LSU got the win in Week 2. But if you only looked at the scoreboard, you probably walked away frustrated. Truth is, this game should have looked completely different.
I’m going to walk you through six plays Nuss normally makes, and when you add it all up, you’ll see what the final score should have been.
The Frustration Is Real
I get it. This LSU team feels special, and the offense didn’t exactly put fans at ease in this one. It felt like a step backward. But here’s something I’ve learned: the biggest factor isn’t what happened, but the story we tell ourselves about what happened.
So, let’s look at the real story.
The First Drive: A Tough Start
First play of the game, Braelin Moore—our anchor at center—goes down. If you immediately thought, “Here we go again, we won’t be able to run the ball or protect the QB,” that’s understandable. We saw last year how losing a senior center derailed a playoff run.
But here’s what actually happened: LSU ran for a first down, then dialed up a perfect play. Barrion Brown is streaking down the sideline, eight yards past his defender. That’s six points—except Nuss made a rare mistake. He didn’t step up, underthrew it, and it bounced off two guys into a defender’s hands.
Normally? That’s 7–0.
Drive 2: One Missed Block
LSU marches down again. They call a middle screen—beautiful design. But one missed block kills the play. If Thompson even grazes his guy, Aaron scores. That’s 14–0.
Drive 3: Finally Cashing In
Nuss shows his NFL arm, hitting three big-time throws on a 97-yard drive. LSU scores. Should be 21–0.
Drive 4: The One That Hurts
LSU is moving again. Then—wide open. Zavion Thomas is behind the defense, waving his arm. Nuss never sees him. That’s another touchdown off the board.
Add in two brutal drops in the red zone—one from Treydez Green, another from Kyle Parker. That’s points left out there. And yet, even with those mistakes, Nuss is 14-for-22 at the half, with two drops, 215 yards, and LSU dominating time of possession 2-to-1.
The story? This offense was moving the ball.
Second Half: Missed Chances Continue
- Drive 5: Beautiful reverse design for Barrion. One lazy block kills a touchdown. Should be 35–0.
- Drive 6: More creative play-calling, Nuss finds Durham inside the 10. Touchdown. Should be 42–0.
- Drive 7: Harlem Berry is wide open on a wheel route. Missed. Should be 49–0.
- Drive 8: Another chance, Barrion gets open deep. Not automatic, but another shot at points.
- Drive 9: LSU pounds it inside the 3. Stuffed twice, settles for a field goal. Should be 52–7.
Meanwhile, with eight minutes left in the fourth, Louisiana Tech had just 80 total yards. This defense? Legit SEC-best caliber.
What the Film Says
The scoreboard didn’t tell the truth. The film says this should have been 52–7.
This isn’t a talent issue. It’s execution. Moore’s injury slowed the run game, and the offensive line—especially RT and LG—needs to get consistent. But LSU was one block away from averaging 5.3 yards per carry.
That’s not panic material. That’s growth material.
Final Thought
Disappointment always gives us a choice. Do we panic, or do we step back and tell the right story?
What I know to be true: this LSU team has the pieces to be special. Execution can be fixed. And when it is, nobody will be complaining about the final score.
So next time frustration creeps in—don’t panic. Most of the stress we carry doesn’t come from life itself, but from the way we choose to respond to it.