It wasn’t the most ideal conditions but the LSU Tigers pulled off a dominant victory in a cold and rainy Tiger Stadium. Conditions were in the 40s at kickoff with a drizzle to start the game. It wasn’t enough to cool off the LSU offense.
The Tigers wanted to respond well after a poor offensive performance in a low-scoring win over the Razorbacks. It was a get-right spot for the Tigers and they had no issues, throwing for more than 300 and rushing for more than 250 yards, with no real fight from the Blazers defense in a 41-10 victory.
LSU’s run of defensive prowess continued, limiting one of the best rushing attacks in college football to just over 50 yards.
We’ll break down both sides of the ball for the Tigers in this week’s good, bad and the ugly.
THE GOOD: LSU Offense
After just scoring 13 points in their win against Arkansas, the LSU offense responded with 565 yards in a sound beatdown of the Blazers. It was a combination of both the passing and rushing attack of Jayden Daniels, and some efficient short-yardage running by Noach Cain, that led the way against the UAB Blazers.
Daniels finished with a reasonable 297 yards passing and a touchdown before being replaced by Garrett Nussmeier in mop-up duty. He also had a game-high 111 rushing yards and another touchdown. Everything went through the LSU quarterback, but the Tigers’ playmakers definitely helped in the process.
Cain had a coming-out party with three rushing touchdowns and 76 yards on his 13 carries. Josh Williams was late scratch, meaning Cain and John Emery picked up the slack. The run game didn’t miss a beat..
Malik Nabers looked locked in all night with Kayshon Boutte inactive. It was first 100-yard receiving game of the season and he reached that mark on just his fourth catch of the game. He finished with 129 yards on 7 catches.
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MORE GOOD: LSU run defense
The Blazers entered Saturday night’s game as the No. 6 rushing offense in college football. They weren’t that at Tiger Stadium, getting held in check all night by the LSU front seven. UAB’s Dewayne McBride, who entered as the NCAA leader in rushing yards per game, could only muster 34 yards on his 13 carries.
UAB’s gameplan early was to throw the football, and it worked on the first drive as the Blazers only needed three plays to score a touchdown after a long kickoff return. The next drive went for a field goal, but after that, not much. The ensuing nine drives resulted in six punts and three TODs.
THE BAD: John Emery Jr.
The LSU running back powered in the first score of the ball game. After that it was downhill for the former Destrehan star, and not in a good way. Emery looked like he was going to get the bulk of the carries in Williams’ absence until he surrendered a fumble in the red zone. After that his work was limited.
Emery fumbled again in the 4th quarter and didn’t see the ball again. His talent gives a spark to the LSU offense. We saw it against Arkansas on a 32 yard run. But if there’s one way to get stuck on the sideline, it’s being loose with the football.
THE UGLY: Weather and attendance
The saying “it never rains in Tiger Stadium” was put to the test on Saturday, and the wet conditions persisted from start to finish. The soggy night (and opponent) combined to create the poorest fan turnout of the season. Sitting in mid-40 weather probably isn’t as ideal as sitting in front of a big screen TV.
The Tigers also honored 17 seniors on the night. It wasn’t the best way for them to go out, but they got the win in their final home game. It could’ve gone worse.
Next the Tigers will head to College Station to take on a Texas A&M team that’s struggled all season, a must-win game to ensure a date against Georgia in the SEC Championship has the most weight riding on it possible.
The Aggies would love to play spoiler to LSU’s playoff hopes just like South Carolina did to Tennessee this week. LSU’s only two losses to the Aggies, since they joined the SEC, have come in their last two tries in College Station. Kelly should have his players focused as the SEC Championship nears closer in December.