West Virginia Stuns No. 22 Houston in Breakthrough Win Under Rich Rodriguez

The West Virginia Mountaineers entered Houston on Saturday as double-digit underdogs, burdened by a five-game losing streak and fading hopes of salvaging their season. Few outside the locker room believed in their chances against a ranked Cougars team with College Football Playoff aspirations. But by the time the final whistle blew at TDECU Stadium, West Virginia had rewritten its narrative — earning a 45–35 victory that reverberated through the college football landscape.

It was the program’s first win over an AP Top 25 opponent since October 2021, ending an 11-game drought and delivering a much-needed jolt of optimism for both the team and its long-suffering fan base. In just his first season back at the helm, head coach Rich Rodriguez — who helped define the Mountaineers’ identity in the early 2000s — has given West Virginia something it desperately needed: proof of progress.

The win was as much about grit as it was about execution. True freshman quarterback Scotty Fox Jr. led the charge with a poised, dual-threat performance, while the defense delivered its best showing in years against one of the Big 12’s most dynamic offenses.

Although the Mountaineers’ bowl hopes remain slim, Saturday’s upset may well be remembered as the moment West Virginia began to turn a corner under Rodriguez.

1. Fox Jr. Shines as Offense Finds Its Identity

True freshman Scotty Fox Jr. continued to impress in his young career, building on last week’s promising outing with an even more complete performance against Houston. Fox threw for 157 yards and one touchdown while rushing for 108 yards and two additional scores, showcasing a maturity and calmness beyond his age. His dual-threat ability gave Houston’s defense fits, keeping the Cougars off balance throughout the afternoon. West Virginia leaned heavily on its ground game, amassing 246 rushing yards against a defense that had dominated opponents for much of the season. The offensive line paved the way for a punishing run game that controlled tempo and wore down the Cougars in the second half. Rodriguez’s offensive scheme — once revolutionary in college football — showed flashes of its former brilliance. Designed quarterback runs, option reads, and quick passing concepts kept Houston guessing and highlighted Rodriguez’s ability to tailor his system to his personnel. By the final drive, West Virginia looked like the more disciplined, confident, and physical team — something that had been missing from the program during its recent slide.

2. Defense Turns Tide With Game-Changing Plays

While the offense delivered balance and efficiency, it was the Mountaineers’ defense that ultimately secured the win. West Virginia forced four turnovers, including two interceptions and a fumble recovery from Houston quarterback Conner Weigman, a former five-star recruit. Those mistakes directly led to 17 Mountaineer points and completely shifted the game’s momentum. The highlight came midway through the third quarter, when senior cornerback Jordan Scruggs jumped a route and returned an interception 80 yards for a touchdown. The play gave West Virginia a 31–21 lead and silenced the home crowd. From that point on, the Mountaineers controlled the game’s pace, dictating terms on both sides of the ball. Rodriguez praised his defense’s relentlessness, noting that their preparation and physicality were the difference. “They played with heart,” he said postgame. “We knew Houston would make plays, but we answered every challenge.” Even as Houston tried to rally late, West Virginia’s defense refused to fold — forcing punts, limiting explosive plays, and closing out one of the program’s most complete performances in years.

3. A Defining Step in West Virginia’s Rebuild

Saturday’s victory was about more than just a single game — it was a statement of direction. For a program that has struggled to find consistency in recent seasons, Rodriguez’s return has already begun to restore belief and identity. His energy, offensive creativity, and ability to motivate a young roster have reignited hope in Morgantown. Ending an 11-game losing streak to ranked teams carries symbolic weight. It reminds fans that West Virginia, once a perennial contender in the Big East and later the Big 12, can still rise to the occasion on a national stage. The Mountaineers played with urgency, discipline, and a sense of pride that had been missing in recent years. For Houston, the loss was devastating. The Cougars’ playoff hopes took a significant blow, as turnovers and defensive lapses undid what had been one of the team’s most promising seasons in recent memory. For West Virginia, however, this game may mark the start of something far bigger — the first tangible sign that the Rodriguez era, version two, could bring the Mountaineers back to relevance.