WACO, Texas (Interstat) — In a game where they were statistical underdogs, the Houston Cougars leaned on the dynamic dual-threat performance of quarterback Conner Weigman and a clock-draining final drive to secure a 31-24 victory over the Baylor Bears on Saturday at McLane Stadium.

The win improved Houston’s record to 9-3, while Baylor concluded its season at 5-7.

Defying pregame projections from Interstat that gave Baylor a 70.8 percent probability to win and a simulated score of 32-30 in the Bears’ favor, Houston established an early lead and held off a frantic fourth-quarter rally. The Cougars, who had been installed as a 2.5-point underdog, controlled the game for long stretches, with Weigman’s legs proving to be the difference-maker.

Weigman, a junior from Cypress, Texas, was efficient through the air, completing 21 of 31 passes for 201 yards and a touchdown. But his impact on the ground was monumental, as he rushed for 121 yards on 22 carries, including a 28-yard touchdown scramble in the second quarter. His 42-yard run in the third quarter set up another score, consistently bailing the Cougars out of difficult downs and extending possessions.

Houston set the tone on the game’s opening drive, marching 82 yards in a methodical 13-play series that consumed over seven minutes of clock. Weigman capped the drive with a 27-yard touchdown pass to Amare Thomas, who finished with a game-high 97 receiving yards on nine catches.

After a Baylor field goal, Weigman answered with his long touchdown run, weaving through the Baylor defense to give Houston a 14-3 lead. The Cougars’ offense, while not always explosive, was methodical. They added a 29-yard field goal from Eli Sanchez just before halftime to take a 17-9 lead into the break, as Baylor kicker Connor Hawkins connected from 54, 34 and 30 yards to keep the Bears within striking distance.

The third quarter belonged to Houston’s ground game. Following a Baylor turnover on downs, the Cougars embarked on a drive that featured Weigman’s 42-yard burst. He finished it himself with a 1-yard plunge, extending the lead to 24-9.

Baylor’s offense, which had struggled to find the end zone for three quarters, finally came alive in the fourth. The Bears engineered a 13-play, 58-yard drive that was capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by Jonathan Dodds. Sawyer Robertson then powered in for a successful two-point conversion, cutting the deficit to 24-17.

The momentum seemed to have fully swung in Baylor’s favor on the ensuing possession when Houston turned the ball over on downs. Robertson needed just one play to capitalize, hitting Josh Cameron on a 31-yard deep shot for a touchdown, tying the game at 24 with 8:53 remaining after the extra point.

Robertson, the Lubbock native, finished with 309 yards passing, completing 23 of 46 attempts with one touchdown and one interception. Kobe Prentice was his top target, hauling in four passes for 96 yards, while Kole Wilson added seven receptions for 69 yards.

Faced with a tied game and a re-energized Baylor crowd, Houston’s offense delivered its most important drive of the season. The Cougars consumed the next 6 minutes and 56 seconds with a 15-play, 74-yard march that milked the clock down to under two minutes. The drive was a testament to their offensive balance, featuring runs from Weigman, DJ Butler and Dean Connors, alongside key completions to Thomas and tight end Tanner Koziol.

Connors, who rushed for 51 yards, finally punched it in from a yard out with 1:57 left to reclaim the lead for Houston.

Baylor had one final chance, and Robertson quickly moved the Bears into scoring position, connecting with Prentice for 48 yards to the Houston 27. But with the game on the line, the Houston defense stiffened. Facing first-and-10 from the Houston 13, Robertson threw four consecutive incomplete passes, with Houston defensive back Latrell McCutchin Sr. breaking up two of them, including the final fourth-down attempt to seal the victory.

Houston’s defense was led by Kentrell Webb, who recorded 10 tackles. The Cougars now await their bowl destination, having secured a successful regular season, while Baylor’s year comes to a close after a valiant but ultimately insufficient comeback effort.