LSU football notched its first win since Sep. 20 and moved to 2-1 in SEC play, beating South Carolina 20-10 on Saturday night.

LSU got on the board first. South Carolina fumbled a snap exchange on its first offensive play of the game. LSU recovered and took over in the red zone. The Tigers’ offense couldn’t pick up a first down, but LSU was in position for a field goal and took a 3-0 lead.

South Carolina managed a response, breaking free for a 72-yard touchdown run. But that was the only touchdown the Gamecocks would score all night. From there, LSU’s defense took over. The Tigers held South Carolina to 10 points.

LSU’s offense wasn’t perfect, but the Tigers racked up 420 total yards. LSU only scored 20 points, but a lot of points were left on the board. Still, there are signs the unit is trending up.

Here are five takeaways from LSU football’s win over South Carolina.

1. Trey’Dez Green looks like a star

LSU tight end Trey’Dez Green had a career night. He caught eight passes on 10 targets, totaling 119 yards to go along with a touchdown. Green, a five-star recruit in the class of 2024, entered the year with high expectations. An injury in Week 2 slowed Green in September, but he’s back to 100% and looks the part.

With Aaron Anderson out, Nussmeier turned to Green in key moments.

Green scored LSU’s first touchdown of the night, catching a six-yard fade over a South Carolina defender. That came after Green set LSU up to score with a 14-yard reception. In the third quarter, with the game tied, Green had two first-down catches on a drive where LSU kicked the go-ahead field goal.

Green did it all. He made highlight reel jump ball catches, while also being a weapon in space. Nussmeier found Green for a few catch-and-run plays in the flat.

2. LSU’s run game shows improvement

LSU’s run game showed signs of life on Saturday night. Through the first five games, LSU’s run game was virtually nonexistent — one of the least efficient in college football.

But in Week 7, against a decent South Carolina defense, LSU ran the ball for 166 yards and averaged 5.5 yards per carry. Before Saturday, LSU’s best yards per carry mark of 2025 was 3.9 vs. FCS SE Louisiana.

Caden Durham carried it 15 times for 70 yards while Ju’Juan Johnson ran it five times for 66 yards. Both players recorded explosive runs, including a 56-yarder from Johnson. Nussmeier was effective scrambling, too, with four carries for 30 yards.

It’s just one game, so we won’t overreact yet. But if this is a sign of what’s to come, LSU’s offense will take a massive step forward in the coming weeks.

3. LSU’s defense continues to dominate

The LSU defense is one of the best in the country — there’s not much else to say. South Carolina broke a few big runs, but that was about it for the Gamecocks’ offense.

LSU held South Carolina to 4.4 yards per play and SC was 6/16 on third down. LSU defenders were in the backfield all night, racking up five sacks and six tackles for loss.

This was a good matchup for the LSU defense and Blake Baker’s unit took advantage. LSU’s defense is proving its good enough to keep LSU in any game.

LSU safety AJ Haulcy led the Tigers with 11 tackles. Harold Perkins notched two tackles for loss and a sack. Freshman corner DJ Pickett got in on the sack party, too.

4. LSU CB Mansoor Delane continues to make an All-American case

South Carolina was down one score in the fourth quarter. A solid punt return set the Gamecocks up at the LSU 37-yard line, driving in with a chance to tie the game. On first down, South Carolina took a shot to the end zone, but Vandrevius Jacobs didn’t have any space to make a play with Mansoor Delane in coverage.

On fourth down, with the game on the line, Sellers threw at Delane again. Delane broke it up, and South Carolina turned it over on downs.

In a pivotal series, South Carolina threw at one of the best corners in the country twice. Both passes fell incomplete.

Delane played at a high level all night, but that series feels representative of the player Delane has been in 2025. Delane didn’t allow a single catch vs. the Gamecocks.

5. LSU safety TaMarcus Cooley delivers

TaMarcus Cooley sometimes flies under the radar. When talking about LSU’s transfer portal additions, much of the focus lands on Mansoor Delane and AJ Haulcy, but Cooley is a player.

With 4:37 to go in the second quarter, South Carolina had the ball down three. LSU applied pressure on third and 15 and Sellers took a shot down the field. Cooley had it read — he broke on the ball and came up with his second interception of the year.

Interception LSU!

Tamarcus Cooley picks of LaNorris Sellers and LSU regains possession. 10-7 Tigers, 4:37 2Q pic.twitter.com/vYJm60r8UQ

— Matthew Brune (@MatthewBrune_) October 12, 2025

According to PFF, Cooley was LSU’s top graded defender on Saturday. He made six tackles, including one stop. Cooley was targeted three times and allowed just one catch for four yards. Cooley’s three PBUs on the year are tied for most among SEC safeties.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: 5 takeaways from LSU football’s win vs. South Carolina