Dawg Review: #23 LSU Tigers vs #21 Missouri Tigers

Faurot Field, Photo Credit KOMU News via Flickr.com

The 21st-ranked Missouri Tigers hosted the 23rd-ranked LSU Tigers in what proved to be an offensive barn-burner that came down to the last few moments in the 4th quarter. Though Missouri fought valiantly against a tough, long-standing SEC juggernaut, too many mistakes in the end cost this team a victory in front of their raucous home crowd. The LSU Tigers prevailed in what was a battle to see who would prove themselves to doubters. Let's review.

Game Summary:

Many doubted that the Missouri Tigers would be in this spot 5 weeks into the season, but sitting at 5-0 and having one of the best wide receiver groups in the nation, this team surprised a ton of people. A win over the LSU Tigers, a mainstay in the SEC, would put this program in a spot to actively be talked about for an SEC Championship berth. While LSU has struggled so far this year with their defense, their offense is one of the best in the country, with Heisman hopeful Jayden Daniels at the helm and a solid group of skill players. This one was set to be a shootout for the ages, and a shootout it was. Missouri started off hot, gaining a 2-possession lead early in the 2nd quarter off of 2 passing touchdowns from Brady Cook and a big run from Cody Shrader. LSU would answer quickly though before the half ended, bringing the score to 25-17 into halftime with a field goal and Jayden Daniels touchdown pass to Mason Taylor. Big defensive plays would come at a premium throughout the game, however, the ones that did happen decided this. Back-and-forth scoring happened throughout the 2nd half, however with a huge 4th down stop after a sack-fumble by Bradyn Swinson on 3rd down, LSU would maintain the momentum after going up 42-39 on their previous drive. Then, on Missouri's last possession, the nail in the coffin was driven in. Major Burns would pick off Brady Cook and return it for a touchdown to seal the game. LSU's offense would finish with 533 total yards of offense while Missouri would finish with 527 total yards in what would be an as-advertised offensive shootout.

Turning Point of the Game

Missouri would need a huge drive to retake the lead late in the 4th quarter. Down 42-39 with 41 seconds in the 4th quarter and the ball at their own 5, they would need a miracle to get the win. After Brady Cook's confidence was shaken in the previous offensive series. Taking a sack that ended the drive that Missouri could have retaken the lead with 1:06 left, Cook was visibly rattled after being great for most of the game. He would throw a bad incomplete pass to start the drive, and then it would happen. Cook would be pressured into throwing a bad ball that Major Burns would immediately capitalize on, jumping the route and running it back with nothing but green grass in front of him. His interception sealed the shootout win for LSU, and while Jaden Daniels did throw the eventual game-winning 29-yard touchdown to Malik Nabers with 2:58 left, this would be the official dagger in the hearts of the Missouri Tiger faithful.

Missouri Player of the Game: Cody Schrader

While Brady Cook threw for over 400 yards and two scores, the award for Missouri's MVP goes to running back Cody Schrader. Schrader looked unstoppable throughout the game, rattling off huge gains and averaging 8.8 yards per carry. He also scored 3 touchdowns and totaled 125 yards from scrimmage. Being from St. Louis and transferring from Truman State, an MIAA Division II college in Kirksville, Missouri, Schrader is a hometown kid and visibly wears his pride on his sleeve when he plays, showing off a fierce, physical running ability and great open-field speed. This ability was put on full display against the Tigers, and being a senior for this squad is bent on being one of the best running backs in the country. He showed it in stride this past contest.

LSU Tigers Player of the Game: Jayden Daniels

Jayden Daniels commanded control of this game, racking up 389 total yards (259 passing, 130 rushing) and 4 touchdowns. In what will probably go down as one of his best performances this year, Daniels showed why he's being considered for a Heisman in a matchup where LSU needed every bit of his outstanding play to come away with the win. Daniels was beaten up by this Missouri defense but showed incredible amounts of poise and pocket presence even in the face of a stellar front seven. Daniels even fought through injury, showing toughness to boot. He more than deserves the nod for not only LSU MVP but game MVP as well.

Conclusion:

The Tigers dropped their first game this season, falling to 5-1, but they've shown they can compete with the big boys of the SEC. This is not the Eli Drinkwitz teams of old, this team has talent, it has promise, it has cohesion, and it has a confident, poised head coach that his players get behind. They'll take this loss on the chin and move on to another contest against a ranked team when they go to Lexington to face #20 Kentucky. LSU gains a huge confidence boost after going through some tough times to begin the season. After tough losses to #9 Florida State and #17 Ole Miss, they finally grab that signature ranked win in exciting fashion, and show that they're not the chokers or the jokers of the SEC. LSU will go on to face Auburn at home, which will hopefully build their confidence further, facing a struggling Auburn team will be an opportunity to make another statement and prove they're just as much in the SEC race as the other contenders.