Football dominates Purdue, 63-7, wins Cheez-It Citrus Bowl – LSU

ORLANDO, Fla. LSU’s offense exploded for 594 yards of total offense to defeat Purdue 63-7 and become Cheez-It Citrus Bowl champions on Monday at Camping World Stadium.

LSU finishes the season with a 10-4 record.

HIGHLIGHTS

Playmaker Jayden Daniels finished 12-of-17 for 139 yards and a touchdown. Redshirt freshman Garrett Nussmeier went 10-of-14 for 98 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Second year student Malik Nabersearned Citrus Bowl MVP, leading receivers with nine catches for 163 yards and a touchdown. Freshman tight end Mason Taylor recorded five catches for 88 yards and one touchdown.

Senior safety Greg Brooks shined on defense with five tackles, one for a loss, and an interception.

KEY CLIPS

Purdue won the toss and went into the second half.

On 1st and 10 from the LSU 44, Daniels found Taylor for a 19-yard completion to the Purdue 44. On 4th and 2 from the 36, the Tigers decided to go for it, and Daniels joined Nabers. A 12-yard pick to move the chains at the Boilermaker 24. Daniels then found Nabers again for a 9-yard gain to the Purdue 15.

The drive culminated in a 1-yard scoring run by senior running back John Emery to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead with 7:01 left in the first quarter.

After forcing a Purdue punt, the Tigers gained an extra 15 yards after a kick-catch interference penalty was called. Gregory Clayton’s fumble grabbed the football at the LSU 18 and the penalty moved the ball to the 33.

Nussmeier became the quarterback for LSU’s third offense. On 3rd and 4, Nussmeier found Taylor for a 17-yard score and a first down at the Purdue 14. Noah Cain rushed up the middle for a 9-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 14-0 with 1