Tag: Brian Kelly

Brian Kelly on Harold Perkins Jr.’s performance vs. South Carolina

LSU head coach said progress was made with linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. on Saturday.

It’s become a talking point every week. How will LSU deploy its star linebacker [autotag]Harold Perkins Jr.[/autotag]?

Perkins is one of the best athletes in the SEC, which gives LSU versatility with its alignments. That’s typically a positive, but LSU shifting Perkins around has, at times, hindered Perkins’ performance along with that of the defense as a whole.

In Week 3’s win over South Carolina, Perkins played strong side linebacker, bumping over from the will spot he played to start the year.

Head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] thought Perkins looked comfortable, saying progress was made at first glance.

The move allowed Perkins to get after the quarterback more. According to PFF, he posted the sixth-best pass rush grade among SEC linebackers in Week 3 and notched two pressures. Perkins made three stops, too.

Perkins has a few more steps to go before he reaches the all-conference expectations he entered the year with. LSU is hoping Perkins can affect all facets of the game on first through third down.

In training camp, Perkins praised LSU defensive coordinator [autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag] for unlocking the defense’s ability to play fast by simplifying some things. Perkins settling in a strong side linebacker should allow for that speed to be applied to games.

Kelly said this is different than what LSU asked Perkins to do on the strong side last year. In 2023, Perkins was an edge player but now he is being asked to fit more in the box.

Perkins continues to show flashes. The next step is finding a new level of consistency.

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5 stats that defined LSU’s Week 3 win over South Carolina

These five stats defined LSU’s hard-fought win over South Carolina.

LSU went on the road in week three and squeaked out a win in South Carolina. It wasn’t a smooth ride, but playing on the road in this conference is tough. Look no further than No. 1 Georgia struggled at Kentucky for more evidence of that.

The Tigers are now 2-1 on the year and 1-0 in conference play. A loss would have all but ended LSU’s playoff hopes. Now, LSU gets to return home for a couple of weeks before the schedule heats up again.

LSU gets UCLA in Week 4 followed by South Alabama in Week 5. The Tigers should be heavy favorites in both contests. That’s a relief for a team still figuring some things out.

LSU looked to be a sinking ship early on against South Carolina. The Gamecocks led 17-0 early in the first quarter, but LSU weathered the storm and took control of momentum heading into halftime.

It was a game full of mistakes, but it’s hard to be displeased with LSU fighting to get a close win.

Here are five stats that tell the story of LSU’s win over South Carolina.

South Carolina’s -0.49 EPA/drop back

The passing game isn’t South Carolina’s strong suit. But at points over the last two years, LSU’s secondary was just what a struggling air attack wanted to see.

That wasn’t the case on Saturday as LSU took care of business on the back end. Whether it was LaNorris Sellers or Robby Ashford, neither Gamecock QB threatened with their arm.

South Carolina completed 11 passes for 114 yards on the day. Sellers and Ashford both posted negative EPA totals, according to GameOnPaper.com.

It was a win for LSU’s young secondary.

LSU’s explosive play rate: 10%

LSU’s offense was efficient the first two weeks, but it lacked an explosiveness element. The Tigers took a step forward in that department on Saturday.

LSU posted an explosive play rate of 10% against South Carolina, putting the Tigers in the 70th percentile.

It was a balanced attack with four big plays through the air and three on the ground.

LSU’s 48% success rate on passing downs

Every offense will encounter situations where the defense knows it’s a passing situation. How those downs are handled goes a long way toward determining a football game.

LSU excelled in those spots on Saturday. On passing downs, LSU posted a success rate of 48%.

That was well above the mark of 26% put up by South Carolina. This is a positive indicator for LSU’s improving passing attack.

11 havoc plays

South Carolina was ripping LSU apart on the ground. The defense needed some big plays to make up for it.

LSU got them, coming up with 11 havoc plays for a havoc rate of 18%. That put LSU in the 91st percentile.

The LSU defense generated nine tackles for loss and five sacks. LSU DE Bradyn Swinson led the charge and was a factor in the backfield all day.

Early in the game, cornerback Zy Alexander came up with a key interception that helped slow the Gamecock momentum.

