Considering the Bruins’ slow start to the season, it would’ve been reasonable to expect a blowout in Baton Rouge. We did not, but LSU defeated UCLA 34-17, pulling away in the second half. The Tigers were seeking sound, complementary football after a string of wins that were less than reassuring. The only issue was that UCLA did not seem to care about LSU’s goals. Fortunately for the home team, the Tigers stepped up defensively in the second half.
LSU Defeats UCLA, 34-17
Tension in the First Half
LSU and UCLA traded scores in the first half, which is unsettling in itself for the Tiger staff. The more troubling part of the equation is the way the scoring unfolded. On the Bruins first drive, LSU had two coverage busts in addition to leaving a defensive end in the flat against a running back.
Ethan Garbers came into the game completing roughly half his passes but summoned his inner Josh Allen as he consistently made plays in the first half. The Tiger defensive ends were spectacular throughout, but Garbers repeatedly stepped up in the pocket to buy time. In most cases, it was too much time for LSU’s defensive backs, and big plays ensued.
Garrett Nussmeier was also sharp, completing passes to six different receivers in the first half. His 45-yard touchdown pass to freshman Kyle Parker displayed the touch that makes him special. Nussmeier completed over 70% of his passes for three touchdowns and no interceptions. Aaron Anderson also continued to take advantage of the attention given to Kyren Lacy with multiple catches. With both teams’ running games stuck in neutral, the quarterback play led to a 17-17 tie at the half.
Second Half Adjustments
LSU started the second half in the best way possible, by getting a defensive stop followed by a touchdown. Although the Tigers did an excellent job of getting pressure on the quarterback in the first half, they were more effective in closing running lanes while collapsing the pocket in the second half. Garbers couldn’t get loose, so the Bruin receivers did not separate as much.
Offensively, Joe Sloan got the running backs more involved in the second half, but not only by running the ball more. He saw UCLA’s linebackers vacating the middle of the field and attacked it with short routes by the backs. Kaleb Jackson played a critical role in this adjustment and seemed to run with more aggression than in previous games. Eventually, Caden Durham finished a second-half drive with an impressive 35-yard catch and ran for a touchdown. The Tiger backs had their most impactful game of the year as a unit.
Takeaways as LSU Defeats UCLA
The LSU defense has new coaches and looks different than last year, but the results are mixed. It has the impressive ability to find new ways to give up points every week while improving in an area it was lacking previously. The run defense was better on this day, but busted coverages gave up easy points early. The size of the personnel rotations and Harold Perkins’s experiments may have contributed to the lack of cohesion. Part of simplifying the defense involves settling on the best players. On that note, Bradyn Swinson followed up a three-sack game with two sacks. As bad as it looked at times, LSU gave up fewer than 300 total yards. Perspective is key.
Speaking of Perkins, he went down with an injury while making a tackle in the second half. His staff and teammates are obviously, hoping for the best with his diagnosis and return. Veteran cornerback Zy Alexander also went down with an injury in one of LSU’s thinnest position groups. The LSU win over UCLA came at a cost.
Offensively, the staff should be encouraged by the offensive line showing the ability to convert short-yardage situations with the run. This has been an ongoing problem, so much so that third and short brings more anxiety than confidence. The emergence of the running game and the dominance of Mason Taylor makes the LSU offense extremely difficult to defend. Parker will continue to get single coverage. Chris Hilton will be back in action soon and brings game-changing speed. We still haven’t seen the best version of the Tigers, but we also haven’t seen the final version.
