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Weigman's third-quarter surge flips script as Cougars outlast Knights 27-17

Conner Weigman scored three times in the second half to lead No. 20 Houston to a 27-17 victory over UCF on Saturday. The Cougars overcame a 17-0 deficit to secure their fourth win of the season.

Reese Stroud

October 4, 20262 min read

Football field - illustration, Jake Team LLC
NCAA FootballFinal
UCF Knights17
Houston Cougars27

October 3, 2026

A Second-Half Surge

Conner Weigman’s explosive second half proved decisive as No. 20 Houston Cougars defeated the visiting UCF Knights 27-17 on Saturday. The Cougars, who entered the game trailing 17-0 after the first two quarters, mounted a late rally that shifted the momentum entirely. Weigman, who accounted for three touchdowns, was the driving force behind Houston’s comeback at TDECU Stadium, where 25,593 fans witnessed the shift in power. The victory improves Houston’s record to 4-1, while UCF falls to 3-2.

UCF’s Early Lead

The Knights controlled the game’s opening stages, building a substantial advantage before the break. Keyone Jenkins connected with Josh Derry for a 13-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter to open the scoring. UCF extended their lead to 10-0 in the second quarter when Will Stone kicked a 30-yard field goal. Jenkins added a 5-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter, pushing UCF’s lead to 17-0. Jenkins finished the day with 253 passing yards on 23 of 35 attempts, though he also threw an interception. Duke Watson contributed 50 rushing yards on nine carries, and Josh Derry hauled in seven passes for 101 yards and a touchdown.

Houston’s Response

Houston’s offense awakened in the third quarter, with Weigman scoring on a 19-yard run to cut the deficit. He followed that with a one-yard touchdown run, closing the gap to 17-14. The Cougars’ momentum carried into the fourth quarter, where Weigman scored his third touchdown on another one-yard run to put Houston ahead 21-17. Jonathan Dimas then extended the lead with a 40-yard field goal, and capped the rally with a 46-yard field goal to seal the 27-17 victory. Weigman also passed for 239 yards on 18 of 33 attempts. Re'Shaun Sanford II rushed for 62 yards on 18 carries, and Patrick Overmyer led the receiving corps with 76 yards on six catches.

Final Standings

The final score stood at Houston 27, UCF 17. The quarter scores reflected the dramatic shift: UCF scored 7, 3, 7, and 0 points, while Houston scored 0, 0, 14, and 13 points. The Cougars’ resilience in the second half secured their fourth win of the season at TDECU Stadium.

Sources

ESPN

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Reese Stroud

Reese Stroud covers Denison high school and area college sports.

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