NORMAN, Oklahoma — The LSU Tigers’ first trip to Norman ended in disappointment.
Despite a stout performance by LSU’s defense, the offense continued its season-long struggles in a 17-13 loss to the No. 8 Oklahoma Sooners inside Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
LSU ends the regular season at 7-5 overall and 3-5 in the Southeastern Conference.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
After LSU went three-and-out to start the game, the Tigers’ defense came up with a clutch play. LSU’s Patrick Payton tipped a John Mateer pass at the line of scrimmage, and Harold Perkins picked it off and returned 44 yards to the four-yard line.
The very first play after the turnover, Michael Van Buren rolled out to his right and threw it into the end zone, but it was picked off by Peyton Bowen.
Oklahoma finally got on the scoreboard with an 11-play, 53-yard drive, highlighted by a 27-yard pass from Mateer to Javonnie Gibson. LSU’s defense stood tall and forced OU to settle for a 38-yard field goal by Tate Sandell.
LSU regained possession of the ball but didn’t hold onto it for long. It was another quick three-and-out. The Tigers’ first four offensive possessions netted only 10 yards, zero first downs, and one turnover.
Oklahoma went for it on fourth and one from their own 49-yard line, and LSU’s defense stuffed them. Zavion Thomas completed a pass to Bauer Sharp for 17 yards, and then Oklahoma was called for roughing the passer, which moved the ball to the 10-yard line.
LSU was unable to get a touchdown as the first play was a run for zero yards, the second play was a run of minus-three yards, and then a six-yard gain (which came after a timeout by the Tigers). LSU settled for a 25-yard field goal by Damian Ramos. At the break, it was tied 3-3.
Oklahoma took the opening kickoff of the second half and made it past midfield as Mateer found Isaiah Sategna for a 29-yard completion. The very next play, LSU’s defense stepped up as A.J. Haulcy picked off Mateer and returned it 42 yards.
With the ball at the 33-yard line, LSU took advantage of the short field this time. After two runs by Harlem Berry, Van Buren ran it for 23 yards and got to the one-yard line. Van Buren then threw a one-yard touchdown pass to Thomas to score the first touchdown of the game.
The LSU defense came up big again as the Tigers picked off Mateer a third time, this time DJ Pickett hauling in the interception at the seven-yard line.
Oklahoma’s offense finally found the end zone late in the third quarter as Mateer found Deion Burks, who got behind his blockers and outran the LSU defense for a 45-yard touchdown reception. With 1:47 left in the third, the game was tied 10-10.
After forcing an OU punt, LSU’s offense showed some life on the ensuing possession. Van Buren found Tre’Dez Green for a 30-yard completion and two plays later, connected with Thomas for an 11-yard gain, which put the ball at the 33-yard line.
A lateral play ended with a fumble, but LSU recovered the ball as Thomas fell on it. Two plays later, Thomas caught an 18-yard pass to put the ball down at the 44-yard line. LSU took the lead as Ramos kicked a 43-yard field goal to give the Tigers a 13-10 lead with less than eight minutes to go.
Oklahoma took the lead on a broken coverage play in the fourth as Mateer found Sategna for a 58-yard touchdown. The extra point was good, and the Sooners had a 17-13 lead with five minutes to go.
LSU got a great kickoff return from Barion Brown of 47 yards, which put the ball at midfield. The Tigers picked up a first down with a 10-yard pass to Kyle Parker.
After LSU took its final timeout, the Tigers faced fourth and two at the Oklahoma 29-yard line. Van Buren tried to throw the ball to former Sooner tight end Sharp but it was broken up by Peyton Bowen. The Sooners took two kneel downs to seal the win.
BIG NUMBER I: 25
For the first time since 1978, LSU has gone an entire season without scoring more than 25 points against a team from the FBS level. The only time the Tigers scored more than 25 points this season was a 56-10 victory over Southeastern Louisiana from the FCS level.
BIG NUMBER II: 3
The LSU defense came prepared on Saturday as the Tigers’ defense picked off Oklahoma’s Mateer three times, including twice inside the 30-yard line.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: ZAVION THOMAS
Thomas was one of the few bright spots on offense for the Tigers in Saturday’s game. The versatile Thomas completed a 17-yard pass, ran the ball once for two yards, and caught three passes for 30 yards, including a one-yard touchdown reception.
UP NEXT: The LSU Tigers will now wait to find out which bowl game they will be going to this postseason. The bowl game matchups will be officially unveiled on Sunday, December 7th.