LSU moved to 3-1 on Saturday with a 34-17 win over UCLA. The first half wasn’t pretty, but LSU handled business over the final two quarters.
On offense, [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] was the standout. He completed 32 of 44 passes for 352 yards and three scores. He didn’t throw a pick or take a sack all day and led LSU on two 90+ yard touchdown drives in the second half.
Defensively, it was [autotag]Bradyn Swinson[/autotag] proving to be the difference maker yet again. With six more pressures, he’s now tied for the SEC lead with 16 on the year.
LSU failed to cover the spread, but there wasn’t much doubt about this one by the end. Yes, some issues remain and the [autotag]Harold Perkins Jr.[/autotag] injury complicates things on defense, but LSU should be happy with the progress its seen in recent weeks.
The Tigers will be heavy favorites in Tiger Stadium against South Alabama this week before SEC play ramps up.
Here are five numbers that defined LSU’s win over UCLA.
UCLA’s 4.83 yards per play
UCLA had moments here and there, but when it was all said and done, the Bruins averaged just 4.83 yards per play. According to GameOnPaper.com, that number sits in the 23rd percentile.
That’s a solid performance for an LSU defense that’s struggled to slow offenses. UCLA hit some big plays, but outside of that, LSU controlled the game.
On the year, LSU is allowing six yards per play, which ranks 103rd nationally. The second half against UCLA offers some hope for that number improving.
0.95 EPA without explosive plays
The best offenses manage to score even when they aren’t explosive. That’s what LSU did on Saturday.
The Tigers maintained a positive EPA/play even when you take out the explosive plays. That speaks to the high floor of this offense.
Down to down, Nussmeier plays clean football. He doesn’t take sacks and he doesn’t put the ball in jeopardy.
On the day, LSU had just three plays that went for negative yards. This offense kept moving it allowed the Tigers to score despite some bad field position.
LSU was 10/15 on third down
LSU found itself in quite a few third downs. The offense wasn’t phased and delivered several key conversions throughout the day.
It helps that LSU’s average third-down distance was just 6.44 — a lot better than UCLA’s mark of 9.08.
The best way to be good on third down is to be good on first and second. LSU put itself in the best position to convert on Saturday.
Swinson and Jones combine for 9 pressures and 3 sacks
This LSU defense is built on creating havoc. LSU was able to do that thanks to its defensive ends on Saturday.
Swinson and [autotag]Sai’Vion Jones[/autotag] combined for nine pressures and three sacks. When UCLA QB Chase Garbers started to get comfortable, LSU started creating pressure.
A couple of the sacks were well-timed too, knocking UCLA out of field goal range and preventing points.
LSU’s defense will experience some growing pains this year, but if it gets these types of games from its veteran pass rushers, the upside is there.
LSU Offense: Pressure rate of 15.9%
Despite the occasional run-blocking struggles, LSU’s offensive line remains an elite pass-protection unit.
Nussmeier was only pressured on 15.9% of his dropbacks vs. UCLA. That was the best mark in the SEC last week.
On the year, Nussmeier’s been pressured on just 17.8% of his dropbacks — also the best mark in the SEC.
If LSU’s offensive line continues to protect like this, Nussmeier will put up gaudy numbers all year.
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