No. 22 Houston Cougars vs Southern Live Updates, Box Score
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Houston Cougars football will stay at TDECU Stadium for Week 2 as they face the Southern Jaguars from the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
The Cougars opened up their season with a 33-20 win over Oregon State at home last Saturday. Houston racked up more than 500 yards of offense, but had some struggles with turnovers and defensive coverage that it'll look to take care of in this one.
Houston moved up one spot in the AP Poll and enters ranked No. 22 in the country. Southern is an FCS opponent that is in the first year of a rebuild. This is an opportunity for Houston to continue its momentum while improving in non-conference play.
Coogs vs Jaguars
Houston has faced Southern just twice all-time and leads the series 2-0. The Cougars last faced the Jaguars on Aug. 30, 2013 in Houston at Reliant Stadium and won 62-13. It's been more than 13 years since UH has gone against Southern.
Coach Willie Fritz would like to see his team take another step further this evening before the Big 12 opener. Meanwhile, Southern's new head coach in NFL Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk leads a program that finished last in the SWAC in 2025.
Southern is 1-1 entering play and is coming off a 34-15 win over Kentucky State.
We will be right here with live game updates as the action unfolds.
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | FINAL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Southern | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Houston | 28 | 21 | 21 | 7 | 77 |
Follow along for live game updates as the game progresses.
Houston forced a three-and-out on Southern thanks to a third-and-one stop by Brandon Mack.
Change of Possession
The Cougars go methodically right down the field into the endzone thanks to a nine-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Conner Weigman to redshirt junior tight end Patrick Overmyer. It was nine-play drive for 62 yards in just under four minutes. Six of those plays were runs.
Houston 7, Southern 0
The Cougars defense gets their first takeaway of the season on a forced sack fumble of Southern quarterback Christian Johnson. Fifth-year corner Jalen Mayo flew off the edge on a blitz and knocked the ball out. Redshirt freshman defensive lineman DK Mays got the recovery at the Southern 22-yard line.
Change of Possession
Houston quickly punched it in for a touchdown on the third play of the drive on a nine-yard run by redshirt junior Re'Shaun Sanford II.
Houston 14, Southern 0
The Cougars got another turnover thanks to a lateral pass from Johnson, and it's recovered by senior linebacker Sione Fotu at the Southern 22-yard line.
Change of Possession
Five plays later, Houston added another touchdown on a one-yard run by senior running back Makhi Hughes.
Houston 21, Southern 0
Houston forced a quick three-and-out.
Change of Possession
The Cougars wrapped up the first quarter with another touchdown drive in six plays. Weigman found his favorite target in senior wide receiver Amare Thomas on an eight-yard touchdown pass. The drive also featured a 27-yard reception from Sanford.
Houston 28, Southern 0
End of First
Southern finally picked up two first downs due to penalty, but was stopped on fourth-and-three at the Houston 49-yard line.
Change of Possession
Houston followed up with an explosive drive that lasted just three plays. Weigman threw a deep pass out of the pocket to redshirt sophomore Koby Young for a 43-yard touchdown. That is Young's first career touchdown.
Houston 35, Southern 0
Ashton Strother came in as quarterback for Southern and threw an interception to fifth-year safety Jordan Allen, who brought the ball out to the Jaguars 25-yard line. It was Allen's first interception of his career.
Change of Possession
Freshman quarterback and No. 1 recruit Keisean Henderson entered the game for Houston. He found Young on the third play of the drive for a seven-yard touchdown pass, the first touchdown of Henderson's career. The drive wrapped up in 48 seconds.
Houston 42, Southern 0
It was another quick three-and-out for Southern.
Change of Possession
The Cougars just can't stop. Henderson leads another touchdown drive, and he finds fellow freshman in running back John Hebert for the score. It was an impressive 20-yard catch and run for Hebert who broke multiple tackles. It was a five-play, 72-yard drive in just over two minutes. Henderson found senior wideout Trent Walker for two big receptions.
The lights in the stadium just went out as well during the drive.
Houston 49, Southern 0
End of Half
Henderson stays in the game for the second half and bursts out for a 54-yard touchdown run on a bad snap.
Houston 56, Southern 0
DJ Butler got the touchdown for Houston on the next drive from nine yards out, his first score of the season.
Houston 63, Southern 0
After yet another three-and-out, this time Hebert scored his second touchdown of the game from seven yards out.
Houston 70, Southern 0
Southern finally got on the board with a 79-yard touchdown pass but missed the extra point.
Houston 70, Southern 6
Fourth Quarter
Third string quarterback Luke Carney got in for the final touchdown of the game.
Houston 77, Southern 6
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Maanav Gupta is a staff writer for Houston Cougars on SI. He graduated from the University of Houston in the summer of 2025 with his bachelor’s in journalism and a minor in Spanish. Gupta spent three years at the student newspaper, The Daily Cougar, and also covered the 2025 Final Four and National Championship as Houston beat writer for College Basketball Review. He also has his own YouTube channel, Maanav’s Sports Talk, where he has interviewed professional athletes and broadcasters like Jim Nantz, Jose Altuve, J.J. Watt, Rich Eisen, and Alperen Sengun. Gupta was also a contributor to the Houston athletic program as a student. You can find Gupta on X, Instagram and TikTok @MGSportsTalk.