Tigers, Sooners meet for the first time at Tiger Stadium – LSU

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

Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT on ESPN and the LSU Sports Radio Network. Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst) and Cole Cubelic (sideline reporter) will join the call.

The Tigers are coming off a 24-17 victory over Vanderbilt, where quarterback Garrett Nussmeier rushed for 332 yards and a touchdown. Head coach Brian Kelly called it “his best game of the year” in an address to the media on Monday. Sixth-year running back Josh Williams made his presence felt in the passing and running games, with a career-high 61 yards receiving and 90 yards rushing.

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

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

Saturday’s game with the Sooners will be their first visit to Tiger Stadium and will be just the fourth meeting ever between two of college football’s most successful programs. LSU is 2-1 against OU and defeated 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 in Norman achieved.

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

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

Oklahoma is led by quarterback Jackson Arnold, who has 1,311 passing yards and 12 touchdowns this season. He has also recorded 369 yards rushing, ranking second on the team with three rushing scores. Jovantae Barnes leads the team with 577 rushing yards and five touchdowns. 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 fumble recoveries. Linebacker Kip Lewis is third on the team with 50 tackles.

“It’s a team that presents a number of different challenges,” Kelly said. “They ran the ball extremely well last weekend. Jackson Arnold is an outstanding quarterback who can throw but managed 131 yards on 25 carries (against Alabama). That will be a challenge for us.”

Saturday night will cap the 100th football season at Tiger Stadium. Since November 2021, LSU has won 16 of its last 17 night games at Tiger Stadium. The only loss during that period came on November 9th of this year at Alabama. LSU is 14-1 in night games at Tiger Stadium under Brian Kelly.