If you're asking what is the LSU football score right now, you’re likely looking for the final word on a season that felt like a fever dream. The Tigers officially closed the book on their 2025 campaign just a couple of weeks ago. It wasn't the ending anyone in Baton Rouge wanted. LSU fell to the No. 21 Houston Cougars with a final score of 38-35 in the Kinder’s Texas Bowl.
That game, played on December 27, 2025, at NRG Stadium, was basically a microcosm of the entire year. High-flying offense, moments of absolute brilliance, and a defense that just couldn't quite get the stop when the chips were down.
The Texas Bowl Breakdown: Why the Final Score Stings
Honestly, the 38-35 loss was a tough pill to swallow because LSU had the momentum early. Barion Brown took the opening kickoff 99 yards to the house. 14 seconds in, and it's 7-0. You've got to love that kind of energy, right? It was the first time since 1978 that a Tiger opened a game like that.
By the time Trey’Dez Green caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Michael Van Buren Jr. (MVB) later in the first quarter, LSU was up 14-0. It looked like a blowout was brewing. But Houston’s Connor Weigman is no joke. He systematically picked apart the secondary, throwing for four touchdowns and leading a 90-yard drive right before halftime that changed the entire vibe of the game.
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LSU finished the 2025 season with a 7-6 record. For a program with "National Championship or bust" expectations, that's a hard number to look at. They went 3-5 in SEC play, struggling through a brutal middle-of-the-season stretch where they lost to Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, and Alabama.
Key Stats from the Season Finale
- Final Score: Houston 38, LSU 35
- Passing: Michael Van Buren Jr. threw for 267 yards.
- Standout Performer: Trey’Dez Green. He caught two touchdowns, setting a single-season record for LSU tight ends with six scores.
- The Difference: Houston's ability to sustain long drives. They had an 11-play drive and a 14-play drive that simply gassed the Tigers' front seven.
What Is The LSU Football Score Trend for 2026?
Looking ahead, the "score" isn't just about the last game; it's about the trajectory. Brian Kelly’s squad is in a weird spot. 2025 saw the emergence of young talent like freshman running back Harlem Berry, who flashed some serious speed in the bowl game.
The defense, led by coordinator Blake Baker, had its moments—like holding Florida to 10 points earlier in the year—but consistency was the ghost they couldn't catch. If you look at the scores from the back half of the season, the defense gave up 49 to A&M and 31 to Vanderbilt. That's not the "DBU" or "LSU Standard" fans are used to seeing on Saturday nights.
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The good news? The 2026 schedule is already locked. LSU opens up against Clemson on September 5, 2026. It’s a home game at Tiger Stadium. Expect the "score" to be the only thing anyone in Louisiana talks about for the next eight months.
Surprising Details from the 2025 Campaign
Most people forget that LSU actually started the year ranked No. 9 and climbed as high as No. 3 after beating Clemson in the opener (17-10). They looked invincible for about a month. Then the wheels sort of wobbled.
The 23-22 win over Arkansas in mid-November was probably the grittiest win of the year. It stopped a three-game bleeding out process and technically made them bowl-eligible. It’s funny how a one-point win over a rival can feel like a Super Bowl when you’re desperate for a "W."
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- The Quarterback Carousel: Moving from Garrett Nussmeier to Michael Van Buren Jr. mid-season changed the offensive identity.
- Special Teams Spark: Barion Brown was arguably the most dangerous returner in the country by the end of December.
- Tight End History: Trey’Dez Green is officially "The Guy." Breaking records as a tight end at LSU is a massive deal considering the names that came before him.
Actionable Steps for Tigers Fans This Offseason
Since there are no more games to check the score of until September, here is what you should be watching:
- Monitor the Transfer Portal: LSU needs defensive line depth. If they don't land at least two high-impact interior linemen by the spring, 2026 might look a lot like 2025.
- Keep an eye on the Coaching Staff: Stability is key, but after a 7-6 season, there’s always chatter about "evaluating" position coaches.
- Spring Game Attendance: The 2026 Spring Game will be the first real look at the QB battle between MVB and whatever new faces arrive.
The what is the LSU football score question won't have a live answer for a while, but the 35-38 loss to Houston is the baseline this team has to grow from. It was a season of "almosts" and "what-ifs," and now the focus shifts entirely to making sure the next score in Death Valley is in the Tigers' favor.