LSU trounced Oklahoma 37-17 in its final game of the regular season to finish 8-4.
The senior night victory was personified by an all-around performance, necessitated by a key injury. Once an ugly sack made quarterback Garrett Nussmeier’s status questionable, several names stepped up to maintain momentum. When he returned a few drives later, Nussmeier only looked better, connecting with Chris Hilton Jr. on two touchdowns that combined for 85 yards.
The Tiger’s opening drive was ended with a missed throw by Nussmeier to Anderson on the outside. Fortunately, the LSU defense forced a three-and-out to get the ball back quickly.
Starting with good field position, Nussmeier captained the offense to a scoring drive. Quick throws produced yards after catch, ending the drive with a wide-open Kyren Lacy jogging into the end zone.
LSU’s seemingly inevitable bad turnover came shortly thereafter. Nussmeier was strip-sacked at the LSU 9-yard line before Oklahoma defensive tackle Mason Thomas returned it for the score.
The following drive featured yet another bad sack, this time injuring Nussmeier in the process. A blindside hit brought the LSU quarterback down hard. He was replaced by AJ Swann for multiple drives before returning.
With the status of their starter questionable, the Tigers needed all roster groups to step up. Then they did.
Running back Caden Durham broke a run for 50 yards to set up a field goal that regained the lead.
The Sooners hit back almost immediately with a 50-yard completion against Major Burns that set up a score to add seven.
Once again, someone had to step up. This time it was receiver Aaron Anderson. From one goal line to the other, his 100-yard kick return was LSU’s first since 2020.
With the Sooners driving before the half, the Tiger defense clamped down on a strong set of downs to hold them to a field goal. This tapped into a new gear, and the Tigers didn’t allow a score the rest of the game.
With two minutes on the clock, Nussmeier stamped his first drive back with a signature back shoulder floater to Hilton. The 40-yard touchdown put LSU up seven before the half.
“That’s an easy tap out for most people,” head coach Brian Kelly said. “That’s the kind of player he is, that’s the kind of competitor he is.”
Despite the injury to his right arm, Nussmeier continued to look much the opposite in the second half. On their first drive out of halftime he uncorked a 45-yard bomb once again to Hilton who went airborne for his second touchdown of the day.
On an especially bizarre sequence, Sooners tight end Bauer Sharp heaved an easy interception to Sage Ryan.
The desperate turnover and a big catch by Mason Taylor set up LSU for a field goal to take the lead by 17.
The game ended 37-17, and LSU notched a much-needed bookend victory to a rocky season.
Hilton finished with two receptions for 85 yards and two touchdowns. His productive output earned him the game ball.
“That’s part of the offense that was missing,” Kelly said. “The vertical stretch is huge for us.”
Nussmeier was 22-of-31 for 277 yards and three touchdowns.
Timely explosives from both Anderson and Durham played crucial roles in the victory but yearlong issues remained.
Without Durham’s 50-yard run, the Tigers averaged 2.8 yards on the ground.
The offensive line only allowed two sacks, but each produced an especially costly result.
Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold started strong on the ground. LSU’s defense made significant improvements in shutting it down as the game progressed. He finished with 66 yards on 13 carries.
“It came down to execution,” linebacker Whit Weeks said. “It wasn’t the scheme or anything, it just came down to us not executing. We were able to execute tonight.”
The defense allowed just 10 points to a team that put up 24 on Alabama a week ago.
Five freshman and two sophomores played on defense against the Sooners. Kelly specifically credits linebacker Davhon Keys and defensive tackle Dominick McKinley for their performance.
Of Oklahoma’s 11 drives, five ended in punts, one on downs, one in a turnover, two from the clock. Three drives resulted in a three-and-out and pressure remained all game. LSU’s defense made things difficult at all levels of the field.
“I’m proud of our football team in the way they responded to adversity,” Kelly said. “The big picture is, I’m excited about our future, regardless of what people seem to think.”
LSU ends the season with a strong 20-point win over Oklahoma to end its season 8-4. The team will play in a bowl game to finish the year.