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Watch: LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier lofts perfect TD vs. UCLA
LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Watch: LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier throws perfect TD pass against upset-minded UCLA

With its defense hemorrhaging, LSU needs quarterback Garrett Nussmeier to be perfect. He's been pretty close against UCLA on Saturday.

The junior quarterback gave the Tigers a 14-10 in a back-and-forth first half against the Bruins, who entered this Week 4 game as a 21.5-point road underdog.

Nussmeier threw a perfect pass on a 45-yard touchdown to wide receiver Kyle Parker less than one minute into the second quarter.

He had a clean pocket to throw from and hit Parker — who was sprinting down the sideline with a defender running alongside him — in stride before Parker tumbled into the end zone for six.

Nussmeier finished the first half 14-of-20 for 164 yards and two touchdowns, continuing his impressive start to the season.

Through three games this season, Nussmeier was 81-of-116 (69.8%) for 895 yards, an SEC-high 10 touchdowns and two interceptions.

Despite his strong start, LSU has been unconvincing in beginning the season 2-1. The defense hasn't been playoff-caliber and that trend continued in the first half against UCLA (1-1). The Bruins entered Saturday 126th in scoring (14.5 points per game) but posted 17 at the half in a tied game.

UCLA averaged 290.5 yards in games against Hawaii (1-2) and Indiana (4-0). It has 206 through two quarters against LSU.

Nussmeier needs a couple more big-time throws like his one to Parker for the Tigers to avoid a massive upset.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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