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,

LSU downs Baylor in Kinder's Texas Bowl

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 1, 2025, All Rights Reserved) The LSU Tigers wrapped up their season in style, defeating the Baylor Bears 44-31 on Tuesday afternoon (December 31, 2024) to win the Kinder’s Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier led the charge, throwing for 313 yards and three touchdowns as LSU ended their year with a strong 9-4 record.

The Tigers wasted no time making their presence felt. On their first drive, Nussmeier connected with freshman tight end Trey’Dez Green for a crucial 5-yard first down on 4th-and-5. A few plays later, Nussmeier found Green again for a 10-yard touchdown, giving LSU a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter.

Baylor tried to respond, but LSU’s defense stepped up. Freshman linebacker Davhon Keys intercepted Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown. That play made Keys just the third LSU player ever to score a pick-six in a bowl game. LSU’s lead quickly grew to 14-0.

The Bears fought back with a 21-yard touchdown pass from Robertson to Josh Cameron, cutting the lead to 14-7. But LSU’s offense wasn’t done. Nussmeier delivered a 40-yard touchdown pass to Chris Hilton Jr., and the Tigers were back in control at 21-7.

Hilton continued to shine, hauling in a 43-yard catch that set up another touchdown. Nussmeier found Green for his second touchdown catch of the game, extending the Tigers’ lead to 28-7. The LSU defense held strong, forcing a turnover on downs when Robertson was sacked by Whit Weeks and Sai’vion Jones.

Baylor showed some life before halftime. They blocked a 36-yard field goal attempt and scored on a Dawson Pendergrass touchdown run, trimming LSU’s lead to 28-14. But LSU answered right back. Zavion Thomas returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, pushing the lead to 34-14. It was LSU’s second kickoff return touchdown of the season, marking a first in the SEC era.

In the second half, Baylor tried to rally. They scored on a 4-yard pass from Robertson to Ashtyn Hawkins, narrowing the score to 34-24. LSU turned the ball over on back-to-back possessions, but Baylor couldn’t capitalize. A bad snap on 4th-and-1 gave the Tigers the ball back.

LSU’s offense found its rhythm again in the fourth quarter. Running back Josh Williams powered in a 4-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 41-24. Kicker Damian Ramos added a 43-yard field goal, making it 44-24.

Baylor scored one last time with a 3-yard rush from Pendergrass, but it wasn’t enough. The Tigers’ defense stood firm, and LSU secured the win.

This victory capped off an exciting season for LSU, who now looks ahead to their 2025 opener against Clemson on August 30. 

Baylor and LSU set for showdown in Texas Bowl

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (December 30, 2024) The Baylor Bears and LSU Tigers are gearing up for an exciting clash at NRG Stadium in the Kinder's Texas Bowl on Tuesday, bringing together two teams with plenty of history, talent, and momentum. Both schools are familiar with the Texas Bowl, with Baylor making its third appearance and LSU also visiting for the third time. The Bears defeated Vanderbilt 45-38 in 2018 but lost to Illinois in 2010. LSU's last trip to the Texas Bowl in 2022 ended in a 42-20 loss to Kansas State.

Baylor comes into the game riding a six-game winning streak. After starting the season 2-4, the Bears turned things around with victories over Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, TCU, West Virginia, Houston, and Kansas. Quarterback Sawyer Robertson has been key during this stretch, throwing seven of his 26 touchdown passes. Robertson has 2,626 passing yards this season, completing 199 of 317 passes with just seven interceptions.

The Bears also boast standout players on both sides of the ball. Inside linebackers Matt Jones and Keaton Thomas earned First-Team All-Big 12 honors. Thomas leads the team with 107 tackles, while Jones has 103. Wide receiver Josh Cameron has been a dual threat with 643 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. Cameron’s average of 20.7 yards per punt return is the best in the nation for players with at least 14 returns.

Freshman running back Bryson Washington has been another bright spot for Baylor. He rushed for 1,004 yards this season, setting a school record for a freshman, and scored 12 touchdowns.

LSU’s offense will be led by quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who is having a stellar season. Nussmeier has thrown for 3,739 yards with 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He needs 261 passing yards to become only the second quarterback in LSU history to hit the 4,000-yard mark in a season. Nussmeier has shined against non-conference opponents, throwing for 1,766 yards and 16 touchdowns in five such games since last year.

Freshman running back Caden Durham has contributed 693 rushing yards and six touchdowns, while LSU’s offensive line has been anchored by standout left tackle Will Campbell, a Consensus All-American. However, Campbell and right tackle Emery Jones will both miss the game after opting out.