Caden Durham: 7 forced missed tackles

LSU running back Caden Durham forced seven missed tackles on just 11 carries. That mark ranked third among SEC rushers in week three. The only two players with more both carried it 20+ times.

Durham injected life into a struggling LSU rushing attack. Four of those 11 carries were 10+ yards and Durham averaged 8.9 yards per carry. When giving Durham the game ball, Brian Kelly said “You gotta break some tackles.”

Durham did just that and averaged 4.55 yards after contact per carry.

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Aaron Anderson emerging as key piece of LSU’s offense

LSU receiver Aaron Anderson is emerging as one of the SEC’s best.

LSU head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] said it after the loss to USC: Wide receiver [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] had a breakout game.

Anderson’s season-opening performance wasn’t a one-hit wonder. The redshirt sophomore is LSU’s leading receiver after three games with 15 catches for 223 yards.

With four catches for 20+ yards, Anderson is LSU’s top big play rate. That mark is below [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag]’ rate from last year, but Anderson still ranks 33rd nationally in 20+ yard catches.

Kyren Lacy entered the year as LSU’s certified WR1 — and he still is. Lacy can’t do it alone, though. LSU needed someone else in the receiver room to emerge as an impact player. Anderson found that role.

Anderson’s 96 yards against South Carolina were a career high. His three games this season are the three highest receiving totals of his career.

According to PFF, Anderson owns the fourth-best receiving grade in the SEC after Week 3. Anderson is yet to drop a ball and his 3.6 yards per route run is one of the most efficient marks in the conference.

https://twitter.com/FF_TravisM/status/1835023557270917613

This shouldn’t be a surprise. Anderson was a five-star in the class of 2022 and began his career at Alabama. An injury forced a redshirt his freshman year and he was buried on the depth chart at LSU in 2023. Now with a real opportunity, he’s making the most of it.

Anderson’s strength is his speed. Last year, LSU tried to get the ball in his hands underneath and let him make a play. In 2024, Anderson is threatening defenses all over the field. He’s working deep over the middle and down the sideline.

Nussmeier’s trust in No. 1 is evident.

For this LSU offense to reach its ceiling, Anderson needs to continue on this pace. If defenses manage to take LSU’s top target in Lacy away, Nussmeier needs to have a reliable option elsewhere.

[autotag]Mason Taylor[/autotag] has proved to be that guy in some cases, but he can’t stretch the field like Anderson can.

Lacy, Anderson and Taylor have emerged as a formidable receiver trio for LSU. That should have fans feeling good about this passing attack moving forward.

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LSU sees slight bump in US LBM Coaches Poll after surviving at South Carolina

The Tigers are moving up one spot in the polls this week after avoiding an upset at South Carolina.

It certainly wasn’t the best game the Tigers have played under coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag], but LSU overcame a three-score deficit to win their SEC opener on the road against South Carolina on Saturday.

Kelly’s squad entered the game ranked No. 17 in the US LBM Coaches Poll, and while a three-point win over an unranked opponent won’t significantly impact its spot in the rankings, it did see a bit of a boost up one spot to No. 16 following Week 3.

The Tigers were voted as high as No. 12 and as low as No. 19 by the coaches. They’re one of nine ranked SEC teams this week.

Here’s the full coaches poll following Week 3.

Ranking Team Record Points
1 Georgia Bulldogs 3-0 1,358 (42)
2 Texas Longhorns 3-0 1,301(10)
3 Ohio State Buckeyes 2-0 1,293 (3)
4 Alabama Crimson Tide 3-0 1,193
5 Ole Miss Rebels 3-0 1,153
6 Oregon Ducks 3-0 1,019
7 Tennessee Volunteers 3-0 1,009
8 Penn State Nittany Lions 2-0 968
8 Missouri Tigers 3-0 968
10 Utah Utes 3-0 834
11 Miami Hurricanes 3-0 831
12 USC Trojans 2-0 808
13 Oklahoma Sooners 3-0 697
14 Kansas State Wildcats 3-0 662
15 Oklahoma State Cowboys 3-0 642
16 LSU Tigers 2-1 466
17 Michigan Wolverines 2-1 439
18 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2-1 404
19 Clemson Tigers 1-1 340
20 Louisville Cardinals 2-0 333
21 Iowa State Cyclones 2-0 235
22 Nebraska Cornhuskers 3-0 204
23 Memphis Tigers 3-0 176
24 Texas A&M Aggies 2-1 85
25 UNLV Rebels 3-0 78

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Brian Kelly believes blocked punt vs. South Carolina was ‘illegal’ play, will send it to league office

Brian Kelly said the Tigers believed the blocked punt that led to a touchdown for the Gamecocks in the first half was an “illegal” play.

