Houston rallies from 14-point 4Q deficit to beat Oregon State 27–24 in OT — Conner Weigman’s late TDs and Ethan Sanchez’s walk-off FG seal a dramatic road win.
Houston vs Oregon — in one sentence
In a Pacific-Night thriller at Reser Stadium, the Houston Cougars erased a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit and beat the Oregon State Beavers 27–24 in overtime, as Conner Weigman engineered two late TD drives and Ethan Sanchez drilled the 24-yard walk-off field goal after OSU failed to convert a fourth-and-1 in OT.
Why Oregon State vs Houston State mattered
Friday night’s game meant much more than one W on the schedule:
- Momentum & statement win for Houston (4–0): The Cougars improved to 4–0 — their best start since 2016 — and showed resiliency under new/renewed leadership. This is a résumé booster for UH in a season where marquee OOC wins can define postseason chances and Group of Five bargaining power.
- Alarm bells for Oregon State (0–5): The Beavers, now 0–5 for the first time since 1996, squandered a 14-point lead in the final quarter and missed a potential game-tying 46-yard try at the end of regulation that was blocked. The loss raises questions about late-game execution and special teams reliability.
- QB matchup & NFL scouting: Conner Weigman (Houston) vs Maalik Murphy (Oregon State) was a tidy display of contrasting experience and styles — Weigman’s late-game poise and dual-threat ability versus Murphy’s efficiency and timing earlier in the night. Performances like this matter to pro scouts and to each program’s recruiting and quarterback plans.
The final score & top-line boxscore essentials
- Final: Houston 27, Oregon State 24 (OT).
- Houston (key stat lines): Conner Weigman — 270 passing yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT; also added a rushing TD. Ethan Sanchez — game-winning 24-yard FG in OT. Amare Thomas & Tanner Koziol — key receiving plays, Koziol with the dramatic 50-yard catch-and-run to tie the game late.
- Oregon State (key stat lines): Maalik Murphy — 201 passing yards, 1 TD; Cornell Hatcher Jr. — 93 rushing yards and a score; Trent Walker — 103 receiving yards. OSU’s failed 46-yard FG at the end of regulation was blocked by Marc Stampley II.
Game narrative — how Houston staged the comeback (quarter-by-quarter)
First half — Beavers grab control
Oregon State struck early and efficiently. Maalik Murphy moved the Beavers’ offense methodically, finding Trent Walker and feeding the ground game. OSU built a lead and looked to control the clock — Houston’s offense sputtered at times and depended on Weigman to make plays downfield. By halftime the game favored the home team, who were executing well on offense and special teams.
Third quarter — Beavers extend lead
The Beavers continued to apply pressure. Cornell Hatcher Jr. provided tough inside yards, and OSU extended the margin to 24–10 late in the third/early fourth. It looked like Oregon State would carry the momentum into the final quarter, with their defense bending but not breaking.
Fourth quarter — Cougars flip the script
With just over 12 minutes left, the game flipped. Conner Weigman led Houston on two rapid touchdown drives: a strike to Stephon Johnson (27 yards) and then a 50-yard Tanner Koziol catch-and-run that tied the game at 24 with 3:40 remaining. Houston’s special teams and defense joined the comeback narrative when they blocked Oregon State’s late 46-yard field goal attempt at the end of regulation — a play that forced overtime. Those swings epitomized the Cougars’ resiliency.
Overtime — Cougars close it out
Oregon State had an OT chance on fourth-and-1 but could not convert; Houston moved into field goal range and Ethan Sanchez delivered a 24-yard walk-off kick to seal the 27-24 victory. The defense’s stop on fourth down and the special teams execution were decisive.
[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]
Player spotlights — who made the difference
Conner Weigman (Houston) — the comeback architect
Weigman’s stat line (≈270 yards, two passing TDs, one rushing TD) doesn’t fully capture his value: he repeatedly made high-leverage throws in the final minutes and used his legs when needed to keep drives alive. He connected on big plays to Stephon Johnson and Tanner Koziol when Houston needed them most. The 50-yard Koziol play was the kind of explosive strike that changes win probability and momentum in a hurry. Weigman’s situational poise was the night’s tale of the tape. (Reuters)
Maalik Murphy (Oregon State) — strong but short of finish
Murphy threw for 201 yards with one TD and managed the offense well for most of the game, but he was limited by late pressure and the Beavers’ inability to close. Reports indicate Murphy suffered a hand issue late that affected a potential under-center snap, and OSU’s staff had to adjust personnel near the end of regulation. That detail is important context for why the Beavers could not finish the job.
Tanner Koziol & Stephon Johnson — clutch playmakers
Koziol’s 50-yard catch-and-run to tie the game was the most eye-catching offensive play for Houston. Stephon Johnson’s 27-yard TD earlier in the comeback sequence helped set up the final drive. Role players like these turned opportunities into tangible game-tying moments.
Special teams & defense — Houston’s unsung heroes
Two blocked kicks (including a crucial block with five seconds left) swing the game heavily in Houston’s favor. Defensive plays from Marc Stampley II and teammates in pressure moments were difference makers. In college football, special teams can be the equalizer — and UH took full advantage.
Coaching & tactical analysis — what worked, what didn’t
Willie Fritz & Houston — patience and playmaking
- Stay aggressive late: Fritz’s offense remained patient but aggressive when the clock mattered. Weigman’s ability to push plays vertically and the team’s willingness to call for big special-team blocks showed a game plan that emphasized creating points in rapid-strike fashion.
- Rotation & adjustments: Houston leaned on depth in receiving and used tempo to their advantage in the final quarter — quick drives minimized OSU’s defensive rest and turned the scoreboard around.
