Baton Rouge, La. — Garrett Nussmeier threw for 277 yards and three touchdowns, including two long scoring passes to Chris Hilton, as LSU defeated Oklahoma 37-17 in their regular-season finale on Saturday night. The Tigers (8-4, 5-3 SEC) closed out their season with two straight wins, bouncing back from a three-game skid that had dropped them out of the AP Top 25.
In addition to Nussmeier’s standout performance, Aaron Anderson contributed a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, further solidifying LSU’s dominant victory. The Tigers, who had been written off after their midseason struggles, demonstrated their resilience in the final stretch of the season. LSU coach Brian Kelly was emphatic after the win, vowing that his team is on the rise and predicting a return to national title contention in the coming years.
“They listened to the narratives out there that they weren’t excited to play for anything, that the season was over — and they simply went out and played inspired football these last two weeks,” Kelly said. “We’re taking receipts, and we’ll see you at the national championship.”
Nussmeier’s night was nearly derailed in the second quarter after a blind-side sack by Oklahoma defensive end R Mason Thomas. The hit left Nussmeier briefly sidelined, but after negative X-rays, he returned to lead the Tigers back into control. Kelly praised his quarterback’s toughness and competitive spirit.
“That’s the kind of player he is; that’s the kind of competitor he is,” Kelly said.
Upon his return, Nussmeier wasted no time, connecting with Hilton for a 40-yard touchdown pass just before halftime, giving LSU a 24-17 lead. In the second half, Nussmeier continued to battle through discomfort, eventually finding Hilton again for a 45-yard touchdown on LSU’s first drive of the third quarter to extend the lead to 31-17.
Kyren Lacy added a touchdown for LSU in the first quarter, catching a 18-yard pass to give the Tigers the game’s first score. The Tigers capitalized on multiple explosive plays, including a 50-yard run from Caden Durham and a 42-yard reception from Ka’Morreun Pimpton, which led to field goals.
Oklahoma (6-6, 2-6) had its moments, including a brief 14-10 lead after Xavier Robinson’s 2-yard touchdown run. But Anderson’s 100-yard kickoff return quickly shifted momentum back in LSU’s favor, and the Tigers never looked back. The Sooners, coming off a surprising win over Alabama, couldn’t sustain any offensive rhythm against LSU’s defense.
Quarterback Jackson Arnold, who passed for 110 yards, also led the Sooners with 75 rushing yards. Oklahoma attempted a trick play with tight end Bauer Sharp throwing a pass, but it ended in an interception by LSU safety Sage Ryan.
Oklahoma’s defense was also opportunistic, with R Mason Thomas recovering a fumble in the first quarter and returning it for a touchdown. It was the second consecutive week Oklahoma scored a defensive touchdown.
For Hilton, it was a breakout performance after missing the first seven games of the season due to an ankle injury. The premier deep threat had just three catches for 45 yards without a touchdown before Saturday’s game. Against Oklahoma, he caught two passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns.
Kelly, who had been vocal with Hilton earlier in the season, praised his receiver’s performance and awarded him a game ball afterward.
“It takes a while to get back into rhythm,” Kelly said. “We either missed him on overthrows or the timing wasn’t quite where it needed to be. But tonight, he showed what he’s capable of.”
Takeaways:
- Oklahoma: The Sooners’ first season in the SEC was a difficult one, with their late upset of Alabama just enough to secure bowl eligibility.
- LSU: After a turbulent stretch, LSU has finished strong and has a chance to reach nine victories for the third consecutive season.
Up Next:
Both teams now await bowl invitations, with LSU looking forward to a postseason opportunity after closing their regular season with momentum. Oklahoma, having battled through a tough SEC transition, will also prepare for a bowl game following the upcoming conference championship games.
