No. 21 Houston erased an early 14-point deficit and held off LSU late to secure a dramatic 38–35 victory in the Kinder’s Texas Bowl on Saturday night at NRG Stadium. Playing just miles from campus, the Cougars leaned on junior quarterback Conner Weigman, who threw for 236 yards and four touchdowns while adding 56 rushing yards to power the comeback.
LSU struck quickly, opening the game with a 99-yard kickoff return touchdown by Barion Brown and a 23-yard scoring pass from Michael Van Buren Jr. to tight end Trey’Dez Green. Houston responded with three straight touchdown drives, including two Weigman-to-Amare Thomas connections and a late first-half strike to Tanner Koziol, giving the Cougars a 21–14 halftime lead.
The second half featured multiple lead changes, with both offenses trading scores. Weigman’s fourth touchdown gave Houston the edge before Ethan Sanchez drilled a go-ahead field goal late in the fourth quarter. Running back Dean Connors sealed the win with a 20-yard rushing touchdown, his third 100-yard performance of the season. LSU added a late score, but Houston recovered the onside kick to close it out.
Houston outgained LSU 437–344, as Koziol, Thomas, and Connors led a balanced attack. LSU finished the season 7–6 despite a strong performance from Van Buren and a record-setting night from Green. Houston capped a 10–3 season with a statement bowl win on its home turf.
