No. 13 Texas Tech opened Big 12 play with a 28-26 win over No. 22 Houston on Friday night at Galaxy Stadium, and the defending conference champions needed every bit of the final minutes to hold it. The Red Raiders stopped a late two-point conversion attempt to preserve the margin and improved to 3-0, while Houston fell to 2-1.

Houston struck first through the air. Conner Weigman connected with Kenny Johnson's counterpart Amare Thomas and tight end Patrick Overmyer for scores, and Koby Young delivered the highlight of the half with a 46-yard touchdown catch just before the break, pulling in an over-the-shoulder grab and pinning the ball against his shoulder pads while falling over the pylon. That put the Cougars ahead 17-14.

Texas Tech answered immediately after halftime. J'Koby Williams, who had managed just five yards on two carries in the first half, broke loose for runs of 19, 5 and 29 yards, the last of which went untouched through the left side to make it 21-17 only two and a half minutes into the third quarter. Cameron Dickey added a one-yard scoring run with 7:36 remaining for what proved to be the decisive points.

Will Hammond had gotten the Red Raiders going earlier with a 35-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Johnson a minute into the second quarter, a drive kept alive by a 28-yard connection between the two on third-and-12.

Article Continues Below

Weigman finished 27-of-38 for 282 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, adding 56 yards on the ground. Overmyer led Houston with eight catches for 72 yards and a score, while Thomas hauled in seven for 75 and a touchdown. Makhi Hughes ran 15 times for 71 yards. The Cougars piled up 176 rushing yards but never found the end zone on the ground.

Houston's defense forced two interceptions, from Jalen Mayo and Will James, and Jaden Yates led all tacklers with eight stops and a sack. Those turnovers kept the game within reach but ultimately were not enough.

Texas Tech has now beaten Houston in eight consecutive meetings. The Red Raiders return to action September 26.