Garrett Nussmeier wasn’t in an easy spot, but it’s fair to say he made the most of his opportunities in the first half of LSU’s season opener against No. 23 USC.

During the pregame show on SEC Network, former LSU star and Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels made a brief appearance and talked about Nussmeier taking over for him. Daniels called the redshirt junior a gunslinger. No window would be turned down. No throw would be left on the table.

Through his first 2 quarters of the new season, Nussmeier rarely missed. The LSU starter completed 20 of his 24 pass attempts for 191 yards and a touchdown. He hit 4 explosive pass plays, including a 19-yarder to Kyren Lacy for a touchdown.

That was the highlight of the half for the Tigers. Nussmeier delivered a beauty of a ball to quickly answer USC’s opening touchdown.

LSU went into the half tied at 10 with the Trojans. Nussmeier had 4 first-half possessions. The opening drive went 74 yards in 13 plays and took 7:09 off the clock but ended with a turnover on downs after USC denied the Tigers from its own 3-yard-line.

LSU punted on its next possession, but scored on each of its last 2 drives to close out the half. The touchdown to Lacy capped a 9-play, 75-yard march.

Each of the Tigers’ possessions took at least 3 minutes off the clock and lasted at least 8 plays. Following an electric season from Daniels — 1 of LSU’s top 25 players of all time — that’s an area to watch. Can LSU continue to generate chunk plays and take some of the pressure off Nussmeier?

To his credit, in the preseason, Nussmeier said his upbringing has prepared him for the pressure he’ll face this season. Through 1 half, Tiger fans seem pleased.