HOUSTON — They walked off the field dejected, helmets lowered and some of the players shaking their heads. A season that began with so much promise four months ago had ended late Saturday night with another loss, this time to No. 21 Houston in the Texas Bowl, a familiar game that LSU hopes not to return to anytime soon.
LSU scored more than 25 points against an FBS team for the first time this season, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a suddenly leaky defense. Playing without six defensive starters, LSU gave up its second-most points in a game this season in a 38-35 loss inside NRG Stadium.
After exchanging touchdowns for most of the second half, Houston (10-3) took a 31-28 lead on a field goal midway through the fourth quarter. LSU went three-and-out on its next possession for the first time all game, and Houston stretched its lead when running back Dean Conners scored a 20-yard touchdown.
Trailing 38-28 with 2:22 left, LSU had a slim chance. Sophomore quarterback Michael Van Buren threw a 46-yard pass down the sideline, and LSU (7-6) reached the goal line a few plays later. It scored on third down when tight end Trey’Dez Green helped pull senior receiver Zavion Thomas across the goal line on a jet sweep.
But Houston recovered the onside kick after the ball bounced around a couple LSU players, and that was it.
In the last game before new head coach Lane Kiffin fully takes over, LSU played with what was left of its roster and coaching staff. Several starters sat out, including star cornerback Mansoor Delane, top safety AJ Haulcy and three starting linebackers. That forced inexperienced players into action, and the defense struggled.
It started well. LSU receiver Barion Brown returned the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown, his first of the season and the sixth of his career. It was the first time LSU opened a game by returning a kickoff for a touchdown since 1978 against Wyoming.
After a defensive stop, freshman running back Harlem Berry bounced outside for a 36-yard gain and Green caught a 23-yard touchdown for an early two-score lead. That did not last.
Houston put together back-to-back scoring drives to tie the game as LSU’s defense struggled to get off the field. That was a recurring theme. Houston went 7 of 15 on third down, an area that had been a strength for LSU most of the season. LSU’s defense helped extend drives by getting penalized seven times for 80 yards, and Houston went 6 of 6 in the red zone against what had been the fourth-best red zone defense in the country.
Houston quarterback Conner Weigmen, a former Texas A&M transfer, completed 75% of his throws for 236 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for 56 yards. Conners ran for 126 yards and one touchdown while averaging 7.9 yards per carry.
After a hot start, the LSU offense waned for the rest of the first half. Damian Ramos missed a field goal, and Berry fumbled. Berry, who had three carries for 45 yards, did not touch the ball again. LSU only ran for 77 yards.
Near the end of the second quarter, LSU drove past midfield with a chance to take the lead. But on third and 7, Van Buren was sacked for the third time when the offensive line missed a block. Houston took over with 1:27 left at its own 10 and steadily moved downfield.
Then, on third and 10 at the LSU 29-yard line and time ticking down in the half, sophomore cornerback Ja’Keem Jackson was called for pass interference. LSU interim coach Frank Wilson disagreed with the call and got penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The compounding penalties put Houston at the 7-yard line without a timeout. Weigman threw his third touchdown on the next play, giving the Cougars a 21-14 lead at the half. Wilson gave the referee an earful before he did his radio interview and walked to the locker room.
LSU tied the game early in the third quarter when Green made a one-handed catch on a fade to the corner of the end zone. Green, who scored two touchdowns in the Texas Bowl last season, finished with four catches for 80 yards and two scores. He also made a 42-yard catch on third down to set up LSU’s next touchdown.
LSU played in the Texas Bowl in three of the past five years, and perhaps it was a fitting place for this era to end. LSU ended the 2021 season before former coach Brian Kelly took over, and it came back the past two seasons when the team couldn’t reach championship contention. Now under Kiffin, it hopes that it won’t come back for a while.