Dec. 27, 2025Updated Dec. 28, 2025, 1:20 a.m. ET
The most action-packed day remaining in the college football saw a final, action-packed game played in Houston‘s NRG Stadium.
Appropriately, Houston (10-3) served as the designated home team as it took on LSU (7-6) in the final game of the Dec. 27 college football schedule,coming back from down 14-0 to take the Texas Bowl,38-35.
Connor Weigman emerged as the Texas Bowl MVP, completing 27-of-36 passes for 236 yards and a Houston bowl-record four passing touchdowns – an impressive accolade for Weigman, considering he shares a uniform with Andre Ware and Case Keenum.
Two of Weigman’s touchdowns went to Amare Thomas, who finished the game with seven receptions for 66 yards. Tanner Koziol and Traville Frederick Jr. also had touchdown receptions, with running back Dean Connors rushing 16 times for 126 yards and a touchdown.
Similarly, LSU quarterback Michael Van Buren had an impressDean Connors drills a 37-yard field goal to give Houston a 38-28 lead with 3:34 remaining. LSU now needs two scores to tie, and time is running out quickly.
Houston extends lead
Table of Contents
- Houston extends lead
- LSU ties the game!
- Daniels keeps drive alive
- LSU cuts deficit to one score
- Houston answers
- Houston extends lead
- Houston takes lead
- Houston ties the game
- Houston cuts deficit
- Halftime: Houston 21, LSU 14
- LSU Takes Early Lead Over Houston at Texas Bowl
- Everything You Need to Know About the 2023 Texas Bowl
Houston answers right back with a 44-yard field goal by dean Connors to extend their lead to 35-28 with 5:19 left in the game. The Cougars are now in prime position to close this one out.
LSU ties the game!
What a drive! Daniels finds Brian Thomas Jr. for a 28-yard touchdown, and after the extra point, the game is tied at 28 with 6:42 left to play. The momentum has entirely swung in LSU’s favor.
Daniels keeps drive alive
Facing fourth-and-4 from the Houston 38-yard line, Daniels finds nabers for 10 yards to keep the drive alive. LSU is now in field goal range, but will likely try to go for the end zone.
LSU cuts deficit to one score
Daniels finds tight end Mac Markway for a 14-yard touchdown, cutting Houston’s lead to 31-21 with 9:48 left in the game.The extra point is good, making it 31-28.
Houston answers
Houston responds with a 28-yard field goal by Dean Connors to extend their lead to 31-14 with 11:54 remaining. The Cougars are looking to put this game away.
Houston extends lead
Parker and houston’s offense continue to roll, as Parker finds Matthew Golden for a 7-yard touchdown, extending the Cougars’ lead to 28-14 with 1:18 left in the third quarter.
Houston takes lead
Donovan Ford rushes for a 1-yard touchdown, giving Houston a 21-14 lead with 4:48 left in the third quarter. The Cougars have scored 21 unanswered points.
Houston ties the game
Parker finds Pace for a 19-yard touchdown, tying the game at 14 with 6:38 left in the third quarter. The Cougars are now driving.
Houston cuts deficit
Parker finds Joseph Manasota for a 27-yard touchdown, cutting LSU’s lead to
Halftime: Houston 21, LSU 14
Houston scores 21 unanswered points
The Cougars have an prospect to blow this wide open as they are on offense to start the second half.
LSU forces Cougars punt
The Tigers,at least,have stopped Houston from making it a two-possession game – for now. The Tigers take over at their own 27-yard line following a punt.
LSU touchdown ties the game
And there’s a game-tying touchdown from LSU,which couldn’t have asked for a better start to the second half.Green is draped by houston defensive back Will James, who’s called for defensive pass interference, but it doesn’t matter: He climbs the latter for a spectacular one-handed grab to tie the game 21-21 with 9:31 left in the third quarter. The drive goes 73 yards in six plays and 4:00 of game clock.
Houston retakes lead with methodical drive
And just like that, Houston retakes the lead with an eight-play, 75-yard drive that takes 4:49 off the game clock. The drive is capped with Weigman’s fourth touchdown pass of the night, this one a 2-yard connection to traville Frederick Jr. out of the backfield – the frist touchdown reception of his career. Cougars lead 28-21 with 4:42 left in the third quarter.
LSU, Houston trade punts
Punts abound for both LSU and Houston in their most recent drives. The Cougars punt after a three-and-out punctuated by a nasty hit by safety Tamarcus Cooley on running back Stacy Sneed just short of the sticks.
LSU driving
LSU is driving, currently at the Houston 6-yard line following a 9-yard scramble by Van Buren. The big play of the drive thus far has been a 42-yard catch-and-run by Green on third-and-10 to the Houston 15-yard line.
LSU Takes Early Lead Over Houston at Texas Bowl
LSU has established a 14-7 lead over Houston in the first quarter of the Texas Bowl. the Tigers initially capitalized on a stunning 99-yard kickoff return by Barion brown, followed by a 23-yard touchdown connection between Van Buren and Green. Houston responded with a touchdown pass from Weigman to Thomas, a play initially ruled short of the goal line but confirmed after review.
LSU’s momentum was briefly stalled when a 44-yard field goal attempt by Damian Ramos missed wide right, giving Houston possession at their own 27-yard line. though, Brown continued to shine, adding a 43-yard kickoff return to bring his total kick return yardage to 142.
Houston’s drive benefited from an LSU penalty – a facemask call on Dominick McKinley after a sack – granting them a first-and-goal opportunity from the LSU 8-yard line.
Earlier, LSU extended their lead with a quick four-play, 60-yard drive culminating in the Van Buren-to-Green touchdown, taking a 14-0 lead with 10:48 remaining in the first quarter. As the second quarter approaches, houston faces a crucial fourth-and-short from the LSU 37-yard line.
Everything You Need to Know About the 2023 Texas Bowl
The 2023 Texas Bowl took place on December 27th, featuring the SMU Mustangs and the Tulane Green Wave. Tulane secured a 28-14 victory. A notable storyline surrounding the game involves SMU’s quarterback, Preston Stone. He delivered a strong performance during the Texas Bowl, but will surprisingly transfer to Ole Miss following the game – the former home of incoming coach Lane Kiffin.
Where is the Texas Bowl?
The Texas Bowl is hosted by NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. It’s the home field for the NFL’s Houston Texans. Interestingly, the texans also played on Saturday, December 27th, defeating the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 on the road. this win improved their record to 11-5 and secured an NFL playoff berth.
Key Takeaways
- Date: December 27, 2023
- Teams: SMU Mustangs vs. Tulane green Wave
- Winner: Tulane Green Wave (28-14)
- Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
- Notable Storyline: SMU Quarterback Preston Stone transferring to Ole Miss after the game.
Related reading