LSU football achieved what it set out to do. It left South Carolina with the win of its first game on the road. 

However, for most of the Tigers’ matchup against South Carolina, their fate was uncertain at best. 

Until the final seconds of the game, South Carolina’s fanbase was huddled around the barricades, waiting to storm the field after a major upset. 

It wasn’t LSU that prevented it from happening. It was a missed field goal that allowed the Tigers to take home the win.

From blocked punts to intercepted passes, it’s clear that LSU is not yet a championship-contending team. Nonetheless, the Tigers still managed to outscore the Gamecocks in their home stadium with a College GameDay atmosphere.

Here are three takeaways from the win.

LSU’s running game showed signs of improvement

In the Tigers’ home matchup against Nicholls, LSU’s running game was close to nonexistent.

Sophomore Kaleb Jackson led the Tigers in rushing yards in that game with just 28 yards on eight carries, while sixth-year senior Josh Williams came in second with 19 yards on four carries. 

Because Nicholls used heavy seven- or eight-man fronts, LSU was forced to resort to a game heavily reliant on passing. South Carolina, on the other hand, didn’t load the box as much, allowing LSU to execute a more consistent run game.

“We’re just focusing on our process,” running back Josh Williams said. “We’re not thinking about the other team. We’re just doing it how we practice.”

Freshman running back Caden Durham took full advantage of South Carolina’s weaknesses. When the Tigers were struggling to make plays and score points, they looked to Durham to pull them out of their slump.

“He does everything well,” Williams said. “For him to come into the game and perform the way he did… it was amazing for us.”

When LSU was down by 17 points in the second quarter, it was Durham who rushed the middle for 26 yards to secure the Tigers’ first touchdown and his own first career touchdown.

Then again mid-third quarter, quarterback Garrett Nussmeier handed off the ball to Durham to score LSU’s first touchdown of the second half.

Durham led the Tigers in rushing yards with 98 yards on 11 attempts, complete with his two touchdowns.

Williams also added another touchdown to his career tally, giving the Tigers the lead over the Gamecocks late in the fourth quarter. 

LSU’s ability to rely on its run game gave it a significant advantage over South Carolina. It relieved some of the weight from Garrett Nussmeier’s load, and allowed the Tigers to diversify their offense. 

LSU’s defense has holes

South Carolina running back Raheim Sanders saw the hole.

After getting the handoff from quarterback LaNorris Sellers, it was there. A straight path to the end zone.

LSU’s defense remembered it all too well. It was like deja vu from its previous matchup against the Colonels, where running back Collin Guggenheim made a similar long run on LSU’s defense.

“We wanna be better on defense,” Kelly said. “All of this that you saw today… all of it is correctable. All of it is coachable.”

Not all aspects of the Tigers’ defense were bad. 

For instance, defensive end Bradyn Swinson had an exceptional game, recording three sacks and five total tackles. Whit Weeks also positively contributed to the Tigers win by leading in tackles with a total of 11.

“I think our defense played physical, fast,” Weeks said. “We just gotta eliminate the big plays coming up for the next few weeks of our season, and we’ll be all good.”

The Tigers struggled to defend the run game, allowing 243 rushing yards with four touchdowns. 

Although LSU’s defense wasn’t completely to blame for the closer-than-expected matchup, it certainly played a role.

With upcoming matchups against big-name teams like UCLA and Ole Miss, the Tigers will be forced to figure out what works for them on defense. 

And if they don’t? The playoffs won’t be an option for the Tigers.

LaNorris Sellers’ injury acted as LSU’s saving grace

With five seconds left in the first half, Sellers grabbed his ankle after a sack, clearly in pain. He tried giving it a go for a short second half drive, but he was out of the game.

Redshirt senior Robby Ashford came to take his place, giving the Tigers a glimmer of hope for the outcome of the game.

Ashford spent more time in the pocket, allowing LSU’s defensive line more time to get past South Carolina’s heavy offensive line. 

“They were able to stay on schedule earlier with Seller in the game,” Kelly said. “When Ashford came in we were able to get them off schedule.”

The momentum shift towards the Tigers also contributed to their offensive run in the second half. 

Although the win can’t be attributed as a direct result of Sellers’ injury, it was definitely a contributing factor to the Tigers’ second season win.