# Houston Holds Off Cincinnati, 31–24, After Fourth-Quarter Tie

The Cougars improved to 7–2 at TDECU Stadium, with Re’Shaun Sanford II rushing for 126 yards and Conner Weigman passing for 227.

By Will Langan | 24X7 News
Published: 2026-11-08T01:10:52.708Z
Updated: 2026-11-08T01:15:36.096Z
Section: Sports
Format: News
Canonical: https://24x7news.us/articles/houston-cincinnati-football-november-7-2026

Houston held off Cincinnati 31–24 at TDECU Stadium on Saturday, November 7, after the Bearcats erased an early two-touchdown deficit and tied the game in the fourth quarter.

The Cougars improved to 7–2, while Cincinnati fell to 5–4. Houston built a 14–0 first-quarter lead and remained ahead 21–10 at halftime before the Bearcats worked their way back.

Cincinnati quarterback JC French IV scored on a one-yard run with 6:21 remaining to make it 24–24. The touchdown finished a 16-play, 96-yard drive that consumed nearly nine minutes.

Houston answered with the game’s final touchdown to secure the seven-point victory. The final quarter-by-quarter record lists seven points for each team in the fourth period.

Re’Shaun Sanford II led Houston’s ground game with 126 yards. The Cougars finished with 241 rushing yards and 468 yards of total offense, compared with Cincinnati’s 162 rushing yards and 379 total yards.

Conner Weigman passed for 227 yards for Houston, while French had 217 passing yards for the Bearcats. Amare Thomas led Houston’s receivers with 78 yards; Cincinnati’s Malachi Henry had 65.

Cincinnati held the ball for 33 minutes, 38 seconds and converted nine of 14 third-down attempts. Houston converted four of eight and finished with 23 first downs, seven fewer than Cincinnati.

The final result gave Houston the win despite Cincinnati’s sustained possession and late equalizer.

Sources:
Houston Athletics — Official final game center.
Houston Chronicle — November 7 final report.

## Sources
- Houston Athletics — Official final game center: https://uhcougars.com/game-center/16250
- Houston Chronicle — Independent final report, published November 7 at 6:32 p.m. Central: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/college/cougars/article/uh-football-cincinnati-score-22518354.php
- Archive photograph — Brian Reading, TDECU Stadium: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:TDECU_Stadium,_empty_interior.jpg
- Image rights — Creative Commons license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/