Da Boot Sports
1/24/2024
LSU Sports Communications
By: Michael Bonnette


   ​BATON ROUGE – Joe Sloan has been named LSU’s offensive coordinator, while Cortez Hankton will serve as co-offensive coordinator, head coach Brian Kelly announced on Wednesday.
 
Kelly also announced that Slade Nagle is joining the LSU coaching staff and will handle special teams and coach the tight ends. 
 
“Joe did an outstanding job developing Jayden Daniels over the past two years into a Heisman Trophy winner,” Kelly said. “His experience here and at Louisiana Tech makes him a valuable recruiter who is well connected in the state.  Joe is ready to work alongside a talented offensive staff and continue to operate an elite offensive system.”
 
Kelly said Hankton will take on the day-to-day implementation and organization of the offense while still serving in his capacity as wide receiver coach.
 
“Cortez’s development of Malik and Brian into likely first round NFL Draft picks goes to his expertise of coaching wide receivers,” Kelly said. “Cortez continues to be a tremendous asset for us in recruiting. I’m excited about the leadership and the direction of the LSU offense heading into the 2024 season.”
 
Sloan and Hankton were both instrumental in LSU’s offensive explosion in 2023 as the Tigers led the nation in scoring offense (45.5), total offense (543.5) and pass efficiency. The Tigers scored 40 or more points nine times and LSU had nine games in which they reached 500 yards of offense with a season-high of 701 in the win over Florida.
 
LSU was the only FBS team to rank in the Top 10 in both rushing and passing offense, averaging 338.9 yards (No. 3) through the air and 204.5 yards (No. 10) on the ground.
 
They served as co-offensive coordinators for LSU’s ReliaQuest Bowl win over Wisconsin. In that game with first-time starter Garrett Nussmeier at quarterback, the Tigers racked up 492 total yards, including 395 through the air, in the 35-31 victory.
 
Sloan and Hankton are both in their third year at LSU as they were among the first hires for Kelly when he took over the program in December of 2021.
 
As the quarterback coach for the past two years, Sloan’s impact on Jayden Daniels’ development resulted in him winning the 2023 Heisman Trophy. Daniels was also named the winner of the Davey O’Brien and Manning Awards as well as being the AP, Walter Camp and Sporting News National Player of the Year.
 
Daniels’ play was nearly flawless as a senior, leading the nation in total offense (412.2), pass efficiency (208.0), points responsible for per game (25.2), yards per rush (8.4), and rushing yards by a quarterback (1,134). Daniels became one of only five players in SEC history to account for 50 touchdowns in a season and he set the all-time FBS mark for pass efficiency, completing 236-of-327 passes for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and only four interceptions.
 
Hankton’s wide receiver group produced college football’s top tandem in 2023 as Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas combined to catch 157 passes for 2,746 yards and 31 touchdowns. Nabers, a unanimous consensus All-America, led the nation in receiving yards per game (120.7), while Thomas, a third-team All-America led the country in receiving TDs with 17.
 
Nabers capped his LSU career as the school’s all-time leader in both receptions (189) and receiving yards (3,004). He joined Josh Reed as the only players in program history with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.
 
LSU’s other top receivers in 2023 included Kyren Lacy and Chris Hilton. Lacy caught 30 passes for 558 yards and seven touchdowns, while Hilton had 13 receptions for 225 yards and a pair of TDs.
 
Nagle joins the Tigers after eight seasons where he served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Green Wave in 2023. Nagle coached the Tulane tight ends the first seven years he was with the Green Wave. He capped his time with Tulane as the interim head coach for the Green Wave’s 2023 bowl game against Virginia Tech.
 
Nagle, a native of Lake Charles and a graduate of McNeese, previously served on the LSU coaching staff in 2009 when he worked with the special teams. Nagle’s dad, John Nagle, was a three-year letterwinner for the Tigers from 1969-71.
 
“Slade brings a winning and an experienced collegiate resume to our staff,” Kelly said. “Whether calling plays or coaching tight ends, quarterbacks or special teams, Slade has excelled at all levels. A native of Louisiana, he has a great recruiting knowledge of the state and is known for developing his position group. We are excited about Slade becoming a member of the Tiger Staff.”
 
