TIGERS ROAR TO 44-31 VICTORY OVER BAYLOR IN TEXAS BOWL

12/31/2024

Photo By: Michael Bacigalupi

Da Boot Sports
12/31/2024
By: Jason Watson Jr.

NRG Stadium; Houston, TX - For the first time since 1985, the Lions, Tigers, and Bears met on the gridiron (Correction: there were no Lions involved) but, oh my, what a game. In front of a crowd of nearly 60,000 strong, LSU bested Baylor in the 2024 Kinder’s Texas Bowl by a score of 44-31.
The Tigers earned their ninth victory of the season while Baylor fell to 8-5. The biggest difference maker in this one was LSU’s defense holding the Bears to just 1-6 on fourth down attempts. Garrett Nussmeier would finish with 300+ yards and three touchdowns through the air en route to the MVP award; pairing nicely with his MVP in the ReliaQuest Bowl last season.

LSU went 68 yards on 12 plays to go up first in the Texas Bowl with 8:31 left in the first quarter. Garrett Nussmeier found Trey’Dez Green in the back of the end zone to cap the impressive opening drive that featured a fourth down conversion, also by way of a Green reception.

On the ensuing series, the Bear offense had put together a promising couple of plays, but to no avail. LSU’s Davhon Keys took a tipped pass back 40 yards for a pick-six. The Tigers’ lone defensive touchdown of 2024 came fittingly on New Year’s Eve to extend the lead to 14-0.

Baylor and LSU exchanged punts before the first quarter winded down, but the Bears would get on the scoreboard after the first play in the second period. Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson found Josh Cameron for a 21-yard back-shoulder touchdown. After initially being ruled as incomplete, officials reviewed and found the wideout did regain possession from a bobble before stepping out of bounds. 14-7, Tigers.

It would not take long for LSU to strike back. In just 2:30, Nussmeier delivered back-to-back darts with the ladder being a 41-yard touchdown strike to Chris Hilton Jr. who burned the defending cornerback.

After a Baylor punt, Hilton came down with another 40+ yard reception but was officially ruled down at the one-yard line. On third and goal, Trey’Dez Green was left wide-open for his second TD of the game. After the extra point, LSU led 28-7 with 8:46 to go in the half.

The Tigers got a big stop against the Bears on a fourth and ten attempt to force a turnover on downs, but could not take advantage offensively. LSU would settle for a Damian Ramos field goal attempt that would be blocked.

Baylor used the momentum shift to cut into the deficit with a one-yard touchdown rush by tailback Dawson Pendergrass. On the scoring play, LSU linebacker Whit Weeks stayed down with what appeared to be a severe ankle injury. As he was loaded onto the medical cart, the entire LSU sideline jogged to the field, sending their star off.

Zavion Thomas took the following kickoff and returned it for a 95-yard TD return in a sort of “right back at cha” type of response. Ramos’ point after would be missed, giving the Tigers a 20-point lead, 34-14.

The Bears utilized the two-minute offense to score once more. This time, a made-field goal from Baylor to punctuate a wild first half of football. Although trailing 34-17 at the break, Baylor played well enough to keep themselves within a manageable margin.

LSU’s defense bent, but did not break on the Bears’ opening drive of the second half. After driving downfield to the Tigers’ nine-yard line, Baylor went for it on fourth down, but the receiver could not get a foot down in the back of the end zone. Yet another turnover on downs for the green and gold.

Just three plays later, another swing of the pendulum came in the back-and-forth affair. LSU’s Aaron Anderson had a 33-yard catch and run before having the ball knocked out and the Bears recovered. Baylor would not waste their next chance inside the Tigers’ five. A four-yard TD throw from Robertson to Ashtyn Hawkins would bring the score to within ten, 34-24.

A Nussmeier interception on the next Tiger possession looked like it had all but deflated the LSU sideline. A horrid snap from the Bears center on fourth and one from the LSU 17-yard line led to a 36-yard loss and another turnover.

As the end of the third quarter dwindled and the fourth began, LSU held a ten-point advantage and Josh Williams delivered with a direct snap touchdown carry to put the Tigers up 41-24. The Tigers would then add three on a 43-yard Ramos FGM, putting their total at 44.

With 6:20 left in the contest, Pendergrass would rush for his second TD of the night to pull the Bears within 13, but that would be all she wrote as LSU was able to salt away most of the remainder of the game clock.

Until next season, Geaux Tigers! Stay tuned for upcoming news and updates on all LSU athletics with Da Boot Sports!

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Photos Below By: Michael Bacigalupi

Texas Bowl Game Highlights Below

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