Heisman Worthy! Jayden Daniels Puts On All-Time Great Performance In 52-35 Win Over Florida

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels has been in the Heisman conversation all season long, but it was his performance against Florida that has given him his “Heisman” moment. Not only did the Tigers’ star dual threat quarterback have one Heisman moment, but he had his fair share of plenty throughout the game with spectacular plays throughout including an 85-yard rushing touchdown, a 51-yard rushing touchdown, and a 37-yard touchdown pass.

“He’s the best quarterback in the country. He’s the best playmaker in the country. I’ve watched them all. We’re 7-3. That doesn’t mean anything. It matters who the best player is and he’s the best player.”

LSU HC Brian Kelly on Jayden Daniels’ Heisman chances

Just like when Daniels fully stamped his name as LSU’s QB1 last season with a six-touchdown performance against the Gators in 2022, he put his stamp in the Heisman Trophy race with a five-touchdown encore and a SEC single game record of 606 (372 passing, 234 rushing) total yards of offense in 2023. LSU’s star quarterback did something that has never been done before and that is pass for 350+ and run for 200+. With this performance, he also became the first FBS quarterback to throw for 12,000 yards and run for 3,000.

“If he didn’t win (the Heisman) tonight, then he’s got to be the leading candidate,” said head coach Brian Kelly postgame. “He did something tonight that nobody has ever done. If that doesn’t make you the leading candidate, then maybe the Heisman isn’t for the best player.”

LSU HC Brian Kelly on Jayden Daniels’ Heisman worthy performance

Daniels outgained Florida by himself at 606-488, and it certainly was one of the greatest individual performances in LSU history, but he was quick to praise his teammates.

“I can’t do it on my own. Some things I am able to do on my own, but not always. The offensive line got a block, the running backs have to do what they have to do, and the receivers have to make plays. I’m just in the back trying to give them the ball and let them do what they do. The offensive line is doing an incredible job up front just dominating the opponent.”

LSU QB Jayden Daniels on giving teammates credit for his performance

He got great support from two running backs Josh Williams and Noah Cain, who each had touchdowns and had to step up for Logan Diggs, who was out with an upper body injury, and John Emery Jr., who injured his knee during the game. Coach Brian Kelly was quick to point out and single out their performances first at the postgame press conference.

“I’d like to start with Noah Cain. Noah Cain, Josh Williams coming in, here’s two guys that haven’t played all year. When we need a couple guys that are seniors-look, you guys want me to talk about Jayden Daniels; I get it, okay? But, you’re going to listen to me, okay? Because I’ve got the podium, you’re going to have to listen to me, and that’s just the way it goes. Today, when you have a player like that (Jayden Daniels) and a guy like Noah Cain and Josh Williams, you want to put those guys out in front so others can see that’s the way you do it. So, thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk about those guys because we’re blessed that we have them.”

LSU HC Brian Kelly on Josh Williams and Noah Cain

Daniels’ two top receivers also had great games as Brian Thomas Jr. finished with six catches for 150 yards and two touchdowns while Malik Nabers finished with six catches for 132 yards.

Defensively, the Tigers gave up three rushing touchdowns to running back Trevor Etienne and close to 500 total yards of offense, but the defense did enough to secure the victory as that side of the football was led by Omar Speights, who had 12 tackles, and Javien Toviano, who had 10 tackles. Also, Harold Perkins Jr., Bradyn Swinson, Jordan Jefferson, Saivion Jones, and Paris Shand combined for four sacks.

LSU took the opening kickoff and marched down the field 75 yards for the opening score as Josh Williams was able to punch it in the end zone with a one-yard touchdown to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead.

Florida immediately responded by easily going down the field 75 yards on eight plays as Mertz was a perfect four for four on the drive including a nine-yard touchdown pass to Eugene Wilson in order to tie the game at seven a piece.

LSU looked like it was on its way to score another touchdown, but Florida was able to get a goal line stand as Williams was stuffed four times. However, LSU’s defense was able to make a big play as Bradyn Swinson forced a Mertz fumble and freshman Javien Toviano was able to recover it to give the Tigers the ball back.

Florida’s defense rose to the occasion on fourth down once again by forcing another turnover on downs denying them any points.

