Atamah's heroics propel Northwestern State to comeback win

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (March 9, 2026)  In a thrilling start to the 2026 Air Force Reserve Southland Conference Women's Basketball Championships, the No. 5 Northwestern State Demons pulled off a stunning comeback. They defeated the No. 8 seeded East Texas A&M Lions 69-56 on Monday morning in the opening round.

The Demons (18-13) fell behind early. The Lions (13-17) jumped out to a 20-10 lead after the first quarter. They stretched it to 13 points in the first half, thanks to sharp shooting from beyond the arc. East Texas A&M looked strong and held the lead for most of the game.

But Northwestern State fought back steadily. By the end of the third quarter, they had narrowed the gap to just one point, 43-42. That's when Southland Player of the Year Vernell Atamah (No. 32 shown above) stepped up big time.

The senior guard dominated the fourth quarter, scoring 14 of her 19 points. She hit key shots, including four three-pointers, and went 7-of-10 from the field. Her hot streak helped the Demons outscore the Lions 27-13 in the final period to seal the victory.

Teammates chipped in too. Nya Valentine added 17 points and four assists. Carla Celaya grabbed a double-double with seven points and 13 rebounds. Off the bench, Cimiya Rideaux surprised everyone. She averages less than one point per game but scored 10 points in just nine minutes, making four of seven shots.

The Demons ruled the rebounds, 53-26, and scored 36 points in the paint. For the Lions, Tiani Ellison led with 15 points, Ahmya Boyce had 13, and Nina Horvath added 12.

This win advances Northwestern State to the quarterfinal where they will face No. 4 UTRGV Vaqueros on Tuesday at 11 a.m. CDT.

Nicholls Colonels downs Northwestern State to advance in Southland Conference tournament

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (March 8, 202) Nicholls Colonels used a strong defensive effort to defeat the Northwestern State Demons 61–47 on Sunday night in the opening round of the Southland Conference Men's Basketball Tournament at Townsley Law Arena.

The win was powered by one of Nicholls’ best defensive performances of the season. The Colonels held Northwestern State to just 28.6 percent shooting from the field and kept the Demons under 25 points in both halves. The 47 points allowed marked the fewest points Nicholls has given up in a game this season.

With the victory, Nicholls improved to 14–18 on the year and moved on to face the UTRGV Vaqueros men's basketball in the tournament quarterfinals.

Offensively, the Colonels had several players step up. Sincere Malone led the team with 14 points and added three steals. Jalik Dunkley (No. 22, shown above) scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Jalin Rice finished with 12 points on an efficient 5-of-8 shooting performance. Jaylen Searles added nine points, and Grant Sanders contributed seven rebounds and four assists.

The game started slowly for both teams. Nicholls struggled to find its rhythm early and shot just 35.7 percent in the first half. Despite the slow start, the Colonels held a narrow 25–24 lead at halftime. Rice scored on a layup with 16 seconds left in the half to give Nicholls the one-point edge heading into the break.

Nicholls controlled the second half from the start. The Colonels held the lead throughout the period but finally pulled away midway through the half. Leading 40–34, Searles and Christian Winborne scored back-to-back baskets in the paint to extend the lead.

Moments later, Malone came up with a steal and raced down the court for a fast-break layup. He then knocked down a three-pointer to push the lead into double digits. Sanders later found Rice for a basket and a free throw, giving Nicholls a comfortable 51–35 advantage.

The Colonels kept the lead in double figures during the final eight minutes to secure the victory. Nicholls also completed a season sweep over Northwestern State with the win.

For the Demons, Izzy Miles led the team with 14 points, while Landyn Jumawan added 12 points. Despite those efforts, Northwestern State could not overcome the strong defense from Nicholls.

HCU ends Southland Conference tournament play with loss to New Orleans

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (March 8, 2026) The season came to an end for the Houston Christian University Huskies on Sunday night after a 73–60 loss to the New Orleans Privateers in the first round of the Southland Conference Men's Basketball Tournament. The game was played at Townsley Law Arena on the campus of McNeese State University.

HCU stayed close early and trailed by just one point at halftime, 34–33. However, a strong second-half run by New Orleans helped the Privateers pull away and end the Huskies’ season.

New Orleans jumped out to a quick 6–2 lead early in the game, but Houston Christian responded with a strong run. A jumper by Trent Johnson and back-to-back three-pointers from D'Aundre Samuels (No. 5, shown above) helped the Huskies take an 18–14 lead midway through the first half.

