Houston Cougars Hang On for Win vs. Baylor Bears Live In-Game Updates
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The Houston Cougars will return to the field looking to bounce back and end the regular season on a high note as they head out on the road and travel up north to pay a visit to an in-state foe, taking on the Baylor Bears on Saturday Morning.
Last time out, the Cougars didn't have their best performance of the season after a sluggish and struggle-filled game ended with the Coogs on the losing end of their matchup against the TCU Horned Frogs, dropping to an 8-3 record on the season. TCU secured the narrow 17-14 victory after Houston kicker Ethan Sanchez missed a potential game-tying 38-yard field goal with 46 seconds remaining on the game clock.
On the other side, it was a rough outing for the Bears last time out after being rolled by the Arizona Wildcats in a lopsided 41-17 loss to the Wildcats. The loss piles onto a season already filled with struggles as the Bears now sit with a 5-6 record on the season.
Cougars vs. Bears
The Coogs' offensive leader, quarterback Conner Weigman, has had a resurgence in his first season with Houston, with one game left to play in the regular season. Weigman has completed 183 of his 288 pass attempts for a 63.5 percent completion percentage, 2,274 yards, 20 touchdowns, to eight interceptions. Where Weigman has been at his best has been on the ground as the Coogs' second leading rusher with 523 yards and nine rushing touchdowns.
Weigman's last outing in the Coogs' loss to TCU was not his best as the quarterback completed just 15 passes on 29 attempts for 161 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, despite moving the ball on the ground effectively, rushing for 114 yards on 15 attempts.
With an emphasis on the starting quarterback in this matchup on the other sideline, it will be all eyes on Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson, who statistically ranks as the top quarterback in the entire Big 12. Robertson leads the conference in passing touchdowns, total passing yards, and average passing yards per game.
On the season, the Baylor quarterback has totaled 3,372 yards, 30 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, with three additional scores on the ground. Robertson will look for a much better performance in the season finale for both teams, as last time out against Arizona was rough, going 22 of 33 passing for 162 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
The matchup between the Coogs and the Bears is set for an 11:00 AM kickoff from McLane Stadium, and be sure to check right back here for live updates as the action unfolds.
Live Game Updates
The Coogs will start out on defense.
First Quarter
Baylor picked up a single first down and wasn't able to do much else. The Coogs' defense forces a quick punt on the Bears' first drive of the game.
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The Cougars come out firing on the road, making quick work of their opening drive, moving the ball 82 yards on 12 plays for a touchdown score. Conner Weigman starts quickly, completing four of his six passes on the drive and the touchdown pass to wide receiver Amare Thomas, who had three receptions for 50 yards on the drive. Weigman also found tight end Tanner Koziol on a crucial fourth down to keep the drive alive. Ethan Sanchez's extra point was good.
Houston 7, Baylor 0
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Houston's defense makes a huge play down in the red zone, with defensive back Marc Stampley II intercepting a pass from quarterback Sawyer Robertson. Baylor looked poised to respond to the Cougars' touchdown, driving 68 yards in eight plays and getting down to the Houston seven-yard line, but the interception wipes out the scoring chance.
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The Cougars were not able to capitalize on the momentum-shifting play, gaining a first down but getting nothing more, and will be forced to punt on their second drive of the game.
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The Coogs' defense keeps making plays as Baylor once again drove deep into Houston territory, but that drive was ended quickly with a sack-fumble from Brandon Mack and recovered by Sione Fotu was the Coogs' second takeaway of the game.
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Second Quarter
The Cougars were able to capitalize on the turnover this time with a six-play 69-yard touchdown drive, capped by a 28-yard rushing touchdown from Conner Weigman. Ethan Sanchez's extra point was once again good.
Houston 14, Baylor 0
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Baylor is able to get itself on the board with a field goal. A long 53-yard kickoff return set up the Baylor offense on the Houston 37-yard line. However, the defense once again makes a stand, not letting them gain a single yard and forcing the field goal.
Houston 14, Baylor 3
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The Cougars were unable to respond to the Baylor score, with Weigman being intercepted on a pass intended for running back Dean Connors, and the Bears take over on their own 37-yard line.
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Houston once again made a stand, as the Bears drove deep into the Cougars' territory, but once Baylor reached the red zone, the Coogs were able to hang on and forced a field goal attempt, which was good.
Houston 14, Baylor 6
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The Coogs get back on the scoreboard with a 12-play 64-yard drive to set up a 29-yard field goal attempt, which was cashed in by Ethan Sanchez.
Houston 17, Baylor 6
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Houston's defense remains stout, with another red zone stop against the Baylor offense after a 12-play 62-yard drive was held up and forcing the Bears to settle for another field goal, with the 30-yard field goal was converted.
Houston 17, Baylor 9
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Weigman will kneel the ball and take the game into halftime. Houston will receive the ball to begin the second half.
Third Quarter
Houston takes its opening drive deep into Baylor territory, but the drive stalls once reaching the Bears' 35-yard line and is forced to punt.
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And on their first drive of the second half, Baylor is unable to get much going, picking up a single forced down, and then the drive had stalled, the Cougars' defense forces another punt, and the offense will take over on their own 35-yard line.
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Conner Weigman caps off another scoring drive for the Cougars, punching in a five-play 65-yard drive into the end zone with his second rushing touchdown of the game from one yard out. A huge 42-yard rush by Weigman set up Houston on the Baylor four-yard line, and two plays later, the quarterback cashed in the score. Extra point was good.
Houston 24, Baylor 9
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The Houston defense makes another big stop, forcing a turnover on downs after an incomplete pass from Sawyer Robertson down in the red zone. The Coogs will take over on their own 12-yard line.
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Coogs can't do much on the offensive side of the ball, will go three-and-out after the defensive stop, and will be forced to punt.
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Fourth Quarter
Baylor finally punches the ball into the end zone after a seven-play 50-yard drive capped off by a rushing touchdown from running back Joseph Dodds from one yard out. The Bears would go for the two-point attempt and were successful after Sawyer Robertson ran it in.
Houston 24, Baylor 17
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Houston does not respond to the Baylor touchdown, as on its ensuing drive, the Cougars would turn the ball over on downs and would give the ball back to Baylor in Houston territory.
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Baylor has stormed all the way back into the game, as Robertson connects with his wide receiver for a 31-yard touchdown pass on 4th & 9, quickly driving 44 yards in five plays. The extra point attempt was successful.
Houston 24, Baylor 24
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Houston responds in a big way with a big-time scoring drive, running 15 plays for 74 yards and taking nearly seven minutes of game time off the clock. Running back Dean Connors punches it from one yard out. Ethan Sanchez converts the extra point.
Houston 31, Baylor 24
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Needing to respond, the Bears drive deep into Houston territory; however, as it's been all day, the defense made a big stop, forcing an incomplete pass and a turnover on downs. That should likely be the ballgame with just over 40 seconds left to go in the game.
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