By Hunt Palmer
If Brian Kelly asked his team for a fast start, he got it.
Caden Durham took the games first snap for a 71-yard house call, and LSU never slowed down in the first half.
The Tigers lead 35-3 and won the yardstick 429-124.
Statistically, Durham was the star. On LSU’s second snap he went 86 yards down to the one. He also added a powerful eight-yard touchdown run on LSU’s third drive. He accounted for 214 total yards.
Garrett Nussmeier doubled his career rushing touchdown output with a pair of rushing scores. He did his thing in the passing game as well, rolling up 254 yards on 14-of-21. He was intercepted with 18 seconds to play in the half. For LSU’s fifth touchdown he delivered back-to-back strikes to Mason Taylor and Aaron Anderson that accounted for 53 yards and Anderson’s touchdown.
The Tiger defense wasn’t to be outdone.
South Alabama was 1-for-8 on third down tries. The only conversion was the last of the half on a play that appeared to be foiled by a Whit Weeks blitz. South Alabama quarterback Gio Lopez escaped and made a great throw to Kentrell Bullock.
A fourth down conversion early in the second quarter did allow South Alabama to get into field goal range for a 49-yarder from Laith Marjon.
That was the only scoring the Jaguars could muster.
LSU’s defense was consistently in position and sure with its tackling. The Tigers made seven tackles in the backfield and limited USA to 117 total yards.
In Zy Alexander’s absence, LSU turned to PJ Woodland as the starter opposite Ashton Stamps. JK Johnson also saw significant time.
A complete game has alluded the Tigers to this point in the season. That will be the mission after halftime no matter which starters exit the game early.
