No. 13 Texas Tech escapes with 28-26 win over No. 22 Houston when Cougars' 2-point conversion try fails

No. 13 Texas Tech escapes with 28-26 win over No. 22 Houston when Cougars' 2-point conversion try fails

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No. 13 Texas Tech escapes with 28-26 win over No. 22 Houston when Cougars' 2-point conversion try fails
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 18: Will Hammond #15 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders passes the ball during the first half of the game against the Houston Cougars at Galaxy Stadium on September 18, 2026 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Despite not starting the game, QB Will Hammond played most of the way and led his team to a win on Friday. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
John E. Moore III via Getty Images

No. 13 Texas Tech escaped an upset by No. 22 Houston with a 28-26 win in its Big 12 opener at Lubbock, Texas on Friday night.

Cougars quarterback Conner Weigman hit tight end Patrick Overmyer over the middle for a 10-yard touchdown with 49 seconds remaining in regulation. Needing a 2-point conversion to tie the score, Weigman attempted a run around left end but was tackled just short of the goal line.

The play was reviewed, but Weigman's knee appeared to be down before he stretched the football across the line. Replay officials upheld the call on the field, ruling there was not enough evidence to overturn the play.

J'Koby Williams' 29-yard touchdown in the third quarter put the Red Raiders ahead, 21-17, finishing a comeback from an inept start and early 10-point deficit on their home field at Galaxy Stadium.

The Cougars cut the deficit to 21-20 on a Jonathan Dimas field goal, but Texas Tech landed the decisive blow with an 87-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter that took 11 plays and ran six minutes off the clock.

Cameron Dickey finished off the long series with a 1-yard scoring run and a Stone Harrington extra point put the Red Raiders ahead, 28-20. And with that, he also extended Texas Tech's record to 12-0 when he gets a TD.

Houston began the game with a field goal on its first possession, but Texas Tech gave the ball right back. On Tech’s opening play, QB Thomas Castellanos was chased from the pocket, rolled out to his right and floated a pass down the sideline that he was presumably trying to throw out of bounds. Instead, it was picked off by Will James.

Castellanos got the start on Friday after Will Hammond had started the first two games for the Red Raiders. Castellanos, a transfer from Florida State, signed with Tech in late August. He’s appeared in spot duty through the first two games of the season, throwing for a touchdown and running in two more entering Friday.

Following the turnover, the Cougars went 55 yards in 10 plays for their first touchdown. Weigman finished off the drive with a pass over the middle to Amare Thomas, who stretched over the goal line for an 11-yard score.

Down 10-0 and running just one play after Castellanos' interception, Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire put Will Hammond in at quarterback. The Red Raiders subsequently went three-and-out with Hammond throwing two incompletions.

However, after its defense forced a punt, Texas Tech got back into the game with a 75-yard touchdown drive. Hammond hit Kenny Johnson for a 28-yard gain on a third-and-12. Then, four plays later, he connected with Johnson again for 35 yards down the right sideline and into the end zone.

Houston regained the lead at 17-14 before halftime on a 46-yard pass from Weigman to Koby Young, who made a spectacular catch for the touchdown.

Young trapped the ball and cradled it in his right arm before securing it with his right hand as he fell just inside the pylon.

Weigman finished with 282 yards and 3 TDs, completing 27 of 38 passes with no interceptions. On the Cougars' final touchdown drive, he completed all six of his throws.

Overmyer grabbed 8 receptions for 72 yards and a TD, while Amare Thomas caught 7 passes for 75 yards and a score. Makhi Hughes rushed for 71 yards on 15 carries, while Weigman added 56 on the ground with 13 attempts. Houston drops to 2-1 with the defeat.

For Texas Tech (3-0), Hammond likely secured the starting quarterback position from Castellanos. He completed 17 of 27 passes for 257 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. Kenny Johnson caught 4 of his passes for 113 yards and a score. Castellanos did run for another TD on a direct snap near the goal line.

Dickey rushed for 65 yards and a TD on 16 carries, while Williams joined him in the end zone and tallied 62 yards on 7 rushes.

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