University of Houston Athletics
Saturday, December 27
Houston, Texas
8:15 p.m.
University of Houston
vs
LSU
Cougars Stay Home, Play in Kinder’s Texas Bowl
12/7/2025 2:00:00 PM | Football
Houston set for 31st all-time bowl appearance, faces LSU on Dec. 27
HOUSTON – University of Houston Football makes its 31st all-time bowl appearance when the Cougars face off against the LSU Tigers in the Kinder's Texas Bowl at 8:15 p.m. CT on Saturday, Dec. 27, from NRG Stadium in Houston.
Cougar Pride members received a link to request tickets through Dec. 9 – that presale is LIVE. Houston Athletics' ticket allotment set for public sale on https://uh.evenue.net/events/BOWL at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
For the latest information and Houston happenings at the Texas Bowl, visit Houston Bowl Central by clicking here.
Houston enters the Texas Bowl ranked #21 in the College Football Playoff rankings with a 9-3 overall record, its best record since 2021, with wins over Top 30 teams Arizona and Arizona State.
LSU (7-5) is heading bowling for the fourth consecutive year and returns to the Texas Bowl for the second consecutive season. The Tigers hired Lane Kiffin to be their new head coach ahead of the 2026 season. The game is a precursor to the 2027 meeting between the two teams in NRG Stadium.
The Cougars were the only team in FBS to go 6-0 on the road this season, the third time in school history they have played to a 6-0 record on the road. Houston won a ranked road matchup for the first time since 2017 when Houston beat #24 Arizona State in Tempe, Ariz., in late October.
On the road, Houston's defense held opponent offenses to 18.3 points per game, the 14th in FBS, while scoring 31.0 points per game on offense, 25th nationally.
On defense this season, Houston's defense ranked 19th nationally in Red Zone Defense and 37th in Defensive Efficiency. Interior defensive lineman Carlos Allen Jr., leads FBS interior linemen with 75 tackles while cornerback Will James was the first Houston defensive back with 3+ interceptions and 4+ TFLs in the same season since 2015.
On offense, the Cougars had one of the nation's best improvements with its Scoring Offense jumping 67 spots up to 65th in 2025 from 132nd in 2024.
Part of the offensive revival has been Comeback Player of the Year Semifinalist quarterback Conner Weigman's 31 total touchdowns – 20 passing touchdowns, 11 rushing touchdowns – the most by a Power 4 quarterback with at least 10 rushing touchdowns. Tight end Tanner Koziol has been a top 5 tight end nationally yet again this season with 65 receptions leading FBS tight ends and 651 receiving yards ranking third among FBS tight ends. At receiver, Amare Thomas finished second in the Big 12 with 10 receiving touchdowns and 906 receiving yards and posted six touchdowns of 20+ yards, including three 50+ yard scores.
Head Coach Willie Fritz is a George Munger Coach of the Year Semifinalist and the Cougars had 11 All-Big 12 selections.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by providing NIL opportunities and by joining The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
Cougar Pride members received a link to request tickets through Dec. 9 – that presale is LIVE. Houston Athletics' ticket allotment set for public sale on https://uh.evenue.net/events/BOWL at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
For the latest information and Houston happenings at the Texas Bowl, visit Houston Bowl Central by clicking here.
Houston enters the Texas Bowl ranked #21 in the College Football Playoff rankings with a 9-3 overall record, its best record since 2021, with wins over Top 30 teams Arizona and Arizona State.
LSU (7-5) is heading bowling for the fourth consecutive year and returns to the Texas Bowl for the second consecutive season. The Tigers hired Lane Kiffin to be their new head coach ahead of the 2026 season. The game is a precursor to the 2027 meeting between the two teams in NRG Stadium.
The Cougars were the only team in FBS to go 6-0 on the road this season, the third time in school history they have played to a 6-0 record on the road. Houston won a ranked road matchup for the first time since 2017 when Houston beat #24 Arizona State in Tempe, Ariz., in late October.
On the road, Houston's defense held opponent offenses to 18.3 points per game, the 14th in FBS, while scoring 31.0 points per game on offense, 25th nationally.
On defense this season, Houston's defense ranked 19th nationally in Red Zone Defense and 37th in Defensive Efficiency. Interior defensive lineman Carlos Allen Jr., leads FBS interior linemen with 75 tackles while cornerback Will James was the first Houston defensive back with 3+ interceptions and 4+ TFLs in the same season since 2015.
On offense, the Cougars had one of the nation's best improvements with its Scoring Offense jumping 67 spots up to 65th in 2025 from 132nd in 2024.
Part of the offensive revival has been Comeback Player of the Year Semifinalist quarterback Conner Weigman's 31 total touchdowns – 20 passing touchdowns, 11 rushing touchdowns – the most by a Power 4 quarterback with at least 10 rushing touchdowns. Tight end Tanner Koziol has been a top 5 tight end nationally yet again this season with 65 receptions leading FBS tight ends and 651 receiving yards ranking third among FBS tight ends. At receiver, Amare Thomas finished second in the Big 12 with 10 receiving touchdowns and 906 receiving yards and posted six touchdowns of 20+ yards, including three 50+ yard scores.
Head Coach Willie Fritz is a George Munger Coach of the Year Semifinalist and the Cougars had 11 All-Big 12 selections.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by providing NIL opportunities and by joining The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
–– UHCougars.com ––
Players Mentioned
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QB
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