LSU (7-6, 3-5) quickly found itself with a 14-0 lead in the Kinder’s Texas Bowl against Houston (10-3, 6-3), and just as quickly lost it as the Tigers fell 38-35.
"We finished second today,” LSU interim coach Frank Wilson said. “We did so because our best wasn't good enough in all three phases of the game."
LSU receiver Barion Brown opened up the game with an explosive return for 99 yards on the opening kickoff.
Then, when LSU’s offense got the ball, it drove the ball 60 yards in four plays to go up two scores on a 23-yard pass to tight end Trey’Dez Green. He ended up being LSU’s leading receiver with four grabs for 80 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
That would be the final score of the first half for LSU’s troubled offense, while Houston responded with 21 unanswered points.
LSU did heat up offensively in the second half, but LSU defensive coordinator’s defense was a bit too shorthanded to contain Houston’s offense.
In fact, for the first time this season, LSU eclipsed more than 25 points scored against an FBS opponent.
But Houston quarterback Connor Weigman outduelled Michael Van Buren, completing 27 of his 36 passes for 236 yards with four touchdowns and 0 interceptions.
Van Buren had one of his finest outings of the year, completing 16 of his 26 passes for 267 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
In this game, there was actually only one turnover - and it came from LSU’s leading rusher, Harlem Berry.
He ran the ball three times, but managed to rip off 45 yards on those carries. However, on his third carry, he fumbled and did not see the field again despite the productive runs.
The box score was far more lopsided than the final score.
Houston outgained LSU 437-344 and had possession of the ball for 38 minutes and 32 seconds. Houston had 32 first downs to LSU’s 17. LSU had nine penalties for 95 yards - many of which extended drives for Houston. Houston had just four penalties.
Houston scored on all six red zone trips. Houston had four sacks and LSU had none.
In other words, after that 14-0 lead, LSU was simply overwhelmed. It’s LSU’s first time losing after going up 14 points since 2008.
LSU Lane Kiffin Visor Short Sleeve Tee
