Tag: Tigers

Dec 30, 2024; Nashville, TN, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Marquis Johnson (2) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

No. 19 Missouri beats Iowa in Music City Bowl to notch 10-win season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Brady Cook threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns as No. 19 Missouri rallied past Iowa 27-24 Monday afternoon in the Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tenn.

The Tigers (10-3) erased a 24-14 third-quarter deficit. Blake Craig completed the comeback with decisive field goals of 51 and 56 yards in the fourth.

That gave Missouri a double-digit victory total in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2013-14.

Marquis Johnson caught seven passes for 122 yards and a touchdown for the Tigers. Theo Wease Jr. caught five passes for 75 yards and a touchdown in the first half before exiting the game with an upper-body injury.

Cook, who completed 18 of 32 passes, was Missouri’s leading rusher with 54 yards as the Hawkeyes (8-5) contained the Tigers’ running backs.

Kamari Moulton rushed for 96 yards and a touchdown for Iowa and Jaziun Patterson added 74 yards on the ground. Brendan Sullivan completed 14 of 18 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown.

Iowa took a 7-0 lead on its first possession. Sullivan capped the 70-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown flip to Terrell Washington Jr.

The Tigers responded with an 85-yard drive and Cook’s 8-yard scoring pass to Wease.

Kaden Wetjen answered with a 100-yard touchdown kickoff return touchdown to put the Hawkeyes up 14-7.

Missouri tied the game with a 75-yard drive that culminated with Cook’s 7-yard TD pass to Johnson.

Moulton’s 38-yard run set up his 1-yard touchdown dive with 49 seconds left in the first half. That put Iowa up 21-14 at halftime.

The Hawkeyes increased their lead to 24-14 with Drew Stevens’ 38-yard field goal with 5:19 left in the third quarter.

Cook’s 44-yard pass to Johnson set up Joshua Manning’s 4-yard touchdown run as Missouri cut its deficit to 24-21.

After Toriano Pride intercepted Sullivan, Craig’s 51-yard field goal tied the game. Craig’s 56-yard kick with 4:36 left put Missouri ahead.

Iowa’s final possession ended with 1:03 left to play when Missouri stopped Sullivan on its 46-yard line on a fourth-and-inches run.

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Sawyer Robertson (13) warms up prior to their game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

Riding win streak, Baylor eager to face LSU in Texas Bowl

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LSU began the season hopeful of qualifying for the expanded College Football Playoff.

Baylor found itself scrambling just to get bowl eligible after a 2-4 start.

The Tigers (8-4) didn’t come close to the CFP, but the Bears (8-4) have won six straight heading into the Texas Bowl in Houston, where the teams will meet Tuesday afternoon.

Dave Aranda became Baylor’s head coach in 2020. As LSU’s defensive coordinator, he helped the Tigers win the CFP championship following the 2019 season. In his second season with the Bears, he led them to the Big 12 title and a victory over Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl.

But after a 6-7 record in 2022, a 3-9 mark last season and a 2-4 start this season, Aranda’s future at the school appeared uncertain

Then Baylor came out of an open date to whip host Texas Tech 59-35 in Lubbock, Texas, on Oct. 19 and hasn’t lost since.

“There wasn’t any panic,” Aranda said of the poor start. “There wasn’t any doubt. There wasn’t any disbelief. There’s wasn’t any, ‘We have to throw this whole thing out and do something new.’ I think everybody knew that we had a good team and that we had to do X, Y and Z better, and these are the steps that we’ve got to do to do that.”

Sawyer Robertson finished the regular season third in the Big 12 in passer rating (155.0) and in touchdown passes (26). He said he’s eager to face a team from the SEC, which sent three teams to the CFP.

“It’s going to be good for me just because I get to see where I’m at. I get to just play against elite competition,” Robertson said. “That’s why you do what you do. That’s why you want to be in these types of games.”

Baylor has the enthusiasm of a winning streak that saved a teetering season, while LSU is playing in a less prestigious game than it envisioned. But Tigers coach Brian Kelly said he has seen no indication that his team won’t be emotionally ready.

