HOSTON – Conner Weigman threw 159 yards and three touchdowns in Houtton debut when the Cougars beat Stephen F. Austin with two teams in the season opener.
Weigman was a transfer from Texas A&M, 15 of 24 yards in 24 yards and threw an 11-yard touchdown to Tanner Koziol in the first half and 39 yards on J'Marion Burnette, Houston (1-0) led 17-0 at halftime. Weigman also rushed for 39 yards and found Amare Thomas' 20-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
“I think it's a lot of up and down,” Wegman said. “I feel like we beat ourselves up, but we made the game when we need it. It's always good to start season 1-0.”
Koziol is a transfer from a ball state that completed with 63 yards on seven catches, with Thomas of UAB transfer capturing three passes at 44 yards.
“He's a playboy. He's a very smart football player,” Wegman said of Kozio. “I feel like he's always in the right position, he's always where I needed him at the time. He didn't concede. He's a very special player.”
It was Houston's first armistice since defeating Grambling 45-0 on September 18, 2021 and its first opener since defeating UNLV 69-0 on September 2, 1989.
“Excellent work in defense,” said Houston coach Willie Fritz. “It's really hard to close a team these days. I don't care what level you're talking about – middle school, high school, NFL or college.”
Houston surpassed lumberjacks 343-144.
Sam Vidlak had 13 of 26 yards for 26 yards, intercepting 52 yards, Gavin Rutherford had 4 of 4 of 7 yards and SFA interception (0-1). Kylon Harris caught four passes at 20 yards and Jordan Nabors had 21 yards on three catches.
takeout
SFA: As the Cougars spend most of their defense in the backcourt, the loggers have very little offense. The loggers finished with a 39-yard sprint.
Houston: The Cougars look one of the worst offensive teams in the nation than last season. The Cougars' defense had two sacks, two interceptions, and beat SFA 16 in the third drop.
“I feel like today we are definitely locked in the keys, missions and doing places where we can fly and play quickly, the game is like practice,” said defensive back Marc Stampley II.
Next
SFA aired on September 6 in Abilene Christian.
Houston played on Sept. 6 at Crosstown rival Rice.
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