Tag: LSU Tigers

Nov 25, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) rushes against Texas A&M Aggies linebacker Taurean York (21) during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Jayden Daniels fuels No. 14 LSU past Texas A&M

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jayden Daniels threw three of his four touchdown pass in the fourth quarter and No. 14 LSU held off Texas A&M 42-30 on Saturday in Baton Rouge, La.

Daniels recorded his fourth 100-yard rushing game, finishing with a game-high 120 yards on 11 carries. However, he was held to 72 passing yards through three quarters before passing for 163 in the fourth quarter for the Tigers (9-3, 6-2 Southeastern Conference). He finished with 235 yards, his second-lowest total of the season.

Malik Nabers caught two of Daniels’ touchdown passes, finishing with 122 yards on six catches that made him LSU’s career leader in receptions (184).

Jaylen Henderson passed for 294 yards and two touchdowns for Texas A&M (7-5, 4-4).

The Aggies received the second-half kickoff and drove to the 1, where Mark Nabou Jr. scored to extend their lead to 24-14.

Josh Williams rushed for a 1-yard touchdown on the ensuing possession to trim the lead to 24-21 at the end of the third quarter.

Daniels completed passes on each play of a three-play, 61-yard drive, the last being a 23-yard touchdown by Brian Thomas Jr. to give the Tigers a 28-24 lead.

The lead grew to 35-24 when Daniels threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Nabers with 8:25 left.

Henderson threw a 51-yard touchdown pass to Max Wright, but Daniels answered with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Kyren Lacy for a 42-30 lead with 4:19 remaining.

Logan Diggs ran 1 yard for a touchdown that gave the Tigers a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

On the third play of the second quarter, Le’Veon Moss ran 2 yards for a touchdown that tied the score.

The Aggies’ next possession produced a 48-yard field goal by Randy Bond and a 10-7 lead.

Daniels threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Nabers to regain the lead, 14-10.

Henderson threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Jake Johnson with 14 seconds left to give Texas A&M a 17-14 lead at halftime.

–Field Level Media

Quarterback Jayden Daniels 5 throws a pass as the LSU Tigers take on Georgia State in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, November 18, 2023.

Jayden Daniels totals 8 TDs as No. 15 LSU crushes Georgia St.

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jayden Daniels threw six touchdown passes and ran for two more scores as No. 15 LSU routed Georgia State 56-14 in a nonconference game in Baton Rouge, La., on Saturday night.

Daniels added to his Heisman Trophy-worthy resume by passing for 413 yards and rushing for 96 for the Tigers (8-3). He tied Joe Burrow’s school record with eight touchdowns in one game.

Darren Grainger passed for 179 yards and a touchdown and Marcus Carroll rushed for 87 yards and a score on 15 carries to lead the Panthers (6-5), who lost their fourth consecutive game.

Daniels, who completed 25 of 30 passes, threw his fifth touchdown — a 3-yarder to Mac Markway — to complete the first possession of the third quarter and increase the Tigers’ lead to 42-14.

On LSU’s next possession, Daniels went over 1,000 rushing yards for the season and finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run on the second play of the fourth quarter to increase the lead to 49-14.

Daniels’ 40-yard touchdown pass to Malik Nabers, who finished with 140 yards and two TDs on eight catches, completed the scoring with 8:59 remaining.

The Panthers played LSU even into the second quarter but couldn’t keep up with Daniels and the Tigers’ explosive offense, which scored touchdowns on each of its first eight possessions.

Georgia State received the opening kickoff and drove to Grainger’s 6-yard touchdown pass to Tailique Williams.

On the ensuing possession, Daniels threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Nabers and later added a 14-yard scoring run to give the Tigers a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Carroll’s 44-yard dash to the end zone tied the score early in the second quarter before Daniels took over.

Daniels threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Kyren Lacy, a 70-yarder to Brian Thomas Jr. and a 13-yarder to Lacy to give LSU a 35-14 lead at halftime.

