Houston Cougars Defeat LSU Tigers at n Texas Bowl

 

Photo credit: Tylan Cornelius, SFL Photographer

Cougars Reign Supreme: Houston Outlasts LSU in Texas Bowl Thriller

HOUSTON — In a game that felt more like a heavyweight title fight than a bowl game, the University of Houston Cougars capped off a historic season by defeating the LSU Tigers 38–35 in the Kinder’s Texas Bowl.

In front of a raucous crowd of 63,867 at NRG Stadium—the largest for the bowl since 2019—the Cougars (10–3) reached the double-digit win mark for the first time as a Power Four program since 1990.  

A Tale of Two Halves

The night didn’t start as the Houston faithful had hoped. LSU (7–6) exploded out of the gate with two quick strikes:

1. The Opening Kickoff: LSU’s Barion Brown silenced the crowd immediately, returning the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown.  

2. The 14–0 Hole: Less than five minutes later, LSU quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. found Trey’Dez Green for a 23-yard touchdown, putting the Cougars in an early two-score deficit.  

However, Houston quarterback Conner Weigman refused to blink. Weigman, the eventual Bowl MVP, orchestrated a masterful comeback by throwing three touchdown passes before halftime—two to Amare Thomas and a 7-yard strike to Tanner Koziol with seconds remaining—to take a 21–14 lead into the locker room.  

The Gritty Finish

The second half was a back-and-forth affair that saw LSU tie the game twice. After LSU leveled the score at 28–28 early in the fourth quarter, Houston leaned on its ground game and the steady foot of kicker Ethan Sanchez, whose 25-yard field goal gave UH a 31–28 lead with under eight minutes to play.  

The defining moment came with 2:23 remaining when running back Dean Connors burst through the line for a 20-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 10. LSU managed a late score to bring it within three, but Houston recovered the onside kick to secure the victory.