Conner Weigman passed for three touchdowns and host Houston’s defense dominated Stephen F. Austin in a 27-0 victory in the season opener for both teams Thursday night.
Weigman completed 15 of 24 passes for 159 yards for the Cougars, who finished 4-8 overall and 3-6 in the Big 12 last season. The transfer from Texas A&M provided a boost for an offense that ranked 128th out of 133 FBS teams in total offense last season, averaging 288.1 yards.
The Houston defense held the Lumberjacks to just 144 yards while the Cougars gained 343.
Sam Vidlak completed 13 of 26 passes for 52 yards before being replaced by Gavin Rutherford in the fourth quarter for the Lumberjacks, who finished 7-5 last season and were ranked No. 24 in the FCS Coaches Preseason poll.
SFA never seriously threatened to score, punting eight times, turning the ball over on downs three times plus one time as time expired in the first half and throwing two interceptions.
On the first possession of the second half Weigman threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Amare Thomas to give Houston a 24-0 lead that held up through the end of the third quarter.
Ethan Sanchez made a 43-yard field goal to increase the lead to 27-0 early in the fourth quarter.
The first five possessions of the game ended with punts before the Cougars’ third possession ended with Weigman throwing an 11-yard touchdown pass to Tanner Koziol for a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Houston drove to the SFA 11 before stalling and Sanchez kicked a 40-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead midway through the second quarter.
On the Cougars’ next possession Weigman threw a swing pass to J’Marion Burnette that Burnette turned into a 39-yard touchdown and a 17-0 lead.
Houston drove to the Lumberjacks’ 21 at the end of the first half, but Burnette was stopped for no gain on third and one and fourth and one.
