Nussmeier passes for 3 TDs, LSU tops Oklahoma 37-17

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana — Garrett Nussmeier threw for 277 yards and three touchdowns, including two 40-plus-yard passes to Chris Hilton after receiving treatment for a shoulder injury, leading LSU to a 37-17 victory over Oklahoma on Saturday night.

Aaron Anderson returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown for LSU (8-4, 5-3 SEC), which ended the regular season with two consecutive wins after a three-game losing streak had knocked the Tigers out of the AP Top 25.

“They heard the talk that they weren't motivated and that the season was over — and they just went out and played inspired football the last two weeks,” LSU coach Brian Kelly stated defiantly, even forecasting a return to national title contention in the coming seasons.

“We’re taking notes, and we’ll see you at the national championship," Kelly said. "This team’s building and we’re excited about it. And we're really proud of them.”

Nussmeier briefly exited the game in the second quarter after a hard blind-side sack by defensive end R Mason Thomas.

“That’s an easy moment to give up for most people. Right? That’s an easy one to say: ‘I’m not coming back,’” Kelly remarked.

But the LSU quarterback returned to the field from the locker room after X-rays showed no damage, quickly challenging Oklahoma (6-6, 2-6) with deep throws.

“That’s the kind of player he is; that’s the kind of competitor he is,” Kelly said.

Nussmeier completed his first series back with a 40-yard touchdown pass down the right sideline to Hilton, giving LSU a 24-17 lead with 45 seconds remaining before halftime.

He risked further contact on several runs in the second half but said he “didn't care at all” about the chance of aggravating his right shoulder.

“My job is to lead my team and do whatever I have to do to win the football game and I wasn't thinking about my shoulder at all,” Nussmeier said. “Once I made the decision I was going, I was going.”

Nussmeier connected with Hilton for a 45-yard touchdown on LSU's first drive of the third quarter, extending the lead to 31-17.

LSU's Kyren Lacy caught three passes for 41 yards, including an 18-yard touchdown for the opening score.

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables regretted several big plays by the Tigers on offense and in the return game — including Caden Durham's 50-yard run and Ka'Morreun Pimpton's 42-yard catch, both leading to field goals.

“We can’t do that and expect to beat anybody with a pulse,” Venables said. “Our margin for error was razor-thin anyway. ... Right now, we’re not good enough to be able to overcome that.”

Playing for the first time in Tiger Stadium, Oklahoma briefly took a 14-10 lead on Xavier Robinson's 2-yard run, concluding a drive that featured Jackson's 50-yard pass to J.J. Hester.

Anderson's impressive kickoff return immediately put the Tigers back in the lead, and LSU began to distance themselves from a Sooners team that had recently defeated Alabama 24-3.

Jackson Arnold passed for 110 yards and was also the Sooners' leading rusher with 75 yards, combining scrambles and designed runs.

The Sooners attempted a trick play when tight end Bauer Sharp threw a pass, but his desperate throw as he was tackled was intercepted by safety Sage Ryan.

Thomas scored on a 9-yard return of Nussmeier's first-quarter fumble, caused by Gracen Halton's sack. That play marked consecutive games with defensive touchdowns for Oklahoma.

Return to form

Hilton, a top deep threat who missed LSU’s first seven games due to an ankle injury, entered the season finale with only three catches for 45 yards and no touchdowns.

“It takes a while to get back into rhythm,” Kelly noted. “We either missed him on overthrows or the timing wasn’t quite where it needed to be.”

Against Oklahoma, Hilton caught two passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns, earning a game ball from Kelly afterward.

“I’m happy for him,” said Kelly, who was notably seen on camera yelling at Hilton during a loss at Florida on Nov. 16. “That’s part of the offense that we were missing and we needed desperately.”