Live Updates: LSU Football vs. Nicholls State Colonels in Week 2

Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers look to capture their first victory of the season, take on Nicholls State at in Death Valley.

Sep 1, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) throws the ball in the first half against the Southern California Trojans at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers will take on the Nicholls State Colonels on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium with kickoff slated for 6:30 p.m. CT.

With new LED lights, one of the largest video screens in college football, new ribbon boards and new sound system, Tiger Stadium will be unveiled to fans for the first time on Saturday.

The improvements have all been added to enhance the fan experience and will create an atmosphere in Tiger Stadium unlike anything seen since it first opened in 1924.

“When you look up at these massive boards, and it has all the information, all the bells and whistles, ribbon boards that are constantly feeding you information, it definitely helps for the game experience,” said head coach Brian Kelly.

Here's what Brian Kelly said of the matchup, pregame updates and a live thread from Saturday night in Tiger Stadium:

What Brian Kelly Said:

“We expect our team to be a better football team this week,” Kelly said. “(We need to be) more consistent and attack Nicholls based on what they have shown us. They have a good defense, they are well-coached. It’s a team that knows how to win. They win a lot of football games. We are going to have to execute our offense and what we do. We need to be balanced, run the football and throw the ball down the field.”

Pregame Updates:

- LSU wide receivers Chris Hilton and Kyle Parker are out for Saturday night in Death Valley. Offensive guard Garrett Dellinger is also out for Week 2.

- Freshman EDGE CJ Jackson is not dressed out for Saturday against Nicholls. He's out for Week 2.

- True freshman Dashawn Spears and redshirt-freshman Kylin Jackson are listed as the first-team safeties on the Week 2 Depth Chart.

- LSU defensive back Sage Ryan working with the safeties during warmups prior to kickoff.

- Jay'viar Suggs and Ahamd Breaux are listed as the backup defensive tackles behind Jacbian Guillory and Gio Paez.

- The LSU starting offensive line for Week 2: LT Will Campbell, LG Tyree Adams, C DJ Chester, RG Miles Frazier and RT Emery Jones.

- The LSU Starters on Defense: DE Bradyn Swinson, DT Gio Paez, DT Jacobian Guillory, DE Sai'vion Jones, LB Harold Perkins, LB Greg Penn, CB Ashton Stamps, CB Sage Ryan, S Dashawn Spears and S Kylin Jackson.

Live Updates:

*Refresh for Updates*

First Quarter:

- Nicholls State has won the opening coin toss and has deferred. LSU will receive the ball first in Tiger Stadium.

- LSU wide receiver Shelton Sampson earns the start alongside Kyren Lacy and CJ Daniels. Daniels catches the first pass of the game for a first down. LSU LT Will Campbell then gets called for a false start penalty on the following play.

- The Tigers pick up one first down on the opening drive but are forced to punt it away after four plays. Garrett Nussmeier unable to connect with Kyren Lacy and Shelton Sampson on the drive after a completion to CJ Daniels.

- LSU defensive back Sage Ryan is at safety with PJ Woodland on the opposite side of Ashton Stamps at cornerback.

- LSU forces a three-and-out on Nicholls State's first possession of the game after three straight rushing attempts. The Colonels mishandle the snaps with LSU forcing a safety.

Score Update: LSU 2, Nicholls 0

- Garrett Nussmeier's first pass of the drive is incomplete, but follows it up with a completion to LSU running back Ju'Juan Johnson. Johnson made the move from defensive back to running back this week with the Tigers getting him involved early.

- LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier connects with true freshman tight end Trey'Dez Green for his first career touchdown. 7 play, 27 yard touchdown drive for the Tigers.

Score Update: LSU 9, Nicholls 0

- On the second defensive drive for LSU, the Tigers roll out Ashton Stamps and PJ Woodland at cornerback with Sage Ryan and Jordan Allen at safety. Major Burns at STAR. LSU's coaching staff is working in a myriad of combinations early.

- LSU DT Jacobian Guillory limped off of the field on the second drive. True freshman Ahmad Breaux replaces Guillory.

- Nicholls running back Collin Guggenheim getting significant run in the first quarter. He's up to seven carries for 25 yards. The Colonels are in LSU territory on the 35 yard line.

- Guggenheim punches in the touchdown for the Colonels on a 13-play 84 yard scoring drive taking 7:17 off of the game clock. 0:30 remaining in the first quarter.

