LSU Survives a Gritty Defensive Battle Against WKU
It’s one of those games where style points simply don’t matter, because the only thing that ultimately counts is the final score. And on this particular night, LSU’s 13-10 win over Western Kentucky definitely fell into the “ugly but effective” category. The Tigers were pushed, pressured, and tested in every possible way, but the defense stepped up and carried the entire load when the offense couldn’t quite find its rhythm.
From the start, it was obvious this wasn’t going to be a high-flying shootout. Western Kentucky actually jumped ahead 3-0 after the first quarter, and you could tell LSU was still searching for some kind of flow. The offense was kept in check most of the night, and every yard felt like it had to be earned the hard way. LSU averaged just 4.2 yards per play and converted only 3 of their 16 third-down attempts. There were long stretches where nothing seemed to click.
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But while the offense sputtered, the Tigers' defense absolutely refused to blink. It turned into the kind of performance where LSU’s identity was defined by grit, physicality, and pure refusal to give ground. Western Kentucky was held to just 152 total yards. That’s not a typo — 152 yards the entire game. The Hilltoppers managed only 61 rushing yards when sacks were factored in, and the Tigers’ front made sure their quarterback never felt comfortable, dropping him for a loss five different times.
Every key moment seemed to tilt back toward LSU’s defense. Over 13 Western Kentucky drives, the Tigers forced five three-and-outs, three turnovers on downs, and two interceptions. WKU converted only 4 of 15 third downs and went 0-for-3 on fourth down, which really tells the story of how suffocating LSU’s pressure was. The Hilltoppers simply couldn’t sustain anything. After halftime, they earned just three first downs.
Ironically, WKU’s only touchdown didn’t even come from their offense — it was a 71-yard fumble return late in the game, the kind of play that suddenly turns a comfortable finish into a tense one. Harlem Berry had been running hard all night, finishing with 80 yards on 18 carries, but that late mistake kept the game alive longer than LSU would’ve preferred.
Meanwhile, quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. continued to gain experience under pressure, throwing 42 times for 202 yards, a touchdown, and one interception. It wasn’t flashy, but it was steady enough to complement the defense’s dominance.
In the end, the Tigers did what needed to be done. The win wasn’t pretty, but it was earned through toughness and discipline — and sometimes those are the victories that reveal the most about a team. LSU now heads into its regular-season finale on the road against Oklahoma, hoping to build on this late-season momentum, even if the path there hasn’t always looked smooth.
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