By Hunt Palmer
LSU rolled early in Houston. Momentum swings highlighted the end of the first half.
Garrett Nussmeier has roasted the Baylor secondary behind his new offensive line. Trey’Dez Green and Chris Hilton are playing the roles they were destined to play at LSU. The defense, which was great early, allowed two scoring drives in the last four minutes.
It’s 34-17 at halftime of the Texas Bowl.
The pregame talk was about opt-outs and the portal and Baylor’s six game win streak. It should have been about No. 13 in purple. Nussmeier has been brilliant in this first half, finding quick connections when necessary and connecting on the deep balls to Hilton.
The junior signal caller completed 16-of-21 throws for 200 yards and three touchdowns, and it would be better if Aaron Anderson had held onto a dime of a throw in the back of the endzone with about four minutes to play.
Hilton himself has four catches for 113 yards and a score.
The Tigers corralled Sawyer Robertson and the Big 12’s second-best scoring offense much of the first half. The highlight was an early pick-six by freshman Davhon Keys to give LSU a 14-0 lead.
Baylor’s first offensive production came on the back of poor special teams plays by LSU, a shanked punt and a blocked field goal.
The shanked punt set up a 50-yard touchdown drive. The blocked field goal created some momentum for Baylor’s final drive of the half which resulted in another score. Robertson hit Ketron Jackson Jr. over Ashton Stamps down to the one.
On the next play Baylor’s Dawson Pendergrass scored, and LSU linebacker Whit Weeks was carted off the field after an air cast was secured to his right foot and ankle. It appears his season is done.
The emotions swung as after Weeks was carted off, Zavion Thomas housed the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown to give LSU a 20-point lead.
Baylor added a late field goal to cut the deficit to 17. The Bears will get the football to begin the second half.
