Live Updates: LSU Football vs. Grambling in Week 2

LSU returns to Tiger Stadium for the home opener against Grambling with an opportunity to hit its stride before SEC play begins.

Brian Kelly and Co. are fresh off of a week of "intense practices" with the goal of playing with a "competitive edge" for all four quarters on Saturday.

Here's what Brian Kelly said ahead of Saturday's matchup, pregame updates and a live thread from Tiger Stadium:

What Brian Kelly Said:

“Excited about a home game and playing in front of our home fans,” said head coach Brian Kelly. “An HBCU school like Grambling, one of the historic programs in college football. I know our team is excited about getting back out there and playing the game the way it’s intended to be played for four quarters, not two quarters.”

Pregame Updates:

- LSU star defensive end Maason Smith makes his return for the Tigers. It'll be the first game Smith has suited up for since Sept. 4, 2022.

- LSU RB Logan Diggs is active for Saturday's contest.

- LSU WR/return specialist Aaron Anderson remains the starting returner for the Tigers despite muffing a punt against Florida State on Sunday.

- West Weeks listed at the starting JACK for Saturday's contest.

- Zy Alexander, Duce Chestnut, Major Burns, Greg Brooks and Andre' Sam are listed as the starting defensive backs.

The LSU Depth Chart for Week 2 against Grambling:

The #LSU Depth Chart for Week 2 against Grambling:

- Maason Smith makes his return.
- Logan Diggs officially active.
- Aaron Anderson remains the starting return specialist.
- West Weeks to receive significant run. pic.twitter.com/knHSwCc7Ok
— Zack Nagy (@znagy20) September 9, 2023

Live Thread/Updates

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First Quarter

Grambling State wins the coin toss and defers. LSU will start with the football.

Kaleb Jackson and Noah Cain are back to return with Jackson taking it out. No Aaron Anderson.

Louisiana native Logan Diggs earns the start at running back. The Notre Dame transfer was unavailable last weekend.

LSU is giving wide receiver Chris Hilton Jr. an early chance here. Hilton continues rotating in with the first-team on the first drive.

Jayden Daniels connects with Brian Thomas Jr. for a 26-yard touchdown reception. 8-play, 77-yard drive.

Score Update: LSU 7, Grambling 0

Texas A&M transfer Denver Harris will start at cornerback for the Tigers. Huge development for LSU in giving the first-year Tiger the start. Harris didn't travel to Orlando with the program last weekend.

Grambling is having no problems moving the ball down the field on their first drive, testing the LSU secondary.

Grambling quarterback Myles Crawley connects with JR Waters for the 13-yard touchdown reception over Denver Harris. 7-play, 83-yard drive.

Score Update: LSU 7, Grambling 7

LSU DT Maason Smith lined up on all seven snaps for the Tigers on their first defensive drive. 4 on the right side. 3 on the left side.

Freshman offensive tackle Zalance Heard is running with the first-team on LSU's second drive. (LT) Will Campbell, (LG) Garrett Dellinger, (C) Charles Turner, (RG) Emery Jones and (RT) Zalance Heard.

Jayden Daniels connects with Chris Hilton Jr. for a 47-yard touchdown. 3-play, 76-yard touchdown drive.

Score Update: LSU 14, Grambling 7

Grambling running back Chance Williams continues putting his athleticism on full display. He's up to five carries for 76 yards and Grambling is in LSU territory. 5:40 remaining in the quarter.

LSU has allowed 171 yards to Grambling here in the first quarter, and after knocking in a 23-yard field goal attempt, Grambling remains in this one.

Score Update: LSU 14, Grambling 10

Miles Frazier is back in at right guard with Emery Jones at right tackle on LSU's third drive. Josh Williams also entered after Logan Diggs handled the first two drives.

End of 1Q: LSU 14, Grambling 10

Second Quarter

LSU goes with back-to-back shuffle passes from Jayden Daniels to Malik Nabers in the red zone. The second results in a 7-yard touchdown for the Tigers. 7-play, 69-yard drive.

