LSU Football Game Notes: Kelly’s Tigers travel to face Auburn in first true road game of season

LSU (3-1, 1-0 SEC) returns to SEC action on Saturday when the Tigers travel to face Auburn (3-1, 1-0) at 6 p.m. CT at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The game will be televised on ESPN with Joe Tessitore (pxp), Greg McElroy (analyst) and Katie George (sideline reporter) on the call. LSU is coming off a 38-0 non-conference win over New Mexico last week, while Auburn posted a 17-14 overtime victory over Missouri. Last year, Auburn outscored LSU 14-0 in the fourth quarter to overcome a 19-10 second half deficit to win in Tiger Stadium, 24-19. LSU enters the contest with one of the nation’s top defenses as the Tigers are allowing only 257.8 total yards per game (112.3 rushing, 145.5 passing), while limiting opponents to just 33 percent conversion rate on third down (17-of-51). Offensively, LSU has scored 30 or more points in three straight games and is averaging 39.3 points per game and 487.0 total yards per contest (198.8 rushing, 288.3 passing). QB Jayden Daniels ranks among the top 10 in the SEC in both rushing yards per game (65.5) and passing yards per game (208.8). LSU’s rushing offense has produced three straight 200-yard games, the longest streak since 2016. Defensively, LSU has allowed only 20 first half points this year and has held its last two opponents to only a second half field goal.

Brian Kelly: Most Accomplished Hire in LSU History
First-year LSU coach Brian Kelly joined the program as the most accomplished hire in school history, coming to Baton Rouge after winning 284 games and claiming three National Coach of the Year honors in his previous 31 years as a head coach. Kelly’s career-mark stands at 287-98-2 and includes seven 10-win seasons at Notre Dame. In 12 years at Notre Dame, Kelly guided the Irish to 10 bowl appearances, including two College Football Playoff games and the BCS National Championship Game in 2012. Kelly ranks first among all active FBS head coaches in career wins (no matter the division) with 286. He went 113-40 at Notre Dame (12 years), 34-6 at Cincinnati (4 years), 19-16 at Central Michigan (3 years) and 118-35-2 at Grand Valley State (13 years). Kelly enters the Auburn contest with a 4-5 career mark against SEC opponents, which includes a 1-0 record this year. Kelly went 3-4 vs. the SEC while at Notre Dame and 0-1 while at Central Michigan.

Quick Notes on the Tigers
• Brian Kelly will bring a team to an SEC venue for only the third time on Saturday when LSU plays at Jordan-Hare Stadium. In 2006, Kelly’s Central Michigan team played at Kentucky (lost 45-36) and in 2019 his Notre Dame squad dropped a 23-17 decision at Georgia.
• LSU has won 9 straight games, including 3 in 2022, when reaching the 30-point mark.
• In 4 games as LSU’s starting QB, Jayden Daniels has accounted for 8 TDs (6 pass, 2 rush) and he’s completed 73 percent of his passes (81-of-111) for 835 yards, 6 TDs and no interceptions. He also leads the team in rushing with 262 yards and 2 TDs on 44 carries.
• In his LSU debut, Daniels became first QB in school history to pass for 200 yards and rush for 100 yards in a game decided in regulation
• In 10 fourth quarter possessions as LSU’s QB, Daniels has led the Tigers to 7 scoring drives (6 TDs, 1 FG).
• Last week, LSU started 4 true freshmen, including 3 on offense. LB Harold Perkins became the fourth true freshmen to start for the Tigers this year, joining LT Will Campbell (4 starts), RT Emery Jones Jr. (2), and TE Mason Taylor (3).
• Offensively, 5 LSU receivers have at least 10 receptions with Malik Nabers leading the team with 20 for 264 yards and a TD. Jaray Jenkins leads the Tigers in TD receptions with 3.
• LSU is limiting opponents to just 5-of-8 on redzone opportunities (3 TDs, 2 FGs).
• The Tigers have held its last 3 opponents to just 6-of-34 on third-down opportunities (Southern 2-of-10; Mississippi State 3-of-14; New Mexico 1-of-10).
• LB Harold Perkins leads LSU in tackles (22) followed by S Jay Ward (19).
• 10 players have been credited with at least a half-sack with DE Sai’vion Jones (2.5) leading the way.
• LB Harold Perkins, DE BJ Ojulari and DE Sai’vion Jones leading the way with 1.5 each.
6
LSU’s defense has allowed just 6 third-down conversions over last 3 games

2
Number of first downs allowed by the LSU defense last week vs. New Mexico the fewest since the 1947 Ice Bowl (Cotton Bowl) against Arkansas

46
LSU has thrown at least one passing TD in 46 straight games, the longest streak in school history