LSU’s Daniels makes history with 606 yds
Nov 12, 2023, 12:06 AM ET
BATON ROUGE, La.– Jayden Daniels represented 606 total backyards and 5 touchdowns and became the very first quarterback in FBS history to have at least 350 yards passing and 200 yards entering a game as No. 19 LSU beat Florida 52-35 on Saturday night.Daniels continued to make his case for the Heisman Prize, leading the Tigers( 7-3, 5-2 SEC) to touchdowns on 5 consecutive second-half belongings, completing 17 of 26 passes for 372 backyards and 3 touchdowns, and running 12 times for 234 yards and two goals.”If [Daniels]
didn’t win [the Heisman Prize] this evening, he has got to be the leading candidate,” LSU coach Brian Kelly said.”Unless the Heisman is practically popularity. If you wish to be the most popular, then fine, however he is the very best player in college football.”He did something tonight that
no one has actually ever done. If that does not make you the leading prospect, then maybe the Heisman isn’t truly for the very best player.”Having remained in concussion procedure throughout the week leading up to the game since of an injury suffered last week versus Alabama, Daniels was quick to credit his colleagues and supporting cast.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated”God created me to be tough and get
through things quickly
,”he said.”This was my first concussion to overcome, and I did whatever they said I needed to do to play and progress daily. It all exercised.”I attempt to be as patient as I can in the pocket and let plays open
, however when I see a lane open, I’m going to be definitive and take it.”Florida (5-5, 3-4 SEC) took its only lead in the third quarter 28-24 on a 21-yard goal run by Trevor Etienne and Graham Mertz’s 1-yard run.But Daniels scored from 51 yards out on the ground and then on LSU’s occurring ownership discovered Noah Cain for a 38-yard
goal pass to make it 38-28. His career night continued into the 4th quarter when he connected with Brian Thomas for a 37-yard goal to make it 45-35.
Daniels connected with Thomas once again late in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.Thomas had 150 backyards on 6 catches and a pair of scores.LSU took a 10-point lead
early in the 2nd quarter. Damian Ramos had a 28-yard basket and Daniels added an 85-yard goal run
, the longest in LSU history for a quarterback, to make it 17-7.
“Normally those guys tire out,”Kelly stated of his quarterback’s long run.”Smokey the Bear generally gets on his back at about 30 yards and lactic acid kicks in and they are gone. [Jayden]
kept going. He’s a remarkable athlete. He’s the best playmaker in the country. I have actually seen them all. “You can say whatever you want, we are 7-3 and whoever else is unbeaten. That does not imply anything. What matters is who is the very best player, and he is the best player. A night like tonight kind
of solidifies that.”Both teams scored on their opening belongings. LSU took a 7-0 lead on a 1-yard goal run by Josh Williams to cap a 7-play, 75-yard drive.Florida responded to, going 75 yards in 8 plays, connecting the game at
7 when Mertz discovered Eugene Wilson III for a 9-yard touchdown.Etienne led the Gators, hurrying for 99 lawns and three touchdowns on 18 carries.