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LSU Football

LSU muffs wild opener to FSU 24-23

September 4, 2022
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Brian Kelly’s Honeymoon at LSU has officially ended.

In his first game as LSU’s coach, Florida State upset the Tigers 24-23 Sunday Night in the Caesars Superdome in a wild finish - and wild is selling it short, to say the least.

Despite offensive woes, two muffed punts lost, two touchdown passes dropped and a blocked field goal, LSU found itself with the ball down seven with less than two minutes to play at its own two following a Florida State fumble on a toss.

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels led the Tigers down the field to score as time expired.  

But with one final act of football insanity, Florida State blocked LSU’s extra point attempt securring the win for the Seminoles.

"I was stunned and confused,” Daniels said. “I was catching a cramp, so I was talking to our nutritionist. Then I just see everybody cheering and look up to see Florida State running all over.”

Daniels got the start at quarterback for the Tigers and was seemingly on the run from his very first snap.

With little protection and a running back room lacking depth, he carried the ball 16 times for 114 yards - including four sacks. The rest of the team combined had 14 carries for 25 yards.

Making matters worse, LSU’s talented receiving corps just couldn’t seem to make the plays they needed.

LSU receiver, Kayshon Boutte dropped two would-be touchdown passes in the first half resulting in a combined three points on those drives. He finished the game with two catches on six targets for 20 yards.

LSU receiver Malki Nabers, who many pegged as a breakout star for LSU this season, hauled in five grabs for 34 yards but had two costly punt muffs giving Florida State the ball in the red zone twice - including once with less than five minutes to play.

“We just have to learn how to play the game the right way for four quarters,” Kelly said. “We didn’t tackle very well, we didn’t get off the field on third down and we had two turnovers in our punt return game. Anytime you have those situations you’re setting yourself up for a long night.”

Daniels wasn’t perfect passing and missed a few open targets, but he still delivered a gritty performance completing 26 of his 35 throws for 209 yards with 2 touchdowns and no interceptions. He accounted for 323 of LSU’s 348 yards.

Defensively, LSU put on a lot of pressure early in the game, however that slowed down after defensive linemen Maason Smith and Ali Gaye left the game with an injury and targeting ejection respectively.

Despite this pressure, Florida State QB Jordan Travis had a nice game connecting on 20 of 32 passes for 260 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Florida State receiver Ontaria Wilson in particular was very difficult for LSU to cover with seven catches for 102 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

LSU held Florida State to 392 yards.

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