Texas Bowl Thriller: Weigman, Cougars Rally Past LSU in 38-35 Victory
HOUSTON - This one had a little bit of everything: early fireworks, a comeback, late-game drama, and a quarterback who showed exactly why Houston fans are so excited about the future. Conner Weigman put together a performance that Cougar faithful won’t soon forget, leading Houston to a 38-35 win over LSU in the Texas Bowl on Saturday night.
The junior quarterback was locked in from the second quarter on, finishing with 236 yards through the air and four touchdown passes. He completed 27 of 36 attempts and added 56 rushing yards, showing poise and versatility in a game that swung wildly in momentum.
Houston didn’t exactly get off to a dream start. LSU jumped out to a 14-0 lead just over four minutes into the game, thanks to a 99-yard kickoff return from Barion Brown to open the night and a 23-yard touchdown strike from Michael Van Buren Jr. to tight end Trey'Dez Green. But that early punch didn’t rattle the Cougars - it seemed to wake them up.
From there, Weigman and the Houston offense took control. He found Amare Thomas for a pair of first-half touchdowns - one from eight yards out and another from four - and connected with tight end Tanner Koziol for a seven-yard score just before halftime. That flurry helped Houston erase the early deficit and take a 21-14 lead into the locker room.
The second half was a back-and-forth slugfest. LSU kept pace behind Van Buren, who threw for 267 yards and three touchdowns on 16-of-26 passing.
He hit Green again for a four-yard score and later found Kyle Parker from six yards out. But Houston kept answering.
Weigman tossed a two-yard touchdown to Traville Frederick Jr., and kicker Ethan Sanchez nailed a 25-yard field goal with 7:42 to play, giving the Cougars a 31-28 edge.
Then came the knockout punch: after an LSU three-and-out, Dean Connors ripped off a 20-yard touchdown run with 2:23 remaining, giving Houston a 10-point cushion - their largest lead of the night. Connors was a workhorse all game, finishing with 126 rushing yards, his third 100-yard performance of the season. That effort pushed him to 977 yards on the year, the most by a Cougar back since 2014.
LSU wasn’t done yet. The Tigers responded quickly with a three-yard rushing score from Zavion Thomas, trimming the lead to three with just over a minute left. But Houston recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock, sealing their 10th win of the season in front of a hometown crowd just six miles from campus.
Koziol and Thomas were key targets for Weigman all night. Koziol hauled in nine catches for 76 yards and a touchdown, while Thomas added seven receptions for 66 yards and two scores. As a team, Houston outgained LSU 437 to 344, controlling the tempo after the early deficit and making the most of their offensive possessions.
Season Snapshot
For Houston, this win caps off a remarkable turnaround under head coach Willie Fritz. After a rocky first year, the Cougars finished the season 10-3 and ranked No. 21 in the final CFP rankings - a six-win improvement that sets the tone for what’s to come.
LSU, on the other hand, closed the season on a tough stretch. After starting 4-0, the Tigers dropped six of their final nine games, ending the year at 7-6. With a new era on the horizon under Lane Kiffin, the program will look to regroup and reset heading into 2026.
What’s Next
Houston will open next season at home against Oregon State on September 5, looking to build on the momentum from this bowl win. LSU, meanwhile, will host Clemson in what will be the first test of the Kiffin era - a marquee matchup that’s sure to draw early-season attention.
This Texas Bowl had all the makings of a classic - big plays, big performances, and a program on the rise making a statement. If this is what the Cougars are bringing into next season, the rest of the Big 12 better be ready.