It’s been a few weeks, but LSU (2-2-, 2-2, SEC) played their way back into the win column on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. The Tigers surged to a big lead at halftime against South Carolina (2-3, 2-3 SEC) and topped the Gamecocks 52-24.
TJ Finley got the start at quarterback for LSU in place of the banged-up Myles Brennan, and he provided a nice spark for the entire offense. Finley accounted for three touchdowns in the win (two passing, one more rushing). Finley completed his two touchdown passes to Terrace Marhsall Jr., who led the Tigers with 88 receiving yards.
LSU got the game off on a good footing by taking the game’s opening possession 75 yards over 16 plays. Finley capped the long opening drive with a short touchdown run to put LSU on top midway through the first quarter. South Carolina countered with a quick answer when Kevin Harris ran 45 yards for a score on the first offensive series for the Gamecocks.
The LSU defense stood tall in the second quarter following a rare mistake by Finley. After South Carolina’s Jaray Jenkins returned an interception off Finley 56 yards to the LSU 34-yard line, South Carolina had to settle for nothing more than a 45-yard field goal four plays later. LSU answered with a touchdown to extend their lead to 24-10 by way of a Finley touchdown pass to Marshall covering 51 yards.
LSU’s defense again got in on the fun with Eli Ricks returning an interception of Collin Hill 45 yards for a score, pushing the lead to 31-10 late in the first half.
LSU’s next game will see the Tigers hit the road to face the Auburn Tigers on Saturday, Oct. 31. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET. Auburn escaped Oxford, Mississippi with a 35-28 victory earlier in the day. Both Auburn and LSU have suffered two losses in SEC play this season.
South Carolina will host Texas A&M in their next scheduled game on Saturday, Nov. 7 for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff.