The Tigers come into tonight’s game riding a high of emotions after last week’s win in Austin. Senior quarterback Joe Burrow stated earlier in the week that the Tigers left 14 to 21 points on the field. Tonight could be the game the Tigers put those point back on the board. Northwestern State comes into the game on a two game skid and not having scored in the second half of either of those games. However, they do have a multiple passing record holder in quarterback Shelton Eppler and a standout receiver in Quan Shorts. Shorts is averaging close to 86 yards receiving and a touchdown per game.
The Tigers won the toss and deferred to the second half. Northwestern State took the ball and drove on the Tigers defense 40 yards, eventually going for it on fourth down at the Tigers 35. Only to have the drive stall and the Tigers get the ball back because of the turnover on downs. LSU took their opening possession 57 yards in 10 plays only to settle for a field goal. Something was not right here, the drive took over four minutes, there were no explosive plays of 20+ yards, and a field goal? Preposterous!
Something seemed out of sorts for the Tigers, were they looking ahead for their SEC matchup against Vandy? Was there hangover from the slugfest against Texas? Either way the Tigers came out looking flat. Northwestern State would take their next possession and drive the length of the field, 75 yards, for a score to receiver Quan Shorts to put them on top of the Tigers 7-3. The Tigers would rally and go on to score on their next two possessions. Jumping out to a 17 to 7 lead. But then, busted assignment left Demons tight end David Fitzwater wide open streaking down the left side of the field, that quarterback Shelton Eppler found for the easy completion and score. The wind seemed to be taken out of Death Valley as the Demons seemed to be doing the impossible, mounting a comeback against the Tigers. Score: LSU 17 – Demons 14
The Tigers knew they needed to respond quickly, and decisively. LSU quarterback Joe Burrow looked like a man out to prove his worth tonight, completing 21 of 24 passes for 373 yards and 2 touchdowns, also throwing an inception. He was also the team’s second leading rusher, with 30 yards and a score on the ground. Tonight also marked Burrows sixth straight game of completing 20+ passes, an LSU record.
After a drive that took only six plays and went 70 yards, at the end of the second quarter, the Tigers felt they were firmly in the driver’s seat. Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire would cap off that drive with a three yard touchdown dive into the end zone to put the Tigers firmly ahead. After that LSU never looked back, or took their foot off the gas.
LSU would get the ball to start the second half. After a return to the 26 yard line, the Tigers went 74 yards in just over a minute and a half for a score. Wide receiver Justin Jefferson had a huge catch and run after on the first play from scrimmage, picking up 48 for the Tigers. His ability to move the sticks has been incredible all year for LSU.
Earlier in the week, Coach Ed Orgeron stated that Stephen Sullivan was a play maker and needed to get on the field more, due to his tremendous pass catching, and play making ability. Sullivan saw the field and had a pretty good game as well. Four catches and 51 yards later, he was one of nine Tigers that caught a pass tonight.
Fans of LSU have been clamoring for a down field passing attack for years. Head Coach Ed Orgeron and Coach Steve Ensminger got passing game coordinator Joe Brady to come in and help with that. Through three games LSU has tied or broken several school records:
Burrow’s 87.5 completion percentage is the third highest in a game (min. 20 att.) in school history
Burrow has surpassed the 1000-yard mark on the season, in just three games (even after being pulled early in two)
Burrow is the second LSU quarterback ever to pass for 350+ yards in consecutive games.
For the second time in school history the Tigers have scored 45 points or more in three consecutive games. The last time this occurred was in 1930
LSU def. Dakota Wesleyan 76-0
LSU def. Louisiana Tech 71-0
LSU def. Louisiana 85-0
You must be logged in to post a comment.