If you were watching the u of Houston football score on that chilly Saturday night in late December, you know exactly how it felt. Hearts were in throats. NRG Stadium was basically a pressure cooker.
The Cougars were down 14-0 before many fans had even found their seats or finished their first order of nachos. It looked like a blowout was brewing. LSU came out swinging, and for a second, it felt like the 2025 season might end on a sour note.
But then, things shifted.
Willie Fritz has this way of keeping his guys calm. Honestly, the turnaround we saw in that 38-35 victory over LSU in the Kinder’s Texas Bowl wasn't just about one game. It was a statement. The final u of Houston football score of the 2025 season solidified a 10-3 record, a massive leap for a program that many pundits had written off entering the Big 12 gauntlet.
The Night the Coogs Took Down the Tigers
Let’s talk about that 38-35 thriller. LSU is… well, they’re LSU. They have the pedigree and the speed. But Houston had Conner Weigman.
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After that disastrous first five minutes where the defense looked like they were stuck in mud, Weigman basically took the game by the scruff of its neck. He finished the season with 25 touchdowns and over 2,700 yards passing, but those numbers don't tell the whole story of the Texas Bowl.
Key Moments from the 38-35 Win:
- The Bounce Back: After trailing 14-0, Houston outscored LSU 38-14 until a meaningless garbage-time touchdown by the Tigers made the score look closer than the game actually felt in the second half.
- The Ground Game: When it got tight late in the fourth quarter, Connors took over. His 20-yard touchdown run put the Cougars up 38-28, effectively icing the game.
- The Kicker: Ethan Sanchez. You can’t overlook the 25-yarder he nailed to break a 28-28 tie. In games this close, those "easy" kicks are the ones that keep coaches awake at night.
The win wasn't just a trophy for the case. It was the first time Houston finished with 10 wins since 2021. For a team in its second year under Fritz, that’s huge.
Understanding the 2025 Big 12 Journey
If you only look at the final u of Houston football score from the bowl game, you’re missing the rollercoaster that was the regular season. The Big 12 is a meat grinder. You’ve got teams like Texas Tech and BYU at the top, and there isn't much breathing room in the middle.
Houston finished 4th in the conference. That sounds "okay" until you realize they were picked to finish much lower.
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Highs and Lows of the Season
- The Colorado Win (36-20): This was the early-season "we’re for real" moment. Prime Time came to TDECU Stadium, and the Cougars sent them home with a loss.
- The Texas Tech Reality Check (11-35): This one hurt. It was a rivalry game, the stadium was packed, and the Coogs just couldn't get the engine started.
- The West Virginia Shootout (35-45): A classic Big 12 offensive explosion where defense was mostly optional.
- The Road Warriors: Winning in Stillwater against Oklahoma State (39-17) and in Tempe against Arizona State (24-16) proved this team had some serious grit on the road.
Honestly, the TCU loss (14-17) in late November was probably the low point. It was Senior Day, and the offense just stalled. But that's the thing about this 2025 squad—they didn't let a bad u of Houston football score define them. They went into Waco the next week, beat Baylor 31-24, and carried that momentum straight into the bowl game.
Why the Stats Matter More Than You Think
A lot of people just want the final score and the highlights. I get it. But if you want to know why this team won 10 games, look at the Red Zone.
Houston ranked 9th in the nation in Red Zone scoring percentage, hitting at 92.5%. When they got close to the goal line, they didn't kick field goals; they punched it in. That’s the "Willie Fritz Effect." It’s disciplined, smash-mouth football mixed with just enough modern passing to keep defenses guessing.
The defense was sort of a "bend but don't break" unit. They allowed about 24.8 points per game, which ranked 55th nationally. Not elite, but good enough when your offense is putting up nearly 30 a night.
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What’s Next for the Cougars?
So, the season is over, the confetti has been swept up at NRG, and we’re looking toward 2026. What now?
First off, the "u of Houston football score" everyone will be watching for next is the spring game. We need to see how the roster handles some inevitable departures. Weigman has established himself as a top-tier Big 12 QB, and keeping that momentum is priority number one.
The 2025 season proved that Houston isn't just "happy to be here" in the Big 12. They’re a contender. They finished 10-3, won a bowl game against an SEC giant, and ended the year ranked No. 21 in the CFP poll.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Review the Game Logs: If you missed the middle of the season, go back and watch the Oklahoma State highlights. It was arguably their most complete performance.
- Watch the Recruiting Trail: Fritz is using this 10-win season to hammer the Houston area for talent. The "Keep Houston Red" mantra is actually working.
- Season Ticket Strategy: If you're thinking about 2026, get in early. TDECU Stadium saw record attendance in 2025, and the demand isn't going down.
The 38-35 win over LSU was a perfect microcosm of the year: a slow start, a lot of grit, and a finish that left everyone breathless. That's Houston football right now. It's not always pretty, but it's effective. And for the first time in a long time, the Cougars are a team nobody wants to see on their schedule.