Caden Durham Gives LSU Electric Spark in 42-10 Rout of South Alabama

Posted on by Jace LeJeune

With one game before approaching the bye week, LSU was looking for a hot start and it did not take long for them to get it as Caden Durham took a normal swing pass on the first play of the game and was able to showcase his speed outracing the Jaguars’ defense for a 71 yard touchdown.

It also did not stop there as on the second play of the game, Durham takes a handoff and goes 86 yards to set up a quarterback sneak by Garrett Nussmeier. The dynamic plays by Durham set the tone for the entire team with a 42-10 victory over South Alabama to improve the Tigers’ record to 4-1.

“I’m please with the guy’s effort tonight. The whole mindset of coming in here to Tiger Stadium and playing the kind of football you want to play as the season begins to take shape into an SEC schedule. Clearly, offensively, we did some great things tonight-running the football and throwing it over 667 yards. You can characterize it any way you want, but Garrett Nussmeier, the receivers, (Caden) Durham, all of those guys were high performers tonight.”

LSU HC Brian Kelly on the offense

After giving the Tiger’s rushing game the spark it needed with an impressive two touchdown debut performance against South Carolina, the talented freshman running back from Duncanville, Texas put his stamp on being RB1 with 7 carries for 128 yards and 1 touchdown on the ground to go with 3 catches for 89 yards and a second touchdown as a receiver. Overall, Durham exploded to having 217 total yards and two total touchdowns on just 10 total touches.

The LSU offense continued to have another efficient performance as in the first half, the offense set a record of 429 yards, which is the most since the 2019 College Football Semifinal Playoff Game against Oklahoma. Overall, the unit recorded over 600 yards of total offense including over 200 yards on the ground.

“For one, I think our best football has not been played yet. I think that we are getting there. We are getting there and improving each week. I think that is what is most important. We have a bye week to get everyone back healthy and back going. We will get in the film room and correct mistakes. We will grow from the good things we did today as well.”

LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier

Garrett Nussmeier set a career high 409 yards passing in the game and threw for two touchdowns while also adding two more touchdowns on the ground. Even though it was another impressive performance by Nussmeier on paper, he also threw two interceptions in the game as well.

“It was just a normal conversation between a coach and a player that should happen. You know, he expects a lot from me and that’s how I would want it to be. The worst thing I would want is to throw an interception, come up on the sideline, and nobody says anything to me. That would be no one has belief in me to not do what I did. Coach Kelly does an unbelievable job in correcting me. Coach Sloan will help as well after we watch the tape.”

LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier

Aaron Anderson had another nice game for the Tigers with six catches for 73 yards and one touchdown while Kyren Lacy had a bounce back game after having a quiet game against UCLA with five grabs for 107 yards.

LSU started the first half red hot jumping up to a 28-3 as the offense scored touchdowns on its first four drives, but also, the defense had its best start to a game this season only giving up 3 points, 124 yards, and six first downs in the first half.

“I thought the backers played well. Greg Penn and Whit Weeks, that combination, they’re very active. Their assignments, they were all over it. There’s a lot of misdirection there. They got us on a couple plays early on with some plays we hadn’t seen before with some misdirection there. They have really good schemes, and we had to settle down, but those two guys played very well, and then it’s important to point out we’re really doing a nice job up front. We’re not giving up running lanes that put our backers in a position where they can’t go downhill and make some plays so I thought the front six, front seven did a pretty good job today.”

LSU HC Brian Kelly on the defensive performance

Whit Weeks was definitely a bright spot as he had nine tackles, a tackle for loss, a pass breakup, and a bone crushing hit at the goal line to force a turnover on downs. His counterpart Greg Penn was just as impressive making tackles all over the field with 14 tackles and a tackle for loss. With the loss of Harold Perkins, the Tigers’ two inside linebackers were able to step up their game.

“I think me and Whit, we have played together before. Last year, we had a couple of games where it was just me and him so I think we just feed off each other. We play great together. Just continue stacking to get better.”

LSU LB Greg Penn on relationship with Whit Weeks

Limiting a hot Jaguars’ offense that was a Top 15 unit in the country to only 10 points is a huge confidence boost for a defense that is continuing to grow its confidence.

The start of the third quarter was a little rocky for the Tigers giving up a touchdown on the opening drive of the second half and also Nussmeier throwing an interception, but the Tigers’ goal line stand and 99 yard scoring drive punched in by Josh Williams after the stand turned out to be a good ending for what was a businesslike win for LSU entering the bye week.

“They’re a top 15 offense in the country so there were some challenges there that I think our guys responded to. Bottom line is we’ve gotten better of the last five weeks and that’s what we needed to be going into this off week as we get ready for an SEC schedule.”

