By Hunt Palmer
After a respectable performance in the season opener against a quality offense, LSU’s defense didn’t show up in the first half.
Nicholls cruised down the field early on a 13-play touchdown drive that took 7:17 off the clock. When they got the ball back, they did it again. Thirteen more plays. Seventy-five more yards. Paydirt. LSU didn’t force as much as a single incompletion in the first half.
Nicholls controlled the ball for 17:11.
While all of that is not great, it might not be the biggest defensive story of the night. That could be the status of Jacobian Guillory. The senior defensive tackle was wheeled to the LSU locker room for X-rays following a right ankle injury in the first quarter.
Guillory is LSU’s most disruptive player on the interior defensive line. An extended absence for him would be a huge blow to the Tiger defense. Gio Paez and Shone Washington took most of the defensive tackle snaps after Guillory left the game. Paris Shand and Ahmad Breaux also took some snaps.
Garrett Nussmeier left the game with 22 seconds to play in the half. It appeared to be a lower leg issue for the LSU starting quarterback. Trainers were massaging his calf area. His replacement was redshirt freshman Rickie Collins who connected on his only pass attempt.
LSU’s secondary had to shake things up with Jardin Gilbert’s first half suspension for targeting. Sage Ryan backed up to safety, alongside Jordan Allen, to fill in for Gilbert. PJ Woodland and Ashton Stamps started at cornerback. Major Burns played his star position and moved into the slot. Woodland made his presence felt early with a tackle for loss on a blitz. Zy Alexander also made his defensive debut. He was LSU’s best cover corner last year before tearing his ACL against Army. Suffice to say, the performance in the first half must improve.
The Tiger offense had its issues on short yardage runs last week versus USC. The tight ends were partially to blame. In the first goal-to-go situation, LSU subbed sophomore offensive lineman Bo Bordelon in as an extra tight end. Bordelon stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 310 lbs., offering a more physical presence than Ka’Morreun Pimpton or Trey’Dez Green.
Garrett Dellinger didn’t suit up for the Tigers. Tyree Adams, a redshirt freshman, got the start at left guard. He was replaced by Paul Mubenga in the second quarter.
Ju’Juan Johnson has only played offense at LSU for less than a week, but it didn’t take long for him to get involved. After a fall camp working at Star on LSU’s defense, Johnson moved to running back this week following John Emery Jr.’s injury. He made three catches for 16 yards and his first career touchdown which came with 1:53 to play in the half.
Kyren Lacy’s catch, run and leap into the endzone for LSU’s second touchdown of the game created a roar followed by near silence. LSU’s top wide out remained on the ground for about a minute while the medical staff checked on him. He went straight to the injury tent under his own power.
Some of the penalty issues from last week showed up again. Will Campbell was flagged for a false start. He committed multiple infractions in Las Vegas. And again, LSU was flagged for disconcerting signals on defense.
Nicholls will get the football to start the second half.
