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Bayou Bucket Classic: Big Days From Connors, Weigman Send Houston Past Rice 35-9 in Crosstown Rivalry
Dean Connors rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the first player to win the Bayou Bucket with both Houston and Rice, as Houston scored 28 second-half points.
- The Houston Cougars secured a 35-9 victory over the Rice Owls on the evening of September 7, 2025, at Rice Stadium in Houston, Texas.
- The game followed a competitive history, with Connors, a Houston transfer from Rice, aiming to win early in the season after Rice had last won the Bayou Bucket two years ago.
- Houston put up 28 points in the second half, highlighted by Connors rushing for 132 yards and scoring twice on just 13 attempts, while Weigman contributed 188 passing yards, a rushing touchdown, and threw a 74-yard scoring pass to Stephon Johnson.
- Houston's defense contributed three sacks, eight tackles for loss, and two forced turnovers, including a 37-yard interception return touchdown by Will James early in the fourth quarter.
- The victory improved Houston to 2-0 for the first time since 2018 and marked their ninth win in the last ten meetings against Rice, indicating continued dominance in the rivalry.
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Houston 35, Rice 9
·Johnstown, United States
Read Full ArticleHouston Wins Bayou Bucket Classic for Second Straight Year
Source: General / Radio One The University of Houston kept the Bayou Bucket trophy right where it belongs, defeating crosstown rival Rice 35–9 for the second straight year. After a slow first quarter, Rice briefly took the lead with a field goal, but the Cougars roared back behind senior running back Dean Connors, who torched his former team with two long touchdown runs, including a 54-yard burst before halftime. Quarterback Conner Weigman added…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left6Leaning Right0Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Left
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources lean Left
67% Left
L 67%
C 33%
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