LSU Football vs. USC Trojans in Week 1

All eyes will be on two of college football’s most iconic brands on Sunday night in Las Vegas as No. 13 LSU and No. 23 USC face off at Allegiant Stadium.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6:44 p.m. CT on ABC and the LSU Sports Radio Network. Voice of the Tigers Chris Blair, color analyst Jacob Hester and sideline reporter Gordy Rush will be on the call.

On the heels of back-to-back 10 win seasons under head coach , the Tigers will look to start the season on the right foot in 2024. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier will make his second career start for LSU, with the first being last season’s ReliaQuest bowl win over Wisconsin.

Here’s what Brian Kelly said of the matchup, pregame updates and a live thread from Sunday night in Las Vegas:

“I think we have great leadership, guys that have experience, guys that hold each other accountable,” Kelly said. “They know what it’s like to play and win games. This is a team that knows what to do and how to do it.”

“It’s precision,” Kelly said of USC’s air raid offense. “It’s fundamentally based upon wanting to throw the football. But they will attack you in the run game if you are overcommitting to the pass. Each head coach has its own way of tweaking it, and Lincoln has his own flavors.”

– The LSU Starting Lineup (Offense): Garrett Nussmeier (QB), Josh Williams (RB), Kyren Lacy (WR), CJ Daniels (WR), Kyle Parker (WR), Mason Taylor (TE), Will Campbell (LT), Garrett Dellinger (LG), DJ Chester (C), Miles Frazier (RG) and Emery Jones (RT).

– LSU WR Chris Hilton is OUT for tonight’s matchup against the USC Trojans. He remains sidelined with a bone bruise in his ankle. Redshirt-freshman Kyle Parker is expected to start in his place.

– The LSU Starting Lineup (Defense): Bradyn Swinson (DE), Gio Paez (DT), Jacobian Guillory (DT), Sai;vion Jones (DE), Harold Perkins (LB), Greg Penn (LB), Major Burns (STAR), Ashton Stamps (CB), Sage Ryan (CB), Jardin Gilbert (S) and Jordan Allen (S).

– LSU DB Javien Toviano has been listed as the backup STAR. He’s worked back into the rotation and has cruised up the depth chart.

– LSU DT Ahmad Breaux is in the two-deep depth chart backing up Jacobian Guillory. Expect the true freshman to get some time on the field today.

– Zavion Thomas will serve as the starting return specialist for the Tigers on Sunday.

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First Quarter:

– LSU has won the opening coin toss and has elected to receive. The Trojans will receive the ball to start the second half.

– LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier completes his first pass to Kyren Lacy for a 15-yard gain on the opening play and connects with Lacy again on the second play. Tigers nearing USC territory.

– LSU goes for it on 4th and 2 with Nussmeier connecting with Lacy for his third reception of the opening drive. Tigers convert in USC territory.

– Nussmeier continues with the short and intermediate throws. He’s 6-for-6 on the opening drive for 59 yards. LSU inside the 10-yard line with 8:33 remaining in the first quarter.

– LSU goes for it on 4th and 3 inside the USC five-yard line with Nussmeier throwing an incompletion to CJ Daniels in the end zone. USC takes over with 7:46 in the first quarter. Brian Kelly gambling early in Las Vegas.

– USC QB Miller Moss connects with Zachariah Branch on his first throw of the season and follows it up with an eight-yard gain to Lake McCree for the first down. Trojans looking to utilize their air raid offense early.

– LSU LB Harold Perkins gets into the backfield on 3rd and 3 to force a one-yard loss on third down. Trojans punt it away to the Tigers with 4:29 remaining. LSU utilizing the new-look blitz packages under Blake Baker on the first defensive drive.

– LSU utilizing Kaleb Jackson early on the second drive. A quick run up the middle followed by an eight-yard gain on a check down. The plan is clear to get the youngster involved quickly this season.

– Nussmeier connects with Aaron Anderson for a six-yard gain on 3rd and 3 for another first down. The Tigers already up to 7 first downs in the quarter.

End of 1Q: LSU 0, USC 0

Second Quarter:

– LSU punts it away on 4th and 5. Blake Ochsendorf heads out to the field as the starting punter and boots a 39-yard punt to pin USC inside their own 15-yard line.

– USC QB Miller Moss remains comfortable in the pocket with a quick 17-yard gain on a pass to Lake McRee for the first down. Trojans follow it with a short run and Moss connects with Zachariah Branch on second down for a 19-yard gain. USC near the 50-yard line with quick hitters opening up for big-time gains.

– Miller Moss connects with Kyron Hudson for a “Catch of the Year” nominee after going up for the one-handed catch on 1st and 10. USC in the red zone.

– LSU CB Sage Ryan called for pass interference on the following play. Trojans punch in the touchdown from inside the five-yard line. USC RB Woody Marks punches in the score. 8-play, 87 yard drive. 3:29 off the clock.

Score Update: USC 7, LSU 0

– LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier and TE Mason Taylor continue developing significant rapport. Nussmeier connects with Taylor on back-to-back plays to start the drive. Nussmeier continues seeing the field well through the first half.

– Nussmeier’s strong start to the half is continuing on the third drive for the Tigers. He’s 16-for-19 with 148 yards through the air.

