This was a get right game for LSU. Unfortunately, this game was about as exciting as an empty Tiger Stadium.
But nobody needed to get right more the Max Johnson and the offense. With an injury-ridden offensive line, a lame-duck head coach and an unqualified play caller, the best option was in former Acadiana-prep star receiver Malik Nabers.
Nabers had 143 receiving yards a touchdown catch in the first half alone. On the first drive, LSU converted on a 3rd and long with a long screen pass to Nabers near the goal line.
Max Johnson had his first rushing touchdown this season to gov up 7-0. Johnson finished with 22-33 completions, 319 yards with two passing scores and one rushing.
LSU had some struggles in the red zone, with Cade York missing a filed goal on the Tigers second possession. Jay Ward got an interception on ULM’s ensuing drive that was called a pick-six on the field, but was called back after Ward was seen stepping out of bounds.
LSU had to settle for a 44-yard York field goal but missed wide left. York would make a 26-yard field goal.
Up 10-0 in the second quarter, Max Johnson threw a 67-yard TD pass to Nabers to take a 17-0 lead.
Right before half, LSU was forced to punt, but Coach Ed Orgeron opted to call a fake punt pass from Avery Adkins that ended up getting intercepted. ULM would score two plays later on a 28-yard pass.
The Tigers would go to halftime with a 17-7 lead.
LSU got the ball to start the second half and drove to the redzone. On 4th-and-three, Ed Orgeron gambled again by going for it, but the Tigers turned the ball over on downs.
The defense for LSU stood tall against ULM forcing a Warhawk punt midway through the 3rd quarter.
On the Tigers ensuing drive, WR Brian Thomas Jr. caught a short pass after Johnson avoided a couple defenders. Thomas then weaved across the field, broke a couple tackles and scored a 42-yard touchdown. LSU went up 24-7 with 1:30 left in third.
On the ensuing drive, ULM went double reverse pass down by the goal line and the touchdown pass was just overthrown to the Warhawks QB. LSU took over on downs with 12 minutes left in the fourth.
Both offenses traded punts on back-to back drives, but ULM scored on a 27-yard pass to make it 24-14 and then failed an onside kick with 3:20 left in the game. The Tigers would run out the clock before York kicked a 50-yard field goal to go up 27-14.