TIGERS FALL TO HOUSTON IN TEXAS BOWL, 38-35

Photo By: SEC

Da Boot Sports
12/27/2025
By: Terrill J. Weil


   HOUSTON, TX - LSU returned to the Texas Bowl for the second season in a row, but unfortunately fell to the #21 Houston Cougars, 38-35 in a hard fought, competitive battle at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on Saturday night.

   The Tigers played without several key defensive starters who decided to opt out of the contest, leaving LSU without enough bite to shut down a balanced Houston offensive attack. Blake Baker’s defense simply couldn’t put pressure on Conner Weigman who had all day to throw throughout the game.
   Penalties also hurt LSU, as they committed nine total for 95 yards. Several personal fouls penalties aided Houston on a couple of scoring drives.


   Michael Van Buren went 17-27 for 267 yards and three touchdowns. He rushed for 24 yards. Harlem Berry led the Tigers with 45 yards on only three carries. Trey’Dez Green was the team’s leading receiver with 80 yards on four catches and two touchdown grabs.
   Tamarcus Cooley and DJ Pickett both led the team with seven tackles each.


   Houston won the toss and deferred. Barion Brown took the opening kickoff and electrified the LSU faithful as he raced 99 yards for a touchdown to put the Tigers ahead quickly. 7-0 LSU with 14:46 left in the first quarter.


   The LSU defense got the ball back quickly and the LSU offense took advantage, driving 60 yards in four plays, culminating with a 23 yard touchdown pass from Michael Van Buren to Trey’Dez Green. 14-0, Tigers with 10:48 left in the opening quarter. The big play of the drive was a 36 yard run by Harlem Berry.


   Houston answered with a 75 yard, nine play touchdown drive. On 3rd and goal from the eight, Conner Weigman hit Amare Thomas in the flat who took it into the end zone for the score. 14-7, LSU with 6:08 left in the quarter.


   Barion Brown had another electrifying kickoff return, bringing the ball out to the LSU 48 yard line. The Tigers moved 25 yards in four plays before Damian Ramos missed a 44 yard field goal attempt at the 3:04 mark.


   Houston then drove 73 yards in 14 plays to tie the game on a four yard touchdown pass from Weigman to Amare Thomas. 14-14 with 11:05 left in the first half.


   The Cougars would take a 21-14 lead into the locker room at halftime, thanks to a seven yard touchdown pass from Weigman to Tanner Koziol with four seconds left to end an 11 play, 90 yard drive.


   LSU drew first blood in the second half, driving 73 yards in six plays to tie the game, 21-21 on a four yard touchdown pass from Van Burn to Trey’Dez Green with 9:31 left in the third quarter.


   Houston answered the Tigers on their next possession, driving 75 yards on eight plays, culminating on a two yard touchdown pass from Weigman to Travelle Frederick. 28-21, Cougars with 4:42 left in the third.


   LSU fought back to tie the game, driving 72 yards in five plays, as Van Buren found a wide open Kyle Parker in the end zone to even things up at 28-28 at the 14:54 mark of the fourth quarter.


   Houston responded with a 12 play, 72 yard drive, settling for a 25 yard field goal by Ethan Sanchez to retake the lead, 31-28 with 7:42 left in the contest.


   The Cougars drove a huge nail into LSU’s coffin, driving 81 yards on eight plays. Dean Conners scored on a 20 yard run, putting Houston up, 38-28 with only 2:22 remaining.


   LSU refused to quit, quickly driving 63 yards in eight plays. Zavion Thomas punched it in from three yards out for the score. 38-35, Cougars at the 1:15 mark.


   The onside kick failed, allowing Houston to escape with the victory.


   The Tigers finish the 2025 season with a 7-6 record.


   Now a long, very important offseason will begin, starting with the Transfer Portal opening on January 2. Lane Kiffin has a lot of work to do, but no doubt he will turn things around quickly…..    GEAUX TIGERS!


   **Please be sure to go to our Da Boot Sports YouTube Channel every Monday night at 8pm CST for our live podcast, Talking Tigers with Da Boot Sports! Host David Penn, Da Boot Sports Founder, Terrill Weil, co-host Mark Hawkins and special guest, the great Charles Alexander will review the Texas Bowl loss and talk LSU football. Make sure you tune in for a great show on December 29 at 8pm.....   Thank You for your support!  GEAUX TIGERS!!!

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Photo By: WWL TV

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Photo By: Sports Illustrated

Photo By: LSUsports.net

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