“The morale has been great,” Kelly said. “Every guy that has been out there (at practice) wants to be out there. I’ve been in some (bowls) where you’re just trying to keep everybody to be motivated to be out there. The practices have been lively. It’s been fun.”

The Tigers’ prospects against Baylor got a boost when quarterback Garrett Nussmeier decided not to enter the NFL draft. In his first season as a starter, Nussmeier threw for the second-most yards (3,735) and the second-most touchdowns (26) in the SEC.

“Obviously it’s not where we want to be, but we get an opportunity to play another football game,” Nussmeier said. “I get another opportunity to play football with my teammates, and at the end of the day that’s all that matters.”

Nussmeier will be operating behind a makeshift offensive line after tackles Will Campbell and Emery Jones opted out to prepare for the draft. Guard Garrett Dellinger’s status is uncertain. He hasn’t played since suffering an ankle injury in a loss Oct. 26 at Texas A&M.

–Field Level Media

Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns running back Jaydon Blue (23) scores a touchdown against the Clemson Tigers during the first half of the CFP National playoff first round at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Imagesn Images

No. 5 Texas runs away from No. 12 Clemson, off to CFP quarterfinals

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Jaydon Blue rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns, including a 77-yard score in the fourth quarter, as No. 5 seed Texas ran to a 38-24 win over 12th-seeded Clemson on Saturday afternoon in a College Football Playoff first-round game in Austin, Texas.

The Longhorns (12-2) advance to the CFP quarterfinals, where they’ll square off against fourth-seeded Arizona State, the Big 12 champion, on Jan. 1 in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta.

Quinn Ewers passed for 202 yards and a score and Quintrevion Wisner added 110 yards and two TDs 15 yards on 15 carries for Texas, which outgained Clemson 292-76 on the ground.

The Longhorns’ defense stopped Clemson on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line with 7:24 left. Texas then produced a final march that chewed up almost six minutes of the clock.

Cade Klubnik, who played his prep football in Austin, passed for 336 yards and three TDs to keep the Tigers in the game. Nine of Klubnik’s 26 completions on 43 throws went to T.J. Moore, who had 116 receiving yards and a touchdown catch.

Everything went right for the Tigers on the game’s opening possession, on which they used 12 snaps and nearly seven minutes to drive 75 yards to a 22-yard TD pass from Klubnik to Antonio Williams.

Texas responded with its own 75-yard, 12-play march that culminated in a 3-yard scoring run up the middle by Wisner with 2:04 to play in the first quarter.

The Longhorns got a 38-yard touchdown sprint by Blue with 12:49 to play in the second quarter and then a 16-yard TD run by Wisner 5 1/2 minutes later to push their lead to 21-7.

Clemson’s Nolan Hauser hit a 32-yard field goal with 1:33 left in the second quarter. Texas answered with a 19-yard TD pass from Ewers to Gunnar Helm that extended the Longhorns’ lead to 28-10 at the break.

Bert Auburn added a 22-yard field goal on the Longhorns’ opening drive of the third quarter.

Klubnik found Jarvis Green out of the backfield for a nifty 25-yard TD pass to pull the Tigers to within 31-17 with 3:29 to play in the third. He then connected with Moore on a 7-yard scoring pass on fourth down with 11:43 remaining to bring Clemson to within seven points.

On the second play of Texas’s ensuing drive, Blue broke free and streaked down the left sideline to lift the Longhorns back up by two scores.

–Field Level Media

Dec 7, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) celebrates after winning the 2024 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Storylines galore when No. 5 Texas, No. 12 Clemson clash in playoffs

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No. 5 seed Texas and No. 12 seed Clemson are set to clash in a captivating first-round matchup in the College Football Playoff on Saturday afternoon in Austin, Texas.

The winner will advance to the CFP quarterfinals, with fourth seed Arizona State awaiting in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta on Jan. 1. Texas opened as a 10 1/2-point favorite in the first-ever meeting between the storied programs, the largest favorite of any first-round game.

The Longhorns (11-2) look to rebound from a 22-19 overtime loss to then-No. 5 Georgia in the Southeastern Conference championship. The Tigers (10-3) earned the final spot in the CFP with a last-second 34-31 win over then-No. 8 SMU in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship.