LSU HC Brian Kelly on the win and heading into the bye week

LSU will use this week as an opportunity to rest up, continue to improve on both sides of the ball, and to get ready for an SEC gauntlet the rest of the way starting with a home game against Ole Miss on October 12th.

Photo Gallery (Photos Taken By Jason Saucier):

Postgame Interviews:

Pregame:

1st Quarter:

2nd Quarter:

3rd Quarter:

4th Quarter:

Final Stats:

Offensive Cumulative Stats

STATSouth AlabamaLSU
NET TOTAL YARDS333667
NET RUSHING YARDS112237
Rushing Attempts3327
Average Per Rush3.48.8
Rushing TDs04
Yards Gained140238
Yards Lost281
NET PASSING YARDS221430
Completion-Attempts20-3029-42
Completion Percentage67%69%
Avg Per Completion11.114.8
Passing TDs12
TOTAL 1ST DOWNS1629
Rushing 1st Downs88
Passing 1st Downs821
Penalty 1st Downs00
TOTAL PLAYS6369
Avg Yds/Play5.39.7
Rushing-Passing33-3027-42

Offense Efficiency Comparison

STATSouth AlabamaLSU
RED ZONE ATTEMPTS0-14-5
Red Zone Points028
RZ TDs Rush-Pass0-04-0
RZ FG Made-Att0-00-0
RZ Turns11
3rd Downs4-146-9
4th Downs1-30-0
Penalties5-354-40
Fumbles-Lost1-00-0
Pts Off Turns00
POSSESSION TIME31:0029:00

Special Teams Comparison

STAT
Punts-Avg6-45.52-47.0
Inside2021
Field Goals1-10-0
Kick Returns0-02-62
Punt Returns0-02–1

Defensive Comparison

STATSouth Alabama LSU
TACKLES6772
Solo Tackles3730
Tackles for Loss29
TFL Yards-6-24
Pass Breakups33
QB Hurries14
Sacks03
Sacks Yards-0-15
Takeaways FR-INT0-20-0
Forced Fumbles00
Fumble Recoveries00
FR Yards00
Interceptions20
INT Yards240
TDs INT-FR0-00-0

South Alabama Passing

#PLAYERC-AYDSTDIC%RTG
7LOPEZ,GIO16-221711073153
4DAVENPORT,BISHOP4-8500050102.5
PASS TOTALS20-302211067

South Alabama Receiving

#PLAYERNOYDSTDLNGAVGTGTC%
11EAGER,ANTHONY49113822.8580
2PRITCHETT,JAMAAL34002513.3475
15SANDGREN,SHAMAR323087.7650
3BULLOCK,KENTREL3160125.33100
24BOTHWELL,FLUFF280742100
89BENCH,ANDREW119019191100
13IVORY,JAVON11401414250
8THOMAS-JONES,DJ180881100
1VOISIN,DEVIN110111100
81WEBB,JEREMIAH11011425
10 RECEIVERS2022113811.13067

South Alabama Rushing

#PLAYERATTYDSTDLNGAVG
3BULLOCK,KENTREL9560216.2
7LOPEZ,GIO10330123.3
24BOTHWELL,FLUFF1017041.7
22MARTIN,PJ311073.7
5 RUSHERS331120213.4

South Alabama Punting

PunterNOYDSAVGLNGI2050+
PULKKINEN,ALEKSI627345.55021

South Alabama Field Goals

KickerTimeDistResult
Marjan,Laith2nd-14:1549GOOD
TOTAL1-1LONG OF 49

South Alabama All Purpose Yards

PlayerTotRushRecKORPRIR-FRTDs
EAGER,ANTHONY910910001
BULLOCK,KENTREL7256160000
PRITCHETT,JAMAAL400400000

South Alabama Defense

#Player (Starter)TotTkSoloSackTFLIntBrUpQBHFF
19Fortenberry,Amarion (CB)108000200
6Miller,Wesley84000000
5McBride Jr.,Courtne (LB)5300.50000
28McKenzie,Darius (LB)5100.50000
8Scruggs,Jordan (DB)41000000
10Washington,Aakil (LB)43000100
2Voisin,Jaden43001000
7Webb Jr.,Lardarius32001000
32Myrick,Blayne (LB)31000000
0Wallace, Jr.,Christ (DB)21000000
18Moss Jr.,RJ (DL)21000000
31Harris,Mike20000000
95Durgan,Jalyn (DL)21000010
55Strong Jr.,Maurice (DL)11000000
99Thomas,Wy’Kevious (DL)11000000
3Hyatt Jr.,Rickey11000000
4Gamble,Dallas (CB)11000000
11Hughes,Dalton (LB)1000.50000
15Caldwell,Chrystyile (LB)10000000
15Sandgren,Shamar11000000
22Goodwill,Ty11000000
25Caffee,Dashaun10000000
45Smith IV,Ed (DL)1000.50000
53Sibley,Emauri (LB)11000000
90Johnson Jr.,Carlos (DL)10000000
96Webb,Eli (DL)11000000
11Eager,Anthony00000000
99Marjan,Laith00000000
TOTALS6737022310