LSU got two big plays from Daniels to get inside the red zone, but the drive stalled, and Damian Ramos had to settle for a field goal to give the Tigers a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter.

Daniels then had the first of many big runs with an 85-yard scamper down the sidelines for the touchdown to ignite the home crowd and give them a two-possession lead at 17-7.

Florida would respond again, but not without a little controversy as LSU safety Andre Sam was ejected for targeting in what was a questionable call. The Gators took advantage of another unnecessary roughness penalty with a seven yard touchdown run by Etienne to pull within three at 17-14.

LSU would take that three-point margin to the second half and started the final 30 minutes strong with a defensive stop and an 81-yard scoring drive that resulted in a Kaleb Jackson touchdown run to put the Tigers up ahead once again by 10 at 24-14.

Florida came soaring back with not only a 21 yard touchdown run by Etienne, but also the special teams recovered a Kaleb Jackson fumble on the ensuing kickoff to give the Gators an extra possession they desperately needed. The Gators cashed in on a Florida sneak by Mertz to give them their first lead of the game at 28-24.

After that, Daniels took over with his second rushing touchdown run of the game and this time, it was even more impressive than the 85-yard scamper earlier as he weaved his way through the Gators defense for an unreal 51-yard rushing touchdown to give the Tigers the lead back at 31-28.

LSU would never relinquish that lead as Daniels then added a six-yard touchdown pass to Noah Cain for his first passing score of the game. Although Florida did get a third touchdown run by Etienne to pull within three at 38-35, the Gators defense simply could not stop the Tigers offense as Daniels added two more touchdown passes to Thomas to put the nail in the coffin.

This was a tough loss for Billy Napier and the Florida Gators as this loss put them at 5-5 and 3-4 in conference play.

The LSU Tigers improve to 7-3 and are still on pace to have a second straight 10 plus winning season if they win out, but also, this game now puts Jayden Daniels on the pedestal when it comes to the Heisman conversation. Just ask his teammates and see why he should be in the conversation if not the front runner.

“His God-given ability makes Jayden extremely unique. Being a quarterback with elite running and passing abilities is special, and he helps us find success. Sharing the same field with him is amazing and a true honor.”

LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr.

“Give him the Heisman now. He’s been a difference maker all season and I don’t think there’s another player more deserving. He is the best quarterback in the country without a doubt and he showed it tonight. The adversity that he had to fight through all week to get back and help us win. There’s not a better quarterback than him right now.”

LSU RB Noah Cain

“I mean, Coach Kelly, told us that it was the first time in FBS history that a quarterback has had those type of stats. So, I think that was pretty amazing for Jayden to comeback after last week, facing adversity throughout practice all week, showing his team that he’s a captain: he’s going to be there for us. To come out here and perform like that is amazing. That’s why he is our captain.”

LSU RB Josh Williams

During the game, Daniels celebrated with Garrett Nussmeier by striking the Heisman pose. When you ask him if this was his “Heisman moment”, Daniels responded by saying this:

“I would say so. I think it’s possible. I just give thanks to God and my teammates because without them, I wouldn’t be in this situation.”

LSU QB Jayden Daniels

Actions speak louder than words, and in tonight’s game, Daniels’ performance was as loud as 100,000 screaming fans in Tiger Stadium when it comes to his Heisman case.

1st Quarter:

2nd Quarter:

3rd Quarter:

4th Quarter:

Final Stats:

Offensive Cumulative Stats

STATFloridaLSU
NET TOTAL YARDS488701
NET RUSHING YARDS177329
Rushing Attempts4235
Average Per Rush4.29.4
Rushing TDs44
Yards Gained193337
Yards Lost168
NET PASSING YARDS311372
Completion-Attempts26-3817-26
Completion Percentage68%65%
Avg Per Completion12.021.9
Passing TDs13
TOTAL 1ST DOWNS2725
Rushing 1st Downs911
Passing 1st Downs1614
Penalty 1st Downs20
TOTAL PLAYS8061
Avg Yds/Play6.111.5
Rushing-Passing42-3835-26

Offense Efficiency Comparison:

