Conner Weigman delivered one of the finest performances of his career, throwing four touchdown passes and leading a resilient comeback as No. 21 Houston rallied from an early deficit to defeat LSU 38-35 in the Texas Bowl on Saturday night.
Weigman completed 27 of 36 passes for 236 yards and added 56 rushing yards, engineering a comeback after Houston fell behind 14-0 in the game’s opening minutes. The victory capped a 10-3 season for the Cougars and underscored their offensive balance and late-game poise against an SEC opponent.
LSU (7-6) struck immediately, opening the game with a 99-yard kickoff return touchdown by Barion Brown. Moments later, quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. connected with Trey’Dez Green on a 23-yard scoring strike to give the Tigers a 14-0 lead just 4:12 into the contest.
Houston responded with authority. Weigman found Amare Thomas for touchdown passes of 8 and 4 yards and connected with Tanner Koziol on a 7-yard score before halftime, erasing the early hole and sending the Cougars into the locker room with a 21-14 lead.
The game remained tight throughout the second half. After LSU surged back to take a 28-21 advantage, Weigman tossed a 2-yard touchdown pass to Traville Frederick Jr. to tie the game early in the fourth quarter. Ethan Sanchez then drilled a 25-yard field goal with 7:42 remaining to put Houston ahead 31-28.
Following an LSU three-and-out, Dean Connors delivered the decisive blow, bursting through the defense for a 20-yard touchdown run with 2:23 left to give the Cougars a 10-point cushion. Zavion Thomas answered for LSU with a 3-yard rushing touchdown with 1:15 remaining, trimming the deficit to three, but Houston recovered the ensuing onside kick to seal the victory.
Koziol led the Cougars’ receiving corps with nine catches for 76 yards and a touchdown, while Thomas added seven receptions for 66 yards and two scores. Connors powered the ground game with 126 rushing yards and a touchdown. Houston outgained LSU 437-344, controlling the tempo for much of the night after the early setback.
Van Buren finished 16 of 26 for 267 yards and three touchdowns for LSU, throwing scoring passes of 4 yards to Green and 6 yards to Kyle Parker. Green totaled 80 receiving yards, while Parker added 68.
In a thrilling back-and-forth Texas Bowl, Houston’s composure and efficiency proved decisive, as the Cougars closed their season with a statement win and LSU was left to rue missed opportunities after a fast start.
