HOUSTON — Under the bright lights of NRG Stadium, a season defined by transition and turbulence for the LSU Tigers came to a dejected halt. Despite a lightning-fast start and a career-high performance from sophomore quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr., LSU could not withstand a resilient Houston squad. Behind MVP quarterback Conner Weigman and a dominant rushing attack, No. 21 Houston overcame a 14-point deficit to secure a 38-35 victory in the Kinder’s Texas Bowl, marking the Cougars’ first 10-win season since 2021.
For LSU (7-6), the loss served as a bitter coda to a year that saw the mid-season departure of Brian Kelly and the interim leadership of Frank Wilson. While the Tigers’ offense finally found a spark, scoring more than 25 points against an FBS opponent for the first time this season, a depleted defense missing six starters ultimately buckled under the weight of Houston’s balanced attack.
A Tale of Two Halves: Tigers Roar, Cougars Respond
The game began in spectacular fashion for the Tigers. Senior return specialist Barion Brown silenced the Houston-heavy crowd on the very first play, fielding the opening kickoff and racing 99 yards down the sideline for a touchdown. It was Brown’s sixth career kickoff return for a score, extending his SEC record and giving LSU a 7-0 lead just 14 seconds into the game.
LSU’s momentum didn’t stop there. After the Tiger defense forced a quick Houston punt, Michael Van Buren Jr. orchestrated a sharp four-play, 60-yard drive. He capped the possession with a 23-yard touchdown strike to sophomore tight end Trey’Dez Green, pushing the lead to 14-0 with over 10 minutes still remaining in the first quarter.
However, the “Coogs don’t beat the Coogs” mantra preached by Houston head coach Willie Fritz took hold. Conner Weigman, the Texas A&M transfer who had historically enjoyed success against LSU, began to pick apart the Tiger secondary.
The Scoring Breakdown
| Quarter | Team | Play | Score |
| 1st | LSU | Barion Brown 99-yard kickoff return | 7-0 |
| 1st | LSU | Trey’Dez Green 23-yard pass from Van Buren | 14-0 |
| 1st | HOU | Amare Thomas 8-yard pass from Weigman | 14-7 |
| 2nd | HOU | Amare Thomas 4-yard pass from Weigman | 14-14 |
| 2nd | HOU | Tanner Koziol 7-yard pass from Weigman | 14-21 |
| 3rd | LSU | Trey’Dez Green 4-yard pass from Van Buren | 21-21 |
| 3rd | HOU | T. Frederick Jr. 2-yard pass from Weigman | 21-28 |
| 4th | LSU | Kyle Parker 6-yard pass from Van Buren | 28-28 |
| 4th | HOU | Ethan Sanchez 25-yard field goal | 28-31 |
| 4th | HOU | Dean Connors 20-yard TD run | 28-38 |
| 4th | LSU | Zavion Thomas 3-yard TD run | 35-38 |
Weigman’s Masterclass and the Defensive Struggle
Weigman was surgical, finishing 27-of-36 for 236 yards and four touchdowns. His ability to find Amare Thomas (7 catches, 66 yards, 2 TDs) and Tanner Koziol (9 catches, 76 yards, 1 TD) in the red zone turned the tide. By halftime, Houston had scored 21 unanswered points to take a 21-14 lead.
LSU’s defense, playing without stars like Harold Perkins Jr. and safety AJ Haulcy, struggled to contain Houston’s ground game in the second half. Running back Dean Connors was the workhorse, racking up 126 rushing yards. While Van Buren kept LSU in the hunt—throwing for a season-high 267 yards and three touchdowns—the Tigers’ inability to get off the field proved fatal. Houston dominated time of possession, holding the ball for over 38 minutes compared to LSU’s 22:43.
The Final Stand
The fourth quarter was a heavyweight bout. LSU tied the game at 28-28 early in the final frame when Kyle Parker hauled in a 6-yard touchdown. But Houston responded with a methodical drive that ended in a 25-yard Ethan Sanchez field goal.
Disaster struck for LSU on the following possession: for the first time all night, the Tigers went three-and-out. Houston seized the opportunity, with Dean Connors breaking free for a 20-yard touchdown run with just 2:23 remaining to make it a two-score game.
LSU refused to quit. Van Buren connected on a 46-yard bomb to Chris Hilton Jr., setting up a 3-yard “jet sweep” touchdown by Zavion Thomas with 1:15 left. However, the subsequent onside kick took a treacherous hop, bouncing off several LSU players before being secured by Houston’s Latrell McCutchin Sr.
Looking Ahead: The Lane Kiffin Era
As Houston players donned cowboy hats to celebrate their victory, the Tigers walked off the field toward an uncertain but hopeful future. The loss marks the end of the interim period under Frank Wilson. On September 5th of next year, LSU will host Clemson to kick off the Lane Kiffin era.
With a top-ranked recruiting class and a high-octane offensive architect at the helm, the Tigers hope the Texas Bowl was a rock-bottom moment that serves as the foundation for a return to national prominence.