The LSU Tigers (1-0) are set to face the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (1-0) in an in-state showdown on Saturday at 6:30 PM.
The Tigers upset Clemson on the road in the season opener, 17-10, scoring two second-half touchdowns and holding the other Tigers to just 31 yards on the ground. They’ll look to take care of business once again this week.
The Bulldogs skunked Southeastern 24-0 in week one, scoring all three of their touchdowns in the third quarter, one of which was a 70-yard Kam Franklin scoop-and-score. Louisiana Tech recorded just 262 yards of offense and allowed 273 yards to the Lions in the win.
Kickoff between the Tigers and Bulldogs from Death Valley is set for 6:30 PM on Saturday, and the action can be heard on ESPN 103.7 Lafayette 104.1 Lake Charles.
BUILD OFF A BIG WIN
The Tigers had an impressive win last Saturday, taking down the Tigers of Clemson on the road. The defense attacked, getting into the backfield all game long, and the offense adjusted, neutralizing the Clemson elite pass rush. That win elevated the Bayou Bengals from ninth in the AP Top 25 poll to number three.
Even with the big win, LSU can’t rest on its laurels. Brian Kelly and this group can’t look past the Bulldogs and ruin the momentum they’ve built up. The Tigers need to further develop the run game. Caden Durham and this new-look offensive line showed signs of improvement, especially with Zavion Thomas getting carries in a multitude of ways. The Tigers will want to focus on that aspect of the offense to be better prepared later in the season.
A dominant, blowout win will lead to more confidence from this and lead to some of the backups getting a chance to shine and get playing experience ahead of big matchups against Florida and Ole Miss in the coming weeks.
DEFENSE LEADING THE WAY
LSU’s defense looked legit against Clemson last Saturday. The former fourth-ranked team in the country couldn’t get much going offensively to begin the game and was shut down in the second half.
Defensive standouts Harold Perkins, Whit Weeks, and PJ Woodland put pressure on Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik throughout the ball game. They held him to a completion percentage of 50 and an interception thrown. The other Tigers also had a 1.6 yards-per-carry average in 20 attempts.
Louisiana Tech, on the other hand, struggled offensively versus Southeastern Louisiana. Bulldogs quarterback Trey Kukuk threw for only 130 yards on 14 completions, the running game put up 132 yards, and the offense as a whole ran 53 plays against the Lions.
GOING DEEP
Garrett Nussmeier also looked good to open the season, but he couldn’t be as aggressive as he normally is, taking shots down the field. This week will be different and allow Nuss to play like his usual self.
LSU has plenty of field stretchers on the outside that could go a 60-yard touchdowns at any moment. Against the Louisiana Tech secondary, there will be plenty of opportunities for Nussmeier to connect with guys like Chris Hilton and Aaron Anderson for big plays.
SERIES RECORD: LSU leads 4-0
All Four Meetings:
2018: LSU 38 – LA Tech 21
2009: LSU 24 – LA Tech 16
2007: LSU 58 – LA Tech 10
2003: LSU 49 – LA Tech 10
STAT LEADERS:
LSU
Garret Nussmeier: 28-38, 232 Yards, 1 TD
Caden Durham: 17 Carries, 74 Yards, 1 TD
Aaron Anderson: 6 Catches, 99 Yards
Harold Perkins & PJ Woodland: 1 Sack
PJ Woodland: 5 Tackles (5 Solo) 1 TFL
Mansoor Delane: 1 INT
Damian Ramos: 1-of-2 Field Goals, Long of 52, 2-of-2 PAT
Louisiana Tech
Trey Kukuk: 14-19. 130 Yards, 1 TD
Clay Thevenin: 6 Carries, 61 Yards, 1 TD
Eli Finley: 4 Catches, 59 Yards
Mekhi Mason: 2 Sacks
Kolbe Fields: 13 Tackles (4 Solo)
Jakari Foster & Zion Nason: 1 INT
Drew Henderson: 1-of-1 Field Goals, Long of 18, 3-of-3 PAT