Univ Houston Defeats Kansas
On what was a rainy afternoon at TDECU Stadium, the #17 Kansas State Wildcats were up 19-10 in the fourth quarter over the Houston Cougars. K-State’s win probability was 94% according to ESPN with 14 minutes to play.
The Cougars then roared back with 14 unanswered points to win 24-19, and accomplished a feat that the program had not accomplished in seven seasons, which was beat a top-15 opponent (Kansas State was ranked #15 in the coaches poll). It had also been over three years since UH last beat a ranked team (Oct. 2021 vs #19 SMU).
Sophomore quarterback Zeon Chriss ran in for a 41 yard touchdown with just 2:31 left to take the 24-19 lead, and then the Cougars defense locked it down. Senior linebacker Michael Batton intercepted K-State quarterback Avery Johnson on the ensuing drive at the Houston 46-yard line with 1:48 left followed by a final stop on a Hail Mary attempt to officially stun the Wildkats and the Big 12. The remaining students then stormed the field on another memorable black-out night.
“There was a lot of partying going on, celebrating, Fritz getting turned up, it was exciting,” Chriss said.
Houston won their first Big 12 game wearing black last season on an incredible Hail Mary completion to junior wide receiver Stephon Johnson and the history continues.
“Really proud of the guys, they hung in there and really proud of the effort in all three phases. It was a complete and total team win, we did an excellent job of finishing the game,” said head coach Willie Fritz.
After a 55 minute lightning delay, kickoff was finally underway. Kansas State received and went on a methodical 15 play, 70 yard drive that resulted in a 23 yard field goal after an endzone stop from the Cougars defense.
After a couple of punts, Houston was set up with great field position at their own 47 yard line. On 4th and two, the Cougars rolled the dice and went for it. That worked out extremely well, as sophomore quarterback Zeon Chriss found junior wide receiver Joseph Manjack for a 44 yard gain down to the one-yard line. At the start of the second quarter, senior quarterback Donovan Smith entered the game and scored on the keeper for the 7-3 lead.
On the next Houston drive, the Cougars eventually settled for a 22 yard field goal from senior kicker Jack Martin to take a 10-3 lead after a 33 yard pass from Chriss to sophomore wide out Devan Williams to the K-State 20 yard line.
Kansas State answered with a 14 play, 71 yard touchdown drive in just under seven minutes, but missed the extra point and were unable to tie the game.
However, Chriss took a sack and fumbled on the last Houston drive of the half at the Cougars 48-yard line. The Wildcats took advantage and scored another touchdown in 29 seconds on a seven yard pass from Johnson to Kegan Johnson to take a 16-10 lead and go into halftime with momentum.
The third quarter had pouring rain & did not have much scoring with a couple of turnovers on downs. The Wildcats missed a field goal, but were able to make a 47 yarder right before the end of the quarter to take a 19-10 lead.
Junior defensive back Jeremiah Wilson was able to get a huge interception of Howard with 12:32 to go at the Kansas State 27 yard line and returned it back 18 yards.
“They’ve kept us in a lot of ball games, and it’s being disciplined,” said Fritz of the defense.
Chriss threw a 1 yard touchdown pass to senior tight end Maliq Carr on third down that cut the lead down to 19-17. UH & K-State exchanged punts until the game winning drive by the Cougars. Freshman punter Liam Dougherty had a 65 yard punt, which was a career high and played a factor into the comeback.
The Houston defense limited the rushing offense of the Wildcats, who entered the game eighth in the country to only 89 yards, which was K-State’s fewest total vs a Big 12 team in more than three years. This was the least amount of rushing yards the Cougars have allowed in a conference game at home.
“We got one of the best run defenses in the country, they knew that coming in and they still tried to run it on us, and it didn’t work,” said senior linebacker Michael Batton. “Shoutout to the coaches and the job they do, it’s straight up a drill we do all the time, and at this point in the season, it’s starting to come through.”
Chriss ended up 11/11 passing for 103 yards and one touchdown as well as the leading rusher with 75 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. The Cougars QB won Big 12 newcomer of the year
“He’s a very accurate passer, really happy he’s on our squad, he’s a really good football player,” Fritz said.
Houston just had a 15.5% chance of winning, but coach Willie Fritz’s team is playing hard, getting results & now has meaningful football ahead.
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