LSU comes back to win ReliaQuest Bowl 35-31
LSU (10-3, 6-2) was without its Heisman Trophy-Winning quarterback, Jayden Daniels, but that didn’t stop LSU’s potent offense from rolling up big numbers in a 35-31 over Wisconsin in the Reliaquest Bowl.
With Daniels on the sideline opting not to play ahead of the NFL Draft, LSU’s backup quarterback, Garrett Nussmeier, got the nod for his first collegiate start.
And, he put on a show completing 31 of his 45 passes for 395 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
“I didn’t put this team on my back,’ Nussmeier said. “We did it together and it started two weeks ago during Bowl prep. We’ve got playmakers here, it’s just about giving them opportunities to make plays.”
Those 395 yards didn’t come without any theatrics.
Wisconsin was down five offensive players including its starting running back, but that didn’t stop the Badgers from putting up 506 yards in this game.
Wisconsin (7-6, 5-4) jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter behind a pair of touchdown passes from quarterback Tanner Mordecai. Wisconsin held on to the lead until the final three minutes of the game.
LSU coach Brian Kelly said the locker room at halftime was one of the lowest points of the season.
“They didn’t panic,” Kelly said. “We had a lot to prove in the second half and I thought we did a good job, and finished strong.”
With 6:10 left to play in the game, Wisconsin pinned LSU back to LSU’s two-yard line holding on to a 31-28 lead.
Nussmeier went on to lead LSU down the field for an eight-play 98-yard game-winning drive. He threw the game-winning four-yard touchdown pass to receiver Brian Thomas.
Thomas was Nussmeier’s favorite target of the day with eight catches for 98 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
LSU only ran the ball for 97 yards on 25 carries, of that LSU running back Josh WIlliams led the way with 12 carries for 51 yards.
After taking the lead, LSU’s defense got one last stop on 4th down to secure the victory.
Defensively, LSU struggled once again with Wisconsin outgaining LSU 506-492.
However there were some timely plays and stops made including five sacks, which proved to be just enough to give LSU the win.
LSU safety Major Burns was the leading tackler with 13 tackles.
LSU Johnnie-O Men's Diaz 1/4 Zip Pullover
from: Alumni Hall