Texas Bowl Thriller: Houston LSU Breakdown
still have the final seconds replaying in my head. I was at home, half-watching and half-cheering for the Cougars when Houston mounted its late-game stand to beat LSU 38-35 at NRG Stadium on Dec. 27, 2025. This outline is me walking through the chaos, the clutch plays, and the weird little moments that make a bowl game stick with you—plus a few odd comparisons (because I love sports crossovers: yes, even knicks vs hawks-style feints) and a short, slightly embarrassing anecdote about my halftime snack disappearing mid-field goal.
Game Recap: Texas Bowl Thriller Houston LSU Breakdown
Texas Bowl Thriller: Houston LSU Breakdown My Houston vs LSU recap starts with the setting: the Texas Bowl 2025 at NRG Stadium in Houston on December 27, 2025. ESPN carried it live with Tom Hart and Jordan Rodgers in the booth and Cole Cubelic on the sideline, with streaming on the ESPN app and Fubo. Oddsmakers leaned slightly to Houston (-1.5, -115 moneyline) over LSU (-105), and the final score matched that narrow edge: Houston 38, LSU 35.
Early LSU surge: 14-0 and a 99-yard jolt
LSU came out fast and loud, and the biggest early punch was special teams. Barion Brown’s 99-yard kickoff return flipped the energy and helped LSU build a 14-0 lead. With interim coach Frank Wilson guiding the Tigers, it felt like LSU had the pace and the space, especially as quarterback Michael Van Buren started finding rhythm Texas Bowl Thriller: Houston LSU Breakdown.
Houston answers: Weigman keeps tying it back up
Texas Bowl Thriller: Houston LSU Breakdown Houston didn’t panic. Connor Weigman settled in and began stacking efficient drives, spreading the ball to Amare Thomas, Tanner Koziol, and Traville Frederick Jr. Weigman finished 27-of-36 for 236 yards with four passing touchdowns, earning MVP honors and putting his night in the same conversation as past Houston passing stars.
One of the key moments in this Game Recap was an 8-yard touchdown to Thomas that was confirmed after review. It mattered because it wasn’t just points—it was proof Houston could answer every swing. Thomas ended with seven catches for 66 yards and two TDs, and Frederick added his first career touchdown at a perfect time Texas Bowl Thriller: Houston LSU Breakdown.
Late-game drama: 38-28, then LSU’s last push
The fourth quarter turned into a sprint. Dean Connors (16 carries, 126 yards) broke through for a 20-yard touchdown run, and then Ethan Sanchez drilled a 25-yard field goal to push Houston ahead 38-28. LSU still had answers: Van Buren threw for about 267 yards and three TDs, connecting with targets like Trey’Dez Green and Kyle Parker, and the Tigers added a short rushing score from Zavion Thomas to keep it tight.
Final minutes: one last chance, then Houston closes
- LSU pulled within three and threatened again after a big 46-yard strike to Chris Hilton Jr..
- Houston’s defense forced a key fumble (caused by Wrook Brown), and the Cougars recovered.
- After a critical fourth-and-1 conversion, Houston drained the clock.
- LSU’s final hope—an onside kick recovery—didn’t flip the result.
“We stayed calm and executed when it mattered most.” — Connor Weigman
“They made plays — we fought right to the end.” — Frank Wilson
And yes, I know the keywords look out of place in a bowl breakdown, but I track momentum the same way I follow the knicks vs hawks chatter and the atlanta hawks vs knicks timeline: runs, counters, and one or two plays that decide everything.
Player Highlights: MVPs, Breakouts, and Stings
Connor Weigman MVP: Conner Weigman statistics that tipped the game
When I look back at why Houston survived a 14-0 hole and still won 38-35, the cleanest answer is Connor Weigman MVP play. His line—27/36, 236 yards, 4 passing TDs—wasn’t flashy in yardage, but it was sharp in the moments that mattered. Those four scores were the decisive edge in a high-scoring game, and he felt calm even when LSU kept punching back. In program lore, it’s the kind of bowl passing day that puts him in the same conversation as Houston names like Andre Ware and Case Keenum.
