ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Ethan Sanchez made a 22-yard field goal with 2:31 left to give Houston the lead, and Houston’s defense held on thanks to a Kentrell Webb interception in the end zone with 11 seconds left for a 30-27 victory over UCF.
Houston quarterback Conner Weigman threw for 223 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 82 yards on 22 carries to lead Houston. The Cougars (8-2, 5-2 Big 12) outgained the Knights 434-240.
Houston was far from flawless, overcoming four turnovers, including three interceptions by UCF’s Phillip Dunham.
Dunham became the first player in UCF (4-5, 1-5) history with three interceptions in a game. He returned one of those picks 43 yards for a touchdown in the final two minutes of the first half.
The Cougars still came out on top, despite the turnovers, thanks to a dominant defensive performance.
They held the Knights to 104 yards in the second half and six three-and-outs. Houston linebacker Latreveon McCutchin had a 45-yard pick-6 that gave the team a brief lead after falling behind 10-0 in the second quarter.
UCF switched quarterbacks from Tayven Jackson to Davi Belfort on its final drive. The redshirt freshman scrambled for 32 yards to push the Knights to the Houston 30-yard line. Belfort threw the game-clinching interception on his lone throw of the game.
Jackson finished with 136 yards and an interception for the Knights.
Cutting it close
Houston won its 18th one-score game since 2021, the most in the FBS. The Cougars have played in three one-score games this season, winning all three.
On the Mend
UCF leading rusher Myles Montgomery ran for 23 yards on six carries in the first half, scoring on a 1-yard touchdown in the second quarter. But he left the game with a shoulder injury after the first half. He was spotted on the sideline with his right arm in a sling.
UCF defensive end Malachi Lawrence also left the game in the fourth quarter after taking a hard fall chasing the quarterback.
The Takeaway
Houston: Houston kept its Big 12 title hopes alive by staying in the pack of teams with two losses in the conference. The Cougars have already lost to Big 12 power Texas Tech.
UCF: UCF’s bowl game hopes took a major hit with the loss to Houston. The Knights play Big 12 cellar-dweller Oklahoma State in the middle of road games at No. 9 Texas Tech and No. 8 BYU.
Up Next
Houston is on a bye next week and will host TCU on Nov. 22. UCF travels to No. 9 Texas Tech next week.
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Philip Rossman-reich (), The Associated Press
