TAMPA – On Jan. 1, 2024, the LSU Tigers faced off against the Wisconsin Badgers in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
Both teams looked to end their season with a win. The Tigers came into this game with a record of 9-3. As for the Badgers, they came into this at 7-5.
Entering this game both teams were without key players, mainly on the offensive side of the ball.
For LSU, starting quarterback and Heisman trophy winner Jayden Daniels opted out and will be preparing for the NFL Draft.
Similarly for Wisconsin, the Badgers also didn’t have their leading yard rusher Allen Braelon and center Tanar Bortolini, who had opted out of the bowl game in preparation for the NFL Draft.
To kickoff the ReliaQuest Bowl, LSU started with possession of the football.
New quarterback Garrett Nussmeier opened up with multiple short passes, as the offense mixed in some runs as well.
Eventually the drive stalled and the Tigers had to punt.
On the opening drive for Wisconsin, their passing game got them in the end zone very quickly. Veteran quarterback Tanner Mordecai found his receiver Will Pauling for a big gain, and soon after he found his other receiver Bryson Green for the first score of the game. This put the Badgers up 7-0.
For the next two drives, both teams failed to reach the red zone, which resulted in both teams having to punt.
On LSU’s third drive of the game, Nussmeier was able to find his receiver Malik Nabers for a first down. With that catch Nabers became the Tigers all-time leader in receiving yards.
LSU would go on to punt.
Although Wisconsin was out a few offensive starters, its offense came out explosively. To put a cap on the first quarter, Pauling caught a 53 yard-pass to help put the Badgers up 14-0.
As the second quarter commenced, LSU started to work the field. They got down into the red zone where they put in star linebacker Harold Perkins. He would go on to score, shortening the Badgers lead at 14-7.
The following drive for the Badgers resulted in a missed field goal attempt and LSU reclaimed possession of the ball.
LSU’s next drive was balanced and featured hard running freshman running back, Kaleb Jackson. He put the Tigers in the endzone with a tough 12 yard run. This touchdown equalized the ball game 14-14.
With 47 seconds left in the first half, the Badgers dismantled the LSU secondary.
In just five plays, Wisconsin punched the ball in with a 9-yard touchdown reception from receiver Will Pauling. This put the Badgers up 21-14 at the half.
To start the second half of the ReliaQuest Bowl game, the Badgers long eight-play, 75-yard drive ended with a 33-yard touchdown run from running back Jackson Acker. This made the score 28-14.
The next score came soon after as Garrett Nussmeier connected with receiver Brian Thomas for a 38-yard touchdown. Wisconsin still led 28-21.
LSU was able to stop the Badgers on the following possession and got the ball back.
After a pass interference penalty, LSU was able to tie the game 28-28 with a beautiful touchdown throw to Chris Hilton.
The Badgers would add three more points to their score on their next drive following a successful kick from Nathanial Vakos. This gave Wisconsin a slim lead at 31-28.
Both teams went on to trade punts. However, the Badgers special teams unit was able to down the ball inside of the Tigers own 2-yard line.
The Tigers started the drive off with a major disadvantage as they were backed up to the goal line.
With just under five minutes to play in the ball game, the Tigers took the ball 98 yards for a touchdown score. Thomas scored his second touchdown of the game which gave the Tigers a 35-31 lead – their first lead of the game.
Although LSU scored, the defense needed to come up with a big stop to seal the game.
With less than three minutes to play, the Badgers were driving. They reached the red zone, but the Tigers defensive line came alive.
On second, third, and ultimately fourth down, the line generated so much pressure it caused the Badgers quarterback to try and scramble. Each time he was sacked.
As the Tigers went into victory formation, the LSU fans and sideline roared and celebrated becoming ReliaQuest Bowl Champions.
