No. 22 Houston came within inches of forcing overtime against No. 13 Texas Tech on Friday night, but a failed two-point conversion in the final minute resulted in a 28-26 loss for the Cougars in their Big 12 opener at Galaxy Stadium.

With 49 seconds remaining, Houston quarterback Conner Weigman connected with tight end Patrick Overmyer for a 10-yard touchdown, cutting the Red Raiders' lead to 28-26. The Cougars needed a successful two-point try to tie the game, but the attempt fell short.

Following the game, Houston head coach Willie Fritz explained why the play did not unfold as intended. The Cougars initially had another player as the target, but that option was unavailable when the play developed.

“Well the guy we were going to didn't get open, so Conner (Weigman) was forced to run it,” said Fritz. “Thought we were getting a pretty good look from that call.”

Houston coach Willie Fritz on the 2-point play that came up just short and the original call on the play: "Well the guy we were going to didn't get open, so Conner (Weigman) was forced to run it. Thought we were getting a pretty good look from that call." https://t.co/QRyQaADF1q pic.twitter.com/iSlmGgOyI7

— Chris Baldwin (@ChrisYBaldwin) September 19, 2026

Weigman dropped back before taking off toward the left side of the field. He lunged forward with the football extended, but his knee appeared to hit the ground before the ball reached the goal line. The play went to replay review, but officials determined there was not enough evidence to overturn the ruling that Weigman was short.

The missed conversion followed a solid performance from Weigman, who completed 27 of 38 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He was especially effective during Houston’s final scoring possession, completing all six of his pass attempts.

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Overmyer finished with eight catches for 72 yards and a touchdown, while Amare Thomas recorded seven receptions for 75 yards and a score. Koby Young also provided a major play before halftime, hauling in a 46-yard touchdown that gave the Cougars a 17-14 advantage.

Houston had opened the game with a 10-0 lead after controlling the clock for nearly 13 minutes in the first quarter. The Cougars also held a 17-14 advantage at halftime, but Texas Tech rallied in the second half.

J'Koby Williams gave the Red Raiders their first lead of the game with a 29-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter. Texas Tech then produced an 87-yard, 11-play touchdown drive in the fourth quarter that consumed six minutes, with Cameron Dickey scoring on a 1-yard run to make it 28-20.

Houston finished with 176 rushing yards, including 104 before halftime, against a Red Raiders defense that had entered the game with a seven-game streak of holding opponents below 100 rushing yards.

The loss dropped the Cougars to 2-1 overall and 0-1 in Big 12 play, while Texas Tech improved to 3-0 and 1-0.

Both teams will play their final nonconference game on Sept. 26, as Houston welcomes Georgia Southern while the Red Raiders host Sam Houston.