The last time LSU played Houston was in 2000. The Tigers won 28-13 and lead the series, 2-1 overall.

By ANDRE CHAMPAGNE, TIGER RAG STAFF Writer

LSU has played in 56 total bowl games (34-21-1) in its program history. The Tigers are playing in their 57th bowl on Saturday as LSU (7-5, 3-5 Southeastern Conference) faces No. 21 Houston (9-3, 6-3 Big 12) on Saturday evening at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas in the Kinder’s Texas Bowl (8:15 p.m., ESPN).

LSU is 2-1 all-time in Texas Bowls and it’s playing in its second straight one after defeating Baylor 44-31 on New Year’s Eve last year.

Here’s a look at each Texas Bowl game the Tigers have played:

  1. No. 20 LSU 56, Texas Tech 27 … Dec. 29, 2015, Houston, Texas

LSU’s first ever trip to the Texas Bowl did not disappoint. After saving his job with a 19-7 win over Texas A&M, head coach Les Miles made sure he was prepared for Kliff Kingsbury’s Red Raiders.

The Tigers’ run-heavy offense gave Texas Tech trouble all night, particularly star sophomore running back Leonard Fournette. The New Orleans native carried the ball 29 times for 212 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. In addition to his dominant night on the ground, Fournette caught a 44-yard touchdown pass. LSU outgained Texas Tech 638-399.

Defensively, LSU did enough to stop Texas Tech, despite giving up nearly 400 yards of offense. The Tigers sacked Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes six times and intercepted him once.

“This is a night that Leonard Fournette would have again and again and again,” Miles said after the win. “I wouldn’t call it routine because he is not a routine runner; he’s a special back. But we would expect him to have nights like this. He’s fast and strong and capable.”

STATISTICS: QB Brandon Harris, LSU: 14-of-23 passing, 261 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 41 yards on 3 carries, 1 TD; RB Leonard Fournette, LSU, 212 yards on 29 carries, 4 TD, 1 catch for 44 yards, 1 TD; QB Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech, 28-of-56 passing, 370 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT

  1. Kansas State 42, LSU 20 … Jan. 4, 2022, Houston, Texas

LSU’s second time in the Texas Bowl was certainly one to forget when it comes to the actual game, but there’s still notable stories from the game. Ed Orgeron was notified that he would be fired after a loss to Kentucky and eventually finished the season out. Offensive line coach Brad Davis coached the Tigers for the bowl game before Brian Kelly took over his new program.

In a game where LSU only had 38 scholarship players available, senior wide receiver Jontre Kirkland of Lutcher played quarterback for the Tigers. LSU wouldn’t stand a chance, though. Kansas State outgained LSU 442-308.

But Kirkland’s performance and efforts would be remembered by Tiger fans.

“Shoot, we Fightin’ Tigers man. We ain’t bout to back down from nobody,” Kirkland said after the loss. “It don’t matter. If we got 11, we gone play.”

STATISTICS: QB Jontre Kirkland, LSU, 7-of-11 passing 138 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT, 61 yards on 11 rushes; QB Skylar Thompson, Kansas State, 21-of-28 passing, 259 yards, 3 TD; RB Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State, 146 yards on 21 carries, 3 TD

  1. LSU 44, Baylor 31…Dec. 31, 2024, Houston, Texas

LSU’s most recent trip to the Texas Bowl came last season, in 2024. There was lots of excitement for the 2025 season because quarterback Garrett Nussmeier had just announced he would return to Baton Rouge for his fifth year of college football.

LSU’s offense erupted for 427 yards as Nussmeier passed for 313 yards and three touchdowns. The Tigers’ defense gave up over 500 yards of offense, but intercepted a pass which would do enough to give LSU a comfortable lead. 

“I know cynics would say it’s disappointing,” LSU head coach Brian Kelly said after the game. “It wasn’t disappointing. It was a team that was less than perfect because of inexperience. A team that gained experience. To win nine games and win three in a row at the end, I’m just happy for our football team.”

STATISTICS: QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU, 24-of-34 passing, 313 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT; QB Sawyer Robinson, Baylor, 30-for-51 passing, 445 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; WR Chris Hilton Jr., LSU, 4 catches for 113 yards, 1 TD; TE Trey’Dez Green, LSU, 6 catches for 53 yards, 2 TD

LSU vs HOUSTON SERIES HISTORY

In its history playing against the University of Houston, LSU is 2-1 all-time. In the Tigers’ first matchup against the Cougars (1996), LSU trailed 34-14 going into the fourth quarter, but with help from running back Kevin Faulk, the Tigers came back to win 35-34. Faul rushed for 262 yards on 21 carries with two touchdowns, which at the time set the single-game rushing record for LSU.

In LSU’s second matchup against Houston (1999), the Cougars upset the Tigers 20-7 in Baton Rouge. The loss ended the Gerry DiNardo era as he was fired the week before the game. DiNardo did not coach the season finale against Arkansas.

In 2000, LSU hosted Houston and defeated the Cougars, 20-13,  fueled by a dominant second quarter where QB Josh Booty threw for two touchdowns (to Joe Domingeaux & Robert Royal) and RB Labrandon Toefield scored, turning a close game into a comfortable win despite Jason McKinley‘s strong passing for Houston. The Tigers’ defense also pressured McKinley, forcing crucial plays, and special teams helped with great punting and a key fumble recovery after a hard hit.