South Alabama Punt Returns

ReturnerNOYDSAVGLNGTD

South Alabama Kick Returns

ReturnerNOYDSAVGLNGTD

South Alabama Team Stats By Quarter

1stRushPassCAITotYAvg3rdsPens
1st310-206-535-6-0734.60-32-10
2nd39-239-286-9-0512.81-51-15
3rd710-576-905-6-01479.22-31-5
4th34-129-504-9-0624.81-31-5
Total1633-11230-22120-30-03335.34-145-35

South Alabama Scoring Summary

QtrClockScoreTypePlayDriveScore
214:15FGMarjan,Laith 49 yd Field Goal10/44/05:3021-3
310:17TDPASSEager,Anthony 27 yd reception thrown by Lopez,Gio9/75/04:4335-10

LSU Passing

#PLAYERC-AYDSTDIC%RTG
13NUSSMEIER,GARRETT26-394092267161.4
10COLLINS,RICKIE3-32100100158.8
PASS TOTALS29-424302269

LSU Receiving

#PLAYERNOYDSTDLNGAVGTGTC%
1ANDERSON,AARON67312312.26100
2LACY,KYREN510703521.4863
29DURHAM,CADEN38917129.73100
86TAYLOR,MASON34303014.3475
4DANIELS,CJ34002913.3475
0THOMAS,ZAVION22401512367
19NICHOLAS,JAVEN21601182100
8JOHNSON,JU’JUAN2601132100
18WILLIAMS,JOSH12302323250
88PIMPTON,KA’MORREUN150551100
12PARKER,KYLE14044250
11 RECEIVERS2943027114.83876

LSU Rushing

#PLAYERATTYDSTDLNGAVG
29DURHAM,CADEN712818618.3
18WILLIAMS,JOSH5321126.4
0THOMAS,ZAVION12602626
28JACKSON,KALEB719072.7
10COLLINS,RICKIE2140117
8JOHNSON,JU’JUAN312054
13NUSSMEIER,GARRETT26253
7 RUSHERS272374868.8

LSU Punting

PunterNOYDSAVGLNGI2050+
TODD,PEYTON145454500
OCHSENDORF,BLAKE149494910
TOTAL29447.04910

LSU Field Goals

KickerTimeDistResult
TOTAL0-0LONG OF 0

LSU All Purpose Yards

PlayerTotRushRecKORPRIR-FRTDs
DURHAM,CADEN217128890002
THOMAS,ZAVION111262462-100
LACY,KYREN10701070000

LSU Defense

#Player (Starter)TotTkSoloSackTFLIntBrUpQBHFF
18Penn III,Greg (LB)14700.50020
40Weeks,Whit (LB)94010100
8Burns,Major8300.50000
10Spears,Dashawn53000000
2Gilbert,Jardin410.50.50000
35Jones,Sai’vion (DE)410.51.50010
1Stamps,Ashton (CB)31000000
15Womack,Da’Shawn (DE)320.50.50110
93Breaux,Ahmad (DT)32010000
3Ryan,Sage (DB)22000000
4Swinson,Bradyn (DE)22000100
0Shand,Paris (DE)200.510000
6Allen,Jordan21000000
19Reliford,Gabriel (DE)200.510000
11Woodland,PJ (CB)1000.50000
23Jackson,Kylin10000000
30Atkins,Xavier (LB)10000000
31Suggs,Jay’Viar (DL)10000000
33Weeks,West (LB)1000.50000
37Walton Jr.,Craig (CB)10000000
42Keys,Davhon (LB)10000000
50Jones Jr.,Emery11000000
99Paez,Gio (DT)100.50.50000
1Anderson,Aaron00000000
13Nussmeier,Garrett00000000
18Williams,Josh00000000
29Durham,Caden00000000
34Ramos,Damian00000000
TOTALS7230390340

LSU Punt Returns

ReturnerNOYDSAVGLNGTD
THOMAS,ZAVION2-1-0130

LSU Kick Returns

ReturnerNOYDSAVGLNGTD
THOMAS,ZAVION26231390

LSU Team Stats By Quarter

1stRushPassCAITotYAvg3rdsPens
1st87-1267-1265-7-0252181-11-15
2nd75-4914-1289-14-11779.32-31-5
3rd84-1714-1149-14-11317.32-31-15
4th611-457-626-7-01075.91-21-5
Total2927-23742-43029-42-26679.76-94-40

