LSU RECAP VS USC
Las Vegas was the destination for LSU’s season opener Sunday night versus USC. Brian Kelly and his Tigers hoped to win their first season opener since 2020 with the help of a revamped defense and a new look offense.
The Tigers elected to take the opening kick and drive downfield in hopes of putting seven on the scoreboard; however, like 2023, LSU would get stuffed on 4th and goal capping off a long scoreless drive.
USC scored first, as former Mississippi State running back Woody Marks punched in a 2-yard rush capping off an eight-play 87-yard drive early in the second quarter.
LSU responded on the next drive with a beautiful throw from Garrett Nussmeier connecting with Kyren Lacy for the first touchdown of 2024.
LSU and USC went into half knotted up at 10 after USC kicker Michael Lantz hooked a 29-yard field goal wide left.
The second half kicked off with LSU and new defensive coordinator Blake Baker forcing a three-and-out, but the offense wasted the stop and put up a three-and-out of their own.
LSU was able to force another field goal getting the ball back to their offense down three. LSU roared back with a 39-yard rush by 5th-year senior John Emery. Later in the drive, Garrett Nussmeier connected with Aaron Anderson on an out route giving the Tigers seven and retaking the lead 17-13.
The Trojans were then caught on their heels going three and out again, but LSU wasted the stop by punting three plays later.
USC gained the ball back and went on a 9-play 49-yard drive which ended with a turnover on downs forced by Blake Baker and his defense.
LSU looked to finally put the game away after taking the air out of a disgruntled USC offense, but like before, the offense remained stagnant and went three and out again.
USC and starting quarterback Miller Moss then went on a 3-play 64-yard drive scoring a touchdown in 1:13 putting the Trojans back up 20-17.
The Tigers drove back down the field to get a field goal, but by then it was too late.
The Trojans marched back down the field, got some help from a targeting call on Jardin Gilbert, and wrote the Tigers off. Woody Marks gouged the front seven for LSU and got his second rushing touchdown of the game, capping off an impressive two-minute drill executed perfectly by Southern Cal.
The Tigers went down in an underwhelming fashion as LSU had more than one opportunity to put this week one game to rest, but like LSU has done in past season openers, they did not come through. LSU is 0-5 in their last five season openers.
Brian Kelly capped off the disappointing night with a memorable press conference saying,
“We’re sitting here again (slamming fist on the table) and talking about the same things. About not finishing when you have an opponent in a position to put em away but, what we’re doing on the sideline is feeling like the game’s over and I’m so angry about it that I gotta do something about it.”
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