Revisiting the LSU Game Balls: Missouri Week

No. 23 LSU went into Columbia and knocked off No. 21 Missouri to grab a second Southeastern Conference road win in two attempts this season.

Missouri fell to 5-1 on the season with the loss, while LSU moved to 4-2 overall and 3-1 in SEC play.

As we do each week, The Bengal Tiger staff revisits the “Game Ball” predictions on offense, defense and special teams.

LSU Offense

Shea Dixon’s Pick: WR Brian Thomas Jr.

Matthew Brune’s Pick: QB Jayden Daniels

The Result: QB Jayden Daniels … Take a bow, Matthew. Scratch that. Take a bow, Jayden. LSU’s best player took over in Columbia, finishing with 259 passing yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 130 yards and a touchdown. With no turnovers, Daniels was excellent in the road win. But the stats don’t tell the tale. Daniels went down with a rib injury as the fourth quarter began. He exited the game, then returned to lead LSU down the field not once, but twice, on touchdown drives that helped give the Tigers the win. It was gritty. Gutsy. Whatever word you see fitting, use it. LSU fans, you’re witnessing history. Daniels is one of the best quarterbacks to ever suit up in purple-and-gold.

LSU Defense

Shea Dixon’s Pick: DL Mekhi Wingo

Matthew Brune’s Pick: LB Whit Weeks

The Result: LB Harold Perkins … Wingo returned home to Missouri and the school he began his career at, and he had a solid day. Weeks got the starting nod at linebacker, and he finished with five tackles and a tackle for loss. But this honor belongs to Perkins, who played his best game of the year. Perkins had a huge interception in the second quarter to pull the Tigers within five points after Missouri started with three touchdowns in the first three drives. Perkins also had three tackles, a tackle for loss, a quarterback hurry and a pass breakup. These are the types of days LSU needs from the sophomore.

Special Teams

Shea Dixon’s Pick: K Damian Ramos

Matthew Brune’s Pick: K Damian Ramos

The Result: K Damian Ramos … We’re giving the nod here to Ramos, and not just because we both predicted him as our special teams MVP. Ramos hit field goals in the second and third quarter and made all his extra point attempts, and while his fourth quarter attempt crossed over the top of the goal post and was deemed a miss, the six points were still key in a game that was going back-and-forth until the end. Jay Bramblett had a huge punt to put Missouri at the 5-yard line on the final series, which then led to a pick-6 two plays later. With a 50-yard punt and two inside the 20-yard line, he could well have gotten the nod. But we’re rolling with the six points from Ramos, which included a clutch 48-yarder before halftime.

Brian Kelly’s Game Ball

The Result: QB Jayden Daniels

No arguments here. Brian Kelly summed it up best when he delivered the weekly “Game Ball” in the locker room after the win.

“As far as game ball, there is no doubt about a bad *** (more expletives),” Kelly said. “That Jayden Daniels is one bad *** (more expletives).”

Playing through a rib injury, Daniels ripped off big runs and big passes in the fourth quarter to help LSU outpace Missouri’s offense and get the 49-39 win in Columbia. Tigers fans, enjoy Daniels while he’s here. LSU’s quarterback has put his name firmly in the mix for best players in college football this season.

Play in and play out 

5 puts it on the line for his team 🫡 pic.twitter.com/bhlaER5z5f
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) October 7, 2023