Houston Surges Toward Ten Wins Under Willie Fritz
BY Garrett Ross | 365 Sports
Houston (9-3, 6-3) closed out the regular season with a 31-24 win over Baylor on Saturday at McLane Stadium. The Coogs dominated the Bears for the first three quarters of the game, but had to scratch and claw to a victory after Baylor scored 15 points in the fourth quarter.
Conner Weigman led the charge behind a three-touchdown performance with 201 yards through the air and 121 yards on the ground. His efforts were rewarded by being named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week on Monday.
After the Bears tied the game on a 31-yard touchdown pass, Houston capitalized on a Baylor pass interference call. Weigman drove the Coogs down the field, setting up a one-yard touchdown run by Dean Connors to secure the win, making Houston the only FBS program to go 6-0 on the road this season.
Weigman became the third Houston quarterback since 1956 to post 10+ rushing touchdown seasons, and the first since D’Eriq King in 2018. He also surpassed 5,000 career passing yards in the game and moved into 10th on Houston’s single-season scoring list with 32 touchdowns.
Houston’s defense smothered the Bears’ offense, forcing two turnovers. On the second play of the game, the Coogs knocked out Baylor running back Bryson Washington and continued to impose their will from there.
Head coach Willie Fritz was ecstatic after the game and credited his staff for this season’s success.
“We got here late last year, I’ve mentioned that a bunch of times, and didn’t really have a chance to recruit like we wanted to. I thought the coaches have done a fantastic job. Coach Armstrong, heck, we had five starters who either went to the NFL or went other places for more money or whatever, but I think he’s done a tremendous job rebuilding the defense. I thought he did an outstanding job. His assistant coaches have done a great job,” said Fritz. “I thought offensively, Coach Nagel, I think we’re 137/138 teams last year on offense, and we’re 60 this year. We cut it in half, so that’s outstanding. Just a great job by all the coaches, but most importantly, the players.”
Fritz continued.
“We did a good job of picking up the right guys in the portal and the right guys, high school-wise. I’ve had very, very few problems. A lot of guys go out to practice and watch me. I’m very disciplined and structured with what we do, and I don’t put up with any crap, and these kids have been just awesome to work with every single day. I’m proud of my coaches for finding guys with character.”
The Coogs now await to see where they will be going bowling in hopes of clinching a ten-win season.
Bowl Projections
Brett McMurphy of On3 dropped his latest bowl projections, and here is where he sees the Coogs playing.
Texas Bowl (December 27)
Houston vs. UTSA