Thomas finished with 103 yards on four catches and Lacy finished with 101 yards on five.

–Field Level Media

Brian Thomas Jr (11) pick six and scores a touchdown as the LSU Tigers take on the the Army Black Knights in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, October. 21, 2023.

No. 19 LSU manhandles Army 62-0

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jayden Daniels threw three touchdown passes and rushed for another as No. 19 LSU rolled to a 62-0 victory over Army in a nonconference game Saturday night in Baton Rouge, La.

Daniels completed 11 of 15 passes for 279 yards, and Brian Thomas Jr. (122 receiving yards) and Malik Nabers (121) each caught two touchdown passes for the Tigers (6-2).

Kanye Udoh rushed for 108 yards for the Black Knights (2-5), who had just 193 total yards as they lost their fourth straight and second in a row by shutout. They lost to Troy 19-0 a week earlier and have scored just 40 points during the losing streak.

The Black Knights, who entered the game having turned the ball over 13 times, among the most in FBS, committed three turnovers in the first half and four in the game.

Garrett Nussmeier replaced Daniels to start the second half and threw a 51-yard touchdown pass to Nabers on his first possession for a 45-0 lead.

Damian Ramos kicked a 32-yard field goal to extend the lead to 48-0 near the end of the third quarter.

Noah Cain had a 2-yard touchdown run and Trey Holly added a 67-yard burst with 40 seconds remaining to complete the scoring.

LSU received the opening kickoff and drove 75 yards, taking a 7-0 lead on Logan Diggs’ 2-yard touchdown run.

Daniels found Thomas for an 86-yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead, and Andre Sam intercepted Champ Harris on the second-to-last play of the first quarter, setting up the Tigers at the Black Knights’ 33.

On the second play of the second quarter, Daniels and Thomas teamed on an 8-yard score for a 21-0 lead.

Ovie Oghoufo forced and recovered a fumble by Harris, giving LSU the ball at the Army 37.

Five plays later, Daniels sneaked 1 yard for a touchdown. Ramos added a 35-yard field goal and Daniels connected with Nabers from 26 yards for a 38-0 halftime lead.

–Field Level Media

Oct 7, 2023; Columbia, Missouri, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) scores a touchdown as Missouri Tigers defensive back Daylan Carnell (13) makes the tackle during the second half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

No. 23 LSU rallies from 15 down, tops No. 21 Missouri

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jayden Daniels passed for 259 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 130 yards and another TD as No. 23 LSU rallied past No. 21 Missouri 49-39 Saturday in Columbia, Mo.

Missouri (5-1, 1-1 in the Southeastern Conference) built a 22-7 lead with 10:47 left in the second quarter before LSU (4-2, 3-1 SEC) climbed back into the game.

Logan Diggs rushed for 134 yards and a touchdown for LSU. Malik Nabers caught six passes for 146 yards and a touchdown and Brian Thomas Jr. caught four passes for 66 yards and a TD.

Brady Cook passed for 395 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for Missouri. Cody Schrader (114 yards rushing, three TDs), Luther Burden III (11 receptions, 149 yards) and Theo Wease Jr. (four catches, 80 yards, one TD) also had big games.

On its first possession Missouri marched 87 yards on nine plays to take an 8-0 lead. Cook threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Wease, then ran in the two-point conversion.

LSU responded with a 75-yard scoring drive capped by Diggs’ 1-yard TD plunge.

Missouri regained the lead 15-7 on its own 75-yard touchdown drive, with Schrader finishing with a 21-yard scoring run. Cook’s 9-yard TD pass to Brett Norfleet pushed the margin to 22-7.

Damian Ramos hit a 48-yard field goal to start LSU’s comeback bid. After Harold Perkins Jr. snagged Cook’s first interception of the season, LSU cut its deficit to 22-17 on Daniels’ 3-yard touchdown pass to Mason Taylor.

Harrison Mevis hit a 50-yard field as the first half ended to extend Missouri’s lead to 25-17.