LSU ultimately prevailed 36-33 on the road against South Carolina, but it had to overcome a significant early deficit.

The Tigers fell behind 17-0 in the first half in part thanks to a blocked punt deep in their own territory that set up an easy touchdown. After the game, [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] was clearly frustrated while discussing a play that he said the Tigers’ staff believed to be “illegal.”

He added that LSU would send the matter to the SEC office for further evaluation.

“The blocked punt, I’m going to have to take that up with our SEC office,” Kelly said. “We believe it was an illegal block, and we voiced our concern with it. We will address it with the SEC officiating crew… we believe we have an argument there and we’ll bring it up to them.”

https://twitter.com/PlayTheFightPod/status/1835004081460466156

It wasn’t the only special teams gaffe the Tigers had in the game as they missed an extra point due to a bad snap. While it didn’t prove costly in this game, it easily could have.

We’ll have to wait to see if anything comes of Kelly and LSU’s complaint to the SEC office.

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5 takeaways from LSU’s thrilling win over South Carolina

Here are five takeaways from LSU’s thrilling win over South Carolina as the Tigers move to 1-0 in SEC play.

LSU did its best to give every Tiger fan a heart attack, but came out of South Carolina with a 36-33 win to start 1-0 in SEC play.

It was a rough first quarter and change with the Gamecocks jumping out to a 17-0 lead. That run was capped after South Carolina blocked a punt to set up a one-play touchdown drive.

LSU managed to settle down after that and respond with a score of its own. The Tigers seized momentum and went into halftime down eight. LSU’s defense pitched a shutout in the third quarter and allowed LSU to take a lead early in the fourth.

But South Carolina wasn’t done. The Gamecocks took the lead back as the LSU offense sputtered. Eventually, Nussmeier and crew got it together to lead a go-ahead drive in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

This one was stressful but it’s not easy to play on the road in the SEC. LSU showed resilience and got the win. Here are five takeaways from LSU’s three-point win.

Caden Durham injects life into the run game

LSU struggled to run the ball the first two weeks of the season and early today, the story began to repeat. Then LSU got Caden Durham involved.

Durham, a true-freshman, was one of the top running back recruits in the class. We just didn’t know when LSU would start to feature Durham in the offense, but with LSU needing a shot of life on the ground, the Tigers turned to the youngster.

A 26-yard burst from Durham put LSU on the board in the first half. It was the type of explosive play LSU’s been searching for all year.

Durham continued to rip off chunks on the ground and finished with 11 carries for 98 yards and two scores.

Expect Durham to be a central part of this offense moving forward.

Nussmeier overcomes mistake

With a chance to take the lead in the fourth quarter, LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier threw a pick. It was a rare mistake in an otherwise clean season for LSU’s QB1.

When LSU got the ball back, Nussmeier responded. A shot to [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag] set LSU up to take the lead.

Nussmeier was far from perfect on Saturday, but he made enough plays to get LSU the win. He finished 24 of 40 for 261 yards and two scores.

Bradyn Swinson has a day

LSU needed a playmaker to step up on defense. Today, that was veteran defensive end [autotag]Bradyn Swinson[/autotag].

Swinson finished with three sacks and a forced fumble. He was a problem for South Carolina’s offensive line all game.

Big things were expected from Swinson after he emerged late in 2023. LSU’s defense is inconsistent, which means the Tigers need havoc plays of their own to balance it out. Swinson provided that havoc on Saturday.

LSU defense makes the most of passing downs

It wasn’t a pretty day for the LSU defense. South Carolina was efficient on the ground and averaged over seven yards per play, but LSU took advantage when it pinned the Gamecocks in obvious passing downs.

