LSU Closes Season with Tough Loss in Texas Bowl

HOUSTON — And just like that… it’s over.

LSU Tigers football closed out the 2025 season with a 38–35 loss to Houston Cougars football in the Texas Bowl, finishing the year 7–6. And if there’s one way to describe this one?

It felt like the season… in one game.

Flashes. Big plays. Momentum swings.

And just enough missed moments to let it slip.

Because LSU didn’t come out slow—they came out flying.

On the opening kickoff, Barion Brown took it 99 yards to the house, instantly setting the tone. Just like that, 7–0. Then the offense followed it up with another quick strike, as Michael Van Buren Jr. found Trey’Dez Green for a touchdown to make it 14–0 before you could even settle into your seat.

That’s the version of LSU we’ve been waiting on.

Explosive. Confident. Rolling.

And then… it slowed.

Houston settled in, found rhythm, and started doing what LSU couldn’t consistently do all season—sustain.

Long drives. Clean execution. Capitalizing on opportunities.

Meanwhile, LSU had chances to stretch the lead… and didn’t.

A missed field goal. A stalled drive in scoring range. Moments that felt small at the time, but ended up mattering.

By halftime, that early 14–0 lead had flipped into a 21–14 deficit.

And that’s where this game—and honestly, this season—starts to feel familiar.

LSU didn’t go away.

They kept answering.

Van Buren continued to make plays, connecting again with Green for another touchdown, tying things up and keeping LSU right there. The offense showed life, pushed the ball downfield, and found ways to respond every time Houston scored.

But they never took control back.

Every LSU answer was met with another Houston drive.

Every big play was followed by something that gave momentum right back.

That’s the difference.

Trey’Dez Green was one of the bright spots all night, hauling in two touchdowns and continuing to show just how big of a piece he’s becoming in this offense. Kyle Parker added a touchdown of his own, and the offense had moments where it looked as dangerous as it has all season.

But again—moments.

Not full control.

Late in the fourth quarter, LSU was still within reach, down one score and pushing. A final touchdown made it 38–35, giving LSU one last shot.

Onside kick.

Chance.

Opportunity.

And it didn’t go their way.

Houston recovered, ran out the clock, and that was it.

Season over.

This one stings—not because LSU didn’t show up, but because they showed exactly what they could be.

Explosive early. Resilient throughout. Dangerous when things clicked.

But the same issues that showed up all season? They were there too.

Missed chances. Inconsistency. Just enough breakdowns to keep them from finishing.

And that’s how you end up 7–6.

Not far off.

But not quite there.

Now the focus shifts.

Because there’s something here. You can see it. You can feel it. The pieces are there.

But next season?

It has to come together.

Not in flashes.

Not in stretches.

All the way through.

Geaux Time.