The LSU offense started near its own goal line twice in the second half on Saturday, needing to score in a close game against UCLA, and both times it turned those tough situations into touchdowns.

Tied 17-17 at halftime, No. 16 LSU beat UCLA 34-17 at Tiger Stadium. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier led two long touchdown drives in the second half, and the defense was ready to go after struggling with explosive passing in the first half.

LSU (3-1) won its third straight game and will face South Alabama next week, but the Tigers still have issues to address, especially on defense, before playing seven straight games in the Southeastern Conference.

Although UCLA (1-2) has struggled offensively this season, it tied the game at 17-17 with an 11-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ethan Garbers just seconds before the end of the first half. Garbers threw for 198 yards and two touchdowns before halftime, but managed just 76 yards in the second half.

After LSU forced a punt early in the third quarter, Nussmeier took over at LSU's own 4-yard line.

From there, LSU moved methodically down the field. Nussmeier completed a 33-yard pass to tight end Mason Taylor and the Tigers converted three third down attempts. Senior running back Josh Williams capped the 14-play, 96-yard drive with a short touchdown run.

LSU forced another punt on UCLA's next possession and this time the offense took over at its own 8-yard line.

Nussmeier started the drive with three consecutive completions. After finding Taylor again for a crucial third down, he checked in the flat to freshman running back Caden Durham. Durham turned forward and scored a 35-yard touchdown that gave LSU a 31-17 lead.

With the game all but decided, LSU safety Jardin Gilbert intercepted a pass from Garbers on the ensuing possession. LSU converted the loss into a 32-yard field goal and a three-point lead to secure the win.

LSU's defense allowed just 89 yards in the second half and forced three punts. Nussmeier completed 73% of his throws (32 of 44) for 352 yards and three touchdowns.

LSU got off to a fast start, scoring a point on its first possession for the first time in four games. That's been a focus for the Tigers early this season as they've constantly fallen behind, especially after falling behind 17-0 to South Carolina last week.

But the offense did not progress for the rest of the first half.

LSU lost the ball on its next drive. They later settled for a field goal in the red zone after senior defensive end Bradyn Swinson strip-sacked the Tigers at UCLA's 38-yard line. LSU soon had first and goal at the 10-yard line, but couldn't find the end zone.

After the field goal gave LSU a 17-10 lead, UCLA reached the LSU goal line on a 32-yard pass from Garbers to receiver Kwazi Gilmer. Sophomore cornerback Ashton Stamps deflected the ball, but Gilmer intercepted the rebound as it fell to the 3-yard line.

LSU was almost saved. Garbers had a completely free receiver in the end zone a few plays later, but a holding call negated the point. LSU was pressured on third-and-11, but Garbers stepped up and threw a touchdown pass.

UCLA had one of the worst offenses in the country through its first two games. The Bruins had scored 29 points, an average of 14.5 points per game, which ranked 126th nationally. They rarely ran explosive plays, but Garbers averaged 14.1 yards per completed pass in the first half.

After limiting him and UCLA's passing game, LSU managed to get off the field in the second half. The Bruins rushed for 14 yards, and while that was mostly because LSU recorded five sacks, UCLA averaged 3.2 yards per carry when accounting for sacks.

Still, the Bruins had success in the air early. Garbers had seven completions of 15-plus yards, and three of those came on third downs. One thing the LSU defense had done well so far this season was getting off the field on third downs, but UCLA went 5-of-8 on third and fourth downs overall in the first half. The Bruins picked up just one third down in the second half.

Although LSU held UCLA to a clean sheet after halftime and pulled away, the Tigers' performance could not allay concerns before they reach the most difficult part of their schedule next month. They will face more explosive attacks starting Oct. 12 against Ole Miss and will need to iron out their weaknesses by then.