#22 Football Routs Southern on Saturday Night

Saturday, September 12

Houston, Texas

6 p.m.

University of Houston

2-0 , 0-0

Southern

1-2 , 0-0

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Southern U.	0	0	6	0	6
Houston	28	21	21	7	77

Conner Weigman, Amare Thomas and Kaleb Thomas celebrating together after a touchdown

9/12/2026 10:30:00 PM | Football

Box Score Buy Tickets Game Book (PDF)Season Statistics (PDF)Photo Gallery Join The Huddle Postgame Quotes (PDF)Postgame Notes Photo Gallery

Cougars score on 11 straight possessions and force three turnovers in record-setting win in TDECU Stadium

HOUSTON – University of Houston senior quarterback Conner Weigman threw for three touchdowns, and freshman reserve Keisean Henderson added two touchdown passes and a 54-yard touchdown run to lead the #22/22 Cougars to a 77-6 win over Southern inside TDECU Stadium on Saturday night.

The Cougars (2-0) raced out to a 28-0 lead after the first quarter and scored touchdowns on each of their first 11 possessions. Houston collected 591 yards of total offense, including 388 on the ground with six different Cougars scoring a rushing touchdown and six rushing for at least 40 yards.

Houston forced three Southern turnovers and converted them into 21 points. The Cougar defense also limited the Jaguars to only 121 yards of total offense, including -6 rushing yards.

Weigman threw for 120 yards and three touchdowns on 9-of-12 passing and was lifted from the game early in the second quarter with the Cougars holding a 35-0 lead.

When Henderson entered the game, the Cougar offense continued its pace as the Houston native added 83 yards and a pair of scores on 6-of-7 passing.

Junior wide receiver Koby Young hauled in three catches for 54 yards with two touchdowns while sophomore running back Zane Smith added 69 rushing yards on 10 carries.

Junior kicker Jonathan Dimas booted all 11 extra-point tries, the third-highest total in Houston single-season history. It was the most PATs in a game since Roman Anderson nailed 12 tries in a 95-21 win over SMU on Oct. 21, 1989. Terry Leiweke set the school record with 13 PATs in a 100-6 win over Tulsa on Nov. 23, 1968.

After forcing Southern to punt on its first possession, the Cougars marched down the field and took a 7-0 lead when Weigman hit senior tight end Patrick Overmeyer on a 9-yard touchdown strike with 9:04 left in the opening period.

With Southern facing third-and-3 on the ensuing possession, fifth-year defensive back Jalen Mayo sacked and forced Southern quarterback Christian Johnson to fumble, which was recovered by sophomore defensive lineman DK Mays.

Two plays later, junior running back Re'Shaun Sanford's 9-yard touchdown run up the middle gave Houston a 14-0 lead with 6:57 remaining.

Houston forced another Southern fumble, which was recovered by Sione Fotu, on the next possession. That set the stage for senior running back Makhi Hughes' 1-yard touchdown plunge for a 21-0 Cougar lead with 4:14 remaining.

Late in the first quarter, Weigman hit senior wide receiver Amare Thomas on an 8-yard touchdown pass with 31 seconds remaining in the first quarter for a 28-0 Houston lead.

In the second quarter, Weigman connected with Young on a 43-yard touchdown with 11:04 left in the first half for a 35-0 Cougar advantage.

Fifth-year defensive back Jordan Allen stepped in front of a Southern pass and returned it to the Southern 25 on the Jaguars' third turnover of the night.

Houston made a change at quarterback on its next possession, but the scoring continued when Henderson hit Young on a 7-yard touchdown pass with 6:15 remaining.

On the third play from scrimmage in the third quarter, Henderson mishandled the snap but recovered to pick up the loose ball and outrun the Southern defenders 54 yards to the end zone for a 56-0 lead with 13:43 lead.

Junior running back DJ Butler and freshman running back John Hebert added touchdown runs in the third quarter for a 70-0 Houston lead.

Southern put its lone points of the night on the scoreboard when quarterback Wyatt McCauley hit Wydell Clark Jr. on a 79-yard touchdown pass with 4:48 left in the third quarter.

Playing in a shortened fourth quarter, Houston bobbled a snap deep in Southern territory, but reserve quarterback Luke Carney collected the loose ball and rushed eight yards up the middle for the final margin of victory.

UP NEXT
The Cougars hit the road for the first time and open Big 12 Conference play when they face #12/12 Texas Tech inside Galaxy Stadium at 7 p.m., Sept. 18, in. Lubbock, Texas. That game will be shown on FOX.

From there, Houston closes its non-conference schedule as it meets Georgia Southern in Statesboro, Ga., on Sept. 26. Kickoff time and broadcasting network for that game will be announced soon.

All Houston Football games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.

BUY TICKETS
University of Houston Football single-game tickets are on sale for the 2026 season. Fans have the chance to see four home games as the top-25 ranked Cougars face UCF, Oklahoma State, Cincinnati and Baylor looking to improve on their 10-win season in 2025.

To purchase tickets, click 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 –