LSU to face Baylor in the Kinder's Texas Bowl

BATON ROUGE, La -

The LSU Tigers will welcome 2025 in Houston, Texas, by playing in the Kinder's Texas Bowl against the Baylor Bears.

Baylor is led by Dave Aranda, a former LSU defensive coordinator and 2019 national champion.

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The Texas Bowl kicks off on New Year's Eve Day at 2:30 pm CST in the Houston Texans' NRG Stadium.

LSU concluded the 2024 season with an 8-4 record, but head coach Brian Kelly is optimistic about the future, stating after the last game, "we'll see you in the national championship."

LSU last participated in the Texas Bowl in 2022 and previously played in Houston in 2015, defeating Texas Tech 56-27.

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has been selected as one of 10 finalists for the Manning Award, as announced by the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Thursday.

The Manning Award, honoring the football achievements of Archie, Peyton, and Eli, is the only quarterback award that considers bowl game performances in its voting.

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Previous LSU recipients of the Manning Award include Jayden Daniels last year, Joe Burrow in 2019, and JaMarcus Russell in 2006.

Nussmeier, a junior from Lake Charles, completed his first season as LSU’s starter in 2024, guiding the Tigers to an 8-4 record with victories over Ole Miss and South Carolina. He ranks among the Top 10 players nationally in passing yards per game (6th at 311.6), completions (4th with 313), and total offense (8th at 307.8).

Nussmeier is ranked 2nd in the SEC and 12th nationally in passing touchdowns with 26.

Nussmeier made his mark in the LSU record books this year, with his 3,735 passing yards ranking 3rd in school history, while his 312 completions are second only to Burrow, who completed 402 passes in 15 games in 2019.

Nussmeier surpassed the 300-yard mark seven times in 2024 and had two games with 400 passing yards (409 vs. South Alabama, 405 vs. Texas A&M). He threw at least one touchdown pass in 11 games, with a career-best six in the victory over Nicholls.