Honestly, if you missed the score of lsu football game against Houston in the Texas Bowl, you missed one of those weird, gritty games that basically summed up the entire 2025 season for the Tigers. LSU ended up falling 38-35. It was a heartbreaker. One of those nights where NRG Stadium felt like a home game for the Cougars—mostly because it practically is—and LSU just couldn't quite close the gap when it mattered most.
The Tigers finished the year 7-6. Not exactly the "Death Valley" dominance people expected when Brian Kelly first took the job, but it was a season defined by transition and a lot of "what ifs."
The Numbers Behind the Houston Loss
Walking into that stadium on December 27, 2025, there was a lot of hope. LSU jumped out to a 14-0 lead. You've seen this movie before, right? A quick start, a 99-yard kickoff return by Barion Brown to open the game, and suddenly everyone thinks it's going to be a blowout.
Then the wheels sorta came off.
Houston’s Conner Weigman—who was absolutely surgical—threw four touchdown passes. He just picked the secondary apart. By the time halftime rolled around, that 14-point LSU lead had evaporated into a 21-14 deficit. LSU’s defense, led by coordinator Blake Baker, struggled to stay off the field. Houston held the ball for over 38 minutes. You can't win games when your defense is breathing through a straw for three quarters.
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Key Stats from the Texas Bowl
- Final Score: Houston 38, LSU 35
- Total Yards: Houston 437, LSU 344
- Time of Possession: Houston 38:32, LSU 21:28
- LSU Standout: Trey’Dez Green (2 TD receptions)
- Quarterback Play: Michael Van Buren Jr. went 16-of-26 for 267 yards and 3 TDs.
Michael Van Buren Jr. actually played a decent game. He looked poised. He found Trey’Dez Green twice in the end zone, including a gorgeous one-handed grab that made every highlight reel the next morning. But 77 rushing yards? That’s not LSU football. Harlem Berry had some flashes, but the offensive line couldn't open the lanes consistently against a Houston front that looked like they had something to prove.
Why the Score of LSU Football Game Reflects a Tough Year
The 2025 season was... complicated. Brian Kelly wasn't even on the sidelines for the bowl game. After a 5-3 start, things got messy, and Frank Wilson took over as the interim coach for the final stretch. When you have a mid-season coaching shift, the score of lsu football game usually starts to reflect that instability.
We saw a lot of close losses.
- A 17-13 loss to Oklahoma.
- A 24-19 loss to Ole Miss.
- The 31-24 upset by Vanderbilt.
It was a year of "almost." The Tigers beat Arkansas by a single point (23-22) and squeaked by Western Kentucky 13-10. If a couple of plays go the other way, this is a 9-win team. If they go the other way? Well, it could have been much worse than 7-6.
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The Defensive Struggle
The real story isn't just the final points. It's how those points were given up. LSU’s defense was actually ranked 23rd in the country for points allowed (averaging about 19.8 per game), which sounds great on paper. But in the big games—like the 49-25 shellacking by Texas A&M—the cracks were massive. They were "bend but don't break" until they finally snapped.
In the Texas Bowl, the defense forced zero turnovers. Houston played a clean game, and when you give a guy like Weigman that much time, he's going to find the open man.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The 38-35 score of lsu football game against Houston is in the books, and now the focus shifts. The 2026 schedule is already looking spicy.
LSU opens against Clemson on September 5, 2026. That's a massive "prove it" game right out of the gate. With the recruiting class the new staff is bringing in—including six big transfers already signed in early January—the roster is going to look very different.
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People are talking about the "redemption" arc for guys like Pablo Tamba (if we're looking at the broader LSU sports landscape) and the emerging talent on the football field. The focus in the off-season is clearly on the trenches. You can't have 21 minutes of possession and expect to compete in the SEC.
Practical Steps for LSU Fans
If you're tracking the Tigers moving forward, keep an eye on these specific metrics rather than just the final score:
- Transfer Portal Movement: Watch for defensive line additions. LSU needs more depth to handle the 4-3 base defense.
- Spring Game Performance: See how Van Buren Jr. handles the new offensive tweaks under the permanent coaching staff.
- Recruiting Rankings: LSU is currently hovering in the top 10 for the 2026 cycle. Keeping those local Louisiana kids home is the only way to get back to the CFP.
The Texas Bowl loss was a tough pill to swallow, especially losing on an onside kick recovery that never happened. But that 35-38 result is a baseline. It's the floor. Now, the Tigers have to figure out how to find those three extra points in 2026.