The LSU Tigers remained undefeated at home this season, defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks 20–10 on Saturday Night in Death Valley.
Both teams entered the matchup coming off bye weeks and looking to bounce back. Despite struggling on both sides of the ball, LSU pulled away with its 19th all-time win over South Carolina and its 11th since the teams became SEC rivals.
LSU’s offense wasn’t at its sharpest but managed to run 63 plays for 420 total yards.
In the first quarter, kicker Damian Ramos put the Tigers on the board with a 28-yard field goal. The Gamecocks quickly responded, taking a 7–3 lead with a 72-yard scoring drive capped off by a touchdown run from Matt Fuller and an extra point by William Joyce.
LSU head coach Brian Kelly credited quarterback Garrett Nussmeier for stepping up.
“I thought [Nussmeier] was a lot more aggressive, and he had the kind of demeanor you want out of your quarterback,” Kelly said.
Nussmeier finished with 254 passing yards, 30 rushing yards, and a 60.6% completion rate.
Wide receiver Trey 'Dez Green was Nussmeier’s top target, racking up 119 receiving yards and a 6-yard touchdown in the second quarter to give LSU a 10–7 lead.
The Gamecocks tied the game at 10 in the third quarter with a 47-yard field goal from Joyce. LSU responded quickly, as Nussmeier connected with wide receiver Kyle Parker for a 43-yard completion to set up a successful field goal by Ramos, reclaiming the lead at 17–10.
LSU’s defense played a key role in the win and has been a major factor in the team’s 5–1 record this season. After forcing five interceptions against Florida, the Tigers’ defense recorded a season-high five sacks against Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers.
Linebackers Harold Perkins Jr. and Whit Weeks each tallied a sack and combined for 15 tackles.
“We needed to make sure LaNorris felt us, and we had to maintain pressure against him,” Kelly said postgame. “He’s an extraordinary athlete, and we had to make sure to keep it tough out there.”
In the fourth quarter, both teams struggled to create offensive momentum until Ramos hit a 22-yard field goal with 1:47 remaining to seal the game, 20–10.
“We found a way to win despite some mistakes out there that could be catastrophic, and we know we’ll have to eliminate them as the season progresses,” Kelly said. “Bottom line though, love the way the team competed today.”
LSU improved to 4–0 in Tiger Stadium this season and will travel to FirstBank Stadium in Nashville to face 5-1 Vanderbilt on Oct. 18.