Texas battled to the end and beyond in the loss to Georgia, dominating the first half despite quarterback Quinn Ewers playing with a sprained right ankle and with left tackle Kelvin Banks (who won the Outland Trophy as college football’s best interior lineman) on the shelf, also with an ankle injury.

Both are expected to be healthy for Saturday’s game. Ewers was asked Monday about his health and his role as the focal point of the Longhorns’ offense.

“I feel good. It was good to get some time off,” Ewers explained. “I just try to get the ball to the playmakers and let them go to work at the end of the day. It sounds like a simple answer, but that’s how simple it is.”

Both of Texas’ losses this season have been to Georgia, and the two setbacks cost the Longhorns the chance to capture a SEC championship in their first year in the vaunted league.

“To come off two weeks after the SEC championship, this game is pretty exciting,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “One of the concerns always for us as coaches is that long layoff. How do you keep your team sharp and how do you keep them competitive, yet in the same token heal and get healthy?”

The Tigers used their considerable big-game experience, the arm and legs of quarterback Cade Klubnik and a 56-yard final-play field goal from freshman kicker Nolan Hauser to advance to the CFP.

Clemson battled through a campaign in which it was routed by Georgia in the season opener and lost at home to Louisville and South Carolina.

To advance, the Tigers will have to play their best in what’s sure to be an unfriendly venue.

“It’s hard when you have everything against you, but it’s fun too,” said Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, a two-time national champion. “This is as good as it gets. Somebody asked me today, ‘What it’s going to be like?’ I said, ‘Well, it’s going to be like a normal road game, times a million.’”

Klubnik has completed 63.7 percent of his throws this season, racking up 3,303 yards and 33 touchdowns to just five interceptions. He’s added another 458 yards and seven TDs on the ground.

The Tigers’ junior signal-caller is from Austin and he was a prep star at Austin Westlake, the school that also produced quarterbacks Drew Brees and Nick Foles. Klubnik and Ewers went head-to-head in a high school state championship game, with Klubnik leading Westlake to the victory.

Ewers, who led Texas to the four-team CFP a year ago, threw for 2,665 yards and 25 TDs this season.

Swinney said Tuesday that Clemson running back Phil Mafah (1,106 rushing yards, eight rushing TDs in 2024) will play against the Longhorns despite a shoulder injury that will require surgery after the season.

“Mafah’s going to give us everything he’s got,” Swinney said. “He’s a guy we have to have play well for sure.”

–Field Level Media

Mississippi State's quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. (0) celebrates scoring a touchdown during the Egg Bowl game against Mississippi at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024.

Former Mississippi State QB Michael Van Buren Jr. transfers to LSU

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Former Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. announced on social media Sunday that he is transferring to LSU.

Van Buren, who has three years of eligibility remaining, made eight starts as a true freshman this season for Mississippi State (2-10). He played in 10 games and completed 140 of 256 passes (54.7 percent) for 1,886 yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also rushed for five TDs.

Bulldogs starter Blake Shapen sustained a season-ending injury in the fourth game of the season against Florida on Sept. 21 and Van Buren took over. Shapen said Monday that he plans to return as a sixth-year senior in 2025.

LSU’s QB room includes starter Garrett Nussmeier, who announced his plans to return, as well as former Vanderbilt transfer AJ Swann.

The Tigers’ Class of 2025 recruiting has not included a quarterback after No. 1 prospect Bryce Underwood changed his commitment from LSU to Michigan last month.

“My family and I are forever thankful to coach (Jeff) Lebby, the staff, my teammates, the administrative team and the professors for their contributions to my growth as an individual,” Van Buren had posted on social media on Tuesday in announcing he was transferring. “For the past year, we have worked arm in arm to generate some memorable moments in coach Lebby’s first year, and I am confident there is more greatness to come from the program.”

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Van Buren was a four-star prospect out of Bowie, Md., who initially committed to Oregon before signing with Mississippi State.

–Former Nebraska quarterback Daniel Kaelin committed to Virginia on Sunday, he announced on social media.

