News Summary
The Colorado Buffaloes suffered a disappointing 36-20 loss to the Houston Cougars in their Big 12 opener. Struggling throughout the game, Colorado fell behind early and was unable to recover despite a brief surge before halftime. Houston’s offense proved dominant, particularly with quarterback Conner Weigman leading the charge. The defeat marks Colorado’s second consecutive loss, leaving them with a 1-2 record as they prepare to face the Wyoming Cowboys next week.
Houston, Texas – The Colorado Buffaloes faced a tough defeat against the Houston Cougars, losing 36-20 in their Big 12 opener on September 12, 2025, at TDECU Stadium. The loss marks Colorado’s second consecutive defeat, leaving them with a 1-2 overall record and 0-1 in the Big 12 conference, while Houston improved to 3-0 with a 1-0 conference record.
Colorado struggled significantly throughout the game, particularly in the first half, as they fell behind early and were unable to recover. Houston executed their offense effectively, scoring on eight of their twelve drives. The Cougars showcased a substantial advantage in total yardage, amassing 431 yards compared to Colorado’s 300 yards. A notable weakness for the Buffaloes was their rushing game, which resulted in only 96 yards gained on the ground.
Houston’s quarterback, Conner Weigman, was instrumental in the Cougars’ success, throwing for 222 yards and rushing for 83 yards, which included two rushing touchdowns. Houston dominated the time of possession, holding the ball for nearly 37 minutes, which contributed to Colorado’s struggles on both sides of the ball.
Despite a rough start, Colorado managed to score a touchdown right before halftime, narrowing Houston’s lead to 16-14. However, they could not maintain the momentum in the second half. Houston kicker Ethan Sanchez made a noteworthy contribution to the team’s score by tying a school record with five successful field goals during the game.
After the loss, Colorado’s head coach expressed disappointment regarding the team’s performance, emphasizing that he was not expecting such a poor showing from his players following a week of good preparation. Coach Sanders took full responsibility for the outcome, labeling the team’s lack of performance as “foolishness.” In assessing the game, he criticized the team’s defense, stating they were “getting our butts kicked.”
Quarterback Ryan Staub had a challenging game, completing 19 of 35 passes for 204 yards, along with one touchdown and two interceptions. Following the poor performance, there is uncertainty regarding Staub’s position as the starting quarterback moving forward, with the team needing to reassess their strategy ahead of their next game.
As they look to improve from their recent performance, Colorado will host the Wyoming Cowboys next Saturday. The team aims to rebound and gain momentum in the conference, while Houston will continue to strive for excellence as they aim to maintain their undefeated record. With the season still in its early stages, both teams have ample opportunities ahead to adjust and compete effectively in the Big 12 conference.
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Additional Resources
- USA Today: Deion Sanders, Colorado Football Loss to Houston
- Houston Chronicle: Houston vs. Colorado Score
- CBS Sports: Colorado’s Lopsided Loss to Houston
- Wikipedia: College Football
- CU Buffs: Buffs Drop Big 12 Opener at Houston
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College Football
Author: STAFF HERE HOUSTON TX WRITER
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