Summary:

LSU has been looking for their bounce back win ever since their loss to USC in week one. Last night on the 7th of September LSU faced off against the Nichol Colonels for the first time in both programs histories. The First points on the board came from a botched snap on a punt where the ball went out of the end zone and ended up as a safety giving two points to LSU. Thereafter, LSU would March down the field and put up a touchdown from a Garrett Nussmeier pass to five star freshman tight end Trey’Dez Green. The remainder of the first half was a back and forth battle between LSU scoring and Nichols scoring with a first half score of LSU 23-14 Nichols.

              With the first drive of the second-half nickels had a two play, 75 yard touchdown drive which made the game 21-23. After that drive the game became one sided as LSU went on to score 21 points unanswered to put the game away. However, a lot from this game on the LSU defensive side could be said to be undesired. Let's take a look at the positives and the negatives.

Positives: The Passing Game

The passing game of the night excelled with Garrett Nussmeier throwing darts to nearly every target on the LSU side of the ball. Nussmeier threw for 302 yards and six touchdowns, being the third quarterback in LSU history to throw for that many. Kyren Lacy Had five catches for 65 yards and three touchdowns. In other words LSU’s passing game seems to be the strongest part of the team as they were consistent and explosive for the entire night. The only negative that I noticed were Nussmeier’s deep balls seemed to be off the mark early in the game. The offensive line supplemented the passing game extremely well as they allowed zero sacks and Nussmeier had plenty of time to deliver with his gunslinger mentality.

Negatives: The defense

Brian Kelly after the game came out in the press conference and said that it was a short week and the defense was caught on their heels a couple times and that it should not be “much of a worry”. However, this is Nichols in all due honesty and LSU should be able to beat them with our freshman and Sophomores. In the first half Nichols went up and down the field with ease and did what they wanted to with the ball, running and slicing through our defense at will up the middle of the defense. It also doesn't help LSU starting defensive tackle Jacobian Guillory was seen taken off the field with a cast on his leg, which does not help an already strained defensive line depth. The run defense was abysmal in the first half Moving up 150 yards rushing in the game. Louisiana Tech held Nichols to less than 70 yards rushing the earlier week FYI.

Negatives: The Running game

Ever since week 0, we have heard from the LSU staff and players that they are going to lean heavily on the offensive line and the run game. Well it has been two weeks in the run game has been the worst part of the team. I'll give credit where it's due, the offensive line has played good in the passing game but for the rushing offense there seems to be inconsistencies. We only rushed for 64 yards in the game against nickels, averaging 3 yards a carry whereas last week against USC it would have been similar if not for John Emery busting out a good couple of runs. Kaleb Jackson and Josh Williams do not seem to have the explosiveness that was expected of them entering this season. Whether or not it’s the play calling, offensive line, or running back techniques is left for interpretation.

              LSU does have somethings to work on as there are some growing concerns over this defense and rushing attack, especially when the Tigers travel to South Carolina next Saturday to play the undefeated 2-0 Gamecocks. The Gamecocks just had a stellar 31-6 win over Kentucky which sure gives them a good momentum boost coming into this upcoming week. LSU will have a few players coming off injury to boost the offense such as Chris Hilton and Garret Dellinger, however my concern is how will this defense pair up against the Gamecocks rushing attach this upcoming Saturday.

              More to come next week, GEAUX Tigers. Only thing on the agenda now is BEATUSC. Its time to cook some chicken.