Football hosts South Alabama – LSU on Saturday night

LSU looks to keep the momentum going against Sun Belt opponent South Alabama as the Jaguars travel to face the Tigers on a Saturday night in Death Valley.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6:55 PM CT on the SEC Network and the LSU Sports Radio Network.

Through four weeks of play, quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has established himself as one of the best in the country. Nussmeier completed 70% of his passes and went 112 of 160 for 1,243 yards passing, with 13 touchdowns and seven big throws, according to Pro Football Focus.

The Tigers cruised past UCLA in Week 4 behind Nussmeier and 17 unanswered points in the second half, improving to 3-1 overall heading into Saturday’s matchup with USA. It was a second half that, says Head Coach Brian Kelly, is nothing to scoff at.

Soon a perfect day of tailgating and football in Baton Rouge

— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) September 26, 2024

“To hold someone to 64 total yards and 14 yards rushing in the second half, that says a lot about the way this team continues to fight,” Kelly said Monday.

One of Nussmeier’s best throws of the season came early in the second quarter when he found redshirt freshman Kyle Parker for a 45-yard touchdown connection. It was Parker’s first touchdown as a Tiger and his second reception of the year.

“Confidence comes with making plays,” Kelly said of Parker. “He had to go play, and he did. It was so good for him. I think this will really help him move forward.”

Redshirt sophomore Aaron Anderson remained a reliable target for Nussmeier, hauling in six catches for 75 yards against the Bruins. Mason Taylor had already entered the game with the most receptions for a tight end in LSU history and became the all-time receiving yards leader for a tight end in LSU history after finishing with a team-high eight catches for 77 yards.

The defense continues to pressure the opposing quarterback, led by defensive players Bradyn Swinson and Saivion Jones. Swinson earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors after five tackles, a forced fumble and a pair of sacks. Jones recorded four tackles, 0.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.

“Five sacks for a second straight game for our defense,” Kelly said. “From my perspective, we’re disrupting violations in the case that we really haven’t had in recent years.”