Ramos hit a 29-yard field goal to cut LSU’s deficit to 25-20 early in the second half, then LSU surged ahead 27-25 on Daniels’ 42-yard touchdown pass to Thomas.

Schrader’s 51-yard run led to his 2-yard TD plunge as Missouri retook the lead 32-27. Daniels answered with a 35-yard touchdown run and a two-point conversion pass to Nabers as LSU moved ahead 35-32.

Cook’s 42-yard pass to Burden set up Schrader’s 1-yard touchdown run as Missouri took a 39-35 lead with 5:40 left in the game. But LSU responded quickly with Daniels’ 29-yard TD pass to Nabers to move up 42-39.

Major Burns sealed the victory for LSU with a pick-six with 34 seconds left.

–Field Level Media

Sep 30, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) warms ups prior to the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

No. 23 LSU looking to bounce back at No. 21 Missouri

Posted on | by Field Level Media

After getting outscored 55-49 at Ole Miss, No. 23 LSU seeks a big defensive improvement Saturday when it visits No. 21 Missouri for a Southeastern Conference showdown.

LSU (3-2, 2-1 SEC) yielded 389 passing yards and 317 rushing yards in last Saturday’s loss to the Rebels.

That prompted LSU coach Brian Kelly to hire defensive line coach Pete Jenkins ahead of this game with unbeaten Missouri (5-0, 1-0) in Columbia, Mo.

“We’ve gotta get the guys that are on our roster playing at a higher level. We have to tackle the football and we have to create a new line of scrimmage,” Kelly said. “If we do those two things, we’re gonna be better on defense, we’re gonna keep the points down and we’re gonna continue to win football games. That’s the standard.

“I think we’ve come up with some valid solutions to where we wanna use going forward. We missed a lot of tackles that gave up a lot of yards after the misses.”

LSU’s staff did the math and counted 284 offensive yards for Ole Miss after first contact on 34 missed tackles.

After opening the season with a traditional 4-3 look, LSU went to a 3-3-5 defense against the Rebels. Expect more adjustments ahead of this game.

“It’s really about getting the best players on the field playing their very best football,” Kelly said. “What is that configuration? We’ve gotta be able to maximize the potential of our defensive line and we’re in conversation with ‘Are we doing that?’”

Offensively, LSU has been paced by Jayden Daniels, who has passed for 1,710 yards and 16 touchdowns and run for 292 yards and three TDs.

Malik Nabers (40 catches, 625 yards, five touchdowns) and Brian Thomas Jr. (33-533-8) have been the primary targets for Daniels.

Wide receivers Aaron Anderson and Chris Hilton Jr. are listed as questionable for LSU for this game, as is linebacker Omar Speights.

Missouri, coming off a 38-21 victory at Vanderbilt, is averaging 32.0 points and 453.4 total yards per game. The Tigers’ 5-0 start is their best since opening 7-0 in 2013.

This might be the biggest game the school has played since that season, although coach Eli Drinkwitz tried to downplay that angle.

“This game isn’t more significant than another SEC game,” he said. “It’s good to play in front of a sold-out crowd, but the reality for this team is it’s the next opportunity in a string of 12 opportunities.”

Missouri’s Brady Cook has passed for 356, 341 and 395 yards in his past three games. He has thrown 11 touchdown passes overall with no interceptions.

“He’s playing smart, not conservative,” Drinkwitz said. “When the ball needs to go deep he’s been able to hit those deep balls. When he needs to take some check-downs, he’s done that. He just hasn’t put the ball in jeopardy very much.”

Luther Burden III (43 catches, 644 yards, five touchdowns) is Missouri’s primary receiving threat and Cody Schrader (463 yards, three touchdowns) is its leading rusher.

Missouri listed receiver Mekhi Miller and defensive lineman Darius Robinson as questionable for this game.

–Field Level Media

Sep 16, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) reacts after a play against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the second half at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

No. 12 LSU ahead, Arkansas preps for QB Jayden Daniels

Posted on | by Field Level Media

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels and receiver Malik Nabers were nearly perfect in the SEC opener.