The true freshman from Elkhorn, Neb., redshirted this season. Kaelin (6-foot-3, 220) was behind true freshman starter Dylan Raiola and junior Heinrich Haarberg on the depth chart.

–Field Level Media

Nov 23, 2024; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) attempts to make a reception against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-Imagn Images

Missouri star WR Luther Burden III to enter NFL draft

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Missouri junior Luther Burden III, one of the top wide receivers in the country, is declaring for the NFL Draft, he said Monday.

“I feel like this is the best time to enter the draft,” Burden told ESPN. “I’m confident in myself and what I can do at the next level. I’m ready for the next step.”

Listed at 5-feet-11 and 205 pounds, Burden is projected to be one of the top receivers in the 2025 draft along with Colorado junior Travis Hunter and Arizona junior Tetairoa McMillan.

Burden finished the regular season with 61 receptions for 676 yards and six touchdowns and nine rushing attempts for 115 yards and two scores in 12 games. He also returned four punts for 41 yards.

He will skip the bowl game for Missouri (9-3) to focus on preparing for the draft.

“The ultimate goal was to come here and make a difference,” Burden said. “I feel like I met my goal with everything that I set out before I got here. It was a pleasure being here. I will love Mizzou forever.”

Burden played in 38 games at Missouri and has 192 receptions (fourth in program history) for 2,263 yards (sixth) and 21 touchdowns (fifth). He averaged 11.8 yards per catch.

He also rushed 34 times for 234 yards and four scores, and returned 24 punts for 252 yards, a 10.5 average and one TD.

Burden, who turns 21 on Dec. 12, was a second-team All-America and first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection in 2023.

Missouri went 26-12 in his three seasons, including an improvement from 6-7 in 2022 to 11-2 in 2023 with a win over Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl.

“I just want to be remembered as a player who can change a program,” he said, “and give other people hope to come to Mizzou. You don’t have to go to the top schools. You can make your way. I wanted to be different.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 30, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) runs for a touchdown against Auburn safety Kaleb Harris (18) during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

Jalen Milroe (3 TDs), No. 13 Alabama take Iron Bowl over Auburn

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Quarterback Jalen Milroe rushed for 104 yards and three touchdowns and No. 13 Alabama bolstered its playoff possibilities with a 28-14 victory over visiting Auburn on Saturday in the Iron Bowl at Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Milroe completed 18-of-24 passes for 256 yards and one interception as Alabama (9-3, 5-3 SEC) bounced back from last week’s 24-3 road loss to Oklahoma. The victory could return the Crimson Tide to the Top 10 when Tuesday’s latest College Football Playoff rankings are unveiled.

Justice Haynes rushed for a touchdown and Germie Bernard had seven receptions for 111 yards for Alabama. Jamarion Miller rushed for 84 yards on 28 carries and Bray Hubbard and Zabien Brown registered fourth-quarter interceptions.

Payton Thorne was 24-of-41 passing for 301 yards, one touchdown and one interception for the Tigers (5-7, 2-6), who clinched their fourth straight losing campaign. KeAndre Lambert-Smith had eight receptions for 116 yards and star Marquez Hunter rushed for 56 yards on 13 attempts and threw an interception on a trick play.

Alabama has defeated Auburn five straight times and won 11 of the last 14 meetings.

Haynes scored from the 2-yard line to give Alabama a 21-6 lead with 11:13 left in the third quarter.

Milroe tacked on a 17-yard scoring run to push the margin to 22 with 6:54 remaining in the period.

Auburn answered on Thorne’s 29-yard touchdown pass to Coleman with 2:31 left in the quarter. Hunter added a two-point conversion run to pull the Tigers within 28-14.

Auburn was at the Alabama 30 in the fourth quarter when a double pass was called. Hunter caught a backward lateral and then wound up and fired downfield but it went directly to Hubbard inside the 5-yard line with 11:42 left.

The Crimson Tide then chewed 7:45 off the clock before giving the ball back to Auburn. Five plays later, Thorne was intercepted by Brown with 2:27 left and Alabama closed it out.

