Garrett Nussmeier delivered a resilient performance Saturday night, leading LSU to a commanding 37-17 victory over Oklahoma in Tiger Stadium. Playing through a shoulder injury sustained during a brutal blind-side sack, Nussmeier passed for 277 yards and three touchdowns, including two electrifying deep strikes to Chris Hilton.
The victory capped a strong regular-season finish for LSU (8-4, 5-3 SEC), which rebounded from a midseason three-game skid with back-to-back wins to close the year. Hilton, limited for much of the season by an ankle injury, turned in a breakout performance, catching two passes for 85 yards and two scores, both over 40 yards. His explosive plays, combined with Aaron Anderson’s 100-yard kickoff return and a steady defensive effort, allowed LSU to pull away from the Sooners (6-6, 2-6 SEC) after a tight first half.
The turning point came late in the second quarter when Nussmeier, returning from a brief trip to the locker room, hit Hilton for a 40-yard touchdown, giving LSU a 24-17 lead just before halftime. On the first possession of the third quarter, the duo connected again on a 45-yard bomb, setting the tone for the Tigers’ dominant second-half performance.
LSU’s defense stymied Oklahoma’s attempts at a comeback, highlighted by Sage Ryan’s interception of a trick-play pass and solid containment of Sooners quarterback Jackson Arnold, who led Oklahoma with 185 combined yards. With the win, LSU not only secured its eighth victory but also built momentum heading into bowl season, positioning the Tigers for a potential nine-win campaign and cementing their resilience in a challenging SEC season.