The teams traded baskets through the rest of the half. Samuels continued his hot shooting and knocked down his third three-pointer late in the period. Houston Christian stayed within striking distance, and a short jumper by Kylin Green just before halftime cut the deficit to 34–33 at the break.

Houston Christian briefly took the lead early in the second half after a basket by Ryan Bartley. But New Orleans quickly answered with a big scoring run. The Privateers used a 12–0 stretch over three minutes to build a 46–35 lead. That run gave New Orleans control of the game.

The Huskies tried to fight back in the second half. A three-pointer by Samuels and a basket inside from Demarco Bethea  helped trim the lead, but the Privateers kept their advantage in double digits for most of the final period.

Houston Christian made one last push late in the game. A layup by Bethea and a three-pointer by Johnson cut the deficit to 10 points with less than two minutes to play. However, that was as close as the Huskies would get.

Houston Christian shot 50 percent in the first half but cooled off in the second. The Huskies finished the game shooting 40 percent overall, while New Orleans shot 46 percent. The Privateers also controlled the boards, holding a 43–27 rebounding advantage and winning second-chance points 11–0.

Samuels led the Huskies with 20 points while hitting four three-pointers. Green added 13 points and four assists, and Bethea finished with 11 points. Bartley chipped in nine points, four rebounds, and three assists.

New Orleans was led by Jakevion Buckley and Coleton Benson, who each scored 14 points. MJ Thomas recorded a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

The loss ended the Huskies’ season with a 12–20 record in their second year under head coach Craig Doty. Meanwhile, New Orleans improved to 15–17 and advanced to the tournament quarterfinals.

Houston Dash sign Cate Hardin for 2026 Season

Photo courtesy of Houston Dynamo FC 

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 5, 2026)  The Houston Dash announced the signing of defender Cate Hardin (shown left) for the 2026 season, adding a young defender who impressed the club during preseason.

Hardin joined Houston earlier this year as a non-roster invitee after finishing her college career at the University of Georgia. She traveled with the team to California for the Coachella Valley Invitational and earned a spot on the club’s preseason roster on January 26. The 22-year-old will wear No. 18 for the Dash this season.

Hardin finished her senior season in 2025 as one of Georgia’s most important players. She started all 21 matches and led all Bulldogs field players with 1,723 minutes on the field. Her strong season earned her Second Team All-SEC honors in the Southeastern Conference.

Even as a defender, Hardin helped the Bulldogs in attack. She led the team with four assists and finished third on the team with 31 shots and nine shots on goal. She also scored a game-winning goal on the road against Texas A&M Aggies women's soccer.

During her four years at Georgia, Hardin appeared in 81 matches and made 70 starts. She played more than 5,900 minutes and helped lead a defense that recorded 17 shutouts. The Bulldogs also ranked among the conference leaders in several defensive stats during her time with the team.

Hardin also stood out in the classroom. She earned Academic All-District honors twice and was a three-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll.

Now, Hardin will look to bring her strong defense, leadership, and work ethic to Houston as she begins her professional career with the Dash.

Houston Dynamo FC fall to LAFC 2-0 in heartbreaking loss

Dynamo MF Ondrej Lingr (9) and LAFC MF Mark Delgad0 (9) battle for the ball.
Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved 

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 28, 2026)  The Houston Dynamo FC fell by the score of 2-0 to Los Angeles FC on Saturday night at Shell Energy Stadium. Houston ended the match with just nine players after two red cards changed the game.

Defender and captain Antônio Carlos was sent off in first-half stoppage time. He was ruled to have fouled Son Heung-Min just outside the box. Down a man, Houston tried to hold off LAFC’s attack. In the 76th minute, midfielder Agustín Bouzat was also shown a red card after another foul on Son during a breakaway. That left the Dynamo with nine players for the final stretch.

LAFC broke through in the 56th minute. Marco Delgado scored with a strong shot from outside the box to make it 1-0. Stephen Eustaquio added a second goal in the 82nd minute, placing his shot into the bottom left corner.

Despite the loss, Houston had some bright moments. Goalkeeper Jonathan Bond made four saves, including two big stops in the 37th minute. He first denied Denis Bouanga and then quickly blocked a shot from Son. Bond also made a brave save early in the second half to keep the score close.