In 2023, Tulane reached the championship game of the American Athletic Conference and posted an 11-3 mark. The Green Wave won the AAC title in 2022 and then went on to beat Southern Cal in the Cotton Bowl, 46-45, as they tied the school-record for wins in a season with 12.
 
Nagle has had other coaching stops at McNeese (2012-15), Central Arkansas (2011), Texas State (2010), Northwestern State (2006-09) and Dodge City Community College (2004-05).
 

​John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Da Boot Sports
1/17/2024
By: Terrill J. Weil


   BATON ROUGE, LA - Brian Kelly added another big piece to the defensive staff when he hired former Tiger player/assistant coach Corey Raymond to coach the secondary. Raymond is not only an excellent coach, but also a fantastic recruiter who will no doubt be a huge asset for the program. Welcome back Corey Raymond!

   The Tigers have also added another weapon to the offense, signing CJ Daniels out of the transfer portal. Daniels, 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, is a dynamic talent who has been a key weapon for Liberty. In 2023 he lead the Liberty Flames with 55 catches for 1,067 yard and 10 touchdowns while earning All-Conference honors. 
   His addition means another dangerous option for Garrett Nussmeier to target in 2024. Daniels has two years of eligibility remaining. 
   

​John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Da Boot Sports
1/10/2024
​By: Terrill J. Weil

By: Michael Bonnette

​
   BATON ROUGE, LA - ​BATON ROUGE – Bo Davis, a former All-SEC nose guard who is considered one of the top defensive line coaches in college football, is returning to LSU and will serve as defensive line coach for the Tigers, head coach Brian Kelly announced on Wednesday. 
 
Davis joins the LSU staff after spending the past three seasons at Texas where he helped the Longhorns reach the College Football Playoffs in 2023 with one of the nation’s top defenses. Davis spent six years with the Longhorns, first as defensive tackles coach from 2011-13 and then as defensive line coach from 2021-23. 
 
Davis played for the Tigers in the early 1990s, served as a graduate assistant with the football program from 1995-97 and was a member of the strength and conditioning staff when LSU won the 2003 national championship.
 
Davis returns to LSU with a history of developing some of the top defensive linemen in college football. In 12 years of coaching the defensive line in college football, Davis has produced 17 all-conference selections and seven all-Americans. He’s coached players who have won the Outland Trophy, the Defensive Player of the Year in the Big 12 and Conference USA, along with the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year.  He’s also had finalists for the Outland, Nagurski and Bednarik Awards.
 
“As a defensive line coach Bo brings a wealth of proven success at both the professional and collegiate level throughout his distinguished career,” Kelly said. “Additionally, coach Davis is an outstanding recruiter and developer of the players in his charge. I am excited to welcome back to LSU coach Bo Davis.”
 
Davis has been part of three national championships during his collegiate career, winning the 2003 title at LSU along with championships at Alabama in 2009 and 2015 as the defensive line coach for the Crimson Tide.  
 
Davis’ 2023 Texas defensive line featured T’Vondre Sweat, a consensus all-American and the recipient of the Outland Trophy as the nation ‘s top interior lineman, along with Byron Murphy, who earned Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year.
 
In 2023, the Texas defense allowed only 82.4 yards rushing a contest and held opponents to fewer than 100 yards rushing in eight games.
 
In addition to his collegiate coaching experience, Davis coached in the NFL for five years most recently as the defensive line coach for the Detroit Lions from 2018-20. Davis also spent the 2006 season with the Miami Dolphins as assistant defensive line coach and the 2016 as a defensive assistant with the Jacksonville Jaguars. 
 
In 2017 as the defensive line coach at UTSA, Marcus Davenport earned Conference USA Player of the Year honors and went on to become a first-round draft pick of the New Orleans Saints.
 
Davis served two stints at Alabama, coaching the defensive line from 2007-10 and then again in 2014-15. In his first stop with the Crimson Tide, Davis developed nose guard Terrence Cody into a two-time consensus all-American, and a finalist for the Lombardi, Nagurski and Bednarik Awards.
 
