HOUSTON — Despite having multiple starters not playing due to opting out to prepare for the NFL Draft or entering the NCAA Transfer Portal, the LSU Tigers didn’t miss a beat in Tuesday’s Kinder’s Texas Bowl.
With Garrett Nussmeier’s three-touchdown performance, LSU defeated Baylor 44-31 inside NRG Stadium. Brian Kelly’s team finishes the 2024 season with a 9-4 overall record.
HOW IT HAPPENED
LSU began the game with an impressive 12-play, 68-yard drive in which Josh Williams came up big for the Tigers.
The senior running back had three carries for 21 yards and hauled in a 15-yard reception. LSU also converted a fourth down on the drive as Nussmeier hit tight end Tre’Dez Green for six yards on fourth and five, and then wrapped up the drive as Nussmeier found Green in the back of the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown.
LSU added to its lead with its defense. Tigers linebacker Davhon Keys picked off a tipped pass of Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown.
Baylor got on the scoreboard to start the second quarter.
Robertson found Josh Cameron in the corner of the end zone, but the play was ruled incomplete because Cameron appeared to bobble the ball after the catch. The play went to review, and it was ruled a 21-yard touchdown.
LSU wasted little time responding.
After Aaron Anderson had made a 20-yard diving catch along the sideline, Nussmeier hit Chris Hilton down the right sideline for a 41-yard touchdown.
Baylor’s ensuing drive stalled and the Bears opted to go for it on fourth and 10 at the LSU 40-yard line. LSU’s defense stuffed the run play and despite unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on both teams after the play, the Tigers got the ball at their 39-yard line.
LSU drove down the field but had to settle for a 36-yard field goal by Damien Ramos but it was blocked by Kyler Jordan. The Bears took advantage and Robertson hit Ketron Jackson Jr. for a 35-yard gain that put the ball at the one-yard line. Dawson Pendergrass then powered his way into the end zone for a touchdown.
That score was also a scary moment for LSU fans as starting linebacker Whit Weeks suffered and ankle injury on the play. The Tiger star had to be carted off the field but did give the crowd a thumbs up.
LSU wasted little time scoring as Zavion Thomas returned the ensuing kickoff 60 yards for a touchdown. Ramos missed the extra point but the Tigers still held a 34-14 lead.
After Baylor made a 23-yard field goal right before halftime, LSU held a 34-17 lead.
Baylor opened the second half with an 12-play, 56-yard drive and appeared to score a touchdown on a fourth-and-six play from the nine-yard line when Robertson found Ashytin Hawkins in the back of the end zone. The play was reviewed, and the touchdown was overturned because Hawkins did not touch in bounds.
After Anderson fumbled, Baylor seized the opportunity and went down the field, this time finding the end zone. Robertson threw a short pass to Hawkins, who easily walked into the end zone for the touchdown. With less than seven minutes to go, Baylor had made it a 10-point game.
After Nussmeier threw an interception, Baylor appeared primed to cut into the lead but the Bears went for it on fourth-and-one at the 17-yard line. The snap was bad, sailed over Robertson’s head and it was a loss of 35 yards.
LSU took advantage of the short field as the Tigers drove down and Williams scored on a four-yard touchdown run. LSU would later add a 43-yard field goal by Ramos.
Baylor got into the end zone in the fourth as Dawson Pendergrass scored on a four-yard touchdown run with less than seven minutes left in the game. That made it a 13-point game but that was as close as the Bears would get to pulling off the comeback.
BIG NUMBER: 4,043
With his 304-yard passing performance against Baylor on Tuesday, Nussmeier moved into second place for the most passing yardage in a single season in Tigers history. Nussmeier passed Jayden Daniels who threw for 3,812 yards during his Heisman Trophy-winning season in 2023. Nussmeier’s 4,043 yards is second only to Joe Burrow’s 5,671 yards during the historic 2019 season.
BIG NUMBER II: 1
LSU’s defense may have given up more than 450 yards in Tuesday’s bowl game but the Tigers stood tall on fourth down. Baylor went 1-for-6 on fourth-down attempts in the contest.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME: GARRETT NUSSMEIER
With his starting left tackle, right tackle, left guard, tight end, and two wide receivers not playing, Nussmeier still put on a show inside NRG Stadium. The Tigers signal caller completed 24-of-34 passes for 304 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.