The Dynamo goalkeeper stated after the match:

We are disappointed with the result. It is always difficult when you go down to 10 players and even more difficult when you go down to nine. It is always disappointing to lose at home, but in these circumstances, I believe we put in a good effort to stay in the match and there were some plays we can be proud of.

Houston nearly scored in the 47th minute when Bouzat fired a shot from near midfield that hit the crossbar. Later, Lawrence Ennali forced a diving save from Hugo Lloris in the 86th minute.

The night also featured key debuts. Fifteen-year-old Matthew Arana became the youngest player in club history to appear in a match. Rookie defender Agustin Resch made his first-team debut as well. Club legend Héctor Herrera returned to action for the first time since 2024, drawing loud cheers from the home crowd.

Houston Dash Play to 1-1 Draw with Portland Thorns FC in CVI Finale

Photo courtesy of Houston Dash/Houston Dynamo FC 

By Chris Price
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

INDIO, CALIFORINA  (February 21, 2026) The Houston Dash closed out the Coachella Valley Invitational on Saturday with a 1-1 draw against Portland Thorns FC. Houston showed strong effort on both ends of the field in its final preseason match of the tournament.

The Dash broke through early in the second half. In the 65th minute, defender Leah Klenke sent a cross into the box. Midfielder Linda Ullmark met the ball with a header. The ball deflected off a Portland defender and into the net for an own goal, giving Houston a 1-0 lead.

Portland answered quickly. Just one minute later, forward Deyna Castellanos scored from near midfield to tie the match at 1-1.

Houston had several chances before and after the goals. In the 37th minute, forward Makenzy Robbe fired a shot toward the middle of the net, but the goalkeeper made the save. Moments later, Klenke delivered a long pass to forward Yazmeen Ryan, whose shot sailed just over the crossbar.

The Dash continued to push in the second half. In the 55th minute, Kate Faasse connected with Robbe inside the box, but her shot was stopped at the near post. Houston nearly grabbed the lead late in the 80th minute when Allysha Chapman crossed the ball to Kat Rader, but Rader’s header went just wide.

Goalkeeper Caroline DeLisle made a key save in the 85th minute to keep the match level.

Dash head coach Fabrice Gautrat  was quoted after the match:

 "Overall, a really good performance, players ramping up their minutes. There were some good performances from our young and veteran players. We're still working out some kinks, but overall, really pleased." 

 

Houston will next travel to face Dallas Trinity FC at Cotton Bowl Stadium on Feb. 28. The Dash open the regular season on March 14 against San Diego Wave FC before hosting Boston Legacy FC on March 21 at Shell Energy Stadium.

Ben Olsen: Houston Dynamo FC vs. Chicago Fire FC Post match press conference. February 21, 2026

Video by Robert H Kelly. TexSport Publications

Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

 

Houston Dynamo FC opens season with 2-1 win over Chicago Fire FC

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 21, 2026) Houston Dynamo FC kicked off the 2026 MLS season in style on Saturday night, earning a 2-1 victory over Chicago Fire FC at Shell Energy Stadium. Brazilian attacker Guilherme Santos stole the show with two second-half goals in his club debut.

The win improved Houston’s all-time MLS home opener record to 11-2-8.

Chicago struck first in the 31st minute when forward Hugo Cuypers scored from close range to give the Fire a 1-0 lead. Houston had chances before halftime but could not find the equalizer.

The Dynamo broke through in the 67th minute. Midfielder Jack McGlynn delivered a perfect pass into space for Guilherme, who dribbled into the box and calmly placed the ball into the bottom left corner to tie the match.

Guilherme was not done. In the 78th minute, a rebound from forward Ezequiel Ponce fell kindly in front of goal. Guilherme reacted quickly and slid a left-footed shot between the goalkeeper’s legs for the game-winner.

With his two goals, Guilherme became just the third player in club history to score multiple goals in his Dynamo debut and the first since 2020.

Houston’s new-look roster was on full display. Midfielder Mateusz Bogusz, midfielder Agustín Bouzat, defender Lucas Halter and fullback Franco Negri all made their club debuts. Defender Antônio Carlos wore the captain’s armband in place of injured Artur.

Goalkeeper Jonathan Bond made two key saves to keep the Fire from extending their lead, including a strong stop in the first half.

