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Quarterback Jayden Daniels completed a gritty performance to help the No. 23 LSU Tigers take down the No. 21 Missouri Tigers, 49-39, on Saturday.
The SEC’s leader in passing touchdowns fought through a mid-game rib injury to finish with 259 passing yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He also routinely moved the chains with his legs, adding 130 yards and a score on the ground.
Given his effort against a previously undefeated Missouri team, fans were quick to praise his performance on social media.
Shea Dixon @Sheadixon
X-rays are in on the rib injury suffered by QB Jayden Daniels. pic.twitter.com/N5Zv81TrIi
Blain Crain @Blain_Crain
Jayden Daniels needs to be in everybody’s Heisman talk
LSU_Capital @lsu_capital
Jayden Daniels man… never question his will to win
NUSS BUS 2024 🔥🔥 @NussBus2024
Jayden Daniels all season pic.twitter.com/kJCa05Wqqh
Will @rozenwill
Said it so many times
You won’t find a tougher player in college football than Jayden Daniels
While Daniels performed exceptionally well, it was far from an easy win for the Tigers. Missouri led by 15 points halfway through the second quarter, with quarterback Brady Cook racking up 227 passing yards at the half.
Top receiver Luther Burden was Cook’s favorite target, routinely gashing LSU’s defense for yards after the catch. He finished the day with 11 catches for 149 yards.
Jacob Wayne @wayne_sports_
Luther Burden is the WR1 in the 2025 NFL draft
Convince me otherwise
Pranav Sriraman @PranavSriraman
Luther Burden best receiver in the nation I don’t make the rules.
While LSU capitalized on a Cook interception to record two quick scores, they still trailed 25-17 at the half thanks to a 50-yard field goal from current SEC record-holder Harrison Mevis as the clock expired.
Daniels had just 70 air yards at the time, as it seemed like Missouri was figuring out how to slow down the seventh-highest scoring offense in the country prior to this weekend.
However, LSU exploded for 32 points in the second half. Both Daniels and running back Logan Diggs recorded over 130 yards on the ground, while top wide receiver Malik Nabers added 146 yards and a score on six catches.
This was Nabers’ fourth straight game with at least 100 receiving yards, as his 771 total yards this season rank just behind the aforementioned Burden for the SEC lead amongst wide receivers.
LSU Football @LSUfootball
5 ➡️ 8@JayD__5 x @whyguard13
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/FPpPWiKi2b
The comeback win wasn’t easy, especially as Daniels took a hit to the ribs when the Tigers were in a first-and-goal scenario inside Missouri’s red zone. They trailed 32-27 at the time, with just over 14 minutes remaining in the game.
He was forced to leave and backup Garrett Nussmeier was unable to find the end zone, then kicker Damian Ramos barely missed a 29-yard field goal to cut the lead down to two.
Daniels returned for the next drive, gashing Missouri’s defense for a 35-yard rush that put LSU back on top. The two teams traded touchdowns on consecutive drives following the long scramble, resulting in the Bayou Bengals holding a 42-39 lead with just over two minutes left.
LSU Football @LSUfootball
MY GOODNESS @JayD__5
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/4cGevuJPoM
Missouri had multiple chances to score on offense, but the final nail in their coffin occurred when safety Major Burns picked off Cook and returned it for a score to give LSU an insurmountable 10-point lead.
Saturday was Daniels’ third-straight game with at least 250 passing yards and 3 touchdowns, with many calling for his name to be mentioned in Heisman Trophy conversations.
While it may be difficult for him to top USC quarterback Caleb Williams’ stellar year, he still showed that he’s more than worthy of being in the discussion.
Blain Crain @Blain_Crain
Jayden Daniels needs to be in everybody’s Heisman talk
Robert Griffin III @RGIII
LSU has 2 losses but Jayden Daniels should be in everyone’s Heisman Top 5 list. I said what I said.
Brandon Walker @BFW
Damn shame LSU’s defense stinks because Jayden Daniels is playing like a Heisman guy this season.
LSU is now 4-2 on the season and they’ll face off against Auburn next Saturday, October 14th. Missouri suffered their first loss of the year, dropping them to 5-1. They’re matched up against No. 20 Kentucky on Saturday, October 14th as well.
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