close
close
awsum

Stopping Oklahoma Defense’s ‘Fantastic’ Nussmeier Key to Slowing ‘Explosive’ LSU

Neon
Stopping Oklahoma Defense’s ‘Fantastic’ Nussmeier Key to Slowing ‘Explosive’ LSU

NORMAN — Oklahoma’s defense showed an elite defensive performance To beat Alabama.

But as is often the case in life in the SEC, this week won’t offer any reprieve.

The Sooners (6-5, 2-5 SEC) are preparing to march into Death Valley to face LSU (7-4, 4-3), where a very different offensive challenge awaits.

Brian Kelly Tigers will take to the skies by leaning on the experienced quarterback Garrett Nussmeier to do the damage.

Last Saturday the Sooners disappointed the Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe taking his legs out of play. The explosive dual threat rushed for just seven yards and was unable to win the play out of the pocket.

While Nussmeier isn’t sedentary, he mostly uses his legs to get out of trouble. However, Nussmeier can separate defenses when he is in the pocket.

Nussmeier completed 63.2 percent of his passes and threw for 3,458 yards, 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

LSU’s 317.7 passing yards per game ranks seventh in the country, while the Tigers rank eighth in points per game (28.6), fifth in third-place rushing and 21st in sacks allowed per game (1.2). is taking.

“Garrett Nussmeier is a great player,” OU coach said Brent Venables he said at a press conference on Tuesday.

Nussmeier is the unicorn of modern college football.

Even though he’s been at LSU for four years, he had to sit behind last year’s Heisman Trophy winner. jayden daniels for the last two years.

But Nussmeier made the most of his opportunity to play for the Bayou Bengals and let the offense develop around him as he grows in 2024.

“Looking at the work we did in the offseason and watching the bowl game against Wisconsin, he did a good job in that game,” Venables said. “But what they’re doing with it now is different. He took the next step. “You can see the trust in him.”

Nussmeier isn’t doing this alone.

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier / Stephen Lew-Imagn Pictures

He has an experienced offensive line in front of him and dangerous weapons at his receivers. Kyrenia Lace And Aaron Anderson and tight end Mason Taylor.

OU security “These are explosive crimes” Billy Bowman in question. “Obviously, they have a quarterback who absolutely runs the show for them. And then they have a good receiving corps as well as a tight end to join them. “They’re going to try to spread the ball all over the field and we’re going to come here, prepare like we do every week and be ready to put on another great defensive showing.”

LSU’s running game has taken off with freshmen running backs Caden Durhambut the Tigers rank 107th in rushing yards per game (117.5), and the inability to consistently do so on the ground leads to red zone struggles.

But even if the Sooners can get the Tigers behind the switch, Nussmeier can save his team from a third straight loss.

“The offensive line was what they thought it would be and what they hoped it would be,” Venables said. “A very talented and experienced group, again leading the SEC in fewest sacks. A truly productive group of players, one of the best on the third and fourth lines in college football.

“… He moves really well, so they take advantage of that. They hit him, they roll him, they throw him, they sprint him, so he can do a great job, keeping his eyes on the field and throwing the ball really well when he’s on the move. And I love his toughness. The courage with which he played. Everything happens through him.”

The game plan for slowing down Nussmeier, Lacy, Anderson and Co. will look different, but the Sooners believe there are things they can translate from the Alabama performance to find success in Tiger Stadium.

“Everybody is running to the ball and making tackles. We rarely missed tackles last night and that was a good key,” Bowman said. “Did they complete the pass and get it on the ground right away, or was it a running game and they weren’t allowing them to get extra yards. So everyone is flying to the ball and playing together as a unit.”

Related Posts