The LSU Tigers (2-1, 1-0 SEC) return home for a non-conference tilt against the UCLA Bruins (1-1). This is only the second meeting on the gridiron between the two programs, as the two teams first faced off in 2021 in the Rose Bowl with the Bruins besting the Tigers 38-27.
This will also be the first time the two have faced off inside Death Valley.
Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. The game can be heard on ESPN 103.7 Lafayette 104.1 Lake Charles with pregame beginning at 12:30 p.m.
ELIMINATE THE BIG PLAYS
LSU’s defense showed signs of improvement in last week’s road victory at South Carolina. Bradyn Swinson recorded three sacks, Whit Weeks had 11 tackles and former Loreauville High star Zy Alexander had a game-changing interception in the end zone. But the Tigers still gave up big chunk plays, including touchdowns of 75 and 66 yards. If you remove those two big plays, LSU’s defense held South Carolina to 257 yards. That also comes a week after giving up a 67-yard touchdown run against Nicholls. LSU faces a UCLA team that is struggling on offense as the Bruins are averaging only 290.5 yards and 14.50 points per game.
RUNNING BACK NO. 1?
In the first two games, but that changed on the road against South Carolina. LSU head coach Brian Kelly trusted Caden Durham to carry the rock and he led the Tigers in carries (11), rushing yards (98), rushing touchdowns (2), and yards per carry average (8.9). Kelly likes using a platoon of backs so Josh Williams and Kaleb Jackson will still be in the mix, as the two combined for 17 carries last week, but the true freshman out of Oklahoma City could be the No. 1 option in the backfield.
PROBLEM WITH PENALTIES
The LSU Tigers are one of the most penalized teams in the country. LSU has committed 26 called penalties for 215 yards, which is an average of 8.67 penalties per game which is tied for the 116th fewest in the FBS. Penalties hurt LSU in the season-opening loss to USC and proved costly against South Carolina, but the Tigers were able to overcome the flags against the Gamecocks. If LSU can cut down the penalties — which are everything from false starts to defensive pass interference — they should cruise past UCLA.
SERIES RECORD: UCLA leads the series 1-0
Lone Meeting
2021: UCLA 38 – LSU 27
STAT LEADERS
UCLA
Ethan Garbers: 33-of-61, 409 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT
Ethan Garbers: 14 carries, 68 yards, 0 TD
Rico Flores Jr.: 5 receptions, 133 yards, 1 TD
Kain Medrano: 14 tackles (14 solo), 4 TFL
K.J. Wallace: 1 sack, 4 pass breakups
Mateen Bhaghani: 5-of-6 field goals, Long of 37
LSU
Garrett Nussmeier: 81-of-116, 610 yards, 10 TD, 2 INT
Caden Durham: 16 carries, 102 yards, 2 TD
Kyren Lacy: 17 receptions, 222 yards, 5 TD
Sai’vion Jones & Bradyn Swinson: 3 sacks each
Whit Wheeks: 23 tackles (14 solo), 1.5 tackles for a loss
Damian Ramos: 3-of-4 field goals, Long of 45