LSU vs Baylor Kinder's Texas Bowl Preview

Erik Trosclair • December 31, 2024

Let's get into it!

Spread: Baylor -4
O/U: 60.5

Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX

Date and TV: December 31, 2024, 2:30 PM, ESPN


For the 1st time since 1985, LSU and Baylor will be meeting on the gridiron. LSU leads the all time series 8-3. The 1st meeting between the 2 schools came in 1907, and the Tigers won by a score of 48-0.


Baylor, 8-4, 6-3, comes into the contest as one of the hottest teams in the nation, winning the final 6 games of the season. The Bears' offense ranks 3rd in the Big 12 in total yards per game (434.5), 7th in the Big 12 in passing yards per game (246), and 6th in the Big 12 in rushing yards per game (188.5). Quarterback Sawyer Robertson is the leader of this offense. Robertson has 2626 passing yards, 26 passing TDs (4th in the Big 12), 7 INTs, 227 rushing yards, and 4 rushing TDs on the season. Running back Bryson Washington has had a great season. Washington has 1004 rushing yards (8th in the Big 12), 12 rushing TDs (7th in the Big 12), 217 receiving yards, and 1 receiving TD. Josh Cameron and Ashtyn Hawkins are the leading pass catchers on the team. Cameron has 44 receptions, 643 receiving yards, and 9 TDs. Hawkins has 41 receptions, 512 receiving yards, and 4 TDs. The Bears defense ranks 10th in the Big 12 in total yards per game given up (382.8), 11th in the Big 12 in passing yards per game given up (227.6), and 11th in the Big 12 in rushing yards per game given up (155.2). Linebackers Keaton Thomas and Matt Jones are in the top 4 in the Big 12 in total tackles. The leaders in the defensive back room are Lorando Johnson and Devyn Bobby. Bobby has 3 INTs this season. Johnson ranks 3rd in the Big 12 with 10 PBUs. The leaders on the defensive line are Treven Ma'ae and Jackie Marshall. Ma'ae has 3.5 sacks this season, and Marshall has 3 sacks this season. Baylor has zero opt outs for the NFL Draft, but they have lost 4 players to the transfer portal.


LSU, 8-4, 5-3, enters this game having won the final 2 games of the regular season. The Tiger offense ranks 5th in the SEC in total yards per game (431.9), 2nd in the SEC in passing yards per game (315.3), and 16th in the SEC in rushing yards per game. The Tiger offense is led by quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. Nuss ranks 2nd in the SEC in passing yards (3739) and passing TDs (26). He has the 2nd most INTs in the SEC with 11. The running back room is led by Josh Willams and Caden Durham. Williams has 108 carries, 440 yards, 5 TDs, 29 receptions, and 249 receiving yards on the season. Durham has 127 carries, 693 yards, 6 TDs, 27 receptions, 257 receiving yards, and 2 TDs on the season. The leading pass catchers for the Tigers are Kyren Lacy, Mason Taylor, and Aaron Anderson. Lacy has 58 receptions (5th in the SEC), 886 yards (5th in the SEC), and 9 TDs (1st in the SEC) on the season. Taylor has 55 receptions (7th in the SEC), 546 yards, and 2 TDs on the season. Anderson has 53 receptions (10th in the SEC), 784 yards (11th in the SEC), and 5 TDs on the season. The LSU defense ranks 11th in the SEC in total yards per game given up (352.5), 7th in the SEC in passing yards per game given up (205.9), and 13th in the SEC in rushing yards per game given up (146.6). The linebacker room is led by Whit Weeks and Greg Penn III. Weeks ranks 3rd in the SEC with 114 total tackles this season. GP3 has 80 total tackles this season. The defensive line is led by Bradyn Swinson and Sai'vion Jones. Swinson ranks 5th in the SEC with 8.5 sacks this season. Jones has 4.5 sacks this season. The defensive back room is led by Ashton Stamps and Zy Alexander. Stamps ranks 5th in the SEC with 9 PBUs on the season. Alexander has 2 INTs on the season. The Tigers will be without Will Campbell, Emery Jones, Mason Taylor, and Kyren Lacy, who are all getting ready for the NFL Draft. Sage Ryan, CJ Daniels, Rickie Collins, Da'Shawn Womack, Shelton Sampson, Jr., Kylin Jackson, Xavier Atkins, Jyaire Brown, and Jordan Allen, among others, have entered the transfer portal for the Tigers.


Fun Fact: Baylor head coach, Dave Aranda, was the LSU defensive coordinator from 2016-2019.


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NOLA Gold's win over Seattle secures 3rd place in the Major League Rugby Eastern Conference standings

By Tina Howell • April 28, 2025
After a weather-delayed kickoff, loyal NOLA Gold fans were treated to a rollercoaster of a match that ended with a well-earned 44-36 victory over the Seattle Seawolves at the Shrine. This win moved NOLA Gold into 3rd place in the Major League Rugby Eastern Conference standings. Coach Danny Lee said of the team's response to the delay, “We just had to control the controllables. Once we told the boys the definitive time for kickoff, we had a plan ready to go. In terms of game plan, we had to be a little bit more direct, and we had to kick and adapt quickly.” NOLA Gold set the tone early, taking an initial 3-0 lead thanks to a steady penalty kick from Dorian Jones. Though Seattle answered quickly with a try to make it 7-3, the Gold launched into a dominant scoring stretch. Isaac Te Tamaki powered across the try line to ignite the offense, followed by back-to-back tries from the relentless Jonah Mau’u. Jones continued to add points from the tee, stretching the Gold’s lead to 27-7. Just before halftime, the Seawolves found a breakthrough and scored at the buzzer, narrowing the margin to 27-14. However, NOLA emerged from the locker room with purpose. Xavier Mignot wasted no time reestablishing momentum with a try that pushed the lead to 34-14. Seattle fought back with intensity, capitalizing on back-to-back tries to bring the score to 34-24. But NOLA responded with composure, as Jones added another penalty to keep the visitors at bay, 37-24. The closing stages of the match saw both teams exchanging blows. Seattle’s try was met by a decisive moment from Joe Taufete’e, who muscled through defenders for a critical score. Luke Campbell’s conversion extended the lead to 44-29. Though Seattle scored one final try at the buzzer, it wasn’t enough. With a final score of 44-36, NOLA Gold walked away with a crucial five-point win in front of a roaring home crowd and strengthens their postseason hopes with a firm grip on 3rd place in the East. Their next match will be on the road against the San Diego Legion on May 4th at 4:00 PM CT. For tickets and more details, please visit www.nolagoldrugby.com

10th annual Covington Antiques and Uniques Festival

By Tina Howell • April 24, 2025
The 10th annual Covington Antiques & Uniques Festival will be held this Saturday, April 26, and Sunday, April 27, at the Covington Trailhead Museum. This two-day, juried festival features over 60 vendors offering an eclectic mix of antique furnishings, period collectibles, architectural salvage, and vintage-inspired fine crafts, as well as a live auction, car show, good food, music, and more. The Covington Heritage Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to preserve the city’s culture, character and community. Founded in 2015, the festival is coordinated with the support of the City’s Department of Cultural Arts and Events. As the festival grows and evolves each year, their goal remains the same- to offer a first-class juried event that reflects the unique charm and history of the city of Covington. The festival is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free. For more details, please visit https://www.covingtonheritagefoundation.com/
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