All eyes can be on two of faculty soccer’s most iconic manufacturers on Sunday evening in Las Vegas as No. 13 LSU and No. 23 USC face off at Allegiant Stadium.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:44 p.m. CT on ABC and the LSU Sports activities Radio Community. Voice of the Tigers Chris Blair, colour analyst Jacob Hester and sideline reporter Gordy Rush can be on the decision.
On the heels of back-to-back 10 win seasons underneath head coach Brian Kelly, the Tigers will look to start out the season on the suitable foot in 2024. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier will make his second profession begin for LSU, with the primary being final season’s ReliaQuest bowl win over Wisconsin.
“Enthusiastic about this matchup,” Kelly mentioned. “Sunday Night time Soccer. Las Vegas. A recreation that can be seen on ABC in primetime. Only a nice showcase for school soccer and LSU specifically.”
It’s nearly right here. That is all enterprise. pic.twitter.com/i4zK2ZADIz
— LSU Soccer (@LSUfootball) August 31, 2024
The Tiger offense misplaced a trio of first spherical picks to the draft in April, however nonetheless return a unit bursting with expertise in 2024, headlined by an offensive line primed to make a run on the Joe Moore Award. A yr in the past, left sort out Will Campbell and proper sort out Emery Jones mixed for 1,513 snaps, surrendering simply two sacks and 5 quarterback hits.
At receiver, junior Kyren Lacy returns after a formidable 2023 marketing campaign, reeling in 30 receptions for 558 yards and 7 touchdowns. Chris Hilton and transfers C.J. Daniels and Zavion Thomas can even present expertise to the group, together with tight ends Mason Taylor and Ka’Morreun Pimpton. Redshirt freshman Kyle Parker can also be anticipated to imagine an elevated position.
Sixth-year senior Josh Williams – who has rushed for 1,011 yards and 11 scores all through his LSU profession – headlines a deep group of operating backs. Sophomore Kaleb Jackson is primed for a breakout season after indicators of greatness in 2023. John Emery is again for a ultimate yr of eligibility and freshman Caden Durham joins the room as a former prime prospect out of Duncanville Excessive College.
“I believe we’ve nice management, guys which have expertise, guys that maintain one another accountable,” Kelly mentioned. “They know what it’s prefer to play and win video games. This can be a staff that is aware of what to do and find out how to do it.”
Defensively, the Tigers can be led by first yr defensive coordinator Blake Baker, who has offered the unit with a jolt of power by way of fall camp. Linebacker Harold Perkins was awarded the coveted No. 7 and was additionally named to the preseason Butkus Award watch checklist for the nation’s premier linebacker.
The linebacker unit is deep and gifted alongside Perkins as sophomore Whit Weeks returns after exhibiting optimistic flashes a yr in the past, along with senior Greg Penn III – who was awarded the legendary No. 18, given to a participant who exemplifies what it means to be an LSU soccer participant. Penn recorded 89 whole tackles, 4 sacks, two interceptions and a pressured fumble as a junior.
The secondary will as soon as once more be led by coach Corey Raymond, who returned to LSU in January. Sophomore nook Ashton Stamps has solidified himself as a starter after showing in 11 video games with 4 begins as a real freshman. Sage Ryan supplies veteran management to the group as he enters fourth season with the Tigers. Security Main Burns began all 13 video games as security for the LSU in 2023, main the staff in tackles with 93. Redshirt sophomore Jordan Allen is predicted to extend manufacturing after enjoying in ultimate seven video games of final season.
The defensive position options veteran returners like Jacobian Guillory, Saivion Jones and Gabe Reliford. It additionally options with new faces like Wisconsin switch Gio Paez and Grand Valley State’s Jay’Viar Suggs. Guillory, the Alexandria, L.A. native, enters his fifth season with 50 profession tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and a half-sack tallied.
After spending three seasons as a backup in Troy, USC is now led by junior quarterback Miller Moss, who recorded 681 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2023. The Trojans added Mississippi State switch operating again Woody Marks, who has 32 begins within the SEC and 1,883 yards speeding underneath his belt. DT Bear Alexander, LB Eric Gentry and DB Akili Arnold headline a protection underneath new management in D’Anton Lynn.
“It’s precision,” Kelly mentioned of USC’s air raid offense. “It’s essentially based mostly upon desirous to throw the soccer. However they may assault you within the run recreation in case you are overcommitting to the move. Every head coach has its personal method of tweaking it, and Lincoln has his personal flavors.”
LSU and USC have confronted one another twice in program historical past, each profitable a recreation. The Tigers captured the latest victory, defeating the Trojans in 1984, 23-3.