On defense, LSU has a rich history of success under head coach Brian Kelly and will look to improve their 6-8 record in bowl games against Big 12 opponents.

This will be the first meeting between Baylor and LSU in 39 years. Baylor holds a 2-1 edge in bowl matchups, including a 21-7 victory in the Liberty Bowl in 1985. The game is also part of the Texas Bowl’s tradition of matching SEC and Big 12 teams, a streak that has continued for the past decade.

A win would be historic for Baylor, as the Bears have never ended a season with seven consecutive victories. For LSU, it’s a chance to secure their 31st bowl win and build momentum heading into next season.

Houston Dash sign Lindsi Jennings

Photo courtesy of LSU Athletics Communication Department

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 7, 2023) The Houston Dash have added defender Lindsi Jennings (shown above) to the roster as an Injury Replacement Player, the team announced today. Jennings, the 36^th overall pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft and third for the Dash, has trained with the Club through preseason and the CBA-mandated signing window prior to her singing.

Jennings joins the Dash after finishing her collegiate career at Louisiana State University as the third player to be drafted in program history. As a fifth-year senior, the former Tigers co-captain played and started in all 20 matches and recorded a career high two goals of the year. The Conroe, Texas native earned All-SEC First Team honors during the 2022 season and was a key component of the backline that helped the Tigers reach the second round of the NCAA tournament. Jennings capped her career at LSU with 40 appearances, 32 starts, three goals, two assists, six shots on goal in 2,696 minutes of play.

Prior to transferring to LSU, the defender played three seasons at Northern Colorado where she played in 51 games, tallied one goal and two assists to go along with nine clean sheets for the Bears. Jennings was named Second Team All-Big Sky all three years and was named 2018 Big Sky Newcomer of the Year.

Jennings joins former LSU alum and current Canadian Women’s National Team and Dash defender Allysha Chapman.

The Houston Dash will be back in action on Tuesday, April 11 at 7:00pm CT when the team takes on the Mexican Women’s National Team in an international friendly at Shell Energy Stadium. Tickets for the match can be purchased here.

Houston returns to league play on Friday, April 14 at 9:30pm CT as they travel to the Pacific Northwest to take on the reigning 2022 NWSL Champion Portland Thorns.

Crosby HS WR Mannie Netherly commits to play college football for LSU

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2016, All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2016 TexSport Publications

CROSBY, TEXAS (June 25, 2016) Heading into his final year of high school football, one Houston area player knows what colors he will be wearing when he takes the field in the fall of 2017. Crosby High School senior Emmanuel (Mannie) Netherly announced on Friday evening, June 24, 2016, via his Twitter account, that he will attend Louisiana State University and will play for the Tigers beginning in 2017. The 6-2, 183-pound quarterback and wide receiver had offers from over 20 other schools, including Texas A&M, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, and Texas.

Netherly led Crosby High School to a 11-1 record in 2015, with a 10-0 regular season record while posting an 8-0 record in route to the district championship. In the playoffs, Crosby defeated Lumberton by the score of 42-13 in the first round of the Class 5A Division II before falling to Fort Bend Ridge Point 42-14 at NRG Stadium in the second round.

The future LSU Tiger will bring impressive stats to Baton Rouge. He posted a 4.48-second 50-yard dash, along with a 4.32-second shuttle run and a 36.9-inch vertical jump. In his junior year at Crosby, as a wide receiver, he caught 60 passes for 1,002 yards and 18 touchdowns. In addition, he carried the ball 22 times for 230 yards and four touchdowns. When playing quarterback, he completed 13 of 23 passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns. He was a first team all-district selection at wide receiver and was named to the Texas Sports Writers Association's all-state second team. Netherly and the Crosby Cougars will kick off the 2016 season on Friday, September 2, 2016 against Manvel High School.

LSU downs Wisconsin, 28-24 in Advocare Texas Kickoff

La'El Collins (70) raised the trophy after LSU
wins the Advocare Texas Kickoff.
Photo by Darla S Tamulitis-La Vida Loca Photography
Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved.

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2014 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (August 30, 2014) Beginning the second half of the game trailing by the score of 24-7, the No. 13 LSU Tigers mounted a second half comeback that will send a message to many of the other SEC teams by scoring 21 unanswered points to down the No. 14 Wisconsin Badgers by the score of 28-24 in the Advocare Texas Kickoff at Houston's NRG Stadium on Saturday, August 30, 2014.

The first half however belonged to Wisconsin, and the Badgers wasted no time getting on the scoreboard to start the game.

