LSU blasts Purdue 63-7 in Citrus Bowl
LSU (10-4, 6-3) gave fans plenty of optimism for next season after blasting a depleted Purdue in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl 63-7 Monday.
Purdue (8-6, 6-4) came into this game with a number of opt-outs and a skeleton crew coaching staff after head coach Brian Brohm left for the Louisville job. Among those opt-outs were Purdue starting quarterback Aiden O’Connell, tight end Payne Durham and receivers Cory Trice and Charlie Jones.
LSU quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier split time in this game early and both played very well as LSU quickly asserted its dominance.
Daniels got the start and completed 12 of 17 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown. He was once again LSU’s leading rusher with 67 yards on six carries and even caught a five-yard touchdown pass from LSU receiver Malk Nabers.
With LSU receiver Kayshon Boutte opting out of the bowl game in preparation for the NFL draft, Nabers really got his chance to shine. He had nine catches for 163 yards and a touchdown. Nabers also completed both of his passes for 50 yards and a touchdown.
Nabers was named the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl MVP.
“Malik (Nabers) was electric today,” LSU coach Brian Kelly said. “He made big plays all over the field. That's the mantle of LSU wide receivers. He wanted to make a statement today."
Malik was electric today. Made big, big plays all over the field. That's the mantle of LSU wide receivers. He wanted to make a statement today."
But no matter who was throwing the ball for LSU, the Tigers moved the ball effortlessly jumping out to a 35-0 halftime lead.
Nussmeier saw his first action on LSU’s third drive and was rotated in with Daniels until the game was out of reach for Purdue. He completed 11 of his 15 passes for 173 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He did however commit LSU’s lone turnover of the day throwing a red zone interception to Purdue cornerback Jamari Brown.
"There's no quarterback controversy,” Kelly said of next season’s quarterback competition. “Jayden (Daniels) is the No. 1 quarterback. Garrett (Nussmeier) will get a chance to compete, though. What we have committed to is an open mind and an open process.”
LSU’s defense pitched a shutout until the fourth quarter as LSU outgained Purdue 594-263.
LSU defensive back Major Burns was the leading tackler with six tackles. LSU defensive backs Greg Brooks, Jarrick Bernard-Converse and Quad Wilson all came down with interceptions in the game.
LSU Tigers Nike Replica Baseball Jersey - White*
*Affiliate link