Houston outscores LSU to end disappointing year for Tigers

By Hunt Palmer

THE STORY

The result may not have been consequential, but the contest was entertaining.

A Texas-style shootout emerged between LSU and Houston on Saturday night, and the Cougars finished LSU off 38-35 in the wee minutes of Sunday.

LSU’s defense played without six starters including All-SEC picks Mansoor Delane and AJ Haulcy. All three linebackers, Whit and West Weeks and Harold Perkins sat. So did Jack Pyburn, and Bernard Gooden was lost for the game in the first quarter.

Houston carved up LSU’s reserves, picking on the young Tiger linebackers and the secondary.

Six times the Cougars went more than 70 yards on a scoring drive. It was consistent and methodical all night. LSU only got four stops in the game.

It’s been Houston’s M.O. all season, control the clock by running the ball. Time of possession was out of whack for LSU early and never got much better. Houston won it by 17 minutes.

Penalties were also a massive problem for the Tigers. LSU was flagged nine times for 95 yards.

LSU couldn’t have scripted a better start.

Barion Brown took the game’s opening kickoff back 98 yards for his sixth career return touchdown. After Houston punted, LSU went 60 yards in four plays and went ahead 14-0 on a Trey’Dez Green touchdown from 23 yards out.

From that point Houston outscored the Tigers 38-21.

LSU’s focus now becomes roster management and the transfer portal. The Lane Kiffin era has officially arrived. A disastrous 2025 is over with a 7-6 record.

THE STATS

Houston won total yards 437-344

Houston won time of possession 38:32 to 21:28. The disparity was 21:06 to 8:54 in the second half.

Houston ran 82 plays to LSU’s 50

Houston outrushed LSU 201-77

Houston won first downs 32-17

LSU was penalized nine times for 95 yards

Davhon Keys: 14 tackles

Michael Van Buren: 16/26 267 yards, 3 TD

Conner Weigman: 27/36 236 yards, 4 TD

Dean Connors: 16 carries, 126 yards, TD

THE PLAYS

Barion Brown returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, his first as a Tkiger and sixth of his career. 7-0 LSU.

The Tigers only needed four plays on their first drive to double the lead. Trey’Dez Green scored on a 22-yard catch and run to put LSU up 14-0.

Houston’s offense found its rhythm to move the ball down the field with help from tw LSU facemasks. Amare Thomas caught a third and goal swing pass and snuck into the corner of the endzone. 14-7 with 6:08 left in the first quarter.

Damian Ramos missed from 44 yards out.

Houston drew even with a 14 play, 73 yard drive capped by another Weigman to Thomas touchdown. 14-14.

Houston’s defense forced the game’s first turnover. Harlem Berry was stripped, and the Cougars fell on it at the LSU 41.

LSU’s defense was able to turn Houston over on downs on the ensuing drive.

Houston capped the half by taking tis first lead. The Cougars went 90 yards on 11 plays and used more LSU defensive penalties. Tanner Koziel beat DJ Pickett for a nin-yard touchdown catch with four ticks remaining before halftime. 21-14, Houston.

Green struck again for his second touchdown. He battled through a defensive pass interference call and hauled in a four-yard touchdown catch with an incredible leaping grab on a fade route. 21-21.

Houston marched down and answered with a two-yard connection from Wiegman to Traville Frederick. 28-21, Cougs with 4:42 left in the third.

Van Buren found Kyle Parker all alone in the back of the endzone om the first play of the fourth quarter to tie things at 28.

Houston nudged in front 31-28 n a 22-yard field goal with 7:42 to play.

Conners bolted 20 yards for a dagger to put Houston up 38-28 with 2:23 left.

LSU answered with a 1:07 touchdown drive capped by Zavion Thomas who scored on an end around. Green carried his teammate over the goalline. 38-35 with 1:15 to play.

Houston recovered the onside kick to seal the game.