LSU vs. Purdue - Fort Wayne Feb. 15th Recap
Bryce Duhon • February 15, 2025
78°. Cloudy. A brisk wind towards centerfield. This was the recipe for another dominant performance by the LSU Fighting Tigers on Saturday. After a 14-0 shutout on Friday of Purdue - Fort Wayne, the #2 ranked Tigers found their way to a Saturday W by routing the Mastodons 10-1. Rocking the beloved all-white with pinstripes, LSU sent 11,000 fans home happy as they move to 2-0 on the season.
UC - San Diego transfer Anthony Eyanson got the nod on the mound. The 6’2 right-handed junior didn’t have the fastest start to the game, hitting one batter in the 1st, and allowing two hits in the 2nd. However, he also showed why Jay Johnson brought him to Baton Rouge. His fastball lived in the mid-90’s, and he was able to get out of multiple jams. While he didn’t peform at the same level Kade Anderson did on Friday, he still heavily impressed in his first start in a Tiger uniform. In all, Eyanson saw 5.0 innings, struck out 6, allowed 4 hits, and no walks. In relief, junior Connor Benge came out firing. Going 1 and 2/3 innings, the Dallas Baptist transfer struck out three and walked one on base. He was relieved by sophomore DJ Primeaux. Primeaux was lights out in his season debut, striking out three batters before handing the ball to freshman Mavrick Rizy. The new man on campus made it look effortless, closing out the game with three quick outs, including 2 K’s and securing the win for LSU.
At the plate, the Tigers continued their Friday onslaught. Utah Valley transfer and starting 2B Daniel Dickinson gave the Tigers their first home run of the season in the 1st inning, bringing home Bear Jones who walked the previous at-bat. After that, it wouldn’t be until the 5th inning that LSU would score again. However, they more than made up for that scoring drought. Back-to-back homers by Derek Curiel and Jared Jones brought across three runs for the home team. The hits continued as Ethan Frey started off the 6th with a single. Josh Pearson walked right after, and Michael Braswell brought Pearson across with an RBI double. The Tigers added on two runs in the 7th after PFW pitching fell apart, walking one home and allowing another run on a wild pitch. Ashton Larson pinch hit for Braswell, and hit a 2-RBI single through the middle of the infield to give LSU back-to-back days of double digit runs. Plate vision was the story as LSU walked 7 times, not including their 4 times hit by pitch, and didn’t go down on strikes until the 5th inning.
The Tigers transfer class came to play to start the season, which is all you can ask for their first weekend in Alex Box. Between Eyanson and Benge’s powerful performances as well as Dickinson’s early homer, you can tell Jay Johnson and his staff were intentional in the portal. Even Auburn transfer Chris Stanfield got in on the action, showing off his next-level speed beating out a grounder to the shortstop in the 5th and stealing a bag in the 7th.
As for the freshmen, Derek Curiel showed why he was hailed as the Preseason SEC Freshman of the Year. A 2-out homer sparked some life into the Tigers and elicited a huge reaction from Alex Box. He had expectations coming into this year, and he met them on Saturday.
The 2-0 Tigers will finish their series with the Mastodons on Sunday. Look for Chase Shores to take the mound and for the Tigers continue with their bats on fire.
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When: Saturday, September 13th, 2025, 6:30 PM Where: The Real Death Valley, Baton Rouge, LA Channel: ABC Spread: LSU -7.5 O/U: 46.5 This will be the 72nd time these schools meet up in this storied rivalry. This game always has a story, a moment to remember, so be ready, football fans! Florida Gators The Gators enter this contest with a record of 1-1. Florida opened up the season with a 55-0 win over Long Island University, but the Gators dropped a game last week to a talented South Florida team. This Gator offense is led by quarterback DJ Lagway. LSU fans remember Lagway all too well from last season. On the season, Lagway is 38/51, with 342 passing yards and 4 TDs. Jadan Baugh is the leader in the backfield. The leading pass catchers on this team are Vernell Brown III, Eugene Wilson III, and Hayden Hansen. The Gator defense is a solid unit. Jaden Robinson and Myles Graham are the leading linebackers. Tyreak Sapp is the leader on the defensive line. LSU Tigers The Tigers are coming off of a "disappointing" victory against Louisiana Tech. The Tigers have a chance to bury the Gators' dreams for the season in this game. This game being in Death Valley helps out the Tigers tremendously. The Tigers better be ready to get on the Gators early and often because this is an upset Gator team with a big upset on the mind. KEYS TO THE GAME - Can the Tigers establish a running game? The leaders on this team need to get up. - Will the Tigers' defense keep up the red-hot start to the season? - Will Braelin Moore be back on the field? This is a mad Florida team who would love to upset the Tigers in this rivalry. Can the Tigers contain DJ Lagway? Fun Fact: Florida running back coach Jabar Juluke was born in New Orleans. He was the running back coach at LSU in 2016. Thank you for checking out my article. Follow me on X (the artist formerly known as Twitter) @eazytro
It wasn't the prettiest game, but a win is a win. The Tigers are 2-0. On the 4th play of LSU's opening drive, Garrett Nussmeier throws an interception. The Bulldogs go 3 and out. LSU puts together an 8 play 25 yard drive, but Damian Ramos misses a 51 yard field goal. The Bulldogs punt, but they pin the Tigers inside the 5 yard line. The Tigers go on a strong 11 play 98 yard drive that was capped off by a Nic Anderson 7 yard TD reception. LSU 7-0. The Bulldogs are forced the punt. LSU puts together a 13 play 85 yard drive that was capped off by a Damian Ramos 23 yard field goal. LSU 10-0. The teams trade punts. The Bulldogs kneel out the 1st half. The teams trade punts to open up the 2nd half. LSU goes on a 6 play 33 yard drive that was capped off by a Caden Durham 3 yard rushing TD. LSU 17-0. The Bulldogs punt. LSU goes on an 11 play 38 yard drive that was capped off by a Damian Ramos 46 yard field goal. LSU 20-0. The teams trade punts. The Bulldogs go on a strong 13 play 74 yard drive that was capped off by a Devin Gandy 33 yard TD reception. LSU 20-7. LSU answers back with a 6 play 48 yard drive that was capped off by a Damian Ramos 19 yard field goal. LSU 23-7. The Bulldogs punt. LSU kneels out the clock. Tigers win! Takeaways - This LSU defense is for real! This unit will keep the Tigers in games this season. - LSU has to get the running game going. I think it will come around, but the Tigers have to make opponents respect the run. - West Weeks is quietly having a strong start to the season. AWARDS - Offensive MVP - Barion Brown - This guy plays with the spirit you want to see. Get familiar with the name, Tiger fans! - Defensive MVP - West Weeks - West flocks to the ball! LSU welcomes Florida to Baton Rouge on Saturday. Thank you for checking out my article. Follow me on X (the article formerly known as Twitter) @eazytro