During his second stretch with the Crimson Tide, Alabama’s defense led the nation in rushing in 2015, allowing only 75.7 yards per game. Davis’ 2015 defensive line featured first-team all-American A’Shawn Robinson, who was a finalist for the Outland Trophy, along with Jonathan Allen, a first round 2017 first-round NFL Draft pick.
 
Davis first joined the Texas staff in 2011, coaching defensive tackles for Mack Brown for three years before returning to Alabama in 2014. 
 
Davis played nose guard for LSU from 1990-92, earning All-SEC honors as a senior. A native of Magee, Miss., Davis graduated from LSU in 1993 and served as a graduate assistant in the strength and conditioning program from 1995-97.
 
After four years coaching at North Shore High School in Galena Park, Texas, Davis returned to LSU as assistant strength and conditioning coach from 2002-05. LSU went 41-11 during that span.
Davis and his wife, Omeika, have two sons, Beau and Jackson, and a daughter, Juliana.
 
Davis’ hiring is contingent on a satisfactory background check and approval from the LSU Board of Supervisors.

By: Michael Bonnette


   ​BATON ROUGE – For the second time in five years, LSU has claimed the NCAA statistical titles for scoring offense and total offense as the Tigers led the nation in both categories.
 
The Tigers, winners of seven of their final eight games, posted a 10-3 overall mark capped with a 35-31 win over Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
 
LSU ranked first among all FBS teams in scoring with 45.5 points per game and the Tigers were No. 1 in total offense with a 543.5 average. LSU’s 45.5 points and 543.5 total yards per game rank No. 2 in school history, trailing only the 2019 team who averaged 48.4 points and 568.4 yards a contest.
 
In addition, LSU’s total offense average ranks No. 3 in SEC history, trailing only the 2019 Tigers and the 2012 Texas A&M team that averaged 558.5 yards a game.
 
Prior to 2019, LSU had never led the nation in either scoring offense or total offense and the Tigers have now done it twice in five years.
 
LSU topped the 40-point mark nine times in 2023 and the Tigers had nine games when they reached 500 yards of offense with a season-high of 701 yards in the win over Florida. 
 
Individually, Heisman Trophy quarterback Jayden Daniels paced the nation in several categories including total offense (412.2), pass efficiency (208.0), points responsible for per game (25.2), yards per rush (8.4), and rushing yards by a quarterback (1,134).
 
Daniels’ pass efficiency rating of 208.0 is the highest in FBS history, bettering the previous mark of 207.6 set by Grayson McCall of Coastal Carolina in 2021.
 
Daniels’ 412.2 total yards per game broke Joe Burrow’s school record of 402.6 set in during his Heisman Trophy season in 2019. Daniels capped his career as the only player in FBS history to pass for 12,000 yards and rush for 3,000 yards. In his 53-game career, Daniels accumulated 12,749 passing yards and 3,307 rushing yards.
 
Daniels also ranked No. 2 nationally in passing TDs (40), No. 3 in passing yards per game (317.7), No. 4 in passing yards per completion (16.15), and No. 5 in total passing yards (3,812).
 
LSU’s top two receivers – Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas – both led the nation in receiving categories. Thomas led the nation in receiving TDs with 17, while Nabers was No. 1 in receiving yards per game (120.7) and No. 2 in receiving yards (1,569).
 
Nabers, a consensus All-America, became LSU’s all-time leader in receptions (189) and receiving yards (3,003).
 

   Redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Maason Smith has announced that he will not return to LSU as he has decided to enter the 2024 NFL Draft.

   A thank you and farewell message from Malik Nabers....

   Andre Sam announces he will enter the 2024 NFL Draft....

   In a surprising move, LSU starting running back Logan Diggs has decided to enter the transfer portal..

   In his only season in Baton Rouge, Diggs rushed for 653 yards and seven touchdowns in ten games. He is the third running back to enter the transfer portal, joining Tre' Bradford and Amoni Goodwin.

