Weigman throws five touchdowns as Houston holds off Oklahoma State 35-32

Conner Weigman threw five touchdown passes and then helped Houston keep the ball for the final 4:54, protecting a 35-32 win over Oklahoma State on Saturday night at TDECU Stadium.

The No. 20 Cougars improved to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the Big 12. No. 18 Oklahoma State fell to 4-2 and 2-1 after twice pulling within three points during the fourth quarter without getting a chance to take the lead late.

Weigman completed 24 of 33 passes for 343 yards with one interception. Four receivers caught his touchdown passes, led by Amare Thomas, who finished with seven catches for 126 yards and two scores. Trent Walker added seven receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown.

Houston needed that production against Drew Mestemaker, who threw for 365 yards and three touchdowns. The teams combined for 1,004 yards, with Houston finishing just six yards ahead of the Cowboys, 505-499.

The fourth quarter turned into an exchange of long scoring plays. Mestemaker found Caleb Hawkins out of the backfield for a 66-yard touchdown with 11:57 remaining, then connected with Justin Bowick on the two-point conversion to bring Oklahoma State within 28-25.

Weigman answered on the next possession. After completions to Patrick Overmyer, Walker and Thomas moved Houston into Oklahoma State territory, he hit Koby Young for a 48-yard touchdown down the left side with 9:48 left. Young’s score restored a 10-point advantage.

The Big 12’s official highlights include those fourth-quarter touchdowns and Weigman’s earlier scoring throws:

Oklahoma State responded with a 10-play, 96-yard drive, finishing on Mestemaker’s eight-yard pass to Bowick at the 4:54 mark. That made it 35-32, but the Cowboys’ offense never returned to the field.

On Houston’s final possession, Weigman converted third down with a 16-yard pass to Thomas and later found Walker for 18 yards on another third down. His eight-yard run supplied the last first down the Cougars needed before two kneeldowns ended the game.

Houston’s defense had made a stronger impression before halftime. Will James broke up Mestemaker’s fourth-down pass from the Cougars’ 2 early in the second quarter, then intercepted him on Oklahoma State’s next possession. Houston turned the takeaway into Weigman’s seven-yard touchdown pass to Thomas for a 14-3 halftime lead.

The Cowboys scored touchdowns on their first two second-half possessions. Each time, Houston answered, first through Walker’s two-yard touchdown catch and then Thomas’ 21-yard score. Weigman’s 44-yard run helped set up the second of those responses.

Hawkins finished with seven catches for 125 yards and 68 rushing yards for Oklahoma State. Makhi Hughes led Houston’s ground game with 77 yards on 18 carries.

Houston travels to Utah next Saturday. Oklahoma State returns home to face Colorado.