Ethan Sanchez hits game-winning field goal to give Houston 27-24 upset victory
Houston overcame a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Oregon State 27-24 in overtime on an Ethan Sanchez 24-yard field goal at Reser Stadium.
Oregon State took the ball first in overtime but turned it over on downs at the Houston 16-yard line after Cornell Hatcher Jr. was stopped for no gain on fourth down. Houston then drove 19 yards on six plays, setting up Sanchez for the game-winning kick.
Trailing 24-10 early in the fourth quarter, Houston tied the game with two Conner Weigman touchdown passes. Weigman found Stephon Johnson for a 27-yard score with 5:59 remaining, then connected with Tanner Koziol on a 50-yard touchdown pass at the 3:40 mark. Oregon State had an opportunity to win in regulation, but Will James blocked Cameron Smith's 46-yard field goal attempt as time expired.
Oregon State built a 14-0 lead to start the game. Jake Reichle opened the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, and Maalik Murphy threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Marquis Crosby early in the second. Houston responded with a 25-yard field goal by Sanchez and a 1-yard touchdown run by Weigman to make it 14-10 at halftime.
Caleb Ojeda extended Oregon State's lead with a 31-yard field goal in the third quarter. Hatcher Jr. added an 18-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter to push the advantage to 14 points before Houston began its comeback.
Weigman completed 20 of 36 passes for 270 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception for Houston. Amare Thomas caught six passes for 104 yards, and Koziol added six receptions for 86 yards and a score. Dean Connors led the rushing attack with 53 yards on 17 carries. Sione Fotu anchored the defense with 15 tackles, while Carlos Allen added 13 tackles and forced a fumble.
Murphy finished 20-of-33 passing for 201 yards and one touchdown for Oregon State. Hatcher Jr. rushed 17 times for 93 yards and a score, and Anthony Hankerson carried the ball 23 times for 74 yards. Trent Walker caught seven passes for 103 yards. Aiden Sullivan led the Oregon State defense with 13 tackles, and Trey Glasper intercepted a pass.