   LSU's running back position will now have Josh Williams, Kaleb Jackson, Trey Holly, and incoming freshman Caden Durham for the 2024 season.

   Noah Cain announces that he will enter the 2024 NFL Draft...

   The 2024 LSU offense will have a completely different look. Gone are Mike Denbrock, Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr., Noah Cain and Logan Diggs. 

   We sit and wait to see who Brian Kelly will hire to replace Denbrock. It will be an interesting and key hire to LSU's success in 2024. 

By: Michael Bonnette


   ​BATON ROUGE – LSU wrapped up its second season under head coach Brian Kelly with back-to-back 10-wins seasons and ranked No. 12 in the final Associated Press and AFCA Coaches Polls, which were released on Tuesday following the CFP National Championship Game.

   The Tigers won seven of their final eight games capped with a 35-31 come-from-behind win over Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

   LSU posted a 10-3 overall which included a win over No. 8 Missouri. All three of LSU’s losses came to teams ranked in the Top 10 in the final rankings – No. 5 Alabama, No. 6 Florida State and No. 9 Ole Miss.

   Dating back to 2000, LSU has finished ranked in final polls 19 times, including both years under Kelly. LSU finished the 2022 season ranked No. 15 in the Coaches Poll and No. 16 in the AP Top 25.

​   LSU now turns its attention to the 2024 season as the Tigers will face three teams – all in Tiger Stadium – who capped 2023 ranked in the Top 25. That list includes No. 5 Alabama, No. 9 Ole Miss and No. 15 Oklahoma.

​John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Da Boot Sports
1/5/2024
LSU Sports Communications
By: Michael Bonnette


   BATON ROUGE – Blake Baker, who helped Missouri to an 11-win season and a Top 10 national ranking in 2023, has been named LSU’s defensive coordinator, head coach Brian Kelly announced on Friday.

   Baker joins the LSU staff after serving as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Missouri for the past two seasons. Baker coached the linebackers at LSU in 2021. Prior to that, he served as the defensive coordinator at Miami (Fla.) in 2019-20 and at Louisiana Tech from 2015-18. He brings eight years of defensive coordinator experience to the LSU program.

   “Blake brings a wealth of experience and success as a defensive coordinator throughout his career, including the last two years in the SEC at Missouri,” Kelly said. “His ability to develop and motivate his players while putting together highly successful defenses sets him apart in his field. I am excited to welcome Blake and his family back to Baton Rouge.”

​   Baker’s 2023 Missouri defense played a huge role in the Tigers going 11-2 overall and capping the season with a 14-3 win over No. 7 Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. Missouri’s 11 wins were the most for the school in nearly a decade. In the win over Ohio State, Missouri held the Buckeyes without a touchdown for the first time since the 2016 season.

   As a unit in 2023, Missouri ranked No. 4 in the SEC in scoring defense (20.8 points per game) and No. 5 in the league in both rushing defense (122.8) and total defense (336.1). Missouri led the SEC and ranked No. 4 nationally in fumbles forced (17) and they were No. 11 in the nation in sacks with 39. The Tigers were also among the Top 20 in the nation in fumbles recovered (No. 16 with 10) and tackles for loss (No. 18 with 88).

   Missouri’s 2023 defense featured three players who earned All-SEC honors – defensive end Darius Robinson, linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper and defensive back Kris Abrams-Draine.

​   In his previous season at LSU in 2021, Baker’s top linebacker was All-America Damone Clark, who went on to become a fifth round NFL Draft pick and is currently a starter for the Dallas Cowboys. Clark had a breakout season under Baker in 2021, ranking No. 2 in the nation in tackles with 135 tackles to go along with 5.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss. Clark was a finalist for the Butkus Award that year.

   Baker joined Miami in 2019 after four years as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Louisiana Tech. In his first year with the Hurricanes in 2019, he oversaw a Miami defense that ranked No. 13 nationally in total defense and 12th in the nation in yards allowed per play. The 2019 Hurricane defense also ranked among the Top 20 in the nation in rush defense (No. 10), redzone defense (No. 16) and pass defense (No. 18).