Milroe scored his first touchdown on a 19-yard run with 3:18 left in the opening quarter.

His second touchdown, a sneak from the 1-yard line, made it 14-3 with 2:44 left in the first half.

Ian Vachon’s second field goal of the second quarter, from 25 yards, pulled the Tigers within 14-6 with 27 seconds left in the half.

–Field Level Media

Nov 30, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers running back Marcus Carroll (9) runs the ball as Arkansas Razorbacks linebacker Stephen Dix Jr. (14) attempts the tackle during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Brady Cook’s late TD run lifts No. 21 Missouri over Arkansas

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Brady Cook ran for a 30-yard go-ahead touchdown with 1:53 remaining, lifting No. 21 Missouri to a 28-21 victory over Arkansas in a snowy Battle Line Rivalry matchup in Columbia, Mo.

Cook had a quiet day through the air (10-of-20, 168 yards), as the Tigers (9-3, 5-3 SEC) opted instead to lean on Marcus Carroll (22 carries, 90 yards, two TDs).

Taylen Green was 21-of-35 passing for 229 yards and added 53 rushing yards for the Razorbacks (6-6, 3-5). Ja’Quinden Jackson ran 18 times for 87 yards and three TDs to fuel the Arkansas offense, while Andrew Armstrong registered 128 yards on nine receptions.

Arkansas trailed by six with under 10 minutes remaining when Green and Jackson started to lead the Razorbacks down the field. Green found Armstrong for 25 yards on fourth-and-8, and two plays later, Jackson rushed up the middle for a 9-yard score as Arkansas slipped in front by a point.

However, the Tigers only needed about 2 1/2 minutes to get back in front, as Cook scrambled up the middle for the decisive score (and the Tigers tacked on the two-point conversion). The Razorbacks drove to the Missouri 32 in the final minute, but Green’s final three passes fell incomplete as the game ended.

Following a 7-7 first half, the visitors needed only six plays to find the end zone on their first possession of the third quarter, as Jackson found space on the right side and scampered for a 12-yard score.

Missouri then drove the ball inside the 10, but a false start penalty on fourth-and-1 scrapped any plans of a fourth-down attempt. Instead, the Tigers settled for a 28-yard field goal by Blake Craig, making it 14-10.

On the next play from scrimmage, Jackson fumbled and Carroll quickly made the Razorbacks pay with a 1-yard TD run with 13:45 remaining as the Tigers jumped ahead 17-14.

Following an Arkansas punt, Cook found Theo Wease for 70 yards to set up Craig’s 34-yard field goal, making it 20-14 with 9:39 to play.

Arkansas standout defensive lineman Landon Jackson was injured making a tackle in the first half. He was taken off on a stretcher and brought to a local hospital, where he reportedly had movement in all of his extremities.

–Field Level Media

Texas A&M Aggies running back Rueben Owens (2) reaches across the goal line for a touchdown as Auburn Tigers take on Texas A&M Aggies at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. Auburn Tigers lead Texas A&M Aggies 21-7 at halftime.

Auburn topples No. 15 Texas A&M in 4OT thriller

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Auburn’s Payton Thorne tossed a two-point scoring pass to KeAndre Lambert-Smith in the fourth overtime to give the host Tigers a 43-41 upset of No. 15 Texas A&M on Saturday night in Southeastern Conference play.

The Aggies had a chance to force another extra session, but Amari Daniels dropped Marcel Reed’s pass in the end zone.

The setback severely hurts the chances of Texas A&M (8-3, 5-2 SEC) being part of the 12-team College Football Playoff field.

Auburn blew a 21-point lead and later forced overtime on Ian Vachon’s 29-yard field goal with five seconds left in regulation.

Thorne was 19-of-31 passing for 301 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for the Tigers (5-6, 2-5). Jarquez Hunter rushed for 130 yards and three touchdowns on 28 rushes, Cam Coleman had seven receptions for 128 yards and two touchdowns, and Lambert-Smith had 104 receiving yards on two catches for Auburn.

Reed completed 22 of 35 passes for 297 yards, three touchdowns and one interception for the Aggies. Noah Thomas caught five passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns, Jahdae Walker had a receiving score and Terry Bussey added a rushing touchdown for Texas A&M.

