchdown to trim Houston's advantage to 10-7. The Cougars then added a second field goal, again from Dimas, this time from 47 yards, extending the margin to 13‑7.
The decisive sequence unfolded in the fourth quarter. Wayshawn Parker broke free for a five-yard rushing touchdown, giving the Utes a 14-13 edge.
Dampier's nine-yard touchdown run with 2:09 left in the game restored returned the ball to Houston but the two-minute drill ended deep in Utah territory without points.
UP NEXT
Houston will enter its bye week before returning to TDECU Stadium to host Cincinnati on Saturday, Nov. 7. Kickoff time and the broadcasting network will be announced soon.
All Houston Football games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.
THE TAKEAWAYS
Houston: The Cougars stood toe-to-toe with Utah until the fourth quarter, when they faced more pressure and couldn't get the stops they were getting all game. The fumble was Houston's only turnover but it was a backbreaker. Coupled with their slim loss to Texas Tech, Houston is just a few plays away from the top of the Big 12.
Utah: In front of their 100th straight sellout, the Utes took a while to get going and their misdirection offense didn't seem to be fooling any Houston defenders. Dampier, whose two picks put Utah's win streak in jeopardy, still played the hero as he made big play after big play when it mattered most.
UP NEXT
Houston will enter its bye week before returning to TDECU Stadium to host Cincinnati on Saturday, Nov. 7. Kickoff time and broadcasting network will be announced soon.
All Houston Football games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.
BUY SINGLE-GAME TICKETS
Fans can purchase single-game tickets by clicking here.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by providing NIL opportunities 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 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.
– UHCougars.com –
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
HOU
UTA
Total Yards
368
430
Pass Yards
282
204
Rushing Yards
86
226
Penalty Yards
40
47
1st Downs
17
24
3rd Downs
9
5
4th Downs
0
0
TOP
29:55
30:05
2nd Quarter
HOU 3, UTA 0
HOU - Dimas,Jonathan 24 yd field goal 15 plays, 74 yards, TOP 07:44
3rd Quarter
HOU 10, UTA 0
HOU - Hughes,Makhi 2 yd run (Dimas,Jonathan kick), 15 plays, 75 yards, TOP 08:14
HOU 10, UTA 7
UTA - Dampier,Devon 22 yd run (Curtis,Dillon kick), 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:21
HOU 13, UTA 7
HOU - Dimas,Jonathan 47 yd field goal 5 plays, 38 yards, TOP 02:01
4th Quarter
HOU 13, UTA 14
UTA - Parker,Wayshawn 5 yd run (Curtis,Dillon kick), 10 plays, 80 yards, TOP 05:13
HOU 13, UTA 21
UTA - Dampier,Devon 9 yd run (Curtis,Dillon kick), 1 plays, 9 yards, TOP 00:06
Game Leaders
CMP
19
TD
0
YDS
282
INT
0
Monday, October 19
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