The #14 LSU Tigers (3-1, 1-0) have one more non-conference test against the South Alabama Jaguars (2-2) in Tiger Stadium on Saturday before going on a bye week and then having nothing but SEC contests moving forward.
Even though LSU is looking straight into a SEC gauntlet after this matchup and a bye week, Brian Kelly is making sure that his team does not overlook a red hot South Alabama team that is coming off back to back impressive wins scoring 135 points in just the last two weeks with an 87-10 win over Northwestern State and a 48-14 win over Appalachian State.
“They’ve got 28 FBS transfer portal players, 9 from SEC schools. This will be a great challenge for us. It’s a team that is coming in with nothing to lose, but also very capable in a lot of areas.”
LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly on South Alabama
Led by head coach Major Applewhite, who is a Baton Rouge native and Catholic High School graduate, the Jaguars have been lethal offensively being ranked 13th in the country in total yards per game (504.2) and ninth in points per game (48.3).
The thing that makes this the most exciting for the Jaguars is that the offensive backfield is made of freshmen. Gio Lopez is off to a great start this season completing 57 of 92 passes (62.0%) for 843 yards and nine touchdowns to no interceptions while Fluff Bothwell already has six touchdowns on the ground with 359 yards on 37 carries averaging 9 yards per carry. Jamaal Pritchett is Lopez’s go to receiver with 26 catches for 355 yards and four touchdowns.
LSU’s defense has been up and down this season, but received some devastating news this week when it was announced that Harold Perkins Jr. would be lost for the season. It is a big blow in losing #7 this season, but the defense has a couple of options to go into whether it goes into a 4-3 or a 4-2-5.
“If we want to play three linebackers on the field, the first guy that would move out there would be Whit Weeks (SAM), then West Weeks would move to MIKE linebacker and Greg Penn would play WILL. So, if we wanted to be in ‘Buffalo’, we are still in a really good position. We would probably activate Xavier Atkins as the next WILL in that type of situation. So, that’s what we would be in if we wanted to stay in the configuration that we were currently in.”
LSU HC Brian Kelly on what the linebacker position looks like without Harold Perkins
“We would probably look at, also, going back into a STAR position with Major Burns playing the STAR, backed up by Kylin Jackson. That would be the other look we have. So, we have the versatility to be in either one of those defensive structures.”
LSU HC Brian Kelly on using the STAR position more with Perkins’ absence in the lineup
Although the Tigers will be without their star linebacker, the pass rush has already proven to become a key strength on that side of the football.
Defensive end Bradyn Swinson is off to a fantastic start to the season as he has five sacks over the last two games along with seven tackles, five TFLs, and two forced fumbles. His standout defensive performances against South Carolina and UCLA has earned him back to back SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
His counterpart Saivion Jones has been just as impressive this season for the Tigers with 16 tackles, four sacks, four tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a pass breakup. Kelly has given credit to defensive ends coach Kevin Peoples for the pass rushing duo’s improvement this season.
“It takes two. It takes coaching, but it takes a player to work at it. He (Bradyn) has worked really hard in the offseason. He’s had a great offseason. He’s trained the right way and has done all the right things relative to nutrition and taking care of himself. He is a veteran player too that has played a lot of football. Coaching and his want and desire to be the best has really connected well with him and Coach Peoples.”
LSU HC Brian Kelly on Bradyn Swinson
Back to back five sack performances by the defense has allowed that side of the football to be good enough especially when its offense is still playing at a high level.
Garrett Nussmeier has played tremendous football through the first four games of the season as this week’s SEC Offensive Player of the Week has completed 112 of 160 passes (70%) for 1,243 yards and 13 touchdown passes, which is tied for second best in the entire country trailing only Miami’s Cam Ward with 14.
He has got plenty of options to throw the football to including Mason Taylor, who just became the program’s all-time receiving yards holder by a tight end, and Kyren Lacy. However, it has also been the consistent play of Aaron Anderson, CJ Daniels, and the versatility of Zavion Thomas that have proved to be big weapons for Nussmeier through the passing game.
“I like the way he plays the game. He plays it right on the edge with almost a recklessness, but under control. He plays with confidence and plays like a veteran that has been there. You love that because on special teams, you want to go out there and make blocks for him and give him a chance to make a play for you. I think he is the best in the country. It’s the same way on offense. He is carrying that to what he does in running routes and running the football. We missed a block on that counter and if we just kick out the end, that thing is gone for a touchdown. I like what he is doing and the versatility as you mentioned is what he brings.”
LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly on Zavion Thomas
Caden Durham was able to build off his performance against South Carolina by having a game sealing touchdown catch against UCLA last week while Kyle Parker gained some confidence by catching his first touchdown as a LSU Tiger on a 45 yard reception.
“Confidence comes with making plays. He needed to go and make a play, and he did. It was so good for him. I think that’s really going to help him moving forward.”
LSU HC Brian Kelly on Kyle Parker
After a slow start last week against UCLA, the Tigers were able to dominate in the second half scoring 17 unanswered points against the Bruins.
“To hold anybody to 64 yards total in the second half and 14 yards rushing, it says a lot about the way this team continues to fight.”
LSU HC Brian Kelly on dominant second half against UCLA
Now, LSU will have to be ready from the start this time in order to avoid a possible letdown against a confident South Alabama team.
“South Alabama’s a good football team and we’re aware of that. They’ve seen how exciting of an offense they have. Each and every week, it’s been important for us to get off to a good start. We came out with a good first drive last week and that will be a point of emphasis as it is each and every week.”
LSU HC Brian Kelly
The game will be broadcasted on the SEC Network at 6:45 P.M.
Injury Report:
CB Zy Alexander (Concussion): Questionable
WR Chris Hilton Jr. (Ankle): Probable
Keys To Victory:
- Get off to fast start offensively.
- Set the tone defensively and do not give up big plays on busted assignments.
- Stay healthy. Get guys in and out.
Final Score Prediction: LSU 45, South Alabama 20
South Alabama will move the football in this game, but I do expect LSU to finally cover the 20.5 point spread. LSU will make sure to bend, but do not break defensively and its offense will continue to click on all cylinders. LSU desperately needs to get out to a nice start in this game not only offensively, but create a couple of good possessions together defensively to boot.
Player Interviews:
Coach Kelly Press Conference:
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