This week, LSU beat writer Jace LeJeune ranks his top five moments of the 2022 season. He will post a moment each day this week from number five all the way to the number one moment of the season, which will be on Friday.
A week after LSU’s big offensive performance in a win against Florida, which is also my number four moment of the season, the Tigers’ number three moment of the 2022 season occurred when LSU came back home to take on the undefeated number seven ranked Ole Miss Rebels.
It was a huge opportunity to get back in the thick of the SEC West race with the biggest win to that point for first year head coach Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers.
Like it had been up to that point of the season, LSU had a slow start to the game as Ole Miss jumped out to a 17-3 lead. However, the LSU offense that was hitting on all cylinders the week prior in Gainesville came to life after the slow start and outscored the Rebels the rest of the way 42-3 to get a big SEC West victory 45-20.
It was the most complete performance of the season for the Tigers at this point of the season. Offensively, Jayden Daniels carried on the the hot streak that he started the week before when he scored six touchdowns in Gainesville as the Tigers dual threat quarterback completed 21 of 28 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns through the air while having 121 yards and three more touchdowns on the ground.
The two week period was a incredibly productive one for Daniels, who scored more touchdowns in two games than in the six games prior.
Jaray Jenkins and Mason Taylor had touchdown receptions in the game while Josh Williams added a touchdown on the ground as well.
The offense exploded to score 42 points, but the LSU defense was equally as impressive holding a Rebels rushing attack that was averaging 271 yards on the ground to only 116 total rushing yards. Mekhi Wingo was a defensive standout with seven tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1.5 TFLs, two pass breakups, a quarterback hurry, and a forced fumble on the final play of the game.
Defensive back Joe Foucha also had the play of the game as Ole Miss was driving to re-take the lead and the Arkansas transfer made an incredible one handed interception to give LSU the ball back. Ever since that point, LSU ran away with the game the rest of the way.
Two weeks after being embarrassed at home by a top ten ranked Tennessee, LSU had a 360 degree turnaround by dominating another top ten ranked team in Ole Miss. Because of the big victory, the LSU crowd rushed the field.
The reason that this is the number three moment of the 2022 season for the Tigers was that it gave LSU the validation the team needed that they could contend for a SEC West Championship in year one under Brian Kelly.
Come back tomorrow as Jace reveals the number two moment of the 2022 LSU season.
For the rest of the list, click below!
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