-The Kyren Lacy Show continues here in quarter No. 2. Nussmeier connects with Lacy in the back corner of the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown. 9-play, 75-yard touchdown drive.

Score Update: LSU 7, USC 7

– USC’s Zachariah Branch showcasing why he’s one of the top return specialists in college football after breaking open a 46 yard return to the LSU 43-yard line. Short field for the Trojans with 6:56 remaining in the half.

– USC QB Miller Moss connects with Duce Robinson for a 38-yard gain. Trojans inside the five-yard line, but LSU comes up with a critical stop to force USC to settle for a field goal. Michael Lantz knocks in a 22-yard attempt.

Score Update: USC 10, LSU 7

– The Garrett Nussmeier-Kyren Lacy connection has been on full display in the first half. Lacy has hauled in a career-high 7 catches in the first half with 94 yards and a score. The connection continues into the fourth drive with Lacy hauling in a 26-yard gain, but it’s shortlived. LSU settles for a 45-yard field goal with Damian Ramos banging it in.

Score Update: LSU 10, USC 10

– Miller Moss has been surgical for the Trojans in the first half. He’s 13-for 16 with 176 yards through the first 30 minutes. LSU’s defensive backs have struggled early with Moss taking advantage over the middle on crossing routes.

– USC misses the 29-yard field goal attempt to end the first half. Tigers and Trojans are all square at 10 a piece at the half.

Halftime: LSU 10, USC 10

Third Quarter:

– USC receives the opening kickoff with the Tigers coming in shot out of a cannon to start the second half. The LSU defense forces a 3-and-out on the first drive after an impressive PBU from Jordan Allen.

– LSU’s offense struggled on the ground in the first half after tallying only 43 rushing yards. Now, it’s clear the Tigers are looking to add the rushing attack in the second half after back-to-back plays by Josh Williams and Kaleb Jackson. LSU goes 3-and-out with Blake Ochsendorf in the punt it away. USC’s ball on the 23-yard line.

– LSU cornerback Ashton Stamps records his second pass breakup on the day after a deflection on Zachariah Branch. He’s been sensational tonight for the Tigers defense.

– USC QB Miller Moss connects with Kyle Ford for a 41 yard gain with the Trojans entering LSU territory. USC on the LSU 38 yard line. 11:27 remaining in the third quarter.

– LSU EDGE Sai’vion Jones continues an impressive Week 1 performane after adding his second sack of the night on 3rd and 6. Tigers force a field goal. Michael Lantz knocks in the 35-yard attempt.

Score Update: USC 13, LSU 10

– LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier connects with Mason Taylor for a 15-yard gain with John Emery breaking open a 39-yard run on the following play. The Bayou Bengals are inside USC territory on the 29-yard line.

– It’s been an effective drive on the ground for LSU midway through the third quarter. Four rushing attempts for 55 yards with just 1 passing attempt. Tigers are getting in a groove on the ground.

– Garrett Nussmeier connects with Aaron Anderson for the 13-yard touchdown on 3rd and four from inside the 20-yard line. 7-play, 78-yard touchdown drive in 3:25.

Score Update: LSU 17, USC 13

– LSU forces another 3-and-out to start the 3rd quarter. Blake Baker’s defense is rolling here in the second half. Jay’viar Suggs forces the fumble on first down with the Trojans unable to come up with the first down on a long third down.

– John Emery with a massive third quarter for the Tigers. 5 attempts for 61 yards and a reception for 10 yards. Impactful reps for the sixth-year senior.

End of 3Q: LSU 17, USC 13

Fourth Quarter:

– Miller Moss continues a strong Week 1 performance after marching the Trojans into LSU territory to start the 4th quarter. He’s 20-for-27 with 281 yards on the night and has his USC squad on thee LSU 33 with 9:25 remaining.

– LSU LB Whit Weeks comes in for a massive stop on third and three for the Tigers with USC pushing the ball down the field. USC is 3-for-9 on third down in this one.

– LSU forces a turnover on downs on fourth down after the pass is batted down at the line of scrimmage. The Bayou Bengals take over up 17-13 with 8:38 remaining.

– USC makes the most of its chances in the 4th quarter after LSU goes three-and-out with a punt. The Trojans march down the field with Miller Moss carving the defense through the air and capping it off with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Ja’Kobi Lane. 5:44 remaining.

Score Update: USC 20, LSU 17

– Garrett Nussmeier with a monstrous play on 3rd-and-4. He connects with Aaron Anderson for a 41-yard gain to put LSU on the USC 28-yard line, The Bayou Bengals are trekking down the field with 2:58 remaining.

– LSU’s inability to capitalize in the red zone halts any opportunity to take the lead with under two minutes remaining. The Tigers settle for a 31-yard field to tie the game at 20. Damian Ramos knocks it through. 1:47 remaining.

Score Update: LSU 20, USC 20

– USC marches down the field led by Miller Moss and Co. An 8-play, 75-yard touchdown drive ends with Woody Marks getting in the end zone with eight seconds remaining.

FINAL: USC 27, LSU 20

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Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and LSU Tigers On SI: @LSUTigersSI for all coverage surrounding the LSU program.