The LSU defense shined once again on Saturday as LSU defeated South Carolina by a score of 20-10. South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers was sacked five times, and the Tigers held the Gamecock offense to 317 total yards with just 124 yards through the air. LSU also forced two turnovers.
Those are all very impressive numbers, but there is one stat that stands out among the rest from LSU's dominating defensive performance against South Carolina.
LSU created pressure early and often - even without blitzing
Not only did LSU sack Sellers five times, but the Tigers were able to put constant pressure on Sellers - even without blitzing. In fact, LSU had a pressure rate of 72% without blitzing in Week 7, which was tops in the country. The Tigers didn't need to bring an extra man to make life difficult on the Gamecocks, which speaks volumes about LSU's talent and Blake Baker's defensive scheme.
Highest pressure rate WITHOUT blitzing, FBS defenses in Week 7:
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) October 12, 2025
1) LSU: 72.0%
2) Liberty: 51.9%
3) Georgia Tech: 50.0%
4) Texas Tech: 48.8%
5) Fresno State: 46.7%
6) Boise State: 45.5%
7) Kent State: 44.4%
7) Rice: 44.4%
9) Bowling Green: 44.0%
10) James Madison: 42.9%
10)… pic.twitter.com/cOWMeHEjc6
Sellers was under constant duress all night long. The Gamecock QB never had time to relax as the LSU defense was in the backfield on a continuous basis. It was clear throughout the game that South Carolina's offensive line never stood a chance against LSU's pass rush. South Carolina's offensive line has struggled all season long, and the Tigers made sure to take advantage. To show the impact LSU's pass rush had on the game, Shane Beamer made the decision to fire offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley just hours after the game wrapped up.
Harold Perkins Jr, Whit Weeks, DJ Pickett, and Bernard Gooden all recorded a sack against the Gamecocks, while Jack Pyburn and Patrick Payton each recorded half a sack. The LSU offense looked a bit more balanced as the running game was finally able to get going, but it was once again the defense that stole the show. The offense couldn't pull away, and the defense locked it down in the second half.
Through six games, LSU's defense has cemented itself as one of the best defenses in all of college football. The Tigers are allowing just 11.8 points per game this season, which ranks 5th in the country. Up next is Diego Pavia and the Vanderbilt Commodores, who rank 7th in the country scoring 43.2 points per game.