Tony Thomas
Author
THE REAL DEATH VALLEY, Baton Rouge, LA.-It wasn’t pretty, but the eleventh-ranked LSU Tigers (5-1, 2-1) overcame yet another low-scoring output by utilizing a suffocating defense to turn the Gamecocks of South Carolina into hens in a 20-10 Southeastern Conference victory.
Both teams combined for five turnovers on the night, including on the first series of the game when South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers fumbled deep inside their own territory, recovered by the Tigers, which led to an LSU field goal and an early 3-0 lead. Sellers also threw an INT later in the contest.
LSU was one better in the takeaway column, turning ball security into a bad joke as they committed three turnovers. Two of those were INTs thrown by Tigers’ QB Garrett Nussmeier, numbers four and five on the season. The other was a fumble by running back Ju’Juan Johnson while fighting to get in the end zone from inside the five-yard line.
Nussmeier threw two TD passes to Trey’Dez Green and Kyle Parker.
And in the end, LSU’s 20 points on the night were enough to get their fifth win of the season. It was LSU’s fourth game scoring 20 points or less this season.
The Tigers’ defense was dominant again, recording five sacks of Sellers, six tackles for loss, and the aforementioned INT and fumble recovery.
Nussmeier threw two TD passes to Trey’Dez Green and Kyle Parker. Green led all LSU receivers with eight catches for 119 yards. LSU Linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. posted eight tackles, one sack and two tackles for loss. Safety A.J. Haulcy led in tackles with 11.
Sellers completed 55 percent of his passes for 124 yards and a score. Running back Matt Fuller was the leading rusher for South Carolina with 83 yards, 72 of which were gained on one run for a touchdown.
In the rushing department, the Gamecocks held LSU out of the end zone. That is the second time this season that the Tigers have failed to score a rushing touchdown. In addition, it was the fourth time this season that LSU could only muster 20 points or fewer on offense.
LSU has an unholy trinity of a three-game stretch coming up on the schedule: a road game at No. 20 Vanderbilt (5-1), home against No. 5 Texas A&M (6-0) and traveling to take on No. 8 Alabama (5-1).
LSU must figure out the run game so they aren’t so one-dimensional against the attacking defenses of the Aggies and the Crimson Tide. And, scoring 20 points or less against these next three opponents will not cut it, either. As great as the LSU defense is playing, it can only carry Brian Kelly’s team so far.
Tony Thomas
Author
The Aggies have not won in Tiger Stadium since 1994
Cody Slovensky
LSU Writer
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