LSU got off to a strong start in the Kinder Texas Bowl and never looked back.

The Tigers scored 34 first-half points en route to defeating Baylor 44-31 on New Year’s Eve inside NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.

Garrett Nussmeier found six different receivers throughout the game, passing for 304 yards and three touchdowns. Chris Hilton Jr hauled in a game-high 113 receiving yards and a touchdown, while Trey’Dez Green caught two touchdowns. The Tigers also scored off a pick-six and a kickoff return.

A 10-yard touchdown pass and a pick-six put LSU up 14-0 midway through the first quarter. Nussmeier hit Green for a 10-yard score on third down to open the game. On the same drive, Green hauled in a fourth down catch to keep the series alive. In Baylor’s opening drive, Davhon Keys took an interception 41 yards to the house.

Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson completed a 21-yard touchdown pass to open the second, cutting its deficit in half. Two minutes later, Hilton hauled in a 41-yard pass to make the score 21-7. Nussmeier found Green in the end zone for a second time.

Following the Bears’ one-yard touchdown run, Zavion Thomas returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. A field goal to close the quarter for Baylor made the halftime score 34-17 in favor of LSU.

But the script flipped for the Tigers in the third quarter as they were held scoreless. Robertson threw for his second touchdown of the contest with under seven minutes to play in the frame, bringing the Bears within 10.

LSU broke the drought four seconds into the fourth quarter. The Tigers built a 20-point lead thanks to a rushing touchdown from Josh Williams and a 43-yard field goal from Damien Ramos.