The Texas Bowl on December 27, 2025, was always going to be more than just another postseason matchup. With storylines swirling from all angles, the clash between the Houston Cougars and the LSU Tigers at NRG Stadium in Houston delivered on its promise of drama, resilience, and a glimpse into the future for both programs.
From the outset, the atmosphere at NRG Stadium was electric. Houston, boasting a 9-3 record and ranked No. 21 nationally, entered the contest riding a wave of momentum under second-year head coach Willie Fritz. The Cougars had just capped their regular season with a 31-24 victory over Baylor, and their eyes were firmly set on a fourth consecutive bowl win—a feat that would mark their best campaign since 2021.
On the other sideline, LSU was navigating a period of transition. The Tigers finished their regular season 7-5, and the bowl game marked the end of the Frank Wilson era as interim head coach. Brian Kelly’s midseason dismissal had already rocked the program, but the announcement that Lane Kiffin would take over in the fall injected a fresh sense of intrigue and anticipation. However, with Kiffin watching from the stands and several of LSU’s stars opting out or sidelined by injury, the Tigers faced an uphill battle.
Kickoff came at 8:15 p.m. Central Time, with the game broadcast nationally on ESPN and available through multiple streaming platforms. The crowd barely had time to settle in before LSU’s Barion Brown ignited the Tigers’ faithful, taking the opening kickoff 99 yards up the right sideline for a touchdown. According to the ESPN broadcast, it was Brown’s sixth career kickoff return touchdown, setting a new SEC record. That electrifying start gave LSU a quick 7-0 lead, and moments later, quarterback Michael Van Buren connected with Trey’Dez Green for a 23-yard touchdown, putting the Tigers up 14-0 with just under 11 minutes left in the first quarter.
But Houston refused to let LSU run away with the game. The Cougars, led by quarterback Conner Weigman, responded with a methodical nine-play, 75-yard drive, capped by an 8-yard touchdown pass to Amare Thomas. After a brief review, the officials confirmed Thomas had extended the ball over the goal line, narrowing the gap to 14-7. The first quarter ended with LSU ahead, but the momentum was clearly shifting.
The second quarter belonged entirely to Houston. Weigman, who finished the regular season with 2,475 passing yards and 21 touchdowns, showed poise and command, orchestrating a 14-play, 73-yard drive that chewed up nearly seven minutes of clock. On third-and-goal from the four, Weigman rolled right and found Thomas again for a touchdown. With the score tied at 14-14, the home crowd roared, sensing a turning tide.
The Cougars weren’t done yet. With less than a minute left in the half, Weigman capped a 90-yard, 11-play drive with his third touchdown pass of the night, this time a 7-yard dart to tight end Tanner Koziol. Houston entered halftime leading 21-14, having rattled off 21 unanswered points and leaving LSU searching for answers.
LSU’s struggles were compounded by the absence of several key players. Defensive stars Mansoor Delane and Harold Perkins had opted out to prepare for the NFL Draft, while quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and linebacker Whit Weeks were sidelined by injury. Receivers Nic and Aaron Anderson were also unavailable, further depleting the Tigers’ arsenal. Interim head coach Frank Wilson, who would be heading to Ole Miss after the game, did his best to rally the remaining troops, but the void left by the missing starters was evident.
Houston, meanwhile, was nearly at full strength. The only notable absence was center Demetrius Hunter, who had departed the team earlier in December. The Cougars’ defense, ranked 40th nationally in EPA per play allowed and 25th in Dropback EPA per play allowed, tightened up after the first quarter, limiting LSU’s opportunities and forcing key turnovers. Notably, Wrook Brown delivered a textbook "peanut punch" to jar the ball loose from LSU’s Harlem Berry, with Sione Fotu recovering the fumble to give Houston prime field position.
The Tigers’ offense, led by Van Buren, showed flashes—like Harlem Berry’s 36-yard burst and a clutch fourth-down conversion on a jet sweep by Zavion Thomas—but struggled to string together consistent drives against Houston’s disciplined defense. A missed 44-yard field goal by Damian Ramos in the first quarter proved costly as LSU’s momentum fizzled heading into halftime.
As the game wore on, Houston’s aggressive play-calling kept LSU on its heels. Fritz’s willingness to go for it on fourth down and the Cougars’ ability to capitalize on turnovers underscored why many pundits had picked Houston to prevail, especially with the game being played in their backyard. According to USA TODAY Sports, “What a turnaround for Houston, which scores 21 unanswered points after falling behind 14-0 to LSU.”
The narrative of the night was one of resilience and opportunity. For Houston, the Texas Bowl was a chance to showcase their progress under Fritz and build momentum for a potential College Football Playoff push in the coming years. For LSU, it was a bittersweet farewell to a tumultuous season and a final audition for players and coaches before the Lane Kiffin era officially begins.
As the teams headed into the locker rooms at halftime, the scoreboard told the story: Houston 21, LSU 14. The Cougars’ fans were buzzing, the Tigers’ faithful were anxious, and the college football world watched with bated breath to see how the second half would unfold.
With the action still ongoing, both squads remain locked in a battle that could set the tone for their respective futures. Will Houston’s home-field advantage and opportunistic play carry them to a signature bowl win? Or can LSU, despite their depleted roster, summon one last rally before a new chapter begins in Baton Rouge? One thing’s for sure—the Texas Bowl is delivering all the excitement fans could hope for on college football’s grand stage.
