The LSU Tigers (3-1, 1-0 SEC) will play their final non-SEC game of the 2024 season as they welcome Sun Belt opponent South Alabama to Tiger Stadium in the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
The Jaguars have been an explosive offense as of late, putting up 135 points in their last two games, defeating App State 48-14 in their latest contest.
Kickoff is set for 6:45 p.m. The game can be heard on ESPN 103.7 Lafayette 104.1 Lake Charles with pregame beginning at 4:45 p.m.
WHO WILL REPLACE PERKINS?
Injuries are a regular occurrence in football, but its especially tough when it’s a player as meaningful as Harold Perkins Jr. He left the UCLA game last Saturday with what has now been discovered as a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season. Now, Blake Baker is tasked with piecing together a new linebacker corps. Major Burns has been a guy that has impressed in that spot since moving down from safety and both Weeks brothers, Whit and West, have been bright spots. Greg Penn is also a key piece of this puzzle as well, so we will have to wait and see what Baker decides to do in terms of a two or three-linebacker set.
WEALTH OF SKILL PLAYERS
LSU has always been known for their talented receivers, from Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry to Jamarr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Malik Nabers. However, in 2024, the Tigers have been sharing the love between several key pieces. Aaron Anderson has been the most intriguing as he’s exploded to be a top target along with Kyren Lacy. CJ Daniels, Zavion Thomas, and tight end Mason Taylor (most productive TE in school history) have all been necessary pieces for Garrett Nussmeier as well.
At running back, true freshman Caden Durham is another player that the Tigers are using more than they originally planned as Kaleb Jackson is struggling to become the top guy. Josh Williams continues to be the veteran presence in the room and contributes in bunches on the field.
FINAL TUNE-UP
This contest will be the final non-conference game for the Bayou Bengals as they head into a bye week to open October before the SEC gauntlet begins. That conference slate includes Top 10 opponents in Ole Miss and Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M, just to name a few. LSU will need to be at its best down the stretch to stay in contention for the 12-team College Football Playoff, so this matchup with the Jags is one final shot to work out the kinks because the road will get a lot bumpier starting next week.
SERIES RECORD: First Meeting
STAT LEADERS
South Alabama
Gio Lopez: 57-of-92, 843 yards, 9 TD
Fluff Bothwell: 37 carries, 359 yards, 6 TD
Jaamal Pritchett: 26 receptions, 355 yards, 4 TD
Blayne Mydrick: 34 tackles (11 solo), 2 PD, 1 FF
Laith Marjan: 5-of-6 field goals, Long of 39
LSU
Garrett Nussmeier: 113-of-160, 1247 yards, 13 TD, 2 INT
Josh Williams: 36 carries, 134 yards, 2 TD
Aaron Anderson: 21 receptions, 298 yards, 1 TD
Bradyn Swinson: 5 sacks
Whit Wheeks: 29 tackles (17 solo), 1.5 tackles for a loss
Damian Ramos: 5-of-6 field goals, Long of 45