Garrett Nussmeier's Big Game Propels LSU to 31-14 Win

© Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

The No. 16 LSU Tigers (3-1) and the UCLA Bruins (1-2) faced off in Death Valley on Sept. 21 and the Tigers came up victorious 31-14. It was the Bruins' first trip to Tiger Stadium in their history, and it did not go the way that they had hoped. Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier tore them apart on the stat sheet despite being tied at 17 at the half.

Game Summary

The Tigers started this game with a 6-play, 75-yard drive for a touchdown. This drive was capped off by a TD pass from Nussmeier to wide receiver Zavion Thomas for 5 yards.

The Bruins answered with an 8-play, 75-yard drive of their own to tie the game at 7. The drive was capped off by a touchdown pass from quarterback Ethan Garbers to tight end Jack Pedersen. The Bruins went into the second quarter up 10-7 and the two teams went into halftime tied at 17-17.

The second half is where everything fell apart for the Bruins, and everything seemed to click for the Tigers and Nussmeier. The Bruins had 4 second-half drives: 3 were punts and 1 was an interception. The Tigers' second half consisted of 4 drives where 3 ended in touchdowns and 1 ended in a field goal.

Nussmeier went off against the Bruins. He completed 32-of-44 passes for 352 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Tigers won this one pretty handily behind the huge offensive performance from Nussmeier.

Turning Point: LSU

There was not a specific play that turned this game in the Tigers' favor, but it was more like a specific drive that turned the game toward LSU.

After UCLA started the second half with a 4-play, 21-yard drive that resulted in a punt, the Tigers had the ball on their own 4-yard line and executed a great drive from there.

The Tigers put together a beautiful 14-play, 96-yard drive to put them ahead 24-17, and they never looked back after this drive. That drive ended with a TD run from running back Josh Williams from 2 yards out.

What it Means

For the Tigers, they got a great performance from Nussmeier. LSU head coach Brian Kelly gets to prepare his team for a bout against the Sun Belt Conference's South Alabama Jaguars (2-2), who just defeated a very good Appalachian State Mountaineers team (2-2) 48-14 on Sept. 19. The Tigers and Jaguars will face off on Sept. 28 at 7:45 p.m. EST in Baton Rouge, La.

For the Bruins, their run game was nonexistent and they still need to figure out some answers in that department. The offense can't be all on Garbers to do everything. He needs to get some help, especially from his run game. Next up for them is a game against the No. 9 Oregon Ducks (3-0). That game will not be easy for UCLA, and it needs to figure out some answers on offense and quickly.