STATFloridaLSU
RED ZONE ATTEMPTS4-55-6
Red Zone Points2831
RZ TDs Rush-Pass3-12-2
RZ FG Made-Att0-01-1
RZ Turns11
3rd Downs4-132-6
4th Downs1-30-2
Penalties6-508-63
Fumbles-Lost2-11-1
Pts Off Turns00
POSSESSION TIME34:2425:36

Special Teams Comparison:

STATFloridaLSU
Punts-Avg4-45.51-37.0
Inside2031
Field Goals0-01-1
Kick Returns1-201-13
Punt Returns0-00-0

Defensive Comparison:

STAT
TACKLES5987
Solo Tackles2739
Tackles for Loss35
TFL Yards-7-21
Pass Breakups36
QB Hurries13
Sacks24
Sacks Yards-4-11
Takeaways FR-INT1-01-0
Forced Fumbles02
Fumble Recoveries11
FR Yards00
Interceptions00
INT Yards00
TDs INT-FR0-00-0

Florida Passing:

#PLAYERC-AYDSTDIC%RTG
15MERTZ,GRAHAM26-383111068145.9

Florida Receiving:

#PLAYERNOYDSTDLNGAVGTGTC%
1PEARSALL,RICKY710303314.7888
2JOHNSON JR.,MONTREL66501810.81060
3WILSON III,EUGENE66312410.5875
8BOARDINGHAM,ARLIS3210107650
89HANSEN,HAYDEN23402417367
88BURKE,MARCUS120020201100
7ETIENNE,TREVOR150551100
7 RECEIVERS26311133123967

Florida Rushing:

#PLAYERATTYDSTDLNGAVG
7ETIENNE,TREVOR18993215.5
2JOHNSON JR.,MONTREL1670094.4
15MERTZ,GRAHAM771111
3WILSON III,EUGENE16066
8BOARDINGHAM,ARLIS0-200
58BARBER,AUSTIN0-300
6 RUSHERS421774214.2

Florida Punting:

PunterNOYDSAVGLNGI2050+
CRAWSHAW,JEREMY418245.55331

Florida Field Goals:

KickerTimeDistResult
TOTAL0-0LONG OF 0

Florida All Purpose Yards

PlayerTotRushRecKORPRIR-FRTDs
JOHNSON JR.,MONTREL13570650000
ETIENNE,TREVOR12499520003
PEARSALL,RICKY10301030000

Florida Defense:

#Player (Starter)TotTkSoloSackTFLIntBrUpQBHFF
23Hill,Jaydon (DB)75110000
7McClellan,Chris (DL)610.50.50000
8Kimber,Jalen (DB)54000100
17Williams,Scooby (LB)51000000
88Banks,Caleb (DL)53000000
11Collins,Kelby (LB)50000000
14Castell,Jordan41000000
34Nunnery,Mannie (LB)42010000
3Marshall Jr.,Jason (DB)33000200
95Lyons,Jamari (DL)31000000
1Umanmielen,Princely (DL)21000010
18Thornton,Bryce22000000
10Mitchell,Miguel (DB)21000000
15Wingo,Derek (LB)200.50.50000
94Sapp,Tyreak (DL)11000000
99Jackson,Cam (DL)10000000
2Jackson,Ja’Keem (CB)11000000
19Searcy,T.J. (LB)10000000
3Wilson III,Eugene00000000
7Etienne,Trevor00000000
15Mertz,Graham00000000
27Johnson,Dijon (CB)00000000
29Smack,Trey00000000
TOTALS5927230310

Florida Punt Returns:

ReturnerNOYDSAVGLNGTD

Florida Kick Returns:

ReturnerNOYDSAVGLNGTD
ETIENNE,TREVOR12020200

Florida Team Stats By Quarter:

1stRushPassCAITotYAvg3rdsPens
1st66-2110-1029-10-01237.70-11-15
2nd613-395-344-5-0734.12-52-10
3rd713-747-704-7-01447.21-31-5
4th810-4316-1059-16-01485.71-42-20
Total2742-17738-31126-38-04886.14-136-50

Florida Scoring Summary:

QtrClockScoreTypePlayDriveScore
108:58TDPASSWilson III,Eugene 9 yd reception thrown by Mertz,Graham8/75/03:017-7
204:30TDRUSHEtienne,Trevor 7 yd rush8/75/03:5117-14
309:37TDRUSHEtienne,Trevor 21 yd rush4/75/01:2824-21
307:16TDRUSHMertz,Graham 1 yd rush5/23/02:1624-28
410:27TDRUSHEtienne,Trevor 5 yd rush13/75/06:5138-35

