Revisiting the Game Balls: LSU's 62-point win over Army
The LSU football team took a 38-0 lead at halftime against Army, putting the non-conference matchup out of reach for the Black Knights within the first 30 minutes. By game’s end, the Tigers had put together a 62-0 win.
The Tigers moved to 6-2 on the season with the bye week up next. In two weeks, LSU travels to Tuscaloosa for a matchup with Alabama in the team’s final road game of the regular season.
With the bye week beginning, here’s a final look back at LSU’s dominant showing against the Black Knights.
LSU Offense
Shea’s Prediction: RB Josh Williams
Matthew’s Prediction: RB Logan Diggs
The Result: WR Brian Thomas Jr. … Williams caught a pair of passes for 46 yards and Diggs carried it six times for 26 yards and a touchdown, but the biggest showings came from LSU’s 1-2 punch at wide receiver as Thomas and Malik Nabers both went for over 120 receiving yards and each had two touchdowns. We will give the nod to Thomas, who caught all three of his targets and turned the low target share into 122 yards and a pair of scores to move into the outright lead for most receiving touchdowns (11) in the NCAA this season.
LSU Defense
Shea’s Prediction: S Major Burns
Matthew’s Prediction: LB Greg Penn III
The Result: S Andre Sam … Burns finished with six tackles and a quarterback hurry, while Penn played a big role in slowing Army in the first half with five tackles and a sack. No matter, the honor goes to Sam. LSU’s starting grabbed a pair of interceptions to go along with three tackles and a pass breakup. It could be a nice confidence boost for the veteran transfer ahead of LSU’s matchup with Alabama.
Special Teams
Shea’s Prediction: PR Gregory Clayton
Matthew’s Prediction: KR Kaleb Jackson
The Result: K Damian Ramos … There were no kick or punt returns made by LSU, so both Clayton and Jackson never stepped into the “Game Ball” conversation. With Jay Bramblett mis-hitting his lone punt, the honor goes to Ramos, who stepped in and hit a pair of field goals while also going perfect on extra points.
Brian Kelly’s Game Ball
The Result: LSU defensive coordinator Matt House
The LSU defense wasn’t going to be tested by better athletes, but the unit was up against an Army offense that required a struggling LSU defense to be assignment sound and tackle well. And the Tigers did both to perfection. LSU didn’t allow any points to Army, held the Black Knights to under 200 total yards, forced four turnovers, three turnovers on downs, four punts and never allowed Army an attempt at a field goal.
After the win, LSU head coach Brian Kelly handed out his weekly “Game Ball” honor to defensive coordinator Matt House and the players on that side of the ball.
“The defense prepared the right way and pitched a shutout,” Kelly said. “They earned the game ball tonight.”
