LSU Routs Oklahoma, 37-17, as Garrett Nussmeier’s Heroics Shine
BATON ROUGE – LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier turned a season of frustrations into a night to remember, overcoming a second-quarter shoulder injury to lead the Tigers to a commanding 37-17 victory over Oklahoma on Saturday night at Tiger Stadium. The win capped LSU’s regular season at 8-4 overall and 5-3 in the SEC.
Nussmeier, a junior and first-year starter, silenced critics with a stellar performance, completing 22 of 31 passes for 277 yards and three touchdowns. The resilient quarterback’s heroics began just minutes after returning from a locker-room trip for treatment on his injured right shoulder.
The highlight of the night came late in the second quarter when Nussmeier connected with wide receiver Chris Hilton Jr. on a 40-yard touchdown pass to secure a 24-17 halftime lead. He followed up with a 45-yard strike to Hilton in the third quarter to put the game out of reach.
Nussmeier Shakes Off Injury to Deliver Key Victory
Early in the second quarter, LSU fans held their breath as Nussmeier went down after a sack left him clutching his throwing shoulder. Trainers helped him off the field, and backup quarterback AJ Swann struggled to keep the offense afloat, managing zero positive yards on the ensuing drive.
Oklahoma capitalized with a 14-10 lead midway through the quarter, but LSU’s Aaron Anderson swung momentum with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. With the game tied at 17, Nussmeier re-entered, sparking a four-play, 60-yard drive capped by his touchdown pass to Hilton.
“Garrett was Nuss Tough tonight,” said LSU coach Brian Kelly. “He’s been through a lot this season, and to see him respond like that speaks volumes about his character and leadership.”
Dynamic Offense Supports Strong Defensive Effort
LSU’s offense was balanced, amassing 395 total yards. Running back Caden Durham led the ground game with 80 yards on 11 carries, while Hilton finished with two touchdown catches totaling 85 yards.
The Tigers’ defense, which has struggled against mobile quarterbacks in previous losses, limited Oklahoma’s Jackson Arnold to 69 rushing yards on 16 carries. LSU defensive end Sai’vion Jones, playing in his final home game, led the effort, disrupting the Sooners’ backfield throughout the night.
“This was a statement game for us defensively,” Jones said. “To shut down a dual-threat quarterback like Arnold shows how far we’ve come.”
Series History: LSU Dominates SEC Newcomer Oklahoma
Saturday marked Oklahoma’s first visit to Tiger Stadium and continued LSU’s dominance in the series. The Tigers are now 3-1 against the Sooners, including a memorable 63-28 blowout in the 2019 College Football Playoff semifinal en route to their national championship.
With the win, LSU secures a strong finish to the season and momentum heading into bowl season, leaving fans optimistic about 2025.
“This team has heart,” Nussmeier said. “We’ve faced a lot of adversity, but nights like this remind you why you fight through it.”