Arkansas is trying to fix a few imperfections as it prepares to face the No. 12 Tigers (2-1, 1-0) in the Razorbacks’ conference opener Saturday night in Baton Rouge, La.

Daniels set a school record for pass completion percentage (25 or more attempts) when he completed 30 of 34 passes (88.2 percent) for 361 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-14 win at Mississippi State last Saturday.

Nabers caught both of Daniels’ touchdown passes and finished with 13 catches for 239 yards. He and Daniels shared the SEC Offensive Player of the Week award.

“The play of Jayden Daniels and Malik Nabers was certainly elite,” LSU head coach Brian Kelly said.

Daniels also rushed for 64 yards and two touchdowns before leaving the game early in the fourth quarter.

“He’s been outstanding,” Kelly said. “His ability to win the game with his feet and throw the ball, he was as good as anyone in the country.”

The Tigers’ defense, which couldn’t slow down Florida State in a season-opening loss and had a slow start against FCS opponent Grambling a week later, was much improved.

The unit limited Mississippi State to 94 rushing yards and sacked Will Rogers four times.

“We did the things you need to do in the SEC,” Kelly said. “(Overall) you’ve got to play with a sense of urgency and an edge. They get off to a fast start and played with great enthusiasm.”

The Razorbacks (2-1) led visiting BYU 31-21 early in the third quarter last week, but got outscored 17-0 the rest of the way.

The Cougars’ surge started shortly after they stopped Arkansas on a fourth-and-1 midway through the fourth quarter.

The Razorbacks, who allowed only 281 yards, had trouble protecting quarterback KJ Jefferson and they were penalized 14 times for 125 yards. While trying to drive for the tying touchdown on their final possession they were called for six penalties, though two were declined.

“It’s hard to win any game when you have 14 penalties,” Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman said. “We had too many missed assignments. You’re going to have some missed assignments in the game. I think we had more than what we should have, but it’s the penalties that are killing drives and keeping (opponents’) drives alive. We’ve got to figure out how to get the penalty situation (fixed).”

BYU sacked Jefferson four times.

“The offensive line just has to play more consistent,” Pittman said. “We probably need to move the pocket a little bit more. We can’t just stand back there.

“Right now it seems like everything that we’re doing offensively seems hard. It doesn’t seem like there’s anything that’s coming easy to us.”

Jefferson was injured and did not play in the Razorbacks’ 13-10 home loss against LSU last season.

Tigers star linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. emerged in that game, finishing with eight tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles (the second of which clinched the victory), one pass break up and one quarterback hurry despite playing with the flu.

–Field Level Media

Dec 3, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) passes the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

QB Jayden Daniels announces return to LSU

Posted on | by Field Level Media

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels doesn’t want to end his college football career quite yet.

Daniels announced Thursday that he will return to Baton Rouge next fall, giving him the opportunity to become a rare five-year starter after spending his first three seasons at Arizona State.

“Football has been so great to me and my family,” Daniels began his lengthy post on Twitter. “Starting from high school and up to right now, being a quarterback has created more bonds than I can count. I have met people from all walks of life because of throwing a football. Nothing will ever replace the feeling of game-winning drives and celebrating with my teammates, family, and friends.”

He continued:

“This has been an amazing ride and honestly, I am not ready to get off just yet. That is why it is important that I announce I am returning for the 2023 season to fulfill the goal of an LSU Tiger and bring our fans another championship.”

Coming out of high school in Southern California, Daniels was a four-star prospect in the 2019 class. He transferred from Arizona State following the 2021 season.

In his 13 games with the Tigers, Daniels has completed 68.5 percent of his passes for 2,774 yards with 16 touchdowns and three interceptions to go with 818 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. He has another game still to play on the season, when No. 17 LSU (9-4) meets Purdue (8-5) in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 2.

At Arizona State, Daniels played in 29 games and threw for 6,025 yards, 32 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He rushed for 1,288 yards and 13 scores.

–Field Level Media