LSU vs. Texas Tech: Score and Reaction for 2015 AdvoCare Texas Bowl

No. 20 LSU closed out the regular season by losing three of its final four games, but the Tigers responded with a convincing 56-27 romp of unranked Texas Tech on Tuesday evening in the AdvoCare Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium in Houston. 

With 56 points, LSU set a school record for scoring in a bowl game, according to the program's official Twitter account. 

While LSU's play selection was confounding at times, the Tigers thrived against the Red Raiders' flimsy run defense when they simply handed the ball to Leonard Fournette and let him create between the tackles.

The sophomore ran roughshod over Tech to the tune of 29 carries for 212 yards and four scores while adding another touchdown through the air. According to ESPN Stats & Info, the first of Fournette's two third-quarter touchdown runs moved him into first place on LSU's single-season rushing touchdown list: 

ESPN College Football offered a glimpse at Fournette's record-shattering run: 

It was the fourth 200-yard rushing game of Fournette's season—matching the total posted by Alabama running back and Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry. His five total touchdowns also tied the record for the most from scrimmage in a bowl game in NCAA history, per ESPN Stats & Info. 

Texas Tech boasted impressive playmakers of their own in quarterback Patrick Mahomes and wide receiver Jakeem Grant.

Mahomes went 28-of-56 for 370 yards, four touchdowns and an interception, and his ability to extend plays outside the pocket led to some tremendous downfield throws. Grant was the primary recipient of downfield heaves and quick screens, as he finished with 10 catches for 125 yards and three touchdowns. 

Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman offered his take on the dynamic Tech wide receiver, who swung momentum on several occasions in the first half: 

LSU quarterback Brandon Harris finished 13-of-22 for 254 yards, a touchdown and an interception, and he tacked on a 26-yard rushing score toward the end of the third quarter to put LSU up 22 in what proved to be a game of big plays. 

After LSU opened the scoring behind a two-yard Fournette touchdown run, Texas Tech drove 90 yards in nine plays and punctuated the possession with a 46-yard touchdown toss to Grant. 

However, the Tigers responded with an explosive play of their own when D.J. Chark took an end-around 79 yards to the house on the first play of LSU's ensuing possession, per ESPN College Football on Twitter:

Fournette proceeded to take a screen pass 44 yards and hit paydirt to give LSU a 21-6 lead, but that breathing room quickly evaporated. 

Texas Tech flirted with taking its first lead after cutting the deficit to one just minutes into the third quarter, but as the Advocate's Ross Dellenger explained, momentum quickly shifted in LSU's favor: 

The Red Raiders' second-ranked scoring offense kept things interesting, but five scoreless first-half drives ultimately came back to bite them. While LSU chipped away drive after drive behind Fournette's powerful legs, Texas Tech found itself in 3rd-and-long far too often and squandered chances to strike early. 

The showdown was ultimately a perfect showcase for Fournette—who was snubbed from this year's Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York and faded from the national conversation a bit down the stretch of the regular season.

As a result, the sophomore stud used Tuesday's platform to remind the rest of the nation he'll be in the thick of the discussion throughout his junior season as he seeks to lift LSU to glory. 

Postgame Reaction

LSU's victory wouldn't have been complete without a "Dab" from head coach Les Miles, as Fox 44's Amy Gill noted on Twitter:

The Tigers' official Twitter account passed along pictures of some other postgame scenes: 

247Sports' Shea Dixon snapped a shot of Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury greeting LSU players outside their locker room:  

The Advocate's Marcus Rodrigue relayed several soundbites from Kingsbury's postgame press conference:

"When you start the offseason with victory, you recruit well," Miles added once the on-field celebration was over, per Dellenger.