Houston Cougars earn Texas Bowl bid against LSU

The University of Houston will cap its resurgent 9-3 season with a Texas Bowl matchup against LSU on Dec. 27 at NRG Stadium in Houston. The game marks the No. 21 ranked Cougars’ 31st bowl appearance and their first since joining the Big 12 in 2023.

For head coach Willie Fritz, the game is both a reward and a building block.

“This is always one of your goals, to play in a bowl game,” Fritz said. “We think it’s going to be a great reward for a good season for our guys. We’re excited about playing here in town, playing in NRG, playing against a quality opponent like LSU.”

The matchup also serves as an early preview of a future meeting. Houston and LSU are scheduled to open the 2027 season against each other at NRG Stadium. Their last meeting came in 2000, when LSU won 28-13 in Baton Rouge.

Fritz, who spent eight seasons coaching at Tulane in New Orleans, is familiar with the LSU program from joint camps during his time in Louisiana. Houston defensive coordinator Slade Nagle was also part of LSU’s staff last year.

The Tigers recently hired head coach Lane Kiffin from Ole Miss after firing Brian Kelly on Oct. 26. Interim head coach Frank Wilson will coach the bowl game.

“I know they have a different situation with a new coach coming in, but we know LSU has a great program. They have forever,” Fritz said.

LSU returns to Houston

The bowl will be LSU’s fourth straight and second consecutive appearance in Houston. Last year the Tigers beat Baylor 44-31 in the Texas Bowl. Houston last played in a bowl in the 2022 Independence Bowl, a 23-16 win over Louisiana.

Fritz said he expects strong participation from his team and does not anticipate any opt-outs. Long snapper Jacob Garza, a Second Team All-Big 12 selection, and kicker Ethan Sanchez, an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection, will close their UH careers at the Texas Bowl. Damian Ramos is LSU’s starting kicker.

Fritz says playing a bowl in Houston provides valuable exposure, particularly in recruiting.

“I think it helps us recruiting here in the city because we want to be a high school-latent football program,” Fritz said.

Houston signed 11 players from Houston during the recent early signing period that opened on Wednesday. Fritz also noted the 8:15 p.m. CT primetime slot as another boost. 

“I like the fact we’re going to be the only game on TV when we play on Dec. 27,” he said.

Fritz said continuity has helped the program make a jump in his second season. When he arrived, he met with only 40 to 50 players on a roster of more than 100. This fall, the Cougars were the only FBS team to go 6-0 on the road, the third undefeated road season in school history.

“Things were a lot easier to organize in Year 2 and to know where we were and what we needed positionally,” Fritz said. “We thought this was something we could accomplish in Year 2 without question. There’s still some areas we need to improve on, (like) we need to become a bigger team. That’s an important part of football, especially at the Power Four level.”

With a bowl berth, a strong season and growing local recruiting momentum, Fritz said the Cougars want to take full advantage of the opportunity, which should include a home crowd.

“We have a ton of alums here. It’s a couple days after Christmas and a few days before New Year’s Eve, and I hope we have an outstanding crowd,” Fritz said. “I expect a great crowd at NRG, and we need to get the Coogs out there big time.”