Football hosts South Alabama – LSU on Saturday evening

LSU looks to keep the momentum going against Sun Belt foe South Alabama while the Jaguars face the Tigers on a Saturday night in Death Valley.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6:55 p.m. CT on the SEC Network and LSU Sports Radio Network.

Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has established himself as one of the best players in the country in four weeks of play. According to Pro Football Focus, Nussmeier completed 70% of his passes, completing 112 of 160 passes for 1,243 yards, with 13 touchdowns and seven big throws.

The Tigers edged UCLA in Week 4 behind Nussmeier and 17 unanswered second-half points and improved to 3-1 overall heading into Saturday’s game against USA. It was a second half that head coach Brian Kelly says is nothing to scoff at.

A perfect day of tailgating and football is coming soon to Baton Rouge

– LSU Football (@LSUfootball) September 26, 2024

“It says a lot about the way this team continues to fight,” Kelly said Monday.

One of Nussmeier’s best throws of the season came early in the second quarter when he hit redshirt freshman Kyle Parker for a 45-yard touchdown connection. It was Parker’s first touchdown as a Tiger and his second reception of the year.

“Confidence comes from making plays,” Kelly said of Parker. “He had to go and make a play, and he did. It felt so good for him. I think this will really help him.”

Redshirt sophomore Aaron Anderson continued to be a reliable target for Nussmeier, recording six catches for 75 yards against the Bruins. Mason Taylor, who already entered the game with the most tight end receptions in LSU history, became the all-time leading tight end receiver in LSU history with eight catches for 77 yards.

The defense continues to put pressure on the opposing quarterback, led by defensive ends Bradyn Swinson and Saivion Jones. Swinson was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week after recording five tackles, a forced fumble and two sacks. Jones recorded four tackles, 0.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.

“Five sacks for the second game in a row for our defense,” Kelly said. “From my perspective, we’re disrupting crime in the matter that we really haven’t had in the last few years.”