Nicholls running back Collin Guggenheim took the snap in the wildcat formation from the Colonels’ 33-yard line.
It was the first drive of the second half, and Guggenheim powered through the middle, went untouched and ran for 67 yards into the end zone.
The score was 23-21 LSU. The FBS-FCS matchup was a two-point game.
LSU, favored by 46.5 points, shouldn’t have been in this position. LSU shouldn’t have been fighting to stay ahead after letting Nicholls keep it a close first half. The No. 18 Tigers should’ve been up by at least 20 points in their home opener.
“That was a team that was tired and did not play its very best,” LSU head coach Brian Kelly said. “We had a long week… They worked their tails off this week, but they just did not have the same energy, the same snap, the same kind of physicality that they had against USC.”
While LSU ended up winning 44-21, it continued to struggle in the trenches, giving up 150 rushing yards and only managing to get 64 rushing yards.
“I’m happy we won the football game … I’m looking at the areas we have to do better,” Kelly said.
LSU, now at 1-1, gave its fans a win in Tiger Stadium, while kicking off the 100-year celebration of Death Valley – the home of over 450 LSU wins over the last century.
The game was an exciting battle between two Louisiana teams, which are about an hour’s drive apart. The first game celebrating 100 years fittingly featured two teams from the Boot. It was the first time these programs played.
“I thought they (Nicholls) played their tails off,” Kelly said. “They were physical. You could tell how much it meant to those young men that played here in Tiger Stadium and had a chance to play LSU.”
This matchup consisted of highs and lows for the Tigers. It was only a matter of time until LSU took the game running, but again, it took a while. Ultimately, LSU bounced back after starting the season with a hard loss against USC in Vegas.
However, the Tigers had difficulties throughout the game and allowed the Colonels to have a chance.
READ MORE: Three takeaways from LSU’s 44-21 win over Nicholls State
Down 16-7 in the second quarter, Nicholls fought its way to the LSU 18-yard line.
The clock was ticking for the Colonels to make it a one-possession game. They had to try something new — a trick.
Quarterback Pat McQuaide threw a backwards lateral to wide receiver Quincy Brown, who then launched an 18-yard pass to tight end Lee Negrotto.
The Tigers were only winning by two closing in on the first half. The game would’ve been tied if the Colonels didn’t give up a safety in the first quarter.
LSU’s defense allowed Nicholls to stay on the field with lengthy possessions. The Tigers permitted a 100% completion percentage in the first half.
“We just need to come together as a team,” linebacker Greg Penn III said. “When things aren’t going well like today on defense… we just need to come together and execute.”
Colonels running back Guggenheim racked up two touchdowns and 145 yards. The Tigers struggled against the wildcat formation in the first half, and left gaps for explosive plays to occur.
On the other side of the ball, LSU’s running game was quiet. The Tigers averaged 3.9 yards per rush. Main rushers Josh Williams and Kaleb Jackson only had 38 yards combined.
After losing its top running back, John Emery Jr., to a torn ACL this week, LSU had to adjust its running-game plan.
The Tigers moved corner Ju’Juan Johnson to running back. He scored a touchdown after completing a short pass from quarterback Garrett Nussmeier with two minutes left in the first half. Still, LSU had zero rushing touchdowns.
While there was trouble in the trenches for the Tigers, Nussmeier continued to have success in the pocket. He threw for 302 yards and had six touchdowns.
“Garrett Nussmeier is nowhere near any of the issues that we have,” Kelly said. “We’ve got to run the football, and he’s not the running back. He’s not the offensive line.”
The Nussmeier to Kyren Lacy connection was strong. Lacy, despite leaving the game and coming back in the second quarter after an ankle injury, had three touchdowns and 65 yards.
With receivers Chris Hilton and Kyle Parker out this game, CJ Daniels and Aaron Anderson stepped up. Daniels led with 71 receiving yards, and the Tigers had 314 passing yards.
The first half was rough for LSU, but it built resilience with each quarter. Next week will be another test for the Tigers when they travel to Columbia for a College GameDay matchup against South Carolina.
“This week is going to be a huge week of preparation for us, and as long as we practice hard we’ll be good,” tight end Mason Taylor said.
