Weigman's 187-Yard Rushing Outburst Lifts Houston Past UCF 27-17

A Historic Comeback

Conner Weigman’s 187-yard rushing performance defined a remarkable second-half surge that allowed No. 20 Houston to overcome a 17-0 deficit and defeat the UCF Knights 27-17 on Saturday, October 3, 2026. The Cougars, playing in front of a crowd of 25,593 at TDECU Stadium, trailed by ten points entering the fourth quarter before executing a decisive run to secure the victory.

This win improved Houston’s record to 4-1, while UCF dropped to 3-2.

UCF Builds an Early Lead

The Knights controlled the opening two quarters, establishing a commanding advantage before Houston’s offense could find a rhythm. In the first period, Keyone Jenkins connected with Josh Derry on a 13-yard touchdown pass, giving UCF a 7-0 lead. UCF extended the margin in the second quarter when Will Stone converted a 30-yard field goal.

The Knights struck again in the third quarter, with Jenkins rushing five yards for a touchdown to make it 17-0. Jenkins finished the game with 253 passing yards on 23 of 35 attempts, along with one touchdown pass and one interception. Josh Derry led UCF’s receiving corps with 101 yards on seven catches.

Houston’s Offensive Explosion

Houston’s turnaround began in the third quarter, driven by Weigman’s power. He first ran 19 yards for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 17-7. Weigman followed with a one-yard score to bring the Cougars within seven points.

The momentum shifted decisively in the fourth quarter. Weigman added another one-yard touchdown run to put Houston ahead 21-17. The Cougars then managed the clock effectively, with Jonathan Dimas kicking a 40-yard field goal to extend the lead to 24-17.

Dimas sealed the result with a 46-yard field goal in the final minutes, making the final score 27-17.

Key Statistical Performances

Weigman was the engine of Houston’s offense, rushing for 187 yards on his carries. While Re'Shaun Sanford II contributed 62 rushing yards on 18 carries, Weigman’s big plays were the decisive factor. On the other side, Houston quarterback Patrick Overmyer recorded 76 receiving yards on six catches, though the primary threat was the running game.

For UCF, Duke Watson rushed for 50 yards on nine carries. The game featured strong defensive efforts from Houston, as UCF scored only three points in the final two quarters combined. The final whistle confirmed Houston’s 27-17 victory, capping a day where the Cougars demonstrated significant resilience.

Sources

ESPN