Stopping ‘fantastic’ Nussmeier key for Oklahoma defense to slow down ‘explosive’ LSU

NORMAN — Oklahoma’s defense produced an elite defensive performance to beat Alabama.

But as is often the case in life in the SEC, this week will offer no respite.

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

Brian Kelly’s Tigers will take off by relying on veteran quarterback Garrett Nussmeier to do damage.

Last Saturday, the Sooners frustrated the Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe by taking his legs out of the game. The explosive dual threat rushed for just seven yards and he couldn’t win the game from the pocket.

Although Nussmeier is not stationary, he mainly uses his legs to get out of trouble. But when he’s in the pocket, Nussmeier can dismantle defenses.

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

LSU’s 317.7 passing yards per game ranks seventh in the nation, the Tigers are eighth in points per game (28.6), fifth in third-down offense and rank 21st in sacks allowed per game (1 ,2).

‘Garrett Nussmeier is a fantastic player,’ OU coach Brent Venables said Tuesday during his press conference.

Nussmeier is a unicorn of modern college football.

He’s been at LSU for four years, although he had to sit behind last year’s Heisman Trophy winner. Jayden Daniels for two years.

But Nussmeier made the most of his opportunity by finally starting for the Bayou Bengals, allowing the offense to evolve around him as he grows in 2024.

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

Nussmeier doesn’t do everything alone.

LSU Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier/Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

He has an experienced offensive line and dangerous weapons at receiver in front of him. Kyren Lacy And Aaron Anderson and tight end Mason Taylor.

‘It’s an explosive attack,’ OU security Billy Bowman said. “Obviously, they have a quarterback who is definitely running the show for them. And then they had a very good receiving corps, as well as a tight end to join them. And they’re going to try to spread the ball all over the field, and we’re going to come out here and we’re going to prepare like we do every week and be ready to have another great defensive show.

LSU’s running game came with a freshman running back Caden Durhambut the Tigers rank 107th in rushing yards per game (117.5) and the inability to do so consistently on the ground has led to struggles in the red zone.

But even if the Sooners manage to support the Tigers behind the change, Nussmeier can bail out his team on third down.

“The offensive line has been what they thought and hoped it would be,” Venables said. “A veteran group that is very talented, again, leading the SEC in fewest sacks given up. One of the best in college football on third and fourth down, being a really efficient group of guys.

“…He moves really well, so they take advantage of that.” They throw him, roll him, throw him, sprint him, so he can do a great job of keeping his eyes down the field and throwing the ball in motion really, really well. And I love his tenacity. The guts he plays with. Everything goes through him. »

The game plan to slow down Nussmeier, Lacy, Anderson and Co. will be different, but the Sooners believe there are things they can translate from Alabama’s performance for success at Tiger Stadium.

“Everyone runs to the ball and tackles. We rarely missed tackles the other night, and so that was a good key,” Bowman said. “Whether they completed the pass, bringing them down right away, or whether it was the running game and not letting them gain any extra yards. So everyone flies to the ball and plays together as a whole.