LSU, NSU win displays of gridiron gusto

LSU Tigers:

Quarterbacks: Against UL-Monroe, Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee were 8-for-22 with less than 100 yards. The only positive is the duo didn’t throw an interception for a second-straight week.

GRADE: C-

Halfbacks: Five LSU backs got significant reps and four got 30 or more yards to combine for 177 yards rushing. The Tigers are so very deep n and young at halfback.

GRADE: B+

Wide Receivers: LSU had plenty drops on Saturday. It seemed like when the freshmen backups came in, the whole mood of the group changed. Those kids should probably play more often.

GRADE: C

Offensive line: LSU’s line protected well and opened up running holes. They did what they are supposed to do against an inferior opponent.

GRADE: B

Defensive line: Drake Nevis, meet Warhawks quarterback Kolton Browning. Browning jawed to anyone who’d listen this week about how LSU wasn’t as good as people think. I wonder if he’d say the same thing after meeting Mr. Nevis. This unit also got a touchdown from youngster Lavar Edwards.

GRADE: A+

Linebackers: Kelvin Sheppard, also meet Browning. Sheppard, Ryan Baker and the Tigers’ linebackers were superb keeping the Warhawks’ spread out offense out of whack.

GRADE: A

Defensive backs: Ron Brooks got a pick-6 and Patrick Peterson had an 80-yard interception return. This is just the norm from these guys, though.

GRADE: A+

Special Teams: When LSU’s offense sputtered, Josh Jasper made field goals. When they sputtered worse, Jasper and Derek Helton punted beautifully.

GRADE: B+

Coaching Staff: LSU played a basic offensive scheme to keep hits off their significant players. But the Tigers didn’t take the pedal off the gas at any time, throwing the football deep into the fourth quarter with their reserves. It’s always good to win. It’s even better to win, while getting youngsters some reps.

GRADE: A-

OVERALL GRADE: The Tigers gained just 272 total yards and that’s a negative. But they didn’t have many possessions, either, returning two turnovers for touchdowns and having countless short fields to play with. This was a 51-0 game that was far more of a beating than that if that’s possible. A great way to keep momentum after the Alabama game.

TEAM GRADE: A

Nicholls Colonels:

Quarterbacks: LaQuintin Caston and Landry Klann weren’t explosive, but they didn’t need to be. They protected the football. That was more than what was needed Saturday.

GRADE: B

Halfbacks: Nicholls rushed for 238 yards against former LSU defensive coordinator Bradley Dale Peveto’s front. That’s not easy to do.

GRADE: A+

Wide Receivers: Nicholls just didn’t throw the ball enough to give these guys a definitive positive or negative grade. The Colonels did block down the field, which helps.

GRADE: B+

Offensive line: More than 200 yards rushing and just two sacks allowed. This sometimes good, sometimes awful group was as good as they’ve ever been Saturday.

GRADE: A

Defensive line: The Demons abandoned the run early because they fell behind in the game. But when they did run, nothing was there. Dominant performance from the Colonels’ front.

GRADE: B+

Linebackers: Same story as the defensive line. The Demons just were not able to break any big plays on their home turf.

GRADE: B+

Defensive backs: Northwestern played two quarterbacks. Neither had any luck. The Colonels’ defensive backs are youngsters, but they are also future stars.

GRADE: A

Special Teams: The Colonels’ special teams cost them the game last week. There’s no other way to say it. They did their jobs this week and helped the team get a big win.

GRADE: B

Coaching Staff: Nicholls is out of the race for the conference title and is out of the race for a winning season. But this new staff isn’t giving up. And it’s really starting to pay off. Teams better beat Nicholls right now. Because next year, they might not be quite as lucky.

GRADE: A

OVERALL GRADE: Northwestern State didn’t win a game last season. But they have been a Cinderella story so far this year, having a 4-1 record in the Southland Conference before Saturday’s game. That didn’t mean anything to Nicholls who dominated early and often to secure a road win (37-7) against their big rival.

TEAM GRADE: A