In their first possession of the game, after an LSU punt, the Badgers drove 76 yards in six plays, capped by a 45 yard run by Reggie Love to make the score 7-0 at the 9:05 mark in the first quarter.
Four minutes later, Wisconsin added a 51-yard field goal by Rafael Gaglianone.

After a three and out by the Badgers, LSU quarterback Anthony Jennings unleashed a 80-yard pass to Travin Dural on the first play from scrimmage for the Tigers first touchdown of the season.

Running back Melvin Gordon got into the scoring mode in the second quarter when quarterback Travis McEvoy handed off to the swift-footed native of Kenosha, Wisconsin for a 14 yard run at the 7:36 mark for the Badgers second touchdown of the game.

Gaglianone again split the uprights for the PAT, to take the score to 17-7 at the half.

In the third quarter, running back Corey Clement capped a six play, 75 yard drive that lasted 2:36 with a two-yard run for the Badgers third touchdown of the night.

Gaglianone added the extra point to give Wisconsin a 24-7 lead with 12:24 left in the third quarter.

Later on the in quarter, LSU kicker Colby Delahoussaye connected for two field goals of 30 yards and 47 yards to cut the Wisconsin lead to 24-13.

LSU begin the fourth quarter in the middle of a 59-yard drive which concluded in a 36-yard pass from
Jennings to wide receiver John Diarse for the Tigers' second touchdown of the game.

The Tigers opted to go for the two point conversion; with Jennings connecting with wide receiver Trey Quinn to cut the Badgers' lead to three points, 24-21.

LSU scored again two and a half minutes later on a Kenny Hillard 28-yard run to take the score to 28-24 in favor of the Tigers.

That drive lasted three plays and covered 53 yards in 1:45.

With the win, LSU takes their series with Wisconsin to 3-0, having beat the Badgers on two previous occasions; September 25, 1971 by the score of 38-28 and September 30, 1972 by the score of 27-7.

Offensively for LSU, Jennings completed nine of 21 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns, while Hillard carried the ball 18 times for 110 yards and one touchdown. Sixteen of his carries and 88 of his yards came in the fourth quarter.

For Wisconsin, McEvoy completed 8-of-24 passes for 50 yards and two touchdowns while Gordon carried the ball 16 times for 140 yards and one touchdown.

Wisconsin will next host Western Illinois on September 6, 2014 with an 11 a.m. tart, while LSU hosts Sam Houston State on the same date with a 6 p.m. kickoff.

Houston Swimming and Diving Swept by LSU and Rice on Saturday

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 26, 2008) For the second straight day, University of Houston freshman Courtney Forcucci claimed top honors in a diving event to lead the Cougar Swimming & Diving team during the final day of a tri-meet against No. 24 LSU and Conference USA rival Rice on Friday at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center Natatorium.

Forcucci scored 293.85 points on the 1-meter springboard to finish more than 13 points ahead of her closest competitor. The Fort Mill, S.C., native was the only diver to record at least 293.00 points in both events after winning the 3-meter competition Friday evening.

Teammates Ginni van Katwijk and Lacey Truelove finished third and fourth, respectively, to lead the Cougars.

Junior Andrea Pa’lmai led the Cougar swimmers after winning the 400-yard individual medley during the final individual event of the day. The Budapest, Hungary, native finished more than four seconds ahead of her closest competitor.

The Cougars dropped both meets to their rivals, falling 240-102 to the 24th-ranked Tigers and 225-117 to Rice. LSU swept the two-day meet with a 240-102 win over Rice.
With the losses, the Cougars lost their fourth straight and fell to 8-7 overall in dual meets this season.

The Cougars return to action next weekend with their final two meets of the regular season. UH faces No. 6 Texas A&M at 5 p.m., Friday at the Student Rec Center Natatorium.

From there, the team wraps up the regular season when it plays host to New Orleans at 11:30 a.m., Saturday at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center Natatorium.

Fans should note that Saturday’s starting time was recently changed from earlier published schedules.

Houston Swimming and Diving Swept by LSU and Rice on Saturday

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 26, 2008) For the second straight day, University of Houston freshman Courtney Forcucci claimed top honors in a diving event to lead the Cougar Swimming & Diving team during the final day of a tri-meet against No. 24 LSU and Conference USA rival Rice on Friday at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center Natatorium.

Forcucci scored 293.85 points on the 1-meter springboard to finish more than 13 points ahead of her closest competitor. The Fort Mill, S.C., native was the only diver to record at least 293.00 points in both events after winning the 3-meter competition Friday evening.

