LSU DEFENSE STRUGGLES MIZZOU WINS 45-41

Due to Hurricane Delta the game between the Tigers was moved from Baton Rouge to Columbia, Missouri on short notice. It was a win for not only both programs, but the SEC as a whole, as in years passed there was some confusion on how moving a game like this would work. South Carolina was able to be moved to LSU and welcomed with open arms. However, another team from the East delayed, drug their feet, refused to play the Tigers until they were forced to, and then would only play them on their own terms.

Back to the game, LSU meets Mizzou for only the third time ever. This will be the second meeting since Mizzou joined the SEC back in 2012. The first meeting was in 2016 under Ed Orgeron’s first game as interim head coach for LSU. The Orgeron coached Tigers won that game 42-7. The only other meeting between the two teams, the 1978 Liberty Bowl, which Mizzou won 20-15.

LSU has scored 30 or more points in nine consecutive games and looks to extend the streak today. Junior quarterback Myles Brennan set a passing record last week, being the first LSU player in school history to throw for more than 300 yards in his first two career starts. With John Emery running for 103 yards against Vanderbilt last week Head Coach Ed Orgeron is now 24-1 when LSU has a 100 yard rusher.

Mizzou won the toss and opted to receive the ball. Right out of the gate, Mizzou went deep into the play book, pulling out a flea-flicker pass from Connor Bazelak to Tauskie Dove for 58 yards. It looked like LSU was caught off guard and expecting the run, as Dove blew by two LSU defenders to find the end zone.

LSU would match Mizzou with a score of their own. A 10 play 75 yard drive capped off by a six yard reception to receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. Mizzou has been laying it all on the line today, even going for it on a fourth and short, on a fake punt pass, in their own territory. At 0-2 playing an all SEC schedule Head Coach Eliah Drinkwitz is showing that his team has nothing to lose and everything to gain is this match-up. LSU was ready for the fake and took over at the Mizzou 47 and scored quickly. This time another pass to receiver Marshall, giving him six touchdowns so far through three games.

Mizzou would not lay down and continued to fight. This young LSU defense continues to struggle, miscues and miscommunications are becoming an obvious issue. Receiver Micah Wilson ran past two LSU defenders peaking in the backfield for a 41 yard touchdown pass, untouched into the end zone. Later in the third quarter Mizzou quarterback Connor Bazelak connected with Tyler Badie for 21 yards in open space again.

LSU Head Coach Ed Orgeron was very displeased with his team’s performance on defense today. “That was a very disappointing loss,” said Orgeron. “I was disappointed in the defense today, we have to play better.” He later talked about miscues and blown assignments in the play action. “When we bit up on the run game, they hit us over the top,” said Orgeron. “They had a good running back that we didn’t give enough credit to.”

Photo credit LSU Media

On its last possession LSU looked like it was going to drive and score, and leave no time for Mizzou to get back in and score. Receiver Terrace Marshall had an amazing circus catch at the Mizzou one yard line, and it looked like LSU was about to punch the ball in and win the game. With the clock ticking down, and LSU with one timeout it certainly looked that way. LSU rushed twice with running back Ty Davis-Price both times getting stuffed. “They were pinching everyone and knocking everyone back,” said Orgeron. “I have to look at the film, but we are LSU we should be able to score from the one yard line.”

On third down, LSU went with a play action that was batted down. “The first two plays we went with a run up the middle,” said Brennan. “Then we faked it hoping they’d bite on the run.” That pass was batted down by Nick Bolton.

On fourth down, LSU went to the spread formation. “That last pass they were sitting on the route.” said Brennan. “I was confident that my team would score,” said Terrace Marshall. “We just didn’t put it in the end zone.”

LSU falls to winless Mizzou 45-41