The Good, the bad, and the ugly from LSU Football’s win over Nicholls State

The LSU Football team is in the win column defending Tiger Stadium with a win over the Nicholls State Colonels. The game wasn’t as stress-free as LSU fans would hope as the Tigers were at one point in the third quarter only ahead thanks to a Nicholls State shot in the foot safety. The highlight of the game may have been the improvements made to Tiger Stadium namely the light show accompanied by Garth Brooks. Here is the good, the bad, and the ugly from LSU’s win over Nicholls State.

The Good

The Tigers got onto the scoreboard thanks to a safety on Nicholls’ attempt to punt the football. On the ensuing kickoff, Zavion Thomas showed why he’s an All-Conference returner returning the ball 58 yards to Nicholls’ 27-yard line. On LSU’s first kickoff, they pinned the Colonels on their own 15-yard line. Every time Zavion Thomas touches the football he’s a threat to make a big play which is a welcomed change for LSU after return struggles in the past.

Garrett Nussmeier has been able to spread the ball around this season compared to last year when Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr dominated the targets. In Week One, ten different players caught a pass from Nussmeier and in Week Two it was 7 with three new additions to the group.. In 2023, only 15 players recorded a reception that number will be shattered in 2024.

This week saw LSU move Ju’Juan Johnson from defensive back to running back after John Emery Jr tore his ACL in a move that was very exciting given how incredible he was at quarterback for Lafayette Christian Academy. In his first game at running back, Johnson looked incredible as a receiving threat out of the backfield catching 3 passes for 16 yards and a touchdown. It’ll be interesting to see how Johnson develops at running back as the season progresses.

Garrett Nussmeier flashed an ability to pick up yards with his legs rushing for 12 yards on his longest rush of the game, if Nussmeier can start to be a threat with his legs, it’ll open things up for the Tigers’ running backs.

PJ Woodland has to start at cornerback going forward for LSU, he made some impressive tackles and got the Tigers a turnover with a strip resembling the peanut punch. In his first game post tearing his ACL, Zy Alexander looked impressive, and he’ll be another player who competes for playing time as the season moves along.

Kyren Lacy finished the game with five catches for 65 yards and three touchdowns in yet another impressive showing. The only bad part was that Lacy’s impressive performance in this game reminded us that the Tigers completely forgot to pass him the ball in the second half last week.

This was another solid game for Garrett Nussmeier as he took care of the football while throwing for 290 yards and six touchdowns.

The Bad:

False starts continue to plague LSU’s offensive line as we saw on the opening drive, were not sure if its an issue with the cadence or what but, this is an issue that needs to be figured out before SEC play.

The injuries suffered in this game could potentially derail this season for the LSU Football team. Jacobian Guillory left the game with a leg injury and when he exited the injury tent, he was in a cast and a wheelchair which is a disaster as LSU is already undermanned at defensive tackle. Kyren Lacy appeared to have an ankle injury which he played through but, it’ll be something to keep an eye on the next few days. Jordan Allen had to be helped off the field at one point with an injury of his own in the disastrous first half.

The end of half execution was poor at best and LSU rushed it’s field goal operation onto the field and the result was a missed field goal by Damian Ramos which was one of Brian Kelly’s biggest concerns during his half-time interview.

This feels like a nitpick but, given the talent difference between LSU’s front line and Nicholls State’s defense, the Tigers should’ve rushed for more than 3.2 yards per carry.

The Ugly

I bet you were alarmed not seeing the LSU defense listed under the bad but, calling the performance bad would’ve been an understatement after what we saw to start the game. False starts weren’t the only issue on the penalty side as LSU was penalized six times for 32 yards.

When facing a team like Nicholls State, there is no reason that the LSU Football team should struggle to start the season. Yet, on the opening drive, LSU had to punt the football away after Brian Kelly again decided to receive which makes no sense. The plays are worked on and scripted throughout the week so LSU needs to be better at executing if Kelly is going to continue to receive the opening kickoff.

The LSU Football team let up a 13-play 84-yard touchdown drive to Nicholls in the first quarter with a little bit of everything. Ashton Stamps gave up two catches for first downs, the Tigers couldn’t get off the field on fourth down, and Nicholls ran the ball with ease in the red zone. The starting defense needs to look dominant when facing an offense that struggled against LA Tech the week prior. The Tigers gave up another 7-minute drive lasting thirteen plays leading to another touchdown as they dominated the time of possession in the first half.

To open up the second half you would think that LSU’s highly paid $16.11 million-dollar defensive staff would’ve figured out how to stop Nicholls State’s wildcat attack. Well, the answer is no, as LSU allowed a 67-yard touchdown to Collin Guggenheim.

It’s a shock that Nicholls State didn’t try to throw the ball more than they did as their quarterbacks finished the game a combined

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