Shea's Take: 5 plays that won LSU the game

The LSU football team moved to 4-2 on the season and 3-1 in Southeastern Conference play with a road win over Missouri in a matchup of Top 25 programs.

For the second week in a row, LSU’s game involved two offenses that combined for more than 1,000 yards, but this time the Tiger avoided a loss by stepping up with some key stops on defense in the second half.

After trailing 22-7 following Missouri’s first three drives of the game, it appeared LSU was on track to another SEC loss. Instead, the Tigers rebounded from a halftime deficit and stormed back to a 49-39 win.

How LSU get it done?

Here are The Bengal Tiger’s choices for the five biggest plays that helped swing the outcome in LSU’s favor.

Brian Thomas hauls in a 42-yard catch for LSU’s first lead

LSU trailed 25-17 at halftime with Missouri getting the ball first in the third quarter. LSU’s defense buckled in to force a field goal, which was missed. From there, the Tigers made the most of the opportunity.

LSU drove down the field and Damian Ramos hit a field goal to cut the lead to 25-20, then the Tigers forced a three-and-out on defense.

After leaning heavy on the running game in the first half, LSU offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock went with a run to Diggs on first down, then turned to Jayden Daniels and the deep ball on the second snap of the series. Brian Thomas Jr. got behind the safety and Daniels hit him in stride for the 42-yard touchdown and LSU’s first lead of the game at 27-25 with six minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Beautiful Ball @JayD__5 
Hauled in by @BrianThomas_11 

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/DrIYYe52GI
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) October 7, 2023
 

Daniels bounces back from injury … Part 1

In a wild sequence of events, Jayden Daniels scored a touchdown on a 1st-and-Goal run to begin the fourth quarter, but it was called back on a hold. Missouri could have been hit with a flag for a late hit on Daniels once he was already in the end zone, but no penalty was called.

Instead, Daniels suffered a rib injury that sidelined him and brought in backup quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. LSU went backwards, then missed a 29-yard field goal.

The Tigers came up with another huge three-and-out on defense, but a great punt coupled with a penalty started LSU out at the 8-yard line.

Just when it seemed LSU might have to finish the game without Daniels, the team’s star quarterback re-entered the game and immediately delivered a big third down conversion with his legs. He then found Malik Nabers on a 35-yard strike before he delivered a 35-yard touchdown run on third down. Daniels then hit Nabers for the two-point conversion to give LSU the 35-32 lead.

MY GOODNESS @JayD__5 

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/4cGevuJPoM
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) October 7, 2023
 

Daniels puts the team on his back … Part 2

In just five plays, Missouri answered the LSU go-ahead touchdown with a go-ahead touchdown of its’ own, putting the home team ahead 39-35 with less than six minutes remaining in the game.

On 3rd-and-5 from near midfield, Daniels took off again, this time going 31 yards to move the chains and get LSU into Missouri territory.

The next play, Daniels scrambled to his right and found a wide open Malik Nabers for a 29-yard touchdown to give LSU the lead at 42-39 with less than three minutes remaining.

5 ➡️ 8@JayD__5 x @whyguard13

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/FPpPWiKi2b
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) October 7, 2023
 

LSU’s defense comes up clutch in the final minutes … Part 1

Missouri hit wide receiver Theo Wease for a 25-yard gain to get to midfield, and it felt like the back-and-forth affair was going to continue. Instead, the LSU defense buckled in.

On 3rd-and-6 from the LSU 46-yard line, Missouri quarterback Brady Cook was hit by LSU defensive end Bradyn Swinson, who forced the ball out of Cook’s hands. Missouri recovered, but it set up a 4th-and-35. Missouri tried a hook-and-ladder, but the Tigers managed to stop it short of the sticks to take the ball back with a little more than a minute remaining.

We’ve talked all week about #LSU needing timely stops on defense.

Bradyn Swinson’s play in the fourth quarter was massive. pic.twitter.com/wq1MxBMHED
— Shea Dixon (@Sheadixon) October 7, 2023
 

LSU’s defense comes up clutch in the final minutes … Part 2

LSU’s offense forced Missouri to use all three timeouts before a great punt by Jay Bramblett forced the home team to start the drive at the 5-yard line with 45 seconds remaining.

After an incompletion on first down, Cook looked Luther Burden’s way on second down, but LSU safety Major Burns intercepted the pass and ran it into the end zone for the touchdown and a 10-point lead with less than 30 seconds on the clock.

And just like that, the Tigers clinched a double-digit road win after falling behind 22-7 in the opening quarter.

House Call For @majorburns6 📳

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/zWyd2MF3gr
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) October 7, 2023