LSU football defeated Nicholls 44-21 in its home opener, showing significant improvement on offense. The Tigers’ defense, however, continued to struggle to make stops.
“I’m happy we won the football game,” head coach Brian Kelly said. “But I’m certainly looking at things we have to do better.”
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier completed 27-37 passes, resulting in 302 yards and 6 touchdowns. Nussmeier had a completion rate of 73%.
“He’s a really effective and efficient thrower of the football,” Kelly said. “Garrett Nussmeier is nowhere near any of the issues we have.”
The Tigers were also able to convert more third and fourth downs into first downs, positively progressing from their season opener against USC.
In Vegas, the Tigers had a third and fourth down conversion rate of 38% and 50% respectively, compared to Nicholls where LSU had third and fourth down conversion rates of 44% and 100%.
In just its second drive, LSU converted a 4th-and-1 attempt into a first down. Three plays later, Nussmeier’s pass met with freshman tight end Trey’Dez Green to score the first touchdown of the game.
Because of a safety earlier in the game, the Tigers led 9-7 at the end of the first quarter, and they started to settle into a more consistent offense during the second quarter.
LSU’s first drive of the second quarter ended in a 32-yard touchdown by Kyren Lacy. Lacy stayed down after hurdling a Nicholls defender and injuring his right ankle but was able to walk off the field and rejoin the game later in the quarter.
Lacy ended the night with 65 yards and three touchdowns.
While the Tigers’ passing game improved, their rushing game continued to be a letdown. LSU’s highest rusher was Josh Williams with 19 yards on 4 attempts.
Nicholls, however, heavily relied on its running game to bring results on offense. This tested LSU’s defensive line, which struggled to stop third-down attempts up the middle.
“We’ve got to get to complementary football,” Kelly said. “We’ve got to be physical on both lines.”
In the first quarter, the Colonels started on their own 16-yard line, and after multiple rushes and missed tackles by LSU, they converted 4th-and-5 to a first down on LSU’s 35-yard line.
Four plays later, running back Collin Guggenheim powered past the Tigers’ defensive line for two yards to score Nicholls’ first touchdown.
Again in the second quarter, after LSU scored, the Colonels responded with another seven points. Nicholls’ quarterback Pat McQuaide made a lateral pass to receiver Quincy Brown, who then threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to tight end Lee Negrotto.
Nonetheless, LSU remained ahead 16-14.
With about two minutes left in the first half, Nussmeier completed a short right pass to Ju’Juan Johnson for a touchdown.
“I see a guy who is willing to do anything for his team,” CJ Daniels said about Johnson. “I think he did a great job tonight.”
After a good extra point and quick stop on defense, the Tigers got the ball back with 1:54 left on the clock.
However, LSU kicker Damion Ramos missed his 39-yard field goal attempt, leaving the Tigers with 23 points to end the second half.
Nicholls wasted little time trying to close the gap to LSU in the third quarter, as they scored a touchdown in only three plays.
Guggenheim took the direct snap and ran up the middle of LSU’s defensive line untouched for a 67-yard touchdown.
The Tigers didn’t allow Nicholls to score again after that and started to pull away towards the end of the third quarter.
After a Tiger touchdown, LSU’s defense forced a fumble, keeping momentum on LSU’s side.
The Tigers outscored Nicholls 21-7 in the second half to secure its first win of the season.
The Tigers’ next test will lie in South Carolina, where they’ll have another opportunity to showcase whether they can win on the road as well as in Tiger Stadium.
“We’ve got to be able to put these things together,” Kelly said. “The clock’s ticking.”