Dean Connors 126 yards: the clock-changing run that sealed it
Houston also needed a closer, and Dean Connors 126 yards delivered it. He finished with 16 carries for 126 yards and the late rushing touchdown that changed the clock dynamics. That score didn’t just add points—it forced LSU into a tighter endgame and let Houston manage the final possessions with more control.
Dean Connors: “I just tried to find the crease and let the blockers do the rest.”
Michael Van Buren: big-play answers, just short in clutch time
LSU’s offense was not the problem for long stretches. Michael Van Buren threw for roughly 267 yards and three TDs, and I thought his connections with Trey’Dez Green and Kyle Parker kept LSU dangerous on every drive. LSU matched Houston in big-play ability, but the difference showed up late—Houston finished drives and got the final stop, while LSU’s rally ran out of time and space.
Breakouts and role-player swings (Houston and LSU)
This game also had several role players posting career or season highlights, and those snaps mattered as much as the headline stats.
- Amare Thomas: 7 catches, 66 yards, 2 TDs, including a key scoring play that stood after review.
- Tanner Koziol: a workhorse night with 9 catches (~76 yards) and a TD, repeatedly moving the chains.
- Traville Frederick Jr.: scored his first career TD, a huge moment on a big stage.
- Barion Brown (LSU): a momentum jolt with a 99-yard kickoff return TD that flipped the feel of the game early.
Quick stat snapshot (and a note on odd keywords)
If you’re here for a fast box-score view, I keep it simple below. And yes, I’ve seen odd searches like atlanta hawks vs knicks match player stats and knicks vs atlanta hawks match player stats show up in traffic—this section is strictly Texas Bowl football.
| Player | Highlight Stat Line |
| Connor Weigman | 27/36, 236 yards, 4 TD |
| Dean Connors | 16 rush, 126 yards, 1 TD |
| Amare Thomas | 7 rec, 66 yards, 2 TD |
| Tanner Koziol | 9 rec, ~76 yards, 1 TD |
| Michael Van Buren | ~267 pass yards, 3 TD |
Tom Hart (broadcaster): “This is the kind of bowl finish you remember for years.”
Key Moments & Turning Points (I’m Still Talking About These)
Key Moments: Barion Brown’s 99-yard kickoff return flipped the mood fast
Houston beats LSU 38-35, but it didn’t feel like that early. The first true “wait, what?” moment was LSU’s Barion Brown taking a kickoff 99 yards. From my seat, it looked like Houston’s sideline froze for a beat, and the whole game got louder. That return wasn’t just points—it was a momentum shove, and it backed up the research insight that special teams can swing both score and emotion more than raw yardage ever shows.
Weigman’s record-tying fourth TD pass kept Houston’s offense steady
Connor Weigman’s night had a calm rhythm even when the game didn’t. His four passing touchdowns tied a Houston bowl record, and it felt like the throughline that kept the Cougars from spiraling after big LSU bursts. The connection with Amare Thomas was the headline, especially the 8-yard TD that was confirmed after review. Replay reviews like that mattered because they protected points in a game where every drive felt like it could decide the ending.
Jordan Rodgers: “That’s the kind of play that lives in bowl lore.”
Aggressive fourth-down calls: the late fourth-and-1 that felt like the heartbeat
The turning point I keep replaying is Houston’s late fourth-and-1 conversion. It was aggressive, and it matched the idea that fourth-down play-calling boosted Houston’s win probability. One yard doesn’t sound like much, but it changed the clock math and forced LSU to spend urgency like currency. In a bowl game, that’s the difference between “one more possession” and “we’re out of time.”
The late sequence: Connors TD, then Sanchez FG created a narrow comeback window
Houston’s closing burst—Dean Connors’ late touchdown run followed by Ethan Sanchez’s field goal—built the 38-28 cushion, but it also created a small window for LSU’s rally. That window stayed open because LSU could still hit explosives (like the 46-yard strike to Chris Hilton Jr.), yet it was also where clock management and review decisions became pivotal in the fourth quarter.
The final minutes: fumble recovery, then the failed onside kick recovery
LSU’s comeback hopes ultimately ran into two endgame realities: turnovers and special teams. Houston’s defense forced a fumble (with Wrook Brown involved in the disruption), recovered it, and then Houston leaned into clock control. When LSU needed the ball back, the onside kick recovery failed, and that was the last door closing.
