There was a reason why LSU was ranked 5th in the preseason polls. They certainly didn’t show it inthe second half against Florida State because of a variety of reasons.
But they got another chance to show what they are capable of on Saturday in Starkville, and they took control of the game right away and went on to win 41-14.
“We needed this game, but it wasn’t the need for confidence, it was the need to go and validate who we were, and I think our guys feel really good about themselves because they knew what they had but they needed to go out and prove it, based upon the bad taste that was left in their mouth and the way they played in the second half against Florida State,” said Kelly.
Related
It was a record setting day for quarterback Jayden Daniels and receiver Malik Nabers.
Daniels completed his first 13 passes and went 30-of-34 for 361 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for two touchdowns and led the team in rushing with 64 yards on 15 carries.
The 30-for-34 sets a passing record for accuracy.
“We got in a great rhythm as an offense and as a whole team, once we were flowing, we just kept it going,” said Daniels on the LSU Sports Radio Network.
Malik Nabers had a quiet start to the season, but his play against the Bulldogs quieted the cow bells in Davis Wade Stadium as Nabers set career highs with 13 catches for 239 yards and two touchdowns.
The former Mississippi State commitment likes the 11 AM kick off. Nabers had 10 catches in the first half which tied Josh Reed’s performance against Alabama in 2001 for the most catches in a half. Also, the four catches for plus-25 yards tied Ja’Marr Chase and what he did against Vanderbilt in 2019.
“We feel like we like it better when we wake up and get it going, instead of waiting all day to play,” said Nabers on the LSU Sports Radio Network.
It was a day to forget for Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers and the Bulldogs. Rogers had his worst day passing, as the senior was 11 of 28 for 103 yards. It was the fewest completions and yardage Rogers has had as a starter.
Kelly said the defensive players asked the coaches to push them harder in practice.
“I think that had a lot to do with them wanting to get this opportunity to show they are a better defense they’ve let people believe,” said Kelly.
True freshman linebacker Whit Weeks, filling in for the injured Omar Speights, led the way with eight tackles.
Harold Perkins was also a factor on defense with four tackles, two tackles for a loss and a sack.
It was a resounding start to SEC play and based on the first three weeks of the season, the Tigers look like the team to beat in the SEC West.
Alabama struggled to beat South Florida and only scored 17 points as the Crimson Tide’s offense is a mess. Bama hosts Ole Miss this Saturday.
The Rebels are 3-0 with wins over Mercer, Tulane and Georgia Tech.
You can make an argument; Ole Miss is the second-best team in the SEC West. Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart’s game is much like Daniels, he threw for 251 yards against the Yellow Jackets on Saturday and rushed for 136 yards.
Meanwhile, LSU will host Arkansas on Saturday night. The Razorbacks lost at home to BYU 38-31. The Razorbacks led 14-0 but committed 14 penalties on the night and their offensive line struggled as K-J Jefferson was sacked four times and fumbled twice.
LSU has a good opportunity to go 2-0 in the SEC this Saturday, based on the lesson they learned against Florida State, they don’t plan on fumbling it away.
Related
