Samuel Wilson 
Houston Wins Thriller with 49-Yard Hail Mary in Final Seconds, Beating West Virginia 41-39
In a heart-stopping game, Donovan Smith delivered a 49-yard touchdown pass to Stephon Johnson as time expired, securing a thrilling 41-39 victory for Houston over West Virginia on Thursday night.
Smith’s outstanding performance saw him complete 21 of 27 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns. His last-minute Hail Mary throw from midfield, which was tipped at the goal line and caught by Johnson, marked a spectacular finish to the game.
“We practiced that, and we always have a guy who is ready for the tip,” Smith said. “We just executed that.”
Smith, who completed his final 16 passes, also added a rushing touchdown to his impressive stats as Houston (3-3, 1-2 Big 12) secured its first Big 12 win.
Houston coach Dana Holgorsen praised Smith’s performance, stating, “Donovan Smith came alive at the end of the second quarter and had a great drive for a touchdown and then a great second half. The kid is turning into a really good player.”
Describing the final play as “incredible,” Holgorsen was full of praise for Smith’s throw, calling it “unbelievable.”
“We played all four quarters,” Holgorsen added. “I don’t know how that happened at the end. I guess the football gods were on our side today. We’ll take it. It’s good to get that first Big 12 win. … I’m just proud of that group in there for hanging in there. Donovan Smith and Boogie Johnson, I’ve never been a part of that.”
Johnson, who caught four passes for 96 yards and two scores, played a crucial role in the game-winning play. He expressed his gratitude, saying, “It wasn’t really planned to be tipped to me. It just happened like that, and I made a play on that. I’m just thankful we were able to pull out the win.”
On the opposing side, West Virginia (4-2, 2-1) suffered a tough loss, breaking their four-game win streak. Quarterback Garrett Greene had an impressive performance, throwing for 391 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 47 yards and two touchdowns.
West Virginia coach Neal Brown expressed his disappointment, stating, “We didn’t lose the game on the last play of the game. We had multiple chances to win the game, but we didn’t do it. I’m not very pleased with how we played in two out of three phases. Defensively and on special teams, we did not play good enough.”
Despite the loss, West Virginia outgained Houston with 546 total yards to Houston’s 393. The Mountaineers held time of possession, maintaining control of the ball for 37 minutes.
In the final moments of the game, West Virginia came back from an 11-point deficit to take a four-point lead with 12 seconds left, but Houston’s unforgettable Hail Mary play sealed the victory.
Houston’s offense faced challenges, converting only 3-of-9 third downs, but they scored a second-half touchdown in conference play for the first time this season. Smith’s impressive performance in the second half saw him complete every pass.
This game will be remembered for its thrilling conclusion and remarkable Hail Mary that gave Houston its first Big 12 win of the season.
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