LSU wide receiver Kyle Parker (12) scores on a touchdown reception against UCLA defensive back Croix Stewart (22) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
UCLA tight end Jack Pedersen (28) celebrates his touchdown reception in the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas (0) leaps for a touchdown over a block by LSU running back Josh Williams (18) of UCLA defensive back Jaylin Davies (6) during the first quarter of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) is sacked in the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) passes in the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCLA in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU defensive end Bradyn Swinson (4) and defensive end Sai’vion Jones (35) celebrate a sack in the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCLA in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU defensive end Da’Shawn Womack (15) batts a pass by UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver CJ Daniels (4) is tackled by UCLA defensive lineman Sitiveni Havili Kaufusi (95) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas (0) leaps for a touchdown over a block by LSU running back Josh Williams (18) of UCLA defensive back Jaylin Davies (6) as UCLA linebacker JonJon Vaughns (21) attempts to tackle during the first quarter of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) throws against LSU during the first half an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
UCLA wide receiver Logan Loya (17) makes a touchdown against LSU cornerback PJ Woodland (11) during the second quarter of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas (0) leaps for a touchdown over a block by LSU running back Josh Williams (18) of UCLA defensive back Jaylin Davies (6) as UCLA linebacker JonJon Vaughns (21) attempts to tackle during the first quarter of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
UCLA wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer (3) makes a catch against LSU during the first half an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
LSU defensive end Sai’vion Jones (35) celebrates a fumble recovery from UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
UCLA wide receiver Logan Loya (17) makes a touchdown against LSU cornerback PJ Woodland (11) during the second quarter of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
LSU wide receiver Kyle Parker (12) scores on a touchdown reception against UCLA defensive back Croix Stewart (22) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Garrett Nussmeier passed for 352 yards and three touchdowns, and No. 16 LSU outscored UCLA 17-0 in the second half for a 34-17 victory on Saturday.
However, LSU lost the services of linebacker Harold Perkins, a preseason All-America selection, when he injured his right knee while making a tackle in the fourth quarter.
Perkins needed help getting to the sideline. Minutes later, he walked gingerly to the locker room with a towel over his head, flanked by trainers on each side.
By then, LSU (3-1) led by two touchdowns and added a field goal with 5:48 left in what became the Tigers’ third straight victory.
Mason Taylor had eight catches for 77 yards, supplanting Richard Dickson as the most prolific receiving tight end in LSU history, now with 999 career yards.
Nussmeier completed 32 of 44 passes, highlighted by his 45-yard scoring strike to Kyle Parker deep down the right sideline, and did not turn the ball over.
Breakout LSU freshman running back Caden Durham scored on a 35-yard catch and run. Josh Williams’ 2-yard scoring run in the third quarter gave the Tigers the lead for good. Aaron Anderson finished with six catches for 75 yards.
Ethan Garbers passed for 281 yards and two touchdowns for UCLA (1-2), but lost a fumble in the first half and was intercepted in the second.
LSU entered the game as more than three-touchdown favorites, but the first half was tight.
Both teams went 75 yards on their opening possessions for touchdowns, with LSU’s Zavion Thomas scoring on a 5-yard reception and UCLA’s Jack Pedersen on a 20-yard catch.
UCLA led 10-7 before Parker’s score made it 14-10.
LSU defensive end Bradyn Swinson, coming off a three-sack game a week earlier, had two against UCLA. The second caused Garbers to fumble in Bruins territory, setting up an LSU field goal that made it 17-10.
UCLA football looks to regroup, but not forget, after difficult loss to Indiana
But the Bruins drew even in the final seconds of the half on an 11-yard scoring passing to Logan Loya that Garbers released just as he was taking a heavy hit.
The Bruins responded well to their humbling 42-13 home loss to Indiana a week earlier. Contending with the oppressive heat and humidity of an early season day game in south Louisiana — not to mention a hostile Death Valley crowd — UCLA went toe to toe with the Tigers for 2 1/2 quarters.
Up next
UCLA returns home to open Big Ten play against a fellow Pac-12 defector, No.9 Oregon, on Saturday.