Jayden Daniels Dazzles As No. 23 LSU Escapes Missouri, 49-39

Tigers pull off a bounce back victory in Columbia, down Missouri on the road led by Daniels.

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels fought through the pain on Saturday against Missouri after downing the Tigers 49-39 despite a rib injury suffered late.

Daniels and Co. handled business on the road in Week 6 after another heroic showing from the Heisman candidate.

A bounce back win, improvement from the defense and a balanced offensive attack stole the show as LSU took home a key SEC road win.

The instant takeaways from Columbia:

Jayden Daniels Continues The Heisman Run

It’s been a heroic season for signal-caller Jayden Daniels. He’s shined week in and week out for LSU with Saturday being much of the same. 

Against Missouri, he did it again, finishing the day going 15-for-21 passing with 259 yards and three touchdowns through the air. On the ground? More success. Daniels totaled 130 yards with a touchdown for the Tigers.

The Daniels-Malik Nabers show has stolen the season for the Tigers and it isn’t showing signs of slowing down. Nabers finished the day with six receptions for 146 yards and a touchdown of his own.

Nabers’ partner in crime Brian Thomas Jr. continued another big season for the Tigers. He added 66 yards of his own on four receptions with a touchdown. 

There hasn’t been much to criticize when it comes to Daniels and this offense. Led by QB1 and his receiving corps, this unit is hitting its next gear.

Jayden Daniels has been a man on a mission. The Tigers’ QB1 continues his unstoppable play this season as he puts #LSU on his back.

15/21 passing
71% completion percentage
259 yards passing
130 yards rushing
4 total touchdowns

That’s a Heisman candidate if you ask me. pic.twitter.com/K2RVJ1rXAC

— Zack Nagy (@znagy20) October 7, 2023

Heroic Defensive Play Down the Stretch

Defensive lineman Bradyn Swinson and Major Burns turned up the heat down the stretch to propel the Tigers to a crucial SEC victory. Swinson tallied a strip sack for LSU in the fourth quarter with Burns putting the nail in the coffin with a pick six to seal the deal.

Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden still ended the day with 11 receptions for 149 yards, but the Tigers handled business through the final few minutes to come out on top. 

It’s evident Burden is the real deal. He’s top notch and gave the Tigers defense trouble through four quarters, but getting it done on the final two possessions allowed LSU to narrowly escape with a win. 

Balanced Offensive Attack? You Got It

LSU running back Logan Diggs has burst on the scene in his first season in Baton Rouge. He’s been a man on a mission with his Week 6 performance shining for this program. Diggs tallied 134 on 24 carries with a touchdown on the day.

The Tigers were in search of production on the ground heading into this season, prompting LSU to add Diggs via the Transfer Portal, and he's answered the call. Diggs put together another 100+ yard performance.

Through the air, Daniels dazzled. Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock has dialed up an impressive game plan each week with the Missouri showdown becoming much of the same. There’s no doubt this has the chance to be the second best offense of all time with LSU carving up the opponents defense once again.