Houston Cougars Overcome Early Challenges in Win vs. LSU Tigers: Live Updates
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The Houston Cougars have finally arrived at their last challenge of the 2025 season, taking on a program from the SEC in the LSU Tigers. The Coogs have improved from just four wins in 2024 to now heading into a bowl game with a 9-3 record and with the chance to clinch a 10-win season.
For the bowl game against the Tigers, the Cougars get to stay at home for the Kinder's Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, with the game slated for 8:15 PM on Saturday.
On the other side, LSU looks to wrap up a rough 2025 season that started with promise as the Tigers climbed all the way up to be the No. 3-ranked team in the country; however, after a series of losses compounded with key injuries, the season would spiral. After a 7-5 regular season and a mid-year coaching change, the Texas Bowl serves as a conclusion to a difficult season.
Cougars vs. Tigers
Like any matchup, the main focus will be on the starting quarterbacks. For the Coogs, it'll be Conner Weigman under center, who started the entire season for Houston, and for the Tigers, trotting out to start will be Michael Van Buren Jr., who started the final three games for LSU.
In his first season with the Coogs, Weigman had himself a resurgence of a season, leading Houston to its 9-3 record. In his 12 starts, the quarterback passed for 2,475 yards, with 21 touchdowns to nine interceptions. Weigman also found great success in the ground game, recording 644 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns.
Van Buren was not penciled in as the Tigers' starting quarterback to start the season, with Garrett Nussmeier having that role as he prepared for his senior season. However, after lingering injuries throughout the year for Nussmeier, Van Buren took control for the last three matchups of the year, where he compiled 519 passing yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Elsewhere, control of the trenches will be key, especially with the Cougars, who like to run the football as they finished the regular season having the sixth-best rushing offense in the Big 12, averaging 175 yards per game and over four yards per carry.
Finding production on the ground might prove to be difficult as the Tigers have been stout against team rushing attacks throughout the year. LSU holds the seventh-best rush defense in the SEC, minimizing opponents to 117 yards per game and under four yards per carry.
The game is set to kick off at 8:15 PM from NRG Stadium, and be sure to check right back here for live updates as the action unfolds.
Live Updates
The Cougars have won the toss and deferred to the second half. The Coogs will begin on defense.
First Quarter
LSU wide receiver Barion Brown takes the opening kick 99 yards for a kick return touchdown. Extra point was good.
LSU 7, Houston 0
change of possession
On their opening drive of the game, the Cougars managed to gain a first down but nothing else, and will have to punt.
change of possession
The Tigers make quick work of their first time touching the ball on offense, trotting down 60 yards in four plays for a scoring drive. Helped by a 36-yard run by the LSU running back, and then capped off with Michael Van Buren Jr. finding tight end Trey'Dez Green for the 23-yard touchdown. The extra point was successful.
LSU 14, Houston 0
change of possession
The Coogs are able to find a much-needed response with a nine-play 75-yard scoring drive. Conner Weigman found Amare Thomas out of the back field for an 8-yard touchdown reception. Thomas managed to get the ball across the goal line, and after initially being called short at the one-yard lineman official review confirmed the score. Ethan Sanchez converted the extra point.
LSU 14, Houston 7
change of possession
For the first time, all game, the Cougars can catch a break and slow down the Tigers, even after Barion Brown had another long kick return, with LSU kicker Damian Ramos missing a 44-yard field goal. Houston takes over on its own side of the field.
change of possession
Second Quarter
The Cougars continue to maintain momentum, evening up the ballgame with a long 14-play 73-yard touchdown drive. The near seven-minute drive was capped off with Conner Weigman finding Amare Thomas once again in the end zone for the score. Extra point was good.
Houston 14, LSU 14
change of possession
The Houston defense gets off the field once again with a momentum-filled sequence, first with a big-time sack by Latrell McCutchin Sr., followed by a forced fumble by Wrook Brown and recovered by Sione Fotu. The Coogs' offense takes over at the LSU 41-yard line.
change of possession
The Coogs aren't able to capitalize on the forced fumble with a turnover on downs after coming up short on a fourth down and four. The Tigers take over on their own 32-yard line.
change of possession
The Coogs shut down another promising LSU drive with the third sack of the night for the Cougars' defense, this time delivered by Khalil Laufau on third down, and the Tigers will have to punt.
change of possession
Houston makes its way down the field with another long drive, traveling 90 yards in 11 plays, capped off with Conner Weigman finding tight end Tanner Koziol in the back of the end zone as the first half was coming to an end. The extra point by Sanchez was good, and the Coogs head into the locker room with their first lead in the game.
Houston 21, LSU 14
Halftime
The Coogs will get the ball coming out of the locker room to begin the second half.
Third Quarter
Houston doesn't get much going right out of halftime, picking up a single first down and nothing else, and will be forced to punt on its first drive of the second half.
change of possession
LSU is able to take advantage of its first drive of the second half with a seven-play 73-yard touchdown drive to tie the game up at 21. Michael Van Buren Jr. once again finds his tight end, Trey'Dez Green, who comes down with a jump ball in the back of the end zone for his second touchdown reception of the game. Extra point was good.
LSU 21, Houston 21
change of possession
The Cougars responded right away with a scoring drive of their own, aided by a long 35-yard run by Dean Connors, which set up the Coogs deep into LSU territory. And after a few plays down near the goal line, Conner Weigman found tight end Traville Frederick Jr. for the touchdown on third down. Sanchez's extra point was good.
Houston 28, LSU 21
change of possession
The Tigers do not get the opportunity to respond after picking up the initial first down of their next drive; however, after a few incompletions, the LSU offense was forced to punt. Houston now takes over deep in its own territory.
change of possession
Houston doesn't get much going with the chance to create some distance in the game, going three and out on its ensuing drive. The Cougars punt the ball away, and the Tigers offense goes back to work on their own 28-yard line.
change of possession
Fourth Quarter
Now it's the Tigers' turn to add more points to the scoreboard as Michael Van Buren Jr. connects with a wide-open Kyle Parker for the touchdown reception from six yards out. LSU was aided with a huge 42-yard catch and run from Trey'Dez Green, who has been difficult for the Cougars to stop all game. The extra point was good, and the game is once again tied.
LSU 28, Houston 28
change of possession
The Coogs once again add to the score, driving deep into LSU territory and into the red zone; however, the drive stalled, and Houston would have to settle for a short 25-yard field goal with Ethan Sanchez converting.
Houston 31, LSU 28
change of possession
After an incomplete pass on third down by Michael Van Buren Jr., the Tigers were forced to punt, unable to respond to the Cougars' field goal. Houston takes over on its own 19-yard line with under seven minutes left to go in the game.
change of possession
The Coogs land a haymaker in the final minutes of the game, with running back Dean Connors hitting a 20-yard sprint down the middle of the field for a touchdown. Houston now goes up 10 points with just a little over two minutes left to play in Houston.
Houston 38, LSU 28
change of possession
The Tigers are not done yet as they quickly trot down the field in eight plays, capping off the scoring drive with Zavion Thomas punching the ball into the end zone from three yards out. Extra point was successful.
Houston 38, LSU 35
change of possession
The Coogs recovered the onside kick attempt by the Tigers, and Conner Weigman knelt out the rest of the clock to secure the win for the Cougars.