South Carolina’s success rate on passing downs was just 26%. It’s unfair to expect this defense to be perfect from down to down. DC [autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag] is still figuring it out with a slew of young players, but LSU needs to make the most of advantageous situations.

LSU can threaten defenses all over the field

We’ve been waiting for LSU to find an explosive element in the passing game and it appeared on Saturday.

Nussmeier showed a willingness to push the ball down the field, allowing [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] and Lacy to make some big plays.

LSU misses Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr, but it remains with a talented group of receivers. Anderson, Lacy, [autotag]Mason Taylor[/autotag] and [autotag]CJ Daniels[/autotag] all crossed 50 yards receiving with Lacy and Taylor scoring.

LSU’s depth at WR makes this offense tough to defend. No matter how defenses elect to cover LSU, there’s a mismatch somewhere.

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Stock Up, Stock Down: LSU survives dogfight against South Carolina

Who saw their stock rise and fall in the comeback win over the Gamecocks?

We talked about it last week, this LSU team has some issues. Going on the road to Columbia, South Carolina, and playing a Gamecocks team coming off of a big win against Kentucky last week was not what the doctor ordered.

The struggles that LSU had been having so far this season were only magnified against the Gamecocks on the road. Special teams had a rough day, the defense was dominated by the South Carolina run game, and LSU continued to be their own worst enemy. All of those issues resulted in a recipe for disaster. Yet the Tigers were able to come away with a 36-33 victory.

Let’s look at who saw their stock rise and who saw their stock fall in this game.

Stock Down: Special Teams

Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

LSU had two huge miscues on special teams against South Carolina. The Tigers were unable to make a PAT as that put them behind the eight ball. After that, the Gamecocks blocked an LSU punt to set up a Carolina touchdown.

Stock Up: Caden Durham

© Ken Ruinard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The true Freshman running back did something that LSU has been unable to do for the last two years. He was able to run the ball effectively. [autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag] finished the day with eight carries for 82 yards and two touchdowns.

Stock Up: Aaron Anderson

(Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)

[autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] likely had his best day as a Tiger this morning as he was LSU’s leading receiver. He finished the game with five receptions for 96 yards.

Stock Down: LSU defense

Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

LSU’s defense got torched by the Gamecocks run game in Columbia today. South Carolina ran for 230 yards as they were able to do whatever they wanted this morning.

Stock Up: Turnovers

© Ken Ruinard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The LSU defense did not have a great day today but they were able to force some turnovers. The Tigers recovered two fumbles and made an interception to help LSU win the turnover battle on the road.

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Instant Analysis: LSU comes back to avoid upset against South Carolina

The Tigers overcame a 17-0 deficit against the Gamecocks, but Saturday’s win certainly raised questions.

For most of Saturday’s game at South Carolina, it looked like LSU was heading for one of the worst losses of the [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] era.

The Tigers found themselves in a three-score deficit, but a hot close to the first half and start to the second fueled a comeback. LSU held on to win 36-33 and avoid the upset after South Carolina missed a 49-yard field goal that would have sent the game to overtime as the clock expired.

The Tigers fell behind early, dropping into a 17-0 hole in the first half in part thanks to a blocked punt that set up an easy Gamecocks touchdown. LSU fought back before half, leading three consecutive scoring drives to end the second quarter including a touchdown to cut it to one score with 1:20 to play.

The extra point was botched after a bad hold, however, and the Tigers went to the locker room down eight.

The offensive momentum continued out of the gate, with LSU driving down to set up a first and goal from the two on its opening possession of the second half. Though it was held out of the end zone with a fourth down stop, it scored a touchdown on its ensuing drive from true freshman running back [autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag] — his second of the game — but failed to convert the game-tying two-pointer.

After forcing a quick stop, the Tigers didn’t squander another goal-to-go opportunity as [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] found [autotag]Mason Taylor[/autotag] for a go-ahead touchdown pass on the first play of the fourth quarter.

That lead wouldn’t last long, however. On the following possession, South Carolina’s Raheim Sanders broke a 66-yard touchdown run, and while the Gamecocks missed their two-point try to go up three, they still recaptured a slim 30-29 lead.