LSU Passing:

#PLAYERC-AYDSTDIC%RTG
5DANIELS,JAYDEN17-263723065223.6

LSU Receiving:

#PLAYERNOYDSTDLNGAVGTGTC%
11THOMAS JR.,BRIAN615025225875
8NABERS,MALIK613204422967
17HILTON JR.,CHRIS22101210.5367
27WILLIAMS,JOSH145045451100
86TAYLOR,MASON11801818333
21CAIN,NOAH161661100
6 RECEIVERS1737235221.92665

LSU Rushing:

#PLAYERATTYDSTDLNGAVG
5DANIELS,JAYDEN1223428519.5
27WILLIAMS,JOSH11301112.7
21CAIN,NOAH525085
4EMERY JR.,JOHN22201411
28JACKSON,KALEB419184.8
5 RUSHERS353294859.4

LSU Punting:

PunterNOYDSAVGLNGI2050+
BRAMBLETT,JAY137373710

LSU Field Goals:

KickerTimeDistResult
Ramos,Damian2nd-11:5228GOOD
TOTAL1-1LONG OF 28

LSU All Purpose Yards:

PlayerTotRushRecKORPRIR-FRTDs
DANIELS,JAYDEN23423400002
THOMAS JR.,BRIAN15001500002
NABERS,MALIK13201320000

LSU Defense:

#Player (Starter)TotTkSoloSackTFLIntBrUpQBHFF
1Speights,Omar (LB)123000010
25Toviano,Javien105000100
4Perkins Jr.,Harold (LB)86110011
8Burns,Major (DB)85010100
30Penn III,Greg (LB)62000000
99Jefferson,Jordan (DT)630.50.50000
2Oghoufo,Ovie (LB)53000000
14Sam,Andre52000000
35Jones,Sai’vion (DE)510.50.50100
90Guillory,Jacobian (DL)41000000
13Swinson,Bradyn (DE)32110111
15Ryan,Sage (DB)32000100
21Yaites,Ryan (DB)31000000
5Welch,Laterrance (DB)21000000
94Shand,Paris (DE)21110100
0Smith,Maason (DE)10000000
16Womack,Da’Shawn (DE)10000000
26Stamps,Ashton (DB)11000000
29Hughes,Jeremiah (DB)10000000
33Weeks,West (LB)10000000
5Daniels,Jayden00000000
11Thomas Jr.,Brian00000000
27Williams,Josh00000000
21Cain,Noah00000000
28Jackson,Kaleb00000000
34Ramos,Damian00000000
TOTALS8739450632

LSU Punt Returns:

ReturnerNOYDSAVGLNGTD

LSU Kick Returns:

ReturnerNOYDSAVGLNGTD
JACKSON,KALEB11313130

LSU Team Stats By Quarter:

1stRushPassCAITotYAvg3rdsPens
1st714-518-996-8-01506.81-30-0
2nd56-1347-583-7-019214.80-24-38
3rd77-998-1275-8-022615.11-11-5
4th68-453-883-3-013312.10-03-20
Total2535-32926-37217-26-070111.52-68-63

LSU Scoring Summary:

QtrClockScoreTypePlayDriveScore
111:59TDRUSHWilliams,Josh 1 yd rush7/75/03:017-0
211:52FGRamos,Damian 28 yd Field Goal7/79/02:4610-7
208:21TDRUSHDaniels,Jayden 85 yd rush1/85/00:1317-7
311:05TDRUSHJackson,Kaleb 5 yd rush6/81/02:3224-14
306:09TDRUSHDaniels,Jayden 51 yd rush4/75/01:0731-28
302:18TDPASSCain,Noah 6 yd reception thrown by Daniels,Jayden5/70/02:0138-28
409:14TDPASSThomas Jr.,Brian 37 yd reception thrown by Daniels,Jayden3/75/01:1345-35
402:25TDPASSThomas Jr.,Brian 7 yd reception thrown by Daniels,Jayden7/49/04:0952-35

Check out the entire photo gallery by Billy Metcalf!