The Dynamo will continue their season-opening homestand next Sunday against Los Angeles FC, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. CT at Shell Energy Stadium.

Breezy Johnson wins Olympic Gold after long road back

Photo courtesy of US Ski and Snowboarding 

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, ITALY (February 8, 2026)  Breezy Johnson’s journey came full circle on one of skiing’s most famous slopes. Four years after a painful crash at Cortina ended her Olympic dreams, the American skier returned and won gold in the women’s downhill at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Johnson finished the race in 1:36.10, earning the first gold medal of her career and the first medal for Team USA at these Games. The 30-year-old skier showed fearlessness from start to finish, attacking the course with speed and confidence. At times, snow sprayed from her skis as she pushed the limits of control. She reached a top speed of 80 miles per hour.

Downhill skiing is known as one of the most dangerous events in the Olympics, and Johnson’s run showed why. She took bold risks, sometimes drifting outside the blue lines that mark the course. Those chances paid off. She gained time at nearly every checkpoint and crossed the finish line in first place.

Germany’s Emma Aicher came close, winning silver with a time of 1:36.14, just four-hundredths of a second behind Johnson. Italy’s Sofia Goggia took bronze in 1:36.69, earning a medal on her home slope.

This was Johnson’s third time qualifying for the Olympics, but only her second time competing. In 2022, she tore her ACL just weeks before the Games. She tried to return, but another crash in Cortina caused more injury and ended her season.

HCU Huskies falls at home to UTRGV 65-53

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 24, 2026) The HCU Huskies women’s basketball team fought hard but dropped a 65–53 decision to the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros on Saturday at Sharp Gym in Houston. The Huskies stayed close early, but UTRGV pulled away in the second half to secure the win.

HCU started the game with energy. Early in the first quarter, Madison Hurta and Grace Booth both hit three-pointers that helped the Huskies keep the score tight. HCU led at times and stayed close through the first quarter, ending it 13–12.

In the second quarter, HCU continued to score with baskets from Dasia Hyams and Kamryn McLaurin. But the Vaqueros answered with strong shooting from the outside and second-chance points. A big 11–2 run by UTRGV gave them a 32–27 lead at halftime.

UTRGV took control in the third quarter behind strong plays inside the paint. HCU tried to stay close, with Booth and Hurta scoring, but the Vaqueros kept their lead, going into the fourth quarter up 50–42.

In the final quarter, UTRGV hit back-to-back three-pointers that stretched the lead to double digits. Hurta and Jordan Jackson hit shots for HCU, but the Huskies could not cut the gap enough to win.

Booth and Hurta finished as HCU’s top scorers with 11 points each. Tove Caesar added eight and McLaurin scored seven off the bench. Hyams had six points and four rebounds.

HCU will travel to Edinburg to face the Vaqueros again on Thursday, January 29 at 6:30 p.m. in a key Southland Conference rematch.

TAAF Winter Games of Texas kick off January 17 in Victoria

By Chris Price
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

VICTORIA, TEXAS (January 3, 2025) Two weeks from today, Victoria will once again take center stage for amateur sports when it hosts the opening weekend of the 2026 Texas Amateur Athletic Federation (TAAF) Winter Games of Texas on January 17-18. The event gives local residents and visitors the opportunity to watch some of the state’s top amateur athletes.

Competitions during the first weekend include disc golf at Riverside Park, cornhole at Texas A&M University-Victoria’s Galvan Community Hall, golf at Riverside Golf Course, and swimming at the Victoria ISD Aquatics Center. Events will begin throughout the day, with start times varying by sport. 

Hosted in Victoria since 2022, the TAAF Winter Games are expected to attract between 1,500 and 2,000 visitors over two weekends. 

Texas State dominate Rice Owls in Armed Forces Bowl

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

FORT WORTH, TEXAS (January 3, 2026) On Friday, January 2, 2026, the Texas State Bobcats overwhelmed the Rice Owls in the 23rd annual Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl at Amon G. Carter Stadium. The Bobcats, representing the Sun Belt Conference, secured a convincing 41-10 victory over their in-state rivals from Conference USA.

The Armed Forces Bowl, one of the marquee postseason games concluding the 2025 FBS season, blends college football with patriotic celebrations honoring U.S. military service members. Sponsored by aerospace and defense giant Lockheed Martin, the bowl showcases not only athletic competition but also flyovers, parachute demonstrations and tributes to all six branches of the armed forces.