Score Update: LSU 21, Grambling 10

Grambling continues pushing the ball down the field with short, quick routes. LSU's secondary is being put to the test here. Grambling is in LSU territory on third-and-10 with 13:34 remaining in the half.

Grambling RB Chance Williams is having a day. He's eclipsed 100 yards on the day with just six carries. Grambling settles for a field goal and it's no good.

Logan Diggs' shiftiness is stealing the show on the Tigers' fourth drive. He looks as healthy as ever. Diggs busts open a gain for a first down where LSU TE Mason Taylor comes up holding his ankle on the play. Immediately comes out.

Diggs caps off the impressive drive with his first touchdown as an LSU Tiger. 9-play, 80-yard drive.

Score Update: LSU 28, Grambling 10

Freshman cornerback Ashton Stamps rolls out on the Tigers' fourth defensive drive, replacing Denver Harris on the boundary. The youngster impressed during Fall Camp with an opportunity to get some in-game run. Tigers force a three-and-out.

LSU TE Ka'Morreun Pimpton enters the game for the Tigers. The freshman duo of Pimpton and Mac Markway will roll for LSU from here on out with Mason Taylor nursing a minor ankle injury.

Tigers nearing the red zone with a balanced attack. Jayden Daniels connected with Kyren Lacy for a big gainer on the first possession with the Tigers gaining chunk plays on the ground on back-to-back plays.

Jayden Daniels connects with Brian Thomas Jr. for the touchdown in the back of the end zone. 10-yard touchdown reception. 9-play, 70-yard touchdown drive.

Score Update: LSU 42, Grambling 10

Halftime: LSU 42, Grambling 10

LSU Stats at Halftime: Jayden Daniels - 18-of-24, 269 yards, 5 touchdowns. Brian Thomas Jr. - 6 receptions, 78 yards, 2 TDs. Malik Nabers - 4 receptions, 58 yards, 1 TD. Logan Diggs - 9 rushing attempts, 82 yards

Grambling Stats at Halftime: Myles Crawley - 11-of-20, 132 yards, 1 TD. Chance Williams - 7 rushing attempts, 106 yards

Third Quarter

Grambling opens the second half with the football and Greg Penn III comes up with an interception to stop the drive early. Tigers take over on their own 46-yard line. Garrett Nussmeier enters the game for LSU. Jayden Daniels' night is done.

Nussmeier connects with Malik Nabers on a 29-yard reception to start off his night followed by a 21-yard rush by Logan Diggs. Tigers are inside the five-yard line. Second and goal.

Nussmeier with a one-yard quarterback sneak to continue lifting the Tigers' lead. 6-play, 54-yard drive.

Score Update: LSU 49, Grambling 10

LSU's defense forces a three-and-out on Grambling's second drive of the half. Grambling punts and Gregory Clayton strings together a positive return with the Tigers starting their possession on the Grambling 28-yard line.

Scary moment on the 30-yard line. A Grambling player has been stretchered off of the field after a 15-minute delay in Tiger Stadium with both medical staffs providing assistance. 7:00 remaining in the half.

Freshman running back Kaleb Jackson scores his first career touchdown for the Tigers after coming in on the Tigers' second drive of the half. Tigers continue tacking on points.

Score Update: LSU 56, Grambling 10

Grambling turns to backup quarterback Julian Calvez with the Tigers forcing another punt. Aaron Anderson fair catches on the 42-yard line. LSU takes over.

End of 3Q: LSU 56, Grambling 10

Fourth Quarter

LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier continues delivering impressive passes during his second half run, but a few drops have halted momentum. Freshman WR Shelton Sampson has dropped two passes with one of them coming in the back corner of the end zone.

Freshman running back Kaleb Jackson punches in another touchdown, his second of the night. 10-play, 58-yard drive.

Score Update: LSU 63, Grambling 10

LSU forces a Grambling fumble on the second play of the drive. The fumble was recovered by Jalen Lee. The Tigers take over in the red zone and freshman quarterback Rickie Collins enters the game.

LSU RB Noah Cain punches in the touchdown from inside the five-yard line as the Tigers continue adding on the points. 10:39 remaining.

Score Update: LSU 70, Grambling 10

FINAL: LSU 72, Grambling 10