LSU vs USC Week 1 Review

Erik Trosclair • September 2, 2024

Let's get into it!

It has been 1828 days since the LSU Football team has won a season opener. It has been 5 seasons. I'll leave that there. Now let's talk about the game.


The 1st drive of the game was great for the Tigers. They march right down the field, over 7 minutes, 74 yards. LSU elects to go for it on 4th & Goal, and they come away empty handed after a miscommunication between Garrett Nussmeier and CJ Daniels. The teams trade punts on the next two drives of the game. USC then goes on an 87 yard touchdown drive, Woody Marks capped it off with a 2 yard TD run. USC 7-0. LSU has a 9 play 75 yard drive with Nussmeier hitting Kyren Lacy on a very nice 19 yard touchdown pass; it was a really nice pass. The teams then trade field goals. 10-10 going into halftime. Coming out of halftime LSU and USC trade 3 and outs. USC kicks a field. USC 13-10. LSU goes a very nice 7 play 75 yard drive capped off by Aaron Anderson catching a 13 yard touchdown pass. LSU 17-13. The two teams then trade 3 and outs. LSU then stops USC on a 4th down attempt. Momentum swings to the Tigers, who have a 3 play -7 yard drive, USC now has the ball and the momentum with 6:57 left in the game. They then have a 3 play 64 yard touchdown drive, and Miller Moss hits Ja'Kobi Lane on a 41 yard touchdown. USC 20-17. LSU puts together a very nice drive to tie up the game. The score is 20-20 with 1:47 left in the game. USC puts together an excellent 75 yard, two minute drill drive to score the game winning touchdown with 8 seconds left. Woody Marks walked into the endzone. USC 27-20. Mason Cobb picks off Garrett Nussmeier. USC enters victory formation. Ball game: Trojans 27 - Tigers 20.


TAKEAWAYS


- You have a great kicker with Damian Ramos; he has a massive leg, and no moment is too big for him. USE HIM WHEN YOU HAVE THE CHANCE! While I appreciate Coach Kelly's aggressive nature, you have to "take your points" in a game like this.

- LSU's running game has to improve. Jayden Daniels running ability helped out the entire offense. Garrett Nussmeier can run, but he is more of a pocket passer; you have to get better on the ground.

- This defense did improve. Sai'vion Jones had an excellent game. While you did lose the game, I was really impressed with Blake Baker's turnaround. This defense has some promise.

- Why did Kyren Lacy only have 1, yes, 1 target in the 2nd half? This guy was having himself a game! You have got to create opportunities for your playmakers.

- Mason Taylor is a baller!

- Ashton Stamps looks the part.

- This team truly did not play badly. Yes, you do have things to clean up, but this team did not play a bad game at all.

- 8-4 is a real possibility. I am not saying that they will, but after seeing how this game was coached, this is real.

- USC is better than we thought. This is a physical defense who has some solid receivers.

- Zachariah Branch is electric.

- How many yards are on a football field? 100. How many yards did LSU give up in penalties? 99. What happens when you enter the end zone or kick a field goal? You score. I hope Kyren Lacy and Major Burns learn from their mistakes yesterday. Two veterans having silly penalties is truly unacceptable. These changed the game yesterday.

- I DO NOT CARE IF YOU HAVE TO CALL BOBBY BOUCHER AND THE SOUTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA MUD DOGS NEXT YEAR. PLAY A "WEEK ZERO" GAME. We are no longer in the BCS era; you have a 12 team playoff beginning this season; stop putting your team behind the 8 ball going into week 2. If you continue to schedule these big openers, schedule a "tune up game" before you play these big teams.

- I have zero faith in LSU in Week 1 games for the remainder of Coach Kelly's tenure. I don't know where the disconnect is, but we have been hearing all offseason about LSU's running game, and you struggled to establish it in week 1.


AWARDS


- Offensive MVP - Mason Taylor - This guy played a great game.

- Defensive MVP - Sai'vion Jones - Sai'vion absolutely balled out last night. He made a big impact, and was the only Tiger with a sack.



Will LSU clean up their problems before LSU's before next Saturday? We shall see.


Thank you for reading my article. Follow me on X (the artist formerly known as Twitter) @eazytro

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