By Hunt Palmer
THE STORY: After that month, LSU will take it.
No, this wasn’t a perfect performance. It was good enough.
LSU smothered Vanderbilt on third down and won the time of possession battle. Those are Vanderbilt’s proverbial bread and butter. Some red zone issues cropped up for the Tigers with a failed 4th and goal and an overturned touchdown that resulted in a field goal. Still, the running game was excellent, and the passing game remained efficient.
LSU was never in real danger of losing the game, and after a month of seemingly chugging vinegar, a tube of Crest and an electric toothbrush showed up in the form of the Vanderbilt Commodores.
The fake punt Vanderbilt executed with 8:30 left was completely inexcusable. LSU had a two touchdown lead and had the Commodores in 4th and 9. Why is anyone concerned with blocking for the return? Without that play and the ensuing touchdown, this one looks and feels a lot different. But it happened.
LSU’s players and coaches had to summon some energy and enthusiasm for this one. That wasn’t going to come from the opponent, spot or stadium. And after five snaps, that energy could have absolutely been questioned. The offense had gone three and out, and the Commodores scored from 63 yards out on their first play.
LSU answered with a long touchdown drive and really never looked back. The crowd thinned by about half as the fourth quarter began, but LSU did enough to win the game.
Oklahoma comes to town next week with a huge win in its back pocket. Both teams will be player for pride. LSU did a good enough job of that Saturday night.
THE PLAYS: After LSU went 3-and-out to open things. Vanderbilt scored on its first offensive play, a 63-yard strike from Pavia to Quency Skinner Jr. Zy Alexander bit on the double move. It was an easy pitch and catch. And LSU was whistled for a facemask on the play.
Josh Williams decided to do it himself on LSU’s second drive. On back-to-back snaps he caught a pass and broke two tackles for 14 yards. Then he busted another tackle at the line of scrimmage and bolted 20 more yards to cap to 90-yard touchdown drive and knot the score.
LSU played aggressively on its next drive. On 4th and goal from the 3, Brian Kelly rolled the dice. Snake eyes. Nussmeier fired for Trey’dez Green, but it was high.
Vanderbilt returned the favor with 4:30 left in the second quarter. The Commodores went for a 4th and 1 at the Tiger 20. Pavia rolled right and fired low for Skinner who couldn’t haul it in.
LSU surged ahead with 51 ticks before halftime. Williams again busted through the line of scrimmage and broke free for a 21-yard touchdown. That capped an 80-yard drive that took nine plays a 3:22 off the clock.
Vanderbilt lined up to go for it 4th and 4 from the LSU 29 with 8:30 left in the third quarter. LSU called timeout, and Clark Lea thought better of it. He sent Brock Taylor out for the 46 yarder which was true. 14-10 LSU.
LSU went for a 4th and 5 with just over four minutes to play in the first half. The ball was at the 38. Nussmeier zipped a gorgeous throw into CJ Daniels on a crossing route for 24 yards and a first down.
On the next snap Vanderbilt lost Lacy. He was all alone in the endzone for a 12-yard touchdown to put LSU in front, 21-10. The completion was Nussmeier’s sixth in a row.
What looked like Nussmeier’s second touchdown pass of the night was taken off the board. Aaron Anderson was unable to get a foot down inbounds near the back pylon. Replay overturned the score. That forced a 28 yard field goal from Ramos to make it 24-10 with 10:45 left.
Vanderbilt faked a punt with eight and a half minutes left down 14. Punter Jesse Mirco needed nine yards, and he got exactly that according to replay.
The Vanderbilt offense paid it off with a Pavia touchdown run from a yard out with 5:47 to play. That made it 24-17.
Damian Ramos broke Cade York’s all-time record for consecutive extra points made. His first of the game was his 119th in a row.
THE STATS: LSU held Vanderbilt to just 2-of-10 on 3rd down. Vanderbilt entered the game third in the SEC in 3rd down conversion percentage. LSU finished 8-for-13 on 3rd down.
Vanderbilt averaged 6.4 yard per third down attempt, and Pavia was 3-for-7 throwing on 3rd down.
LSU won time of possession 34:43 to 25:17. Vanderbilt was third in the SEC in time of possession entering the game.
LSU did not turn the ball over.
LSU had 27 first downs to Vanderbilt’s 14.
LSU outgained Vanderbilt 471 to 308.
Josh Williams totaled 90 yards on 14 carries. He scored twice. Caden Durham added 58 yards on 14 carries. Those two averaged 5.3 yards per carry.
Nussmeier finished 28-for-37 for 332 yards and a touchdown. He completed 10 in a row in the second half.
LSU had nine passing plays of 15-plus yards.
