Houston Cougars vs. Colorado Buffaloes: Live Game Updates, Stats

After an impressive 2-0 start to the 2025 season, the Houston Cougars are halfway to matching their win total from last season.

Coach Willie Fritz assembled a squad that looks almost unrecognizable when compared to the 2024 team almost completely through the transfer portal.

Now that Week 3 is here, the Cougars get a chance to stay unbeaten when one of the hottest names in college football comes to town: Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Central. Follow along here for live updates as the game kicks off.

Houston Cougars vs Colorado Buffaloes: Prime Time

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders reacts from the sideline during the third quarter against the Brigham Young Cougars at Alamodome. | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Last season, the Buffaloes were one of the best teams in the Big 12. They had NFL talent in both quarterback Shedeur Sanders and all-around athlete Travis Hunter. They finished with a 9-4 record and were a close game against Kansas State away from a Big 12 Championship berth.

Colorado has had a somewhat shaky start to the season, but nothing to be too concerned about as a Buffs fan. The Buffaloes dropped their first game to a talented Georgia Tech team after a gritty performance out of quarterback Haynes King.

After the loss, Colorado had some doubts surrounding the quarterback position. Rumors started circulating that starter Kaidon Salter could be losing the starting role to third-stringer Cade Staub, something that Sanders himself has dismissed. What he did admit, however, was that Staub had been receiving most of the starting reps in practice.

“I’m not confirming none of y’all, y’all know that,” Sanders said, per On3. “We ain’t like that. We good. We have capable guys. Staub has been doing a phenomenal job of getting the majority of the reps, but I haven’t made that assessment and decision yet. You know, in today’s media, we don’t care about being correct anymore. We just want to be first."

On top of the quarterback confusion, both teams are coming off short weeks. The Buffaloes are dealing with multiple injuries to key playmakers, something that gives the Cougars a major advantage, on top of Houston’s home-field and weather advantages.

Friday night’s game marks the first time the two teams face off in 54 years, when the Buffs defeated the Coogs 29-17 in their first and only other matchup.

In this one, Houston is a 5.5-point favorite with an almost sellout crowd.

Follow along for live updates as the action unfolds:

Live Updates & Box Score

	1	2	3	4	Total
Colorado Buffaloes	0	14	0	6	20
Houston Cougars	10	6	10	10	36

Player Stats

Colorado

QB Ryan Staub: 19-135, 204 passing yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 11 rushes, 36 rushing yards

WR Omarion Miller: 3 receptions, 54 yards,

RB Simeon Price: 5 rushes, 51 yards, 1 TD

Houston

QB Conner Weigman: 15-24, 222 passing yards, 17 rushes, 83 rushing yards, 2 TDs

WR Amare Thomas: 3 receptions, 50 yards

RB Dean Connors: 22 rushes, 89 yards, 1 TD

Once the game starts, follow along here for live updates.

Colorado receives the opening kickoff.

First Quarter

Colorado quarterback Ryan Staub got the start. He connected with Joseph Williams and Dre'lon Miller through the air for gains of 10 and 16 yards, respectively, but the Buffaloes punted after an eight-play, 28-yard opening drive.

Change of possession

The Cougars offense started on its own three-yard line.

Houston running back Dean Connors got the first three touches of the drive, including a 16-yard catch on the pass from Conner Weigman.

Weigman hits Amare Thomas for a gain of 22 yards to move the Coogs to Colorado’s 34 yard line.

Houston attempts a 52-yard field goal. Attempt is good.

Houston 3, Colorado 0

Change of possession

Colorado takes over at its own 33. Houston forces a three-and-out.

Change of possession

Houston takes over at its own 21. Conner Weigman scampers for 49 yards to take it to the Colorado 30. Weigman pass complete to Thomas for 16 yards, roughing the passer added on to the end.

First and goal from the four for Houston. Dean Connors four yard rush for a Houston touchdown. PAT is good.

Houston 10, Colorado 0

Change of possession

Colorado takes over at its own 18-yard line before a delay of game pushes the unit back to the 13. Khalil Laufau gets home for a one-yard sack.

Staub finds finds Omarion Miller to gain 10 yards, but it would not be enough for the first down. Colorado punts.

Change of possession

Houston gains possession at its own 31. Houston picks up a first down on a 27-yard reception by Stephon Johnson.

Stacy Sneed picks up 18 yards on two runs to move the Cougars to the Colorado 25.

Second Quarter

Weigman sacked on third down to start the quarter. Houston attempts a 43-yard field goal, attempt is good .

Houston 13, Colorado 0

Change of possession

Colorado drive starts on its own 24 yard-line. Running back Michael Welch loses two on a rush attempt. Three-and-out for the Buffs.

Change of possession

Houston punts after a three-and-out.

Change of possession

After a great punt, Colorado set to start its drive within its own 10-yard line. A pass interference penalty on Houston avoided a Colorado three-and-out and moves the Buffs out past the 20. Staub scrambles for a gain of 11 and a Colorado first down.

Running back DeKalon Taylor rushes for another first down. Colorado ball on its own 46. Miller picks up another first down on a screen pass to cross the 50.

Running back Simeon Price takes a rush 38 yards for a Colorado touchdown. PAT is good.

Houston 13, Colorado 7

Change of possession

Houston takes over after a touchback. Weigman runs for nine yards. A Connors run picks up a first./

Tanner Koziol catches a Weigman pass for 21 yards. Weigman keeps it himself to pick up another first. Colorado holds strong, forces Houston to try a 47-yard field goal. Attempt is good.

Houston 16, Colorado 7

Change of possession

Shuffle pass from Staub to Miller good to move the Buffaloes to Houston’s 44. Welch takes it down to the 19 on a 25-yard reception. Staub rushes for a 19-yard touchdown. PAT is good.

Houston 16, Colorado 14

Third Quarter

Houston starts its drive on its own 25. Cougars put together a nice drive that featured multiple gritty runs. Houston is leading a slow, methodical drive. Ball on Colorado’s 22. Buffs hold strong.

Houston attempts a 33-yard field goal, attempt is good.

Houston 19, Colorado 14

Change of possession

Houston holds Colorado to a three-and-out.

Change of possession.

Connors picks up a first down, followed immediately by a pass to Johnson for 18 yards. Connors takes a rush 19-yards. Weigman keeps it on the goal line, Touchdown Houston, PAT is good.

Houston 26, Colorado 14

Change of possession

Staub sacked on first down.

Fourth Quarter

Change of possession

Cougars force a turnover, take over on the Colorado 45. Buffs defense stand tall, Houston 55 attempt no good.

Change of possession

Houston forces a three-and-out.

Change of possession

Weigman finds Johnson for a 54-yard reception to put the Cougars within the 10. Weigman finishes it off with a seven-yard touchdown scamper. PAT is good.

Houston 33, Colorado 14

Change of possession

Colorado can’t get anything going. Turnover on downs.

Change of possession

Coogs take over on the Colorado 38.

Houston takes its time on a run-heavy drive, but ultimately turn it over on downs after going for it on fourth and short.

Change of possession

Colorado takes over on its own 17. Staub picks up 29 on a run and a facemask tacks on 15 more yards. Staub throws a 37-yard touchdown pass to Joseph Williams. Two-point attempt is no good.

Houston Cougars 33, Colorado 20

Change of possession

Houston uses its possession to run down the clock, makes a 49-yard field goal attempt.

Houston 36, Colorado 20

Change of possession

Staub tries to lead a drive down field, but is intercepted.

Change of possession.

Houston runs out the clock.

Final: Houston 36, Colorado 20

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