Tigers, Sooners meet for first time in Tiger Stadium – LSU

LSU hosts Oklahoma in Tiger Stadium for the first time ever on Saturday night for the regular season finale.

Kickoff is set for 6pm CT on ESPN and the LSU Sports Radio Network. Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst) and Cole Cubelic (sideline reporter) will be on the call.

The Tigers are coming off a 24-17 win over Vanderbilt in which quarterback Garrett Nussmeier passed for 332 yards and a touchdown. Head coach Brian Kelly categorized it as “his best game of the year” when he spoke to the media on Monday. Sixth-year senior running back Josh Williams made his presence felt in the passing game and running game with a career-high 61 yards to go along with 90 yards rushing.

“We were definitely happy with our players and their determination,” Kelly said. “Their thinking was probably what I was most proud of. How they thought about the week, the game, and they played very well.”

Defensively, sophomore linebacker Whit Weeks led the unit in tackles with seven, along with two quarterback hurries. Freshman Davhon Keys tallied five tackles and a QB hurry, while Bradyn Swinson posted four tackles, a sack and three QB hurries against the Commodores. It was complementary football in all phases.

Saturday’s contest with the Sooners will mark their first visit to Tiger Stadium and will be just the fourth meeting ever between two of college football’s winningest programs. LSU is 2-1 against OU and beat the Sooners 21-14 in the BCS National Championship Game in New Orleans and 63-28 in the 2019 CFP Semifinals. The Sooners are coming off a convincing 24-3 win over No. 7 Alabama at Norman.

“This will be a great way to end the regular season with a team coming off a big win and with both teams looking to finish the season strong,” Kelly said.

LSU will also honor its senior class with a pregame ceremony, with 21 seniors on the roster who will suit up for the final time in Death Valley.

Oklahoma is led by quarterback Jackson Arnold, who has tallied 1,311 yards passing and 12 touchdowns this season. He has also recorded 369 yards rushing, which is second on the team, with three rushing scores. Jovantae Barnes leads the team with 577 yards and five touchdowns with his legs. Tight end Bauer Sharp is the leading receiver with 320 yards and two touchdown receptions, while JJ Hester and Deion Burks are second and third with 265 and 245 yards, respectively.

On defense, linebacker Danny Stutsman leads the group with 100 tackles, four PBUs and a sack for Oklahoma. Cornerback Robert Spears-Jennings is second with 58, four forced fumbles and two fumbles. Linebacker Kip Lewis is third on the team with 50 tackles.

“It’s a team that presents a variety of challenges,” Kelly said. “They ran the ball extremely well last weekend. Jackson Arnold is an excellent quarterback who can throw it, but rushed for 131 yards on 25 carries (against Alabama). It’s going to be a challenge for us.”

Saturday night puts a bow on Tiger Stadium’s 100th football season. Dating back to November 2021, LSU has won 16 of its last 17 night games at Tiger Stadium. The only loss during that span came to Alabama on Nov. 9 of this year. LSU is 14-1 under Brian Kelly in night games at Tiger Stadium.