LSU defense ties miserable AP Poll record for season opener
By Paul Harvey
Published:
LSU’s defense fell flat in the season opener and left a lot to be desired.
During the Week 1 matchup, Florida State piled up 45 points and nearly 500 yards of offense against the Tigers. That performance included over 35 minutes of time of possession for the Seminoles and a 9-for-14 mark on 3rd-down conversions for Florida State.
The performance by Florida State was spearheaded by Jordan Travis with the quarterback posting 380 yards of offense and 5 total touchdowns. FSU produced a pair of 100-yard receivers in the game, including Keon Coleman who torched the Tigers for 9 catches, 122 yards and 3 touchdowns.
While that defensive performance is not a good one for any top-5 team, it carries with it some historical context. According to ESPN, LSU’s 45 points allowed is tied for the most allowed in a season opener by a top-5 team in the AP Poll era.
The AP Poll era is since 1936, and the Tigers are the first top-5 team to give up 45 points in an opener since Oklahoma in 1968.
LSU allowed 45 points against Florida State, tied for the most allowed in a season opener by an AP Top-5 team in the Poll Era (since 1936).
It is the most allowed in a season opener by an AP Top-5 team since No. 5 Oklahoma in 1968. pic.twitter.com/bybm1x97rj
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 4, 2023
According to Dennis Dodd, it is also the most points given up by LSU in a nonconference game in over 30 years. The Tigers most recently gave up 45 points in a nonconference game during the 1991 season to Texas A&M.
45 points tie for the most given up by @LSUfootball in a non-conference game since … 1981. Gave up 45 to @AggieFootball in 1991.
— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) September 4, 2023
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