LSU tried to answer, but things went from bad to worse when a miscommunication led to a mistimed snap and turnover in its own territory, allowing South Carolina to stretch the lead to four with a field goal.

The Tigers were gifted a massive opportunity when a fumble from Robby Ashford, who entered for an injured LaNorris Sellers, gave them the ball in the red zone. But the opportunity was again wasted as [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] threw a bad interception at the goal line that was returned 100 yards the opposite way.

A penalty called back what would have been a dagger pick-six, but the Gamecocks still took over with less than six minutes to play.

After the South Carolina offense continued to struggle to move the ball, LSU got something going in the final minutes set up by an impressive sideline catch from [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag], and [autotag]Josh Williams[/autotag] capped it off with a two-yard go-ahead touchdown with just 1:12 to play.

South Carolina managed to get the ball down to the LSU 31, but the game-tying quick sailed just left.

Despite earning the win, there were plenty of concerns for the Tigers, especially on defense, where they allowed 243 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. They struggled to contain Sellers, who had 88 yards and two scores with his legs before he left the game with an injury. Sellers struggled through the air, and Ashford did after replacing him, as well.

Offensively, there were some bright spots. Durham emerged as the team’s leading rusher, finishing with 98 yards and two scores on 11 carries, while Nussmeier made some big plays but struggled with efficiency and made some questionable decisions.

Still, he finished with 285 yards and two touchdowns through the air, along with one interception.

LSU has quite a bit to work on, and it will get a break from SEC play next week as it hosts UCLA in a matchup against a Big Ten opponent in Baton Rouge.

LSU vs. South Carolina: Week 3 injury report ahead of Tigers’ SEC opener

The Tigers have a pretty lengthy injury list as they hit the road to face South Carolina.

LSU is heading to Columbia, South Carolina, to begin SEC play with an 11 a.m. kickoff against the Gamecocks with College GameDay in town.

It will be the Tigers’ first trip to play South Carolina since 2008, and they could potentially be a bit shorthanded. Thursday’s injury report included quite a few players, including starters [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag] — who missed the first two games with a bone bruise — and [autotag]Jordan Allen[/autotag].

Two defensive players, [autotag]Dashawn Womack[/autotag] and [autotag]West Weeks[/autotag], were also listed on Thursday’s injury report for the first time. [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] said Womack was moving around in practice on Thursday and will be a game-time decision.

Here’s the full injury report for LSU entering Week 3 against the Gamecocks.

Injury Report

  • John Emery Jr., RB — Out
  • Princeton Malbrue, DE — Out
  • Kobe Roberts, OL — Out
  • Jake Ibieta, LB — Out
  • CJ Jackson, DE — Out
  • Jacobian Guillory, DT — Out
  • Chris Hilton Jr., WR — Questionable
  • Jordan Allen, S — Questionable
  • Kyle Parker, WR — Questionable
  • Da’Shawn Womack, DE — Questionable
  • West Weeks, LB — Questionable
  • Garrett Dellinger, OL — Probable

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ESPN analytics predicts LSU’s Week 3 matchup against South Carolina

Here’s what ESPN’s FPI and SP+ have to say about LSU’s chances on Saturday.

LSU football will look to get above .500 and kick off its SEC schedule with a win it travels to face South Carolina on Saturday morning.

The Tigers and Gamecocks haven’t met since 2020 when LSU put up 52 in Tiger Stadium. This is LSU’s first trip to South Carolina since 2008. The two were scheduled to meet there in 2015, but a hurricane forced the game to Baton Rouge.

According to BetMGM, LSU is a seven-point favorite, but what do the projection systems say about LSU’s chances?

ESPN’s FPI gives LSU a 50.6% shot at coming away with the win. That’s lower than some might expect given where the betting line is at. SP+ projects a 3.6 margin of victory for LSU with a 59% chance to win.

Both systems have this one closer than LSU fans hope for. [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] and the Tigers are looking to make a statement after the first two weeks brought on some concerns.

LSU fans want to see the run game get going along with a stabilized defense. As far as LSU’s playoff hopes go, this is a must-win. A 1-2 start would not go over well after LSU entered the year with high hopes and expectations to compete for a spot in the 12-team playoff.

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