Score Update: LSU 9, Nicholls 7

Second Quarter:

- LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy comes up limping following a deep shot from Garrett Nussmeier that fell incomplete. Tigers continue rotating in youngsters with true freshmen Jelani Watkins and Ju'Juan Johnson receiving run on the third drive of the game.

- Garrett Nussmeier connects with LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy for a 32 yard touchdown after he returns to the field after missing a play. 8 play, 73-yard touchdown drive for the Tigers that saw several receivers haul in passes. Nussmeier is up to 92 yards on 9-of-14 passing.

Score Update: LSU 16, Nicholls 7

- LSU opens the drive with a different defensive look: Zy Alexander and JK Johnson as the cornerbacks. The coaching staff continues testing different combinations on defense with a new rotation on the third defensive drive. Major Burns slotted at nickel. Shone Washington in at defensive tackle with Jacobian Guillory out for the game with an ankle injury.

- Nicholls continues marching down the field on a 10 play, 37 yard drive. Colonels utilizing Collin Guggenheim on the ground with Pat McQuaide working check downs for short chunk yards. Tigers lead 16-7 with 6:03 remaining in the half. Nicholls on the LSU 38 yard line.

- Colonels pull out some trickery on an 18-yard touchdown to make this a one score game before the half. Quincy Brown connects with Lee Negrotto for the score. 13 play, 75 yard touchdown drive that took 7:59 off the game clock. 3:33 remaining in the half.

Score Update: LSU 16, Nicholls 14

- LSU is going to first-year Tiger CJ Daniels significantly on the current drive. Three targets with one reception for a 34-yard gain. Nicholls called for pass interference on the play prior to the 34-yard gain. Tigers in the red zone at the two-minute warning. Garrett Nussmeier is settling in.

- Garrett Nussmeier completes a short pass to Ju'Juan Johnson for a touchdown with 1:53 remaining in the half. 5 play, 75 yard scoring drive.

Score Update: LSU 23, Nicholls 14

- LSU forces a 3-and-out after a quick possession for Nicholls State. Tigers will get the ball back with 56 seconds remaining in the half on their own 46-yard line.

- LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier heads to the sideline with cramps. Redshirt-freshman Rickie Collins enters the game and completes a pass to Zavion Thomas for a first down.

- Damian Ramos misses a 39-yard field goal attempt to end the first half.

Halftime: LSU 23, Nicholls 14

Third Quarter:

- Nicholls State receives the ball to open the first half with Collin Guggenheim taking it to the end zone on the third play of the drive. 67 yard rushing touchdown. He's up to 127 yards on the ground.

Score Update: LSU 23, Nicholls 21

- LSU marches down the field on a 72-yard scoring drive capped off by a six-yard touchdown pass from Garrett Nussmeier to Kyren Lacy. 11 play, 72 yard drive.

Score Update: LSU 30, Nicholls 21

- LSU catches a break on the second defensive possession of the half. True freshman cornerback PJ Woodland forces a fumble after giving up a reception. He stuck with the play and popped it out at the last second. LSU takes over on the Nicholls State 28-yard line.

- Garrett Nussmeier connects with Kyren Lacy and Zavion Thomas to put the Tigers inside the Nicholls 10-yard line. He's up to 243 yards through the air on 21-of-30 passing.

- Nussmeier connects with Kyren Lacy in the back right corner of the end zone on a beautifully placed ball. Lacy hauls in his third touchdown of the night to cap off a 5-play, 41 yard scoring drive.

Score Update: LSU 37, Nicholls 21

- Nicholls State goes with back-to-back rushing attempts to start the drive with Colonels quarterback going through the air on third down and seven. LSU forces an incompletion and Nicholls will punt it away with 5:05 remaining in the 3rd quarter.

- Garrett Nussmeier continues making extremely tough throws in this one. The scoreboard may not reflect what the Tigers were hoping for, but Nussmeier is threading the needle on some serious passes. He completes an attempt to Aaron Anderson for a 14-yard gain to open the drive.

- LSU continues creating separation in this one with Garrett Nussmeier connecting with Zavion Thomas on a shuffle pass for a four-yard touchdown. 7 play, 45 yard scoring drive.

Score Update: LSU 44, Nicholls 21

Fourth Quarter:

- LSU continues playing undisciplined football with a pair of penalties on its first possession of the fourth quarter. After a pair of penalties and miscalculated rushing attempts, the Tigers punt it away. Nicholls State takes over with 10:34 remaining.

FINAL: LSU 44, Nicholls 21

More LSU News:

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LSU Inching Towards No. 1 Recruiting Class in America

Nick Saban Calls LSU Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier a "Sleeper" Ahead of 2024 Season

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