Trent Bray & Oregon State — excellent early, coaching questions late
- Game plan execution: OSU’s early box-score looked the part: consistent runs, efficient passing and solid field-position play. But in late-game situations, the Beavers stumbled — missed opportunities, a blocked field goal, and a failed fourth-and-1 in OT. Those are situational-game management issues that will attract scrutiny.
- Injury & personnel: If Murphy’s hand issue limited under-center snaps or quarterback options, Bray’s staff had a difficult late-game logistic problem which, combined with high pressure from UH, created the opening for the comeback.
COOGS WIN!@e10_sanchez is nails pic.twitter.com/pVmnfZM2fc
— Houston Football (@UHCougarFB) September 27, 2025
Turning points & game-defining plays (the five that mattered)
- Blocked 46-yard field goal at end of regulation: Kept the Cougars alive; special teams swung the expectation dramatically.
- Conner Weigman’s 27-yard TD to Stephon Johnson (late 4Q): Started the comeback momentum. (CBSSports.com)
- Tanner Koziol’s 50-yard catch-and-run (with 3:40 left): The explosive play that tied the game and electrified the visiting crowd.
- Fourth-down stop by Houston in OT: Defense denied OSU the chance to win it in OT and flipped pressure back onto the Beavers.
- Ethan Sanchez 24-yard field goal in OT: The walk-off completion — the final act of a comeback story.
Injury notes & roster implications
- Maalik Murphy hand issue: Reports indicate Murphy injured his hand late in the game and had trouble executing under-center snaps; backup Gabarri Johnson was available. The injury could affect preparation and practice plans in the near term. OSU staff comments suggest they’ll evaluate Murphy for upcoming practices and determine whether he needs week-to-week handling.
- Houston health & management: No immediate season-ending injuries reported for Houston in the postgame notes. Coaches emphasized rotation and load management after a physical overtime win. Weigman remains the clear starter and the offense will likely lean more on his dual skills while shoring up first-half consistency. (Houston Chronicle)
What this means for both programs — short & medium term
Houston Cougars
- Momentum boost: A comeback like this on the road — in the Pac-12 After Dark contract market and under national lights — is both a morale and recruiting boost. The UH staff can now lean on the 4–0 mark as evidence of program upward trajectory.
- Poise in clutch moments: Late-game execution and special-teams competence are musts for championship runs; Houston demonstrated both. Expect renewed confidence in Weigman and his supporting cast.
Oregon State Beavers
- Urgency & evaluation: An 0–5 start is alarming historically — Brentwood-style program questions loom: playcalling in late situations, special teams coaching, depth at key positions, and injury protocols for the QB. Coach Trent Bray’s staff will need to address execution and momentum quickly to avoid a deep hole in conference play. (SI)
Statistical & analytics snapshot (what the numbers tell us)
- Weigman performance under pressure: 270 passing yards with two fourth-quarter TD drives reflects high late-game Win Probability Added (WPA); his dual-threat ability added an XFA-type stress on OSU’s defense. (ESPN.com)
- Oregon State’s early efficiency, late collapse: The Beavers moved the ball well earlier — Trent Walker’s 103 yards and Hatcher’s near-century rushing indicated a balanced attack. But failure to convert in crunch time (blocked FG, failed fourth-and-1) and potential QB hand injury are quantifiable costs. (Oregon State University Athletics)
- Special teams swing: Two blocked kicks for UH were massive — S&P+ and special-teams metrics would show a dramatic shift in expected points added (EPA) from those plays alone. (Underdog Dynasty)
Where to watch & broadcast notes (if you missed it / for next time)
- TV / streaming: The game aired on ESPN (Pac-12 After Dark window) with national distribution; streaming and box score coverage was available on ESPN+ and FoxSports/CBSSports gametracker pages for real-time stats. If you live in the local markets, team networks and regional streaming partners also offered coverage. (FOX Sports)
- Best sources for replays & highlights: ESPN’s game recap and the official OSU athletics recap host highlight packages; Houston’s athletic site and social handles provide postgame interviews and extended clips. (Oregon State University Athletics)
What’s next — schedule implications & prediction outlook
- Houston: With the 4–0 start, UH will look to keep momentum against upcoming opponents (check the Cougars’ schedule for the Week 6 matchup and beyond). If the offense corrects the first-half stall issues, this team could be trending toward a resume-building season with potential for a Group of Five New Year’s Six bid (depending on conference alignment and remaining schedule). (News-Leader)
- Oregon State: The Beavers must regroup quickly. Next steps will likely emphasize special-teams adjustments and injury evaluations for Murphy. If Murphy needs rest, OSU’s QB depth will be tested — Gabarri Johnson may see more snaps in practice if needed. Prediction-wise: OSU’s best path is fixing situational football; without that, the 0–5 start risks turning into a difficult season.
Short-term prediction for both: Houston should ride confidence and win the next 1–2 matchups if they correct first-half inconsistencies. Oregon State’s window to salvage a competitive season is narrow but not closed — immediate tangible improvements in special teams and late-game playcalling can change the trajectory. (Reuters)
Reaction & social pulse
- Houston: Players and coaches emphasized resilience and “we didn’t flinch” messaging in postgame interviews; social feeds highlighted the Koziol catch and the blocked kick as viral moments. UH recruiting pages and local radio celebrated a signature win. (Houston Chronicle)
- Oregon State: Fans and local media expressed frustration, calling for answers on special teams and late-game situations; Coach Bray received vocal defense from some players and boosters even as commentary piled up about the team’s 0–5 start. (Beaverton Valley Times)