The Preview: LSU Tigers vs. South Alabama Jaguars in Week 5 Contest

The Bayou Bengals return to Death Valley on Saturday night, host South Alabama in final non-conference game of the season.

Head Coach Brian Kelly takes the field as the LSU Tigers take on the Nicholls Colonels at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA. Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. / SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK

LSU looks to keep the momentum going against Sun Belt opponent South Alabama as the Jaguars travel to face the Tigers on a Saturday Night in Death Valley.

Kickoff is set for 6:55 p.m. CT on the SEC Network and the LSU Sports Radio Network.

Through four weeks of play, quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has established himself as one of the nation’s best. Completing 70% of his passess, Nussmeier has gone 112-of-160 for 1,243 yards passing, with 13 TDs and seven big time throws, according to Pro Football Focus.

The Tigers powered past UCLA in Week 4 behind Nussmeier and 17 unanswered second half points, improving to 3-1 overall heading into Saturday’s matchup with USA. It was a second half that, Head Coach Brian Kelly says, is nothing to scoff at.

“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,” Kelly said on Monday.

One of Nussmeier’s best throws of the season came early in the second quarter when he found redshirt freshman Kyle Parker for a 45-yard touchdown connection. It was Parker’s first touchdown as a Tiger and his second reception of the year. 

“Confidence comes with making plays,” Kelly said of Parker. “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.”

Redshirt sophomore Aaron Anderson continued to be a reliable target for Nussmeier, reeling in six catches for 75 yards against the Bruins. Already entering the game with the most receptions for a tight end in LSU history, Mason Taylor became the all-time receiving yards leader for a tight end in LSU history after finishing with a team-high eight catches for 77 yards.

The defense continues to generate pressure on the opposing quarterback, led by defensive ends Bradyn Swinson and Saivion Jones. Swinson earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors after tallying five tackles, a forced fumble, and a pair of sacks. Jones recorded four tackles, 0.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.

“Five sacks for a second-straight game for our defense,” Kelly said. “From my perspective, we are disrupting offenses in the matter that we really hadn’t in the last couple years.”

The South Alabama Jaguars are led by quarterback Gio Lopez, who has completed 57 passes for 843 yards for three touchdowns and zero interceptions. Running back Fluff Bothwell leads the team with 359 yards and six scores on 37 carries, averaging an impressive 9.7 yards per touch. At receiver, Jamaal Pritchett is off to a fast start with 355 yards and four touchdowns on 26 receptions.

Defensively, linebacker Blayne Myrick leads the Jags with 34 tackles and a forced fumble, while cornerback Jordan Scruggs and safety Jaden Voisin are second with 21 each.

“They’ve got 28 FBS transfer portal players, 9 from SEC schools. This will be a great challenge for us,” Kelly said. “It’s a team that is coming in with nothing to lose, but also very capable in a lot of areas.”

More LSU News:

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

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