LSU collapses late as Texas wins at Tiger Stadium
The Tigers led 21-10 in the third quarter before punting on their final four possessions and allowing the winning touchdown with six seconds left.
| Kickoff | 7:30 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Venue | Tiger Stadium (LA) |
| Spread | LSU -4.5 |
| Total | 46.5 |
| TV | ERADM, ABC |
|---|---|
| Streaming | the ESPN app |
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Follow the full play-by-play and box score →LSU surrendered an 11-point second-half lead Saturday as Texas escaped Tiger Stadium with a 22-21 comeback victory. The loss dropped the Tigers to 6-4, leaving them all but certain to miss the College Football Playoff.
With Texas down five points and six seconds remaining, quarterback Arch Manning motioned running back Raleek Brown outside. LSU linebacker Davhon Keys reacted late, allowing Manning to find Brown for an untouched 4-yard touchdown that kept the Longhorns' playoff hopes alive.
LSU led 21-10 with 5:52 remaining in the third quarter before punting on its final four possessions, its longest such streak of the season. Three of those drives ended in three-and-outs, while Texas answered with two field goals and the winning touchdown.
The Tigers also missed their only field goal attempt, and quarterback Sam Leavitt threw three interceptions, including two in the red zone. Coach Lane Kiffin described the interceptions as “poor decisions” and attributed the uncovered winning score to “just really poor execution,” rather than a psychological problem.
The loss followed another squandered lead against Alabama. According to ESPN Research, LSU had won 111 consecutive home games when leading by double digits in the second half, with its previous loss in that situation coming against Tennessee in 2005.
Kiffin acknowledged the frustration surrounding a season that began with major spending. LSU fired Brian Kelly and took on a $54 million buyout. After hiring Kiffin away from Ole Miss on a seven-year, $91 million contract, LSU added a transfer class featuring Leavitt, left tackle Jordan Seaton and edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen.
“We were brought here to win, and we need to win more than that,” Kiffin said. He argued that building roster depth takes time. Pointing specifically to LSU's special-teams depth, he said the shortage contributed to poor field position and the missed field goal.
Kiffin said he would not overreact to a game decided on its final play, but he did not dismiss fan anger. He remained confident in LSU's foundation while saying future rosters would have greater depth.
Why it matters
LSU fell to 6-4, leaving its playoff hopes all but finished after another late-game collapse. The loss also raised scrutiny of the Tigers' execution and roster depth during Kiffin's first season.
What to watch next
LSU visits No. 8 Tennessee next Saturday before closing the regular season at Arkansas on Nov. 28.
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