   Two linebackers – Michael Pinckney and Shaq Quarterman – from Baker’s 2019 defense earned All-ACC recognition. Quarterman was selected in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. His 2020 defense featured first team All-America defensive end Jaelan Phillips.

   Prior to arriving in Coral Gables, Baker spent four seasons (2015-18) as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Louisiana Tech where the Bulldogs had one of the nation’s top defenses when it came to impact plays. In 2018, Louisiana Tech ranked No. 4 in the nation in sacks per game, No. 12 in tackles for loss and No. 33 in turnovers gained.

​   Baker’s star defender at Louisiana Tech was All-America Jaylon Ferguson, who led the nation in sacks (17.5) and ranked No. 2 nationally in tackles for loss with 26.5 in 2018. Ferguson was a third-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

   As a unit, Louisiana Tech led Conference USA in rush defense in 2015 and finished second in the league in total defense that year. The Bulldogs were third in C-USA in rush defense in 2016.

   Prior to being elevated to defensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech, Baker coached the safeties for the Bulldogs in 2014. He spent the 2013 season as the safeties coach at Arkansas State.

   Baker got his start in collegiate coaching at Texas, where he was a graduate assistant for the Longhorns from 2010-12. At Texas, Baker worked with the linebackers and defensive backs, two position groups that featured eight All-Big 12 selections over that span. He also coached All-America linebacker and Lott Trophy finalist Emmanuel Acho and 2011 Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year Quandre Diggs.

​   Prior to joining the Texas staff, Baker worked as wide receivers coach in 2019 at Clear Springs High School in Houston, Texas, before taking over duties as linebackers coach the following spring.

   The Houston native was a four-year letterman and three-year starter at linebacker for Tulane from 2000-04. In 42 career games, he racked up 145 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and six sacks. He helped lead the Green Wave to a win in the 2002 Hawaii Bowl. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Tulane in 2008.

   Baker is married to the former Roslyn Jones of Mandeville, La., and the couple has a daughter, Anderson, and two sons, Byron and Brady. His wife is a former All-SEC soccer player for LSU.

​   Baker’s hiring is contingent on a satisfactory background check and approval from the LSU Board of Supervisors.

​

​John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Da Boot Sports
1/3/2024
LSU Sports Communications
By: Michael Bonnette


   BATON ROUGE, LA - “This morning, I met with Matt House, Kerry Cooks, Robert Steeples, and Jimmy Lindsey to inform them that they would not return to our coaching staff in 2024. I want to thank each of these coaches for their work on behalf of our football program and our institution during their time here. Decisions like these are always difficult, and we do not make them lightly, but they are made with the best interests of our program and our student-athletes in mind. Moving forward, we will continue working to build a championship caliber coaching staff in support of our mission to Graduate Champions.”

Da Boot Sports
1/2/2024
By: Terrill J. Weil


   BATON ROUGE, LA - Big news out of the LSU football world today and over the last few days. 

   Mekhi Wingo has announced that he will not return to LSU for his senior season and will enter the NFL Draft. 

   Also, Brian Thomas Jr. has announced he will not return to LSU for his final season and will enter the NFL Draft.

   Starting Center Charles Turner III announced he will not look into returning for a final year in the purple & gold and will enter the NFL Draft. 

   True Freshman offensive lineman Lance Heard has enetred the transfer portal. Heard was a 5-star recruit in LSU's 2023 recruiting class.

   Freshman wide receiver Jalen Brown has decided to enter the transfer portal. Brown only saw action in three games in 2023 and was redshirted. He was a 4-star recruit out of Miami, FL. 

   Other Tigers who have chosen to enter the transfer portal are::

   CB - Denver Harris: Undecided Destination
   
   CB - Duce Chestnut: Has decided to return to Syracuse
   
   TE - Jackson McGohan: Has signed with Wisconsin
   
   RB - Armoni Goodwin: Goodwin has signed with UAB
   
   RB - Tre' Bradford: He has committed to North Texas

   DL - Bryce Langston: Undecided Destination

   OL - Martin Martinez: Has landed in StarkVegas with Mississippi State


   The Tigers have added some talent through the portal already::

   QB - AJ Swan: Swan joins a crowded quarterback room as he has left Vanderbilt for Baton Rouge. 

