Where LSU Football fared well and where they didn't in the first half against USC

We're at halftime of the game between the LSU Football team and the USC Trojans at ten a piece. After a long offseason of conversations about these defenses, both offenses were surprisingly shut out in the quarter. The Tigers did plenty well in the first half however, there is certainly some things that need to be cleaned up. The Tigers are thankful that USC managed the clock horribly leading to a missed field goal to end the half.

Here's where LSU fared well and what needs to be done better in the second half.

Fared Well: First Quarter Time of Possession

The Tigers' gameplan coming into this game had to be to slow the game down and to keep USC's defense on the field as long as possible. The first quarter went exactly to script exceot for the fact that the Tigers didn't score any points. The Tigers ran 21 plays to the Trojans five eating up 11:45 of game time. LSU even outgained the Trojans 110-24 showing the defense took a step forward but, LSU needed to be better at converting on their drives.

Needs to be better: Rushing Attack

Heading into the season it was well known that LSU had one of the Nation's best offensive lines filled with maulers. We also heard a ton about how great Kaleb Jackson looked throughout camp for the Tigers. Yet, starting the game the rushing attack left plenty to be desired. The Tigers rushed for just 3.2 yards per carry in the first quarter with 29 yards on 9 attempts. If LSU is going to win this game, it'll need to perform better rushing in the second half.

The second quarter saw LSU run the football just four times for 17 yards averaging just over four yards per carry. As the Trojans adjust to slow the passing attack, LSU should look to counter with a heavier dose of the rushing attack to keep them off balance.

Fared Well: Kyren Lacy

The opening drive Kyren Lacy looked just like all of the elite LSU wide receivers we've seen throughout the past few years. He opened the game up with four catches for 41 yards moving the Tigers down the field but, they couldn't score. The Tigers were off the field quickly on their second drive as the Tigers didn't attempt a pass to Lacy. The Tigers finally got on the board in the second quarter thanks to a massive 19 yard touchdown to Lacy.

If the Tigers are going to win this game, we'll see a heavy dose of Kyren Lacy in the second half. Lacy finished the half with six catches for 68 yards and a touchdown and he was open whenever Nussmeier needed him especially as Chris Hilton Jr is missing the game.

Needs to be better: Defending USC's big play threats

We all know how USC loves to go for the big play and how much that killed LSU's defense in 2023. On the Trojans opening drive of the second half they looked like a machine targeting their big play receivers. Zachariah Branch picked up 19 yards on a well designed screen play which clearly caught LSU off guard. Kyron Hudson made one of the greatest catches you'll ever see but, there were a few Tigers in the area that could've made a play on the ball. Sage Ryan got called for pass interference on a deep ball into the endzone setting up a Woody Marks touchdown.

Needs to be better: Penalties

The USC Trojans fared well in the first half in part because of the penalty differential. The Trojans were penalized once for 15 yards while LSU was penalized five times for 45 yards. Kyren Lacy's unsportsmanlike conduct penalty set Zachariah Branch up for a massive return where he returned the kick to LSU's 43-yard line. That then set USC up to take a deep shot picking up just under forty yards. A penalty for disconcerting signals on the defense led to LSU getting a delay of game penalty because Brian Kelly was arguing the penalty. Penalties are a part of the game but, for the most part LSU's could've been avoided.

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Note: All stats via ESPN