The Aggies never led until Daniels scored on an 8-yard run up the middle with 4:01 remaining in regulation. Daniels rushed for 90 yards on 27 carries.

Texas A&M had first possession in overtime and scored when Reed tossed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Walker. Auburn answered with Hunter’s 2-yard scoring run.

The Tigers settled for a 41-yard field goal by Vachon in their second possession. Randy Bond kicked a 42-yard field goal for the Aggies to tie it at 41.

In the third overtime, when teams solely go for two points, both squads threw incomplete passes.

In the fourth overtime, Lambert-Smith made a superb catch to put Auburn ahead, before Daniel couldn’t keep control for Texas A&M.

Auburn was sharp offensively while scoring three touchdowns over the first 17 minutes.

Hunter scored on a 2-yard run and Thorne threw a 63-yard touchdown pass to Coleman in the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, Thorne connected with Coleman on a 15-yard scoring pass for the 21-0 lead.

Bussey scored from the 1 to get the Aggies on the board with 4:13 to go in the first half.

Reed hit Thomas on a 14-yard scoring pass to bring the Aggies within 21-14 with 9:25 left in the third quarter. When Texas A&M next had the ball, Reed hit Thomas at the Aggies’ 40-yard line and he raced the rest of the way to conclude a tying 73-yard scoring play with 7:57 remaining in the period.

Auburn took a 28-21 lead on Hunter’s 1-yard scoring run with 2:27 in the third quarter.

Bond’s 32-yard field goal moved the Aggies within four with 12:47 remaining in the game.

–Field Level Media

Runningback Josh Williams 18 scores a touchdown as the LSU Tigers take on the Vanderbilt Commodores. Nov 23, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; at Tiger Stadium.

LSU stops 3-game slide with 24-17 win over Vanderbilt

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Josh Williams rushed for two touchdowns, Garrett Nussmeier passed for one and host LSU ended a three-game losing streak by defeating Vanderbilt 24-17 on Saturday night in Baton Rouge, La.

Williams finished with 90 rushing yards and 61 receiving yards. Nussmeier completed 28 of 37 passes for 332 yards to lead the unranked Tigers (7-4, 4-3 SEC), who were No. 8 in the AP poll before the losing streak began.

Diego Pavia, who tossed a 63-yard touchdown pass on the Commodores’ first play from scrimmage, completed 13 of 24 throws for 186 yards and rushed six times for a team-high 43 yards and a touchdown.

On the first possession of the second half, Vanderbilt (6-5, 3-4) converted a fourth-and-1 from its own 45 and reached the LSU 27. The drive stalled from there, and Brock Taylor kicked a 47-yard field goal to trim the Tigers’ lead to 14-10.

On the ensuing possession, LSU converted a fourth-and-5 when Nussmeier threw a 24-yard pass to CJ Daniels. Nussmeier connected with Kyren Lacy for a 12-yard score on the next play to increase the lead to 21-10 at the end of the third quarter.

Damian Ramos kicked a 28-yard field goal for the Tigers with 10:41 left in the game before the Commodores responded with a 10-play, 75-yard drive to pull within seven. Pavia punctuated the possession with a 1-yard run to make it 24-17 with 5:47 remaining.

Vanderbilt never got the ball back as LSU moved 66 yards to run out the clock and send the Commodores to their second straight loss.

The hosts went three-and-out on the game’s first possession before Pavia connected with Quincy Skinner Jr. for Vanderbilt’s only touchdown until Pavis’s run in the fourth quarter. On the ensuing possession, LSU drove 90 yards, the final 20 of which came on Williams’ tying touchdown run.

LSU moved to the Commodores’ 3-yard line on its next drive, but Nussmeier threw incomplete on fourth-and-goal to leave the score 7-7 at the end of the first quarter.

Vanderbilt later went for a fourth-and-2 at the LSU 20 and Pavia threw an incomplete pass with 4:29 left in the first half. The Tigers then drove to Williams’ 21-yard touchdown run to take a 14-7 halftime lead.

–Field Level Media