Photo By : Bayou State Media Staff
BATON ROUGE – After a turbulent month filled with losses and off-the-field disappointments, LSU football found redemption on Saturday night with a hard-fought 24-17 victory over Vanderbilt in Tiger Stadium. The Tigers showed resilience, bouncing back from a three-game losing streak that had shaken the program and its fan base.
A Rocky Start but a Steady Response
Vanderbilt wasted no time making a statement, scoring on its first play from scrimmage. Quarterback Diego Pavia’s 63-yard touchdown pass to Quincy Skinner sent an early shockwave through Death Valley. Yet, instead of letting the game spiral out of control, LSU steadied itself.
The Tigers responded with a balanced offensive drive, capped by senior running back Josh Williams’ 20-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 7-7. Williams proved instrumental throughout the night, adding a second touchdown before halftime with a 21-yard dash, giving LSU a 14-7 lead at the break.
Nussmeier Leads the Charge
Garrett Nussmeier entered Saturday’s game with something to prove after inconsistent performances during LSU’s losing streak. The junior quarterback delivered, completing 28 of 37 passes for 332 yards and a touchdown.
Nussmeier’s ability to extend plays and make smart decisions kept LSU’s offense efficient. A third-quarter touchdown pass to Kyren Lacy highlighted his night, as he fired a strike to a wide-open Lacy, extending the Tigers’ lead to 21-10.
Defense Bends but Doesn’t Break
LSU’s defense entered the game under scrutiny, particularly for its struggles against mobile quarterbacks. While Pavia showcased his dual-threat abilities early, the Tigers contained him effectively after the opening drive.
Vanderbilt managed just 2 of 10 on third-down conversions, and Pavia was limited to 43 rushing yards. Although the Commodores narrowed the gap in the fourth quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run by Pavia, LSU’s defense held firm in the game’s crucial moments.
Closing Out with Authority
One of the Tigers’ most significant challenges during their losing streak had been closing out games. Head coach Brian Kelly emphasized the importance of finishing strong, and the team delivered.
With 5:47 left in the fourth quarter and Vanderbilt within a touchdown, LSU orchestrated an 11-play, 66-yard drive to drain the clock and secure the win. Damian Ramos’ 28-yard field goal during the fourth quarter also proved crucial in giving LSU enough cushion to withstand Vanderbilt’s late push.
A Step Forward in a Difficult Season
The win moves LSU to 7-4 on the season, avoiding what would have been the program’s first four-game losing streak since 1999. While the Tigers’ aspirations for the SEC Championship and College Football Playoff were dashed weeks ago, Saturday’s performance proved that the team hasn’t lost its fight.
“This was about pride and playing for each other,” head coach Brian Kelly said after the game. “We wanted to show that we’re still capable of competing at a high level.”
The Tigers will close out their regular season next week with a challenging matchup against Oklahoma. With the possibility of finishing 8-4, LSU still has a chance to end the season on a positive note and build momentum for the future.
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