Texas State entered the game with a 6-6 record after closing the regular season with a three-game winning streak. Under head coach G.J. Kinne, the Bobcats’ balanced offense and opportunistic defense set the tone early, building a lead that Rice could not recover from. Rice, which finished the year 5-7 and only received a bowl invitation after other eligible teams declined, struggled to find offensive traction against a disciplined Bobcats unit.

Despite the lopsided score, the event had its share of dramatic moments off the field. One of the pregame parachutists became briefly entangled in equipment above the end zone before descending safely to the ground, an alarming sight that fortunately resulted in no reported injuries.

Parachute accident at Armed Forces Bowl

Video courtesy of New York Post Sports via YouTube.com.

By Chris Price
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

FORT WORTH, TEXAS (January 2. 2026) It has been reported by various media outlets, including the Houston Chronicle and USA Today, that one of the parachutists that was to land on the infield at Fort Worth’s Amon G. Carter Stadium accidentally got caught in a cable supporting the field-goal netting and remained suspended in mid-air for a second, before a fall of several yards.

The incident occurred during the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl, leaving fans stunned. It was also reported that the parachutist appeared to have avoided serious injury.

Texan Amber Glenn: A rising star in U.S. Figure Skating

Photo credit: U.S. Figure Skating Used with permission.

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

PASADENA, TEXAS (January 2, 2026) Amber Glenn has become one of the most exciting U.S. figure skaters today. Born on October 28, 1999, in Plano, Texas and training with the Dallas Figure Skating Club, she started skating when she was just five years old. Now 26, she has worked hard for years and is finally getting huge wins on the ice.

Glenn is a two-time U.S. national champion, winning in 2024 and 2025. She also made history by winning the 2024-25 Grand Prix Final, the first American woman to win it in nearly 15 years,

One reason fans love Amber is that she can land very hard jumps. She is one of the few women in the world to land a clean Triple Axel in big competition.

At the 2025 World Championships, Glenn skated strong and finished fifth overall; her best result at that event. Her performances helped the U.S. earn three spots for women at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

She, along with other skaters will compete in the 2026 Prevagen U.S. Figure skating  Championships on January 4-11, 2026 in St. Louis, Missouri.  The U.S. Championships also will serve as the final qualifying event prior to the selection of the U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Team that will represent Team USA at the Olympic Winter Games Milano-Cortina. 

Miami shocks Ohio State 24-14 in Cotton Bowl Playoff Game

By Chris Price
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

ARLINGTON, TEXAS (January 1, 2026) The No. 10 Miami Hurricanes pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the college football season on Wednesday (December 31) night. Miami beat the defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes 24-14 in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.

Miami didn’t let Ohio State score in the first half and built a 14-0 lead by halftime. The Hurricanes scored on a short touchdown pass and then made a huge play when Keionte Scott returned an interception 72 yards for a touchdown. That big play helped Miami take control early.

Ohio State tried to come back in the second half. The Buckeyes scored a touchdown early in the third quarter and then got past Miami’s defense again in the fourth, making it 17-14. But Miami answered right away with a long touchdown drive that gave them a 10-point lead.

The Hurricanes’ defense played very well all night. They pressured Ohio State’s quarterback, Julian Sayin, and forced him into mistakes. Sayin threw two interceptions, including the one that Scott took back for a score. Miami also forced another interception late to seal the win.

Miami’s quarterback Carson Beck did a good job leading his team. He completed most of his passes and threw for one touchdown. Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. also had a strong game, rushing for good yardage and catching a key pass for six points.

For Ohio State, the loss was a hard end to the season. The Buckeyes came in as a top-ranked team and were favorites to win, but Miami’s defense and big plays kept Ohio State from taking charge. Even though the Buckeyes had more total yards, Miami’s plays when it counted were the difference.

Now they will move on to the CFP semifinal game at the Fiesta Bowl on January 8 against either Georgia or Ole Miss.

Penn State powers past Texas in 1972 Cotton Bowl Classic

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

DALLAS, TEXAS (January 1. 2026) On January 1, 1972, college football fans watched a big game in Dallas, Texas; the 36th Cotton Bowl Classic at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas. The matchup was between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Texas Longhorns.

Both teams came into the game with strong seasons. Penn State had a record of 10–1 and was ranked No. 10 in the country. Texas was 8–2 and ranked No. 12. Texas also was the Southwest Conference champion. Penn State was an independent team with no conference.

