by Milton Manningham/ LSU Football Contributor

In a thrilling ReliaQuest Bowl, the No. 13 LSU Tigers (10-3) orchestrated a dramatic come-from-behind victory against Wisconsin, triumphing 35-31. This victory was particularly noteworthy as it marked the start of the post-Daniels era for LSU. Garrett Nussmeier, stepping up after Daniels opted out to prepare for the NFL draft, showcased his mettle by leading an astounding 98-yard drive culminating in the winning touchdown with just minutes to spare.

Nussmeier’s statistics were impressive, with 31 completions on 45 attempts for 395 yards, along with three touchdowns and a single interception. His touchdown passes, 14 yards to Chris Hilton Jr. and 38 and 4 yards to Brian Thomas Jr., with Thomas’s second score catapulting LSU ahead for the first time at 3:08 remaining, were crucial in sealing the victory.

The game was an uphill battle for the Tigers, initially trailing by 14 points in the second half. However, Nussmeier’s calm and decisive leadership, along with key completions of 37 yards to Kyren Lacy and 43 yards to Hilton, fueled the winning drive. Thomas and Lacy’s reception performances were significant, contributing 98 and 97 yards respectively.

Despite Wisconsin’s Tanner Mordecai’s stellar 378 yards and three touchdowns, the Tigers managed to overshadow the Badgers’ efforts, especially in the absence of their star running back Braelon Allen. The game was a seesaw of emotions, with the Tigers overcoming an early 14-0 deficit, trailing 21-14 at halftime, and heading into the fourth quarter down by three points.

Looking forward, the LSU Tigers have much to be optimistic about. Nussmeier, after backing up Daniels for two seasons, has demonstrated that he has what it takes to lead the team. LSU’s Malik Nabers also made his mark by becoming the all-time leading receptions leader.

As the team looks towards the 2024 Vegas Kickoff Classic against Southern California, the Tigers, with a strong returning supporting cast, are confident in their continued success and the promising potential of Nussmeier to steer the team to new heights. The comeback win not only underscores the team’s resilience and tenacity but also sets a high bar for what is anticipated to be an electrifying 2024 season.