BATON ROUGE – LSU secured a vital victory on Saturday, powered by an impressive performance from quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who completed 28 of 37 passes for 332 yards and one touchdown, leading the Tigers to a 24-17 win against Vanderbilt at home.
The Tigers also benefited from a standout showing by senior running back Josh Williams, who rushed for 90 yards and recorded a career-best two touchdown receptions, amassing a total of 61 yards receiving.
LSU will be back at Tiger Stadium for their final regular season game next Saturday against Oklahoma, with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m. CT, broadcast live on ABC.
Game Summary
Vanderbilt’s quarterback, Diego Pavia, kicked off the game with a bang, connecting with wide receiver Quincy Skinner Jr. for a stunning 63-yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage, giving the Commodores an early 7-0 lead.
In response, LSU’s offense quickly got into gear. Nussmeier’s first pass went to tight end Mason Taylor for a 10-yard gain, and a subsequent 30-yard completion to Kyren Lacy advanced the ball to the Vanderbilt 37. Josh Williams then made significant contributions, scoring on a 20-yard rush after a series of successful plays, culminating in a 90-yard drive.
Following a defensive stop, LSU continued its offensive momentum. Despite a turnover on downs after failing to convert on 4th-and-3 from the Vanderbilt 3-yard line, the first quarter concluded with the score tied at 7-7.
As the game progressed into the second quarter, both teams engaged in a defensive battle. With just over four minutes left in the half, LSU took a commanding lead after orchestrating a 9-play, 80-yard drive, finished off by another touchdown run from Josh Williams, making the score 14-7 just before halftime.
The Commodores began the second half with a successful 47-yard field goal, narrowing the score to 14-10. But LSU fired back with a solid 10-play, 77-yard drive, with Nussmeier finding Lacy in the end zone, restoring their lead to 21-10 by the third quarter’s end.
LSU added to their score early in the fourth quarter, but a touchdown pass was overturned, resulting in a 28-yard field goal from Damian Ramos, advancing the score to 24-10.
Vanderbilt clawed back with a short touchdown run from Pavia, making it 24-17 late in the game. However, LSU managed to maintain their lead by kneeling down the ball in the final moments, clinching the victory and elevating their record to 7-4.
This victory not only boosts LSU’s standing as they head into their final matchup of the season but also showcases the growing synergy within the team, particularly with outstanding performances from both Nussmeier and Williams. With the momentum on their side, the Tigers are poised for a strong finish against Oklahoma, providing fans with hope for an exciting conclusion to the season.