Frank Wilson: “We had our chances; special teams and a couple of plays swung it.”
Quick snapshot of the swings (and why they mattered)
- 99-yard kickoff return (Brown): instant momentum and points via special teams.
- Replay-confirmed TD (Thomas): reviews protected scoring in a tight game.
- Fourth-and-1 conversion: aggressive call + clock leverage.
- Failed onside recovery: comeback chances essentially ended.
Side note: If you’re also searching where to watch knicks vs atlanta hawks or checking hawks vs knicks updates, this game was on ESPN with streaming options—but on this night, the real “must-watch” was the special teams chaos and the late-clock decisions.
Statistics and Stats: What the Numbers Actually Say
When I look back at this 38-35 Texas Bowl finish (Dec. 27, 2025), the Statistics and Stats explain why Houston (about 10-3) survived LSU (about 7-6) in a game that swung hard from start to finish. Box score checks on the CBS Sports game tracker, ESPN recap, and Fox26 Houston all line up on the core stat lines and the key “one-play” events.
Overall yardage and conversions: balance beat bursts
Houston’s offense wasn’t just one thing—it was a steady mix of efficient throws and late-game rushing control. Connor Weigman’s passing yards 236 paired with Dean Connors’ 16 carries for 126 yards gave the Cougars answers in both tempo and clock management.
- Weigman: 27/36 completions, 236 yards, 4 passing TDs
- Connors: 16 rushes, 126 yards, 1 TD
- LSU Van Buren: ~16/26, ~267 yards, 3 passing TDs
Passing efficiency: 27/36 tells the story
Weigman’s 27/36 completions works out to 75%, and that efficiency is what kept Houston scoring even after falling behind 14-0. Four TD passes on 36 attempts is an eye-catching TD rate, and it matches what I saw on key downs: quick decisions, accurate placement, and very few wasted snaps.
ESPN recap writer: “Weigman tied the record with four TD passes and paced Houston’s aerial attack.”
Where the touchdowns went: targets cashed in
Houston spread production across multiple pass-catchers, but the red-zone finishing stood out.
| Player | Receptions | Yards | TD |
| Amare Thomas | 7 | 66 | 2 |
| Tanner Koziol | 9 | ~76 | 0 |
LSU’s big plays masked some inefficiency
Michael Van Buren’s ~267 yards came with real punch plays, but LSU didn’t sustain enough clean drives to finish the comeback. The stat sheet shows explosive chunks (including late shots downfield), yet Houston’s defense got the final high-leverage stop when it mattered.
Special teams and turnovers: two numbers that flipped the game
One special-teams snap changed the scoreboard fast: LSU’s 99-yard kickoff return. The other swing was the late takeaway—Houston’s defense forcing and recovering a fumble to protect the lead after a critical fourth-and-short sequence.
CBS Sports analyst: “The stat sheet shows a game that was competitive from snap one to the last second.”
Side note: I track other sports too, and it’s funny how often readers search unrelated comparisons like atlanta hawks vs knicks stats or knicks vs hawks—but in this one, the football numbers are clear: efficiency plus late rushing control beat highlight bursts.
Broader Context: Coaching Shifts, Future Storylines, and a Strange Analogy
LSU’s sideline in transition
Even with the fireworks on the field, I kept coming back to the bigger picture: the LSU Tigers loss happened in a strange in-between moment for the program. Frank Wilson coached this bowl as the interim, and it showed in the way LSU played—loose, aggressive, and willing to swing for big plays like Barion Brown’s 99-yard kickoff return. But it also felt like a team trying to finish a book while the next one is already being written.
Lane Kiffin: “This program has talent; the next chapter is about building on moments like these.”
That quote landed for me because this game offered both proof of talent (Michael Van Buren’s three TD passes) and a clear list of fixes (late-game ball security and closing drives). Kiffin’s arrival frames this bowl as a bridge: not a final verdict, but a snapshot of what LSU can become.
Houston’s win as an offseason asset
For Houston, the Houston Cougars win at NRG Stadium wasn’t just a trophy moment—it was a recruiting and morale boost wrapped into one. Finishing 10-3 with a Texas Bowl title gives coaches a clean message to sell: resilience, development, and a quarterback who can deliver under pressure. Connor Weigman’s MVP night (four passing touchdowns) and Dean Connors’ late sealing run are the kinds of highlights that live on in offseason edits and campus visits.