   WR - Zavion Thomas: Thomas brings his talent to LSU from Mississippi State and joins a talented group of young receivers who will battle for playing time in 2024 with the departure of Brian Thomas Jr. and Malik Nabers. 

   S - Jardin Gilbert: Gilbert was a 5-star recruit out of University Lab who chose Texas A&M. He has decided to return home where he should help improve the LSU secondary which struggled in 2023. 

   DB - Austin Ausberry: The former U-High star and son of foemr LSU linebacker verge Ausberry has decided to come home as he hits the tranfer protal to leave Auburn and join LSU. 

​John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Da Boot Sports
1/1/2024
By: Jason Watson Jr.


   TAMPA, FL - Brian Kelly and the LSU football team traveled to Tampa Bay for the New Year’s holiday to compete with the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl game. The event provided excellent opportunities for the schools and multiple programs to garner national attention under the spotlights to celebrate their excellent seasons.

   The bands, cheerleaders, dancers, coaches, staff, fans, and obviously, football players got treated to a week-long excursion that included bowling, amusement parks, beaches, parades, and so much more. 

​   In front of an attendance of 31,424, the Tigers donned their famed purple jerseys complimented by gold helmets and pants, while the Badgers dressed in classic white and red.

​    LSU won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball to get the game underway. 

   Garrett Nussmeier began his LSU starting gig with a strike to Malik Nabers for a 9-yard pickup. The LSU offense rolled early, quickly moving the ball from their 7-yard line to near midfield in a few short plays. However, after a deep shot to Brian Thomas was ruled incomplete, the Tiger drive stalled out and was forced to punt. Nabers stood just 10 yards from breaking the program record for receiving yards in a career. 

   Wisconsin didn’t take long to remind LSU fans how rough the defense is around the edges. The Badgers and senior quarterback Tanner Mordecai orchestrated a 5-play, 78-yard touchdown drive, highlighted by two deep passes of 41 and 20 yards. Badgers went up 7-0 with 8:28 left in the first quarter. 

​   The teams exchanged three-and-out drives following the score, and although it seemed Wisconsin may have attempted a 4th and short from the midfield logo, their first-charged timeout of the half altered that decision. 

   LSU took possession back, and on the first play of their third drive, Nabers delivered with an 11-yard snag for a first down, etching his name further into the LSU record books. With the reception, Malik surpassed Josh Reed’s record, putting himself in great company.

​   LSU once again drove the ball across midfield, but penalties and an aggressive Badger front seven caused a turnover on downs after the Tigers went for it on fourth and one. 

   Wisconsin took two plays to strike again. This time, it was Mordecai to Will Pauling (SO) for a 53-yard TD following missed tackle attempts by Sam and Burns. At the end of the first quarter, the Tigers trailed 14-0. Mordecai began the game 6-6 for 135 yards and two touchdowns before putting up his first incompletion. 

​   LSU drove down the field and got points on the scoreboard. They got creative with goal-line play calling, and the touchdown came from none other than…, you guessed it…, Harold “The Linebacker” Perkins. Although you can find him roaming around on the other side of the ball for the Tigers, Perkins spent some time as running back in high school, so toting the rock is second nature for him. 14-7, Badgers. 

   A momentum shift was in the air, and you could smell it. LSU’s defense allowed Wisconsin to march downfield, but to no avail, as the Badgers had to settle for a long field goal attempt that got shanked wide to the left, and LSU took over field position. 

   With 3:56 remaining in the opening half, the Tigers began on their 33-yard line and used strong running from Josh Williams and Kaleb Jackson to tie the game back up at 14 apiece. Jackson capped off the drive with a 12-yard scamper. 

   The tie would not last as the Tiger defense allowed Wisconsin to strike back with a 41-second drive to give Mordecai his third touchdown pass of the first half. The Badgers go back up 21-14 off a 9-yard reception, Pauling’s second TD. 