LSU Scoring Summary

QtrClockScoreTypePlayDriveScore
114:36TDPASSDurham,Caden 71 yd reception thrown by Nussmeier,Garrett1/71/00:147-0
110:47TDRUSHNussmeier,Garrett 1 yd rush2/87/00:5414-0
104:45TDRUSHDurham,Caden 8 yd rush11/79/04:1521-0
211:55TDRUSHNussmeier,Garrett 5 yd rush5/60/02:1128-3
204:27TDPASSAnderson,Aaron 23 yd reception thrown by Nussmeier,Garrett4/69/01:3735-3
414:08TDRUSHWilliams,Josh 4 yd rush12/99/05:3942-10

LSU Passing

#PLAYERC-AYDSTDIC%RTG
13NUSSMEIER,GARRETT26-394092267161.4
10COLLINS,RICKIE3-32100100158.8
PASS TOTALS29-424302269

LSU Receiving

#PLAYERNOYDSTDLNGAVGTGTC%
1ANDERSON,AARON67312312.26100
2LACY,KYREN510703521.4863
29DURHAM,CADEN38917129.73100
86TAYLOR,MASON34303014.3475
4DANIELS,CJ34002913.3475
0THOMAS,ZAVION22401512367
19NICHOLAS,JAVEN21601182100
8JOHNSON,JU’JUAN2601132100
18WILLIAMS,JOSH12302323250
88PIMPTON,KA’MORREUN150551100
12PARKER,KYLE14044250
11 RECEIVERS2943027114.83876

LSU Rushing

#PLAYERATTYDSTDLNGAVG
29DURHAM,CADEN712818618.3
18WILLIAMS,JOSH5321126.4
0THOMAS,ZAVION12602626
28JACKSON,KALEB719072.7
10COLLINS,RICKIE2140117
8JOHNSON,JU’JUAN312054
13NUSSMEIER,GARRETT26253
7 RUSHERS272374868.8

LSU Punting

PunterNOYDSAVGLNGI2050+
TODD,PEYTON145454500
OCHSENDORF,BLAKE149494910
TOTAL29447.04910

LSU Field Goals

KickerTimeDistResult
TOTAL0-0LONG OF 0

LSU All Purpose Yards

PlayerTotRushRecKORPRIR-FRTDs
DURHAM,CADEN217128890002
THOMAS,ZAVION111262462-100
LACY,KYREN10701070000

LSU Defense

#Player (Starter)TotTkSoloSackTFLIntBrUpQBHFF
18Penn III,Greg (LB)14700.50020
40Weeks,Whit (LB)94010100
8Burns,Major8300.50000
10Spears,Dashawn53000000
2Gilbert,Jardin410.50.50000
35Jones,Sai’vion (DE)410.51.50010
1Stamps,Ashton (CB)31000000
15Womack,Da’Shawn (DE)320.50.50110
93Breaux,Ahmad (DT)32010000
3Ryan,Sage (DB)22000000
4Swinson,Bradyn (DE)22000100
0Shand,Paris (DE)200.510000
6Allen,Jordan21000000
19Reliford,Gabriel (DE)200.510000
11Woodland,PJ (CB)1000.50000
23Jackson,Kylin10000000
30Atkins,Xavier (LB)10000000
31Suggs,Jay’Viar (DL)10000000
33Weeks,West (LB)1000.50000
37Walton Jr.,Craig (CB)10000000
42Keys,Davhon (LB)10000000
50Jones Jr.,Emery11000000
99Paez,Gio (DT)100.50.50000
1Anderson,Aaron00000000
13Nussmeier,Garrett00000000
18Williams,Josh00000000
29Durham,Caden00000000
34Ramos,Damian00000000
TOTALS7230390340

LSU Punt Returns

ReturnerNOYDSAVGLNGTD
THOMAS,ZAVION2-1-0130

LSU Kick Returns

ReturnerNOYDSAVGLNGTD
THOMAS,ZAVION26231390

LSU Team Stats By Quarter

1stRushPassCAITotYAvg3rdsPens
1st87-1267-1265-7-0252181-11-15
2nd75-4914-1289-14-11779.32-31-5
3rd84-1714-1149-14-11317.32-31-15
4th611-457-626-7-01075.91-21-5
Total2927-23742-43029-42-26679.76-94-40

LSU Scoring Summary

QtrClockScoreTypePlayDriveScore
114:36TDPASSDurham,Caden 71 yd reception thrown by Nussmeier,Garrett1/71/00:147-0
110:47TDRUSHNussmeier,Garrett 1 yd rush2/87/00:5414-0
104:45TDRUSHDurham,Caden 8 yd rush11/79/04:1521-0
211:55TDRUSHNussmeier,Garrett 5 yd rush5/60/02:1128-3
204:27TDPASSAnderson,Aaron 23 yd reception thrown by Nussmeier,Garrett4/69/01:3735-3
414:08TDRUSHWilliams,Josh 4 yd rush12/99/05:3942-10

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