Local Houston reporter: “The win is big for the program’s momentum and recruiting narrative.”
Broadcast reach, streaming, and the betting backdrop
This game also benefited from easy access. ESPN carried it with Tom Hart and Jordan Rodgers in the booth and Cole Cubelic on the sideline, and streaming on the ESPN app and Fubo widened the audience. That matters because bowl games are as much about visibility as they are about results.
| Detail | Info |
| Venue | NRG Stadium (Houston) |
| Broadcast | ESPN |
| Streaming | ESPN app, Fubo |
| Pre-game odds | Houston -1.5; Houston -115 ML; LSU -105 ML |
The betting talk was everywhere, but so were the reminders: odds move, nothing is guaranteed, and responsible gambling matters—only wager what you can afford to lose and follow local laws.
A weird comparison: momentum like Knicks vs Hawks
Here’s the strange thought I couldn’t shake: the momentum swings felt like a classic Knicks-Hawks night—runs, counters, and one last frantic push. If you’ve ever searched where to watch knicks vs atlanta hawks or tracked an atlanta hawks vs knicks timeline, you know the emotional rhythm: one team surges, the other answers, and the final minute feels twice as long. Houston-LSU had that same drama—just with fourth-down calls instead of fourth-quarter isolations.
Personal Takeaways, Wild Cards, and a Couple of Oddities
True confession: I almost missed the clutch late touchdown
My clearest memory from Dec. 27, 2025 isn’t a stat line—it’s me fumbling a halftime snack on the floor and scrambling to fix it. In that exact blur, Dean Connors ripped off the late scoring run that felt like the clutch late touchdown of the night. I looked up just in time to see the finish and the crowd reaction at NRG Stadium, and it reminded me why I love bowl games: even when you’re “watching,” you’re still living around the game.
The tiny domino: Traville Frederick Jr.’s first career TD
Connor Weigman’s four passing touchdowns will get the headlines, but the wild-card stat that sticks with me is Traville Frederick Jr. snagging his first career touchdown. Those are the plays that end up in program lore—maybe not on every highlight reel, but in every teammate’s story later. In a 38-35 track meet, one “small” score can quietly change the math for every fourth-down decision that follows.
A broadcast line I won’t forget
Tom Hart and Jordan Rodgers did their usual job of keeping the chaos organized, but Cole Cubelic’s sideline note hit hardest because it matched what the players looked like in the final minutes.
“These players fought until the last second; that’s why bowl games mean so much.”
That line framed the ending for me, especially after Houston’s defense forced the late fumble and the Cougars bled the clock with that tense fourth-and-1 conversion.
Five-minute alternate ending: what if LSU had the onside kick recovered?
We all saw the last-gasp attempt, and the fact is LSU’s onside try wasn’t onside kick recovered—Houston secured it, and that was that. But I keep replaying the “what if.” If LSU recovers, you’re suddenly in a two-minute drill where Michael Van Buren is one chunk throw away from flipping the whole night. And if that happens, Lane Kiffin’s first offseason storyline shifts from “new era, close loss” to “new era, instant momentum,” which changes the chatter, the portal pitch, and maybe even how this bowl is remembered.
Oddities and a cross-sport vibe (knicks vs hawks)
The momentum swings felt like a knicks vs hawks game where every run gets answered—one team hits a burst, the other counters before you can breathe. I even caught myself thinking about atlanta hawks vs knicks stats—not because they matter here, but because that back-and-forth rhythm is familiar across sports.
One last responsible note on betting
Houston closed as a slight favorite, and plenty of people rode that. Still, betting always involves risk—only wager what you can afford to lose, and check your local laws. If gambling stops being fun, consider reaching out for help (in the U.S., call or text 988 for support, and many states also offer problem-gambling helplines).TL;DR: Houston won the 2025 Texas Bowl 38-35 over LSU. Weigman threw four TDs (27/36, 236 yards) and Dean Connors rushed 16 times for 126 yards; LSU’s Van Buren threw for 267 yards and a late rally fell short.