La Tech vs LSU dominated headlines as No. 3 LSU narrowly—and not without injury-laden chaos—defeated Louisiana Tech, 23‑7, in Baton Rouge. What followed was an evening defined by defensive dominance, offensive sluggishness, and mounting concern for Tiger Stadium casualties.
First Half: A Sluggish Battle with Defensive Sparks
The game began ominously for LSU as center Braelin Moore left the field injured on the very first snap—a sprained ankle that would sideline him for the remainder of the game. And The Valley ShookCBSSports.com
LSU’s offense stumbled early. Garrett Nussmeier’s first drive ended in a tip-drill interception returned by Louisiana Tech’s Michael Richard. And The Valley ShookCBSSports.com On the following drive, LSU opted for a 51-yard field goal attempt, which Damian Ramos missed—wide right. And The Valley ShookCBSSports.com
LSU finally found the end zone late in the first quarter with a methodical 98-yard drive capped by a touchdown pass from Nussmeier to Nic Anderson. And The Valley ShookSICBSSports.com The Tigers added a field goal in the second quarter to head into halftime with a 10‑0 lead. SI247SportsCBSSports.com
Second Half: Defensive Masterclass and Offensive Frustration
Defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s squad continued its second-half shutout streak from Week 1, holding Louisiana Tech scoreless until deep into the fourth quarter. LSUCBSSports.com
LSU’s third quarter was highlighted by a short rushing touchdown by Caden Durham after another sustained drive. SI247Sports But the offense remained inconsistent—with no second‑half TDs and another field goal added. And The Valley ShookSI247Sports
Louisiana Tech finally cracked the scoreboard late in the fourth quarter when backup QB Blake Baker fired a 33-yard touchdown pass to Devin Gandy on a busted coverage—making it 20‑7. 247SportsCBSSports.com
LSU tacked on a final field goal to seal the 23‑7 win. 247Sportswwltv.com
Game Stats: A Tale of Defense vs. Occasional Offensive Flashes
- Final Score: LSU 23, Louisiana Tech 7 LA Tech AthleticsAnd The Valley ShookWBRZ
- Passing: Nussmeier completed 26 of 41 for 237 yards and one touchdown newsday.comCBSSports.com
- Rushing: LSU rushed for about 128 yards; excluding sacks, slightly higher And The Valley ShookCBSSports.com
- Total Offense: LSU 365 yards; Louisiana Tech only 154 total yards CBSSports.com
- Third-Down Efficiency: LA Tech converted just 1 of 9; LSU was dominant defensively And The Valley Shookhttps://www.wafb.comCBSSports.com
- Attendance: A near-capacity crowd of 101,667 at Tiger Stadium witnessed the win LA Tech Athleticshttps://www.wafb.com
Injuries Cloud the Victory for LSU
Several LSU players exited the game with injuries, raising serious concerns ahead of their next matchup against Florida:
- Center Braelin Moore (ankle sprain) didn’t return And The Valley ShookCBSSports.com
- Tight end Trey’Dez Green limped off early in the fourth quarter SICBSSports.com
- Edge rusher Jimari Butler also left late in the game And The Valley ShookCBSSports.com
A Long-Term Rivalry Remains One-Sided
This latest meeting marked Louisiana Tech’s fifth consecutive loss to LSU—and Tech has yet to win on the road in these matchups. LA Tech Athletics Historically, LSU holds a commanding series lead, with 19 wins to Tech’s lone victory in 1904. LA Tech AthleticsLSU
What’s Next?
LSU faces Florida next and must address red-zone issues and injury concerns heading into tougher SEC competition. Their run defense and secondary remain top-tier strengths—vital assets moving forward. Louisiana Tech looks ahead to regroup and bounce back in its home stadium.
Summary Table – La Tech vs LSU At-a-Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Result | LSU wins 23‑7 |
| Key Factor | LSU defense stifled Tech, forcing turnovers and limiting third-downs |
| Offensive Woes | LSU struggled in red zone, missed FG, and had turnovers |
| Injury Concerns | Key LSU players (Moore, Green, Butler) injured |
| Series History | Tech now 0–5 in this stretch; LSU dominates |
| Next Steps | LSU must refine offense and manage injuries ahead of Florida; Tech looks to rebound |
In conclusion: La Tech vs LSU lived up to its billing as a hard-fought in-state duel. While LSU secured the win, it came with caution signs: offensive inconsistency and emerging injury troubles. Still, the defense’s relentlessness remained the difference, allowing LSU to navigate through rough patches and earn a gritty 23‑7 home opener victory.
A video highlight.
