LSU defeats UCLA, 34-17

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - Under the pounding Louisiana sun, LSU went to battle with a non-conference foe, the UCLA Bruins.

With temperatures topping 90° at kickoff, LSU got off to a hot start on offense, and drove 75 yards in 6 plays. The drive was capped off by a 5 yard touchdown pass from Garrett Nussmeier to Zavion Thomas.

The LSU defense took the field only to give up an equating 20 yard touchdown pass from UCLA's QB, Ethan Garber to WR Jack Pedersen. LSU's defensive unit looked flat and were on their heels for most of the first half.

Coach Brian Kelly spoke about the first half defensive mental errors after the game. "Wish we were cleaner in the first half. The mistakes are maddening,” Kelly said. “Those are the guys we got. There's nobody getting traded."

After going in tied at half 17-17, LSU's defense didn't allow another point to the Bruins. Coach Kelly said, "the defense actually executed what was called..we didn't change anything. Execution is attention to detail. Do your Job. DYJ!"

On the offensive side of the ball, LSU was led by Qb Garrett Nussmeier who tallied 352 yards and 3TDs. The Tigers score 17 unanswered points in the second half. Nussmeier connected on a 35 yard touchdown pass to RB Caden Durham to slam the door on the UCLA Bruins.

Although the Tigers secured the victory , they lost a huge part of their defense as Harold Perkins went down with a knee injury in the 4th quarter. "He's injured", said Coach Kelly. "He will go through all of the diagnostic testing and we will have a better answer on Monday."

Notes: After an 8 catch, 77 yard day from LSU's TE Mason Taylor, he became the all-time leader for receiving yards (990) by a tight end in LSU history. Taylor already holds the record for most receptions all-time for an LSU tight end.

The 3-1 LSU Tigers will be back in action in Death Valley against South Alabama, Saturday.