5 stats that defined LSU's win over Nicholls

LSU football notched its first win of the 2024 campaign when it met Nicholls State on Saturday night. The Tigers got off to a slow start, but a strong third quarter created distance and LSU pulled away for a double-digit win.

Many of the concerns LSU had coming out of the USC game are still there. LSU fans likely wanted to see a more emphatic win over a lesser opponent, especially with SEC play getting underway next week.

As usual, we’ll take a look at five stats that defined the win. Not all of these numbers are great, though. Some are more representative of those struggles and concerns rather than the final score.

After the game, Brian Kelly said LSU was fatigued from the short week while adding there was still a lot that needed to be cleaned up.

Here are five stats that defined LSU’s Week 2 win.

-0.05 EPA/run

Our first stat isn’t a good one. Even against an FCS opponent, LSU failed to get the run game going. LSU’s EPA on the ground was in the negative again, with just -0.05 per carry.

LSU ran it 21 times and only eight carries went for four-plus yards. Kaleb Jackson was LSU’s leading rusher with nine carries for 23 yards. Josh Williams and Caden Durham didn’t add much either, combining for 29 yards on nine carries.

After the game, Kelly said LSU checked out of several run calls at the line of scrimmage thanks to Nicholls loading the box. The offense wasn’t given the chance to establish the run, but when LSU did hand it off, the results weren’t what you want to see.

Zy Alexander’s 82.3 PFF grade

LSU corner Zy Alexander made his return on Saturday after tearing his ACL in October of 2023. Alexander is a veteran, a contrast to LSU’s young secondary.

After the game, Kelly said he was impressed with Alexander’s performance and the numbers back it up.

According to PFF, Alexander was LSU’s highest-graded defender in week two. He was targeted five times but allowed just two catches for five yards. Nicholls had a 47.9 passer rating when targeting Alexander, which was one of the best marks in the SEC on Saturday.

LSU is counting on Alexander’s experience to elevate the secondary and this was a good first step.

Garrett Nussmeier’s six passing touchdowns

LSU’s QB1 had another strong showing, completing 27 of 37 passes for 302 yards and six scores.

Nussmeier is now the SEC’s leader in passing touchdowns with eight through two games.

Nussmeier entered the year with high expectations and so far we haven’t seen anything to counter that. There’s still progress to be made in pushing the ball down the field, but LSU has a QB that’s getting the ball where it needs to go on time.

Seven receivers surpassed 40 yards or scored

It was a group effort for LSU in the passing game. Kyren Lacy, CJ Daniels, Aaron Anderson, Mason Taylor, and Zavion Thomas all surpassed the 40 yard mark while tight end Trey’Dez Green and running back Ju’Juan Johnson each got in on the action with a touchdown.

With the amount of production LSU lost at receiver, LSU needed a slew of new options to emerge.

Kyren Lacy was the obvious candidate, but LSU’s getting what it needs from guys like Daniels, Anderson and Taylor too.

Ju’Juan Johnson and Trey’Dez Green both lack experience, but the talent is undeniable. LSU is making an effort to get the ball to playmakers.

Explosive play rate: 3%

LSU’s EPA/play was in the 90th percentile on Saturday, but the offense struggled to create explosive plays. According to GameOnPaper, LSU’s explosive play rate was 3%. That was four points below Nicholls’ mark of 7%.

LSU had the most explosive offense in the country last year. A step back was expected with Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. heading to the NFL, but the cupboard isn’t bare.

LSU has the tools to create more big plays. Nussmeier has the arm to chuck it and the talent is there at receiver. It might take some time to get on the same page, but I’d expect this offense to get more explosive as the season progresses.

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