It was a tale of the good, the bad and the ugly for LSU on Sunday night.

The trajectory of LSU’s season was going to be determined by their game against USC, and right now it’s not off to a good start. The Tigers fell short to the Trojans 27-20 as running back Woody Marks ran into the endzone with eight seconds left.

The Tigers have lost five straight home openers, including three under Brian Kelly. However, unlike last season against Florida State, the game was close and came down to the wire. 

Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, in his second career start, looked good for the majority of the game as he threw for over 300 yards, including two touchdowns, and completed 76% of his passes. 

His top three targets also had a productive night. Kyren Lacy, Mason Taylor and Aaron Anderson combined for 19 receptions, 220 yards and two touchdowns.

The biggest question mark entering this game was going to be how much LSU’s defense improved from last season, and it was extremely noticeable. 

USC only converted 33% of their third downs, which was something that was emphasized going into this game.

The defense was able to generate pressure and get in the backfield. The Tigers combined for seven tackles for a loss, including two sacks from senior defensive end Sai’vion Jones. 

Multiple plays from the defensive backs showed how much they improved, including pass breakups by Aston Stamps, PJ Woodland and Jordan Allen. However, it wasn’t enough, as in the end, the Trojans went down the field pretty easily to win the game. 

The missed opportunity to capitalize on the positive contributions makes you think about all the little things that LSU could’ve done differently.

And there were a lot. 

The most noticeable mistake the Tigers made last night was the number of penalties they committed, as they totaled 10 penalties for 99 yards. 

The two penalties that were trending all over were the two unsportsmanlike conduct calls by Lacy and defensive back Major Burns. 

Lacy’s came after the first touchdown for the Tigers and resulted in a 15-yard penalty enforced on the kickoff. Afterwards, Zachariah Branch, one of the most dynamic players in college football, was able to return for 46 yards and get into LSU territory.

This resulted in a field goal for the Trojans, but it could’ve resulted in no points at all if the Tigers kicked it from the 35-yard line rather than the 20-yard line.

The penalty for Burns came after yet another good place for the team. USC went for it on fourth down as they were down 17-13 with 8:38 left to play. 

Although it wasn’t shown live, Burns took his helmet off in excitement after the ball was batted down by Jones. 

It was a very crucial play in the game, as it was a chance for LSU to go up two scores. However, instead of having good field position and getting the ball on their own 36-yard line, the 15-yard penalty for the unsportsmanlike conduct pushed them back to their 21-yard line. 

Head coach Brian Kelly was extremely upset about both of these penalties and expressed his feelings in the press conference after the game.

“The thing that is most concerning for me are the personal fouls,” Kelly said. “The penalties are selfish. Both of them led to scores, and they’re undisciplined penalties.” 

After Burns’ penalty, LSU went three-and-out and gave the ball back to the Trojans on their 36-yard line, which resulted in them taking the lead late after only three plays. 

These are the little mistakes that no team can afford in a big-time game. Without those penalties, the outcome of the game could’ve been drastically different. 

Although those penalties didn’t help LSU in the game, the team had opportunities to extend the game and put it away. 

Anderson scored a touchdown to put LSU up 17-13 with 3:42 left in the third quarter. Neither team scored until there was 5:44 left in the fourth quarter, when a 28-yard touchdown by Ja’Kobi Lane regained the lead for USC. 

To put it simply, LSU couldn’t move the ball. They wasted two opportunities to put points on the board.

But even when they did score, they missed an opportunity for something bigger. After USC took the lead with the touchdown by Lane, LSU responded with a field goal to tie the game. However, there was a play on the drive that left a mark.

On second down and eight on USC’s 14-yard line, Nussmeier rolled out to his right, and there was an open Anderson in the flat that looked like a guaranteed touchdown. However, Nussmeier missed the throw, and LSU ended up having to take the field goal. 

USC ended up scoring the touchdown regardless, and it wouldn’t have mattered as they would’ve won by three rather than seven.

LSU’s first drive of the game stung even more for LSU fans. 

The Tigers went for it on fourth down on USC’s three-yard line and didn’t convert. If LSU had taken the points and added the missed touchdown late in the fourth quarter, there may have been a different outcome Sunday night.