​   Things didn’t improve for LSU as Nussmeier threw his first interception of the bowl game on the ensuing drive. Fortunately for the Tigers, Wisconsin couldn’t produce anything with the short field after failing to convert a fourth and short. LSU kneeled out to the locker rooms, trailing 21-14. 

   The second half started with much of the same: big plays from Wisconsin’s offense and poor defensive execution from the Tigers. Sophomore running back Jackson Acker gashed the Tiger defense for a 33-yard run, resulting in a touchdown. Wisconsin extended its lead 28-14. 

   LSU got its first “statement” play of the game on their first drive of the second half when Nuss “Bus” lobbed a beauty right into the bread basket of Brian Thomas Jr. for a 38-yard bomb of a TD. LSU’s offense had found its mojo but needed stops from its defense if they wanted any chance of overcoming the deficit. 

   A stop is what they got. LSU’s defensive line caused a lot of pressure on Mordecai and forced a punt. LSU took full advantage and completed a 14-yard TD pass to Chris Hilton Jr. with a toe drag. The Tigers tied the game back at 28. 

​   LSU special teams took their turn to be an Achilles’ heel after allowing the following kick return out beyond the Wisconsin 40. After a 15-yard unsportsmanlike on Sam got tacked on, the Badger drive began on the LSU 45. LSU’s defense showed strong on the goal line, allowing only a FGA off the short field position; Badgers went back on top 31-28. 

   LSU took the ball over and played themselves into a 3rd and 15 before the third quarter clock had expired. Going to the fourth, the Tigers trailed by 3. LSU couldn't pick up the 3rd and long and had to punt the ball back. The Tigers stop Mordecai and the Badger offense once again, putting the football back in Garrett Nussmeier’s hands.

   Unfortunately, the Tigers fall victim to another three and out. LSU punted the ball back to Wisconsin, who looked to run the clock and ice the game away. 

   LSU’s defense played its best in crunch time and forced Wisconsin into a third and long and an eventual punt. The only bad thing for LSU was that the Badgers had their best punt of the day, pinning the Tigers back on their 2-yard line. 

   Nussmeier was able to work out of the limited room and put the Tigers in a position to win the game. Hilton Jr. hauled in a massive 43-yard reception on his way to the ground at the Wisconsin 7. Brian Thomas finished the drive with a 4-yard TD grab, putting the Tigers up 35-31 with 3:08 remaining in the contest. 

​   Both teams combined for over 1,000 yards of offense, but somebody has to come out on top. Would LSU be able to hold the Badgers out of the endzone once more? 

   As much as we’ve all dogged on the defense this season, they stepped up big when it mattered. Wisconsin quickly got the ball across midfield and looked like a threat to score and steal the bowl from LSU, but Mekhi Wingo and the Tiger defense shut that door down. The Tigers forced finished the game with three straight sacks on Mordecai and forced fumbles on two of them.

​   Nussmeier took the final kneel down of the contest and LSU was named 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl Champions. 

​   Garrett Nussmeier finished the game 31-45 for a career best 395 yards passing and 3 touchdowns. Although he did throw one interception, Nuss did enough to earn him the bowl game MVP award and rightfully so.

​   LSU’s football campaign comes to a gratifying conclusion, picking up their tenth victory of the year. Happy New Year’s Tiger fans and Geaux Tigers!

   

​   Below we have game photos, Brian Kelly and Garrett Nussmeier's post game press conference and the Trophy presentation.

   

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   PLEASE Tune in to Da Boot Sports YouTube Channel for 'Talking Tigers Podcast' tomorrow night, Tuesday, 7:30pm, as our host David Penn, co-host Ron Sancho and special guest, former Tiger Colon Jeter review LSU's win over Wisconsin and talk LSU football. Don't miss it! 

    This will be our final football podcast of the 2023 football season, as we will start our Basketball Podcast shows next week with both men's and women's teams beginning SEC play. Those podcast shows TBA.... 

Photos Below By ReliaQuest Bowl Staff

Photos Below By: Da Boot Sports Writer, Jason Watson Jr.

​John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.