Heading into the Texas Bowl, it was hard to envision what the team may look like as the Tigers had opt outs all over the offensive line, at wide receiver, and in the secondary. The Tigers were made underdogs for the game and quickly proved the oddsmakers wrong. At Halftime, LSU leads 34-17 as the Tigers rolled the entire first half scoring anyway possible.
The Tigers opened the game off driving down the field as the new offensive line opened massive holes in the rushing game and gave Garrett Nussmeier all day to find Trey'Dez Green in the back of the endzone.
Nuss connects with the freshman @TreyDez_Green TOUCHDOWN
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) December 31, 2024
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/UCOGAPz2BG
The defense quickly responded as the offense looking to outscore the offense and fellow Freshman Dahvon Keys grabbed a bobbled screen pass and returned it 40 yards for a pick six.
The freshman takes it to the 🏠@dak3ys
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) December 31, 2024
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/hcUEFtlbdU
The Baylor Bears scored to open the second quarter but, LSU responded as Garrett Nussmeier threw a strike to Chris Hilton Jr for a 41 yard touchdown as Baylor's defensive backs quickly realized how hard it is to keep up with Chris Hilton.
Nuss to the end zone. It's a TOUCHDOWN for @iamchrishilton1
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) December 31, 2024
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/Z2VJj8s2bj
That wasn't the last we'd see of Nussmeier finding Hilton deep as the duo beat the Bears again this time for a 44 yard pickup as Hilton was ruled down at the one.
My Goodness @Garrettnuss13 just throwing it around
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) December 31, 2024
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/nX2AruvvxH
The deep pass set Garrett Nussmeier up to find his true Freshman tight end for a second time as the defense lost Trey'Dez Green leading to a touchdown.
Someone may want to cover @TreyDez_Green
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) December 31, 2024
TOUCHDOWN TIGERS
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/bkWtOw0145
After Baylor scored, the Special Teams unit decided it wanted to get in on the action as Zavion Thomas returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown to give LSU a 34-14 lead.
HOUSE CALL 📞@ftfzayy_ 95 yard kickoff return
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) December 31, 2024
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/ostbaDa1EH
The only way LSU is failing to score is when its kicking the ball as the Tigers had a field goal blocked and missed an extra point as the struggles in the kicking game continue.