Baton Rouge, La. — As the heavily favored, 16th-ranked LSU Tigers jogged off the field at halftime tied with UCLA, a chorus of boos echoed through Tiger Stadium on Saturday. LSU’s sluggish performance, paired with the sweltering Louisiana heat, prompted many fans to leave before the second half.
However, those who stayed witnessed a vastly improved LSU team after the break.
Garrett Nussmeier threw for 352 yards and three touchdowns, as No. 16 LSU shut out UCLA 17-0 in the second half, securing a 34-17 win.
“We wish we were sharper in the first half. The mistakes were frustrating,” said LSU coach Brian Kelly. “But these are the players we have, and no one’s getting traded. We’ll keep working, and they’ll get better.”
The victory wasn’t without its setbacks. LSU lost standout linebacker Harold Perkins to a right knee injury in the fourth quarter. Perkins, a preseason All-American, was hurt while making a tackle and needed assistance off the field. He later walked to the locker room, flanked by trainers, with a towel over his head.
“He’s injured, but we won’t know the full extent until we run tests,” Kelly added. “We should have a clearer picture by Monday.”
At the time of Perkins’ injury, LSU held a two-touchdown lead and later added a field goal with just under six minutes remaining, sealing their third consecutive win and improving to 3-1.
Mason Taylor led LSU’s receiving corps with eight catches for 77 yards, surpassing Richard Dickson as the top receiving tight end in program history with 999 career yards.
“It means a lot. Making an impact on this program has always been a goal,” Taylor said. “I feel like I can contribute a lot to this offense, and I’m ready for whatever comes my way.”
Nussmeier had an efficient outing, completing 32 of 44 passes, including a 45-yard touchdown to Kyle Parker down the right sideline. He did not commit any turnovers.
“The offensive line did a great job protecting me, and the guys were making plays right from the start,” Nussmeier said. “No moment is too big for us as an offense, and we did a great job staying focused and executing step by step.”
Freshman running back Caden Durham showcased his talent with a 35-yard touchdown catch, while Josh Williams powered in a 2-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to give LSU the lead for good. Aaron Anderson contributed six catches for 75 yards.
UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns but struggled with turnovers, losing a fumble in the first half and throwing an interception in the second.
“It’s about progress, and I’m proud of the fight my team showed,” said UCLA coach DeShaun Foster. “As long as my guys keep fighting and striving to improve, we will continue to get better.”
Despite being more than three-touchdown favorites, LSU found themselves in a battle early.
Both teams scored on their opening drives, with LSU’s Zavion Thomas catching a 5-yard touchdown pass and UCLA’s Jack Pedersen answering with a 20-yard scoring reception.
LSU’s defense made a crucial play late in the first half when defensive end Bradyn Swinson, coming off a three-sack performance the previous week, notched two more sacks. One forced a fumble deep in UCLA territory, leading to an LSU field goal that put the Tigers up 17-10.
UCLA managed to tie the game just before halftime when Garbers connected with Logan Loya for an 11-yard touchdown as he absorbed a heavy hit.
The Bruins showed resilience after last week’s 42-13 loss to Indiana. Despite facing brutal heat, humidity, and an intense Death Valley crowd, UCLA held their own for much of the game.
The Tigers’ defense had a shaky first half, giving up 17 points to a UCLA offense that had been struggling. However, defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s unit tightened up in the second half, a positive sign moving forward.
UP NEXT:
UCLA returns home to open Big Ten play against No.9 Oregon, on Saturday.
LSU plays South Alabama on Saturday at home in a final non-conference contest before seven straight games against SEC opponents.
