LSU Tigers' one key struggle almost cost them against horrible UCLA team, but Garrett Nussmeier saved the day
After last week's breakout performance from true freshman running back Caden Durham it seemed that LSU had turned a corner with their running game. Apparently that was not the case.LSU struggled all day long to move the ball on the ground at all against a horrible UCLA team who just lost 42-13 to the Indiana […]
After last week's breakout performance from true freshman running back Caden Durham it seemed that LSU had turned a corner with their running game. Apparently that was not the case.
LSU struggled all day long to move the ball on the ground at all against a horrible UCLA team who just lost 42-13 to the Indiana Hoosiers a week ago. Luckily, Garrett Nussmeier saved the day with his arm yet again.
LSU Running Game Struggles
LSU opened up the day looking like the offense was clicking on all cylinders as Josh Williams took his first two carries for four and 23 yards. Garrett Nussmeier then finished off the beautiful opening drive with a touchdown pass to Zavion Thomas. However, from that point on the LSU Tigers' rushing attack never took a carry for more than 8 yards for the rest of the game.
Brian Kelly and his coaching staff tried their hand with each running back in their committee (Josh Williams, Caden Durham, and Kaleb Jackson) throughout the game but none of them got anything going. Outside of Williams' one long carry on the scripted drive to begin the game he managed just 39 yards on his other 12 runs. Jackson and Durham could do next to nothing on the ground as they combined for 40 rushing yards on 12 carries themselves.
So, is it all on the running backs? Not likely. LSU may have one of the best (if not the absolute best) pass blocking offensive tackle tandem in the nation in Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr., but the entire offensive line has struggled in run blocking so far this season. It looks like that was still an issue once again this week. If that's not fixed–and soon–LSU is going to lose a game they shouldn't. Thankfully UCLA's defense looked completely lost against the pass, and Nussmeier dominated yet again.
Garrett Nussmeier Saves the Day
Garrett Nussmeier has been playing Superman for the LSU Tigers all season long and Saturday's victory over UCLA was no exception. Coming into Saturday's game Nussmeier was already averaging nearly 300 yards per game with 10 touchdowns in just three contests. When the run game began to stall once again Nussmeier just kept slinging the rock for 352 yards passing and three more scores through the air.
Nussmeier's pass of the day came on an unbelievable deep touchdown pass to wide receiver Kyle Parker, who made one heck of a play himself. Nussmeier connected seven different targets for multiple receptions on the day as he looked unstoppable down the stretch.
LSU's elite set of offensive skill position players at wide receiver and tight end certainly make life easier for Nussmeier, but he was distributing incredibly well on Saturday. He connected with Mason Taylor eight times for 77 yards. Aaron Anderson and CJ Daniels both grabbed six receptions. Nussmeier's chemistry with his targets, leadership, and poise was on full display.
Unfortunately, Nussmeier's heroics don't change the fact the game was still tied at halftime because the Tigers simply could not move ball on the ground at all. And even late in the game when LSU pulled away Nussmeier still had to make four clutch third down conversions after the running game failed to put the offense in good positions. If this doesn't improve, Nussmeier is going to have to continue pulling off magical performances every week. Against UCLA that's okay. Against good SEC teams? LSU might struggle if they're not careful.
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