Teammates Ginni van Katwijk and Lacey Truelove finished third and fourth, respectively, to lead the Cougars.

Junior Andrea Pa’lmai led the Cougar swimmers after winning the 400-yard individual medley during the final individual event of the day. The Budapest, Hungary, native finished more than four seconds ahead of her closest competitor.

The Cougars dropped both meets to their rivals, falling 240-102 to the 24th-ranked Tigers and 225-117 to Rice. LSU swept the two-day meet with a 240-102 win over Rice.
With the losses, the Cougars lost their fourth straight and fell to 8-7 overall in dual meets this season.

The Cougars return to action next weekend with their final two meets of the regular season. UH faces No. 6 Texas A&M at 5 p.m., Friday at the Student Rec Center Natatorium.

From there, the team wraps up the regular season when it plays host to New Orleans at 11:30 a.m., Saturday at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center Natatorium.

Fans should note that Saturday’s starting time was recently changed from earlier published schedules.

Houston Swimming and Diving Competes on First Day of Tri-Meet

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 25, 2008) University of Houston freshman Courtney Forcucci won the 3-meter diving competition to lead the Cougar Swimming & Diving team during the first day of a tri-meet against LSU and Conference USA rival Rice on Friday at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center Natatorium.

Forcucci posted added 332.03 points in the 3-meter competition to lead the Cougars to a sweep of the Top Two places in that event. She was the only diver to crack 300 points.

LSU held a 143-40 lead over the Cougars, while Rice enjoyed a 121-58 advantage after the first day. LSU also held a 125-54 lead over Rice.

On the swimming side, junior Sasha Schwendenwein finished third in the 200-yard freestyle with a clocking of 1:53.04, while fellow junior Andrea Pa’lmai earned a similar place in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:07.28.

The meet wraps up at 11:30 a.m., Saturday with the 400-yard medley relay, 500-yard freestyle, 200-yard butterfly, 200-yard backstroke, 100-yard breaststroke, 1-meter diving, 100-yard freestyle, 400-yard individual medley and 200-yard freestyle relay.
Fans should note that Saturday’s meet time was recently changed from earlier published schedules.

Houston Swimming and Diving Plays Host to Rice and LSU This Weekend

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 24, 2008) ­The University of Houston swimming and diving team competes in Houston for the first time in three months this weekend when it plays host to LSU and Conference USA rival Rice in a two-day tri-meet at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center Natatorium.

The meet begins at 5 p.m., Friday with the 200-yard medley relay, 1,000-yard freestyle, 100-yard butterfly, 100-yard backstroke, 200-yard breaststroke, 200-yard freestyle, 3-meter diving, 50-yard freestyle, 200-yard individual medley and 400-yard freestyle relay.

The meet wraps up at 11:30 a.m., Saturday with the 400-yard medley relay, 500-yard freestyle, 200-yard butterfly, 200-yard backstroke, 100-yard breaststroke, 1-meter diving, 100-yard freestyle, 400-yard individual medley and 200-yard freestyle relay.

Fans should note that Saturday's starting time recently was changed from earlier published schedules.

All UH swimming and diving meet are free and open to the public, which is invited to attend.

Although the Cougar divers competed at their own Houston Invitational on Nov. 15-17, this will be the first time that the swimmers and divers have performed together since Oct. 26-27 at the Phill Hansel Duals Weekend.

The Cougars (8-5) come into the meet after dropping a pair of dual meets last weekend in north Texas. UH looks to return to its winning ways after falling 133-110 at North Texas and 140-91 at No. 12 SMU.

This season, junior Sasha Schwendenwein has emerged as one of the team's steadiest performers. The Randburg, South Africa, native has posted the Cougars' best times in the 50-, 100-, 200- and 500-yard freestyle events.

Fellow junior Andrea Pa'lmai tops all UH swimmers in the 1,000- and 1,650-yard freestyle events as well as the 200-yard backstroke and the 100-and 200-yard breaststroke events.

Freshman Andrea Kells, competing in her first collegiate season, leads the Cougars in both the 100- and 200-yard butterfly events.

On the diving side, senior captain Ginni van Katwijk had led the Cougars on the 1-meter springboard and platform and comes into this weekend's meet as the defending C-USA Diver of the Week.

The Grootebroek, Netherlands, native won both diving events and helped lead the Cougars to a sweep of the Top Three places at North Texas last weekend

Freshmen Courtney Forcucci and Lacey Truelove also have been consistent performers in all three diving events this season and are scheduled to be in action this weekend.