LSU football is a religion in Louisiana, and honestly, the way the 2025 season wrapped up felt like a test of faith. If you’re looking for the final score for LSU game, you’re likely talking about that wild Texas Bowl matchup against Houston on December 27, 2025. It wasn't the ending anyone in Baton Rouge wanted. LSU lost 38-35.
It was a heartbreaker. Basically, the Tigers jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first four minutes and then watched it evaporate in the Houston humidity.
The Final Score for LSU Game in the Texas Bowl
NRG Stadium was packed. 63,867 people showed up to see if LSU could salvage a winning record in their first game since the chaotic mid-season firing of Brian Kelly. Frank Wilson III was the guy on the sideline, acting as the interim bridge before Lane Kiffin officially takes the keys to the program in 2026.
LSU came out swinging. Barion Brown took the opening kickoff 99 yards to the house. Boom. 7-0. Then Michael Van Buren Jr. found Trey'Dez Green for a 23-yard touchdown. 14-0. It felt like a blowout was coming.
But Houston’s Conner Weigman had other plans. He threw for 236 yards and four touchdowns, methodically picking apart a secondary that has been, frankly, LSU's Achilles' heel all year. By halftime, Houston had actually clawed back to lead 21-14.
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The second half was a slugfest. LSU tied it at 28-28 thanks to another Van Buren-to-Green connection, but they just couldn't get the stops when they mattered. A 25-yard field goal by Houston’s Ethan Sanchez and a late 20-yard run by Dean Connors pushed the lead to 38-28.
LSU scored a late touchdown to make it 38-35, but the onside kick failed. Game over. Season over. 7-6 record.
Why the Texas Bowl Score Matters for 2026
You've gotta look at the context here. Finishing 7-6 is a far cry from the National Championship expectations that usually swirl around Death Valley. The final score for LSU game against Houston wasn't just a loss; it was the final chapter of a year defined by turnover.
- Coaching Chaos: Brian Kelly was let go after an 8-game stretch that didn't meet the "standard."
- Interim Era: Frank Wilson III went 2-3 as the interim, showing flashes of energy but struggling with consistency.
- The Kiffin Shadow: Every play in that bowl game was being watched by Lane Kiffin, who starts his tenure in 2026.
Looking Back: LSU 2025 Regular Season Results
To understand how we got to that 38-35 bowl loss, you have to look at the rollercoaster that was the 2025 schedule. The Tigers actually started 4-0. They beat No. 4 Clemson in the opener (17-10) and looked like world-beaters. Then the wheels started wobbling.
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They lost a close one to Ole Miss (24-19) and got absolutely thumped by Texas A&M (49-25) at home. That A&M game was really the beginning of the end for the previous regime. The defense looked lost.
The final score for LSU game against Alabama on November 8 was another low point: 20-9. Scoring only nine points in Tuscaloosa just isn't going to get it done in the SEC. They managed to scrape out wins against Arkansas and Western Kentucky, but a 17-13 loss to Oklahoma in the regular-season finale sent them into the bowl game with zero momentum.
LSU Basketball and Gymnastics Scores
If you aren't talking about football, the "LSU game" might refer to the current winter sports cycle. As of mid-January 2026, the men's basketball team is having a rough go in SEC play.
On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the final score for LSU game against Kentucky was a brutal 75-74 loss. LSU actually blew an 18-point lead in that one. They were up 38-22 at the half and somehow let Kentucky outscore them 53-36 in the second frame. It’s a recurring theme lately—getting out to a lead and then losing the handle late in the game.
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The Lady Tigers gymnastics team also had a massive meet on Friday, January 16, 2026. They faced No. 8 Georgia in Athens. The final score was Georgia 197.200, LSU 196.850. Another narrow loss for the Tigers, this time on the mats.
What’s Next for the Tigers?
The 2025-2026 athletic year has been a series of "almosts" for LSU. Whether it’s the 38-35 football loss to Houston or the 75-74 basketball loss to Kentucky, the margin for error has been razor-thin.
With Lane Kiffin officially taking over the football program, the focus shifts immediately to the 2026 season opener. Mark your calendars for September 5, 2026. LSU hosts Clemson in Tiger Stadium. It’s a massive chance for a reset.
Actionable Steps for LSU Fans:
- Check the 2026 Recruiting Class: Lane Kiffin has already flipped two major commits since the bowl game loss; keeping an eye on the transfer portal is vital for the next three months.
- Basketball Bounce Back: Watch the Tigers travel to Missouri on Saturday; they are currently winless in SEC play and desperately need to fix their second-half defensive rotations.
- Gymnastics Home Opener: Support the No. 2 ranked gymnastics team as they return to the PMAC to correct the small landing errors that cost them the Georgia meet.