The first half was a tight battle. Each team scored two field goals, and at halftime Texas led 6–3. But the second half was very different. Penn State scored 27 unanswered points.

Penn State’s offense came alive. Running back Lydell Mitchell had a big game and scored a touchdown. Quarterback John Hufnagel ran for a touchdown and also threw a touchdown pass to Scott Skarzynski. Kicker Alberto Vitiello added three field goals for Penn State. Texas only had the two field goals they scored in the first half.

The final score was Penn State 30, Texas 6. This big win helped Penn State move up in the final rankings, while Texas dropped lower in the polls.

Two Penn State players were named the Most Valuable Players of the game. Those honors went to linebacker Bruce Bannon, a defensive end and running back Lydell Mitchell.

On a side note, the writer of this article (Robert H Kelly) was in attendance at the game. At the time, he was a senior at Killeen High School and a member of the Kangaroo Marching Band, who preformed during the pregame activities.

Louisiana Tech wins big in Independence Bowl comeback; downs Coastal Carolina 23-14

Photo credit: Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA (December 30, 2025)  The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs pulled off an amazing comeback to beat the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 23–14 in the 2025 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Bulldogs trailed by 11 points at halftime, but they shut out the Chanticleers in the second half to win the game.

Coastal Carolina looked strong early. Their quarterback threw two touchdown passes in the first half, and Coastal led 14–3 at the break. Louisiana Tech only managed one field goal before halftime.lldogs came out ready in the second half. Their defense stopped Coastal Carolina again and again. A long punt return gave Tech good field position, and they kicked another field goal to make the score 14–6.

Late in the fourth quarter, Louisiana Tech really took control. Quarterback Trey Kukuk (shown above), who was selected at the game's offensive MVP, hit Marlion Jackson with a 52-yard touchdown pass, making the score 14–12. The two-point try didn’t work, but the momentum had changed.

After another defensive stop, Tech drove the ball again. Kukuk ran for a long gain, and Andrew Burnette scored a short touchdown to give the Bulldogs the lead 20–14. Then, kicker Kaegan Kent hit a 35-yard field goal late to make it 23–14.

Louisiana Tech’s defense helped seal the win by stopping Coastal Carolina on their last chances. The Bulldogs also got an interception late in the game to end the final threat.

With the win, the Bulldogs finish 8–5 on the season and earn a bowl championship. It was their ninth bowl victory ever and their biggest comeback in a bowl game. The victory also gave Louisiana Tech its first winning season since 2019. 

Houston Cougars win Texas Bowl thriller, down LSU 38-35

Houston quarterback Conner Weigman hands off the ball to
running back to DJ Butler in the Cougars win over LSU.
Photo by Darla S Tamulitism La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (December 27, 2025) The Houston Cougars capped off a big season with a 38-35 win over the LSU Tigers in the Kinder’s Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on Saturday night. It was a close and exciting game that fans will remember for a long time.

The Tigers jumped out to an early lead and looked strong at first. On the very first play of the game, Barion Brown returned the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown to put the Tigers up 7-0. LSU then added another score to make it 14-0 in the first quarter.

However, the Cougars did not give up. Quarterback Conner Weigman, who was selected the game's MVP, as voted by the media, led a big comeback for the Cougars. He was sharp all night, throwing four touchdown passes and finishing with 236 passing yards. Weigman connected with key receivers like Amare Thomas and Tanner Koziol to help Houston erase the early deficit.

In the post game press conference, the UH quarterback was asked about his favorite moment on the field, from the celebration or in the locker room; something that he thought was goin to stick with him.

Yeah, just some of the seniors; Tanner (Kozios), Dean (Conners), Matt (Wykoff), all those guys; that was the last time I'm going to be able to play football with those guys. It meant a lot to me. Those are my brothers.

Houston took the lead and did not look back. Ethan Sanchez hit a 25-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter to push the Cougars ahead 31-28. Then Dean Connors scored a 20-yard rushing touchdown with just over two minutes left, making it 38-28 and giving Houston a big boost.

LSU tried to rally late, and Zavion Thomas scored a rushing touchdown with about a minute to play, cutting the deficit to 38-35. But Houston recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock to seal the victory.

The win gave Houston a 10-3 final season record with the Tigers finish 7-6,