LSU went into its home opener looking to accomplish several things. They wanted to try to develop a run game, build on the defense’s performance from the USC game, get some younger players involved and stay healthy.
We saw young players get some action, but the other three goals were not satisfied.
LSU only rushed for 64 yards as the Colonels outrushed the Tigers 150 to 64 and that includes a negative 24-yard rush from a bad snap on a punt. The Tigers are struggling to get sophomore Kaleb Jackson going. He only rushed for 19 yards on nine carries.
Meanwhile, Nicholls running back Collin Guggenheim rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns as he burned LSU’s defense for a 67-yard touchdown run on the first drive of the second half. Coach Brian Kelly said a missed assignment led to a gaping hole for the former John Curtis quarterback.
The Tigers did a good job against USC in causing negative plays. They had seven tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, eight pass break ups.
Against Nicholls, two tackles for a loss, one forced fumble and three pass break-ups.
Colonels quarterback Pat McQuaide completed his first eight passes and finished the night 12 of 16 for 113 yards.
Like most people after a weekend in Las Vegas, Coach Brian Kelly said his team was not at its best after playing a hard-fought game last Sunday night.
“My perspective is that this is going to be a good football team, this was a week that this team was taxed, and didn’t play it’s very best but still won 44-21,” Kelly said.
Linebacker Greg Penn III echoed those sentiments.
“The guys are definitely tired,” Penn said, “still catching up on sleep and things like that, but it’s not an excuse. The first game in Tiger Stadium everyone should be ready to go.”
LSU got back to Baton Rouge at 5 AM Monday and had one less day to prepare for the home opener.
“I’m not here to make a million excuses, but that was a team that was fatigued, and that’s not going to be their best work,” Kelly said.
And LSU could be without its best defensive tackle. Jacobian Guillory left the game with a lower leg injury in the first quarter. Once he got to the sideline, the training staff put a walking boot on his foot, and he was wheelchaired to the locker room. Kelly did not have an update in the postgame press conference.
LSU did get some younger players into the game. Freshman JuJuan Johnson made his debut at running back after spending about 48 hours with the offense. Johnson caught three passes for 16 yards, including a four-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.
“He’s going to continue to grow in our offensive structure, and he’ll pick up things quickly, I love coaching him,” Kelly said.
Freshman safety Dashawn Spears made his Tiger Stadium debut had five tackles and one pass break-up.
Kelly was pleased with the performance of cornerback Zy Alexander. Alexander played in his first game since tearing his ACL last October and had two pass break-ups.
But in the end the Tigers have a lot to work to do as they get ready for their SEC opener. LSU will be at South Carolina this Saturday. The Gamecocks are coming off an impressive 31-6 win over Kentucky. South Carolina held the Wildcats to 183 yards of offense. The Gamecocks had five sacks, intercepted two passes and returned one for a touchdown.
LSU knows it has a passing game. Garrett Nussmeier threw for 302 yards and six touchdowns against Nicholls, but they need to develop a running game before they go to Columbia.
“We got to get to complimentary football, and we have to get more physical on both lines and if that doesn’t happen soon then we’ll be talking about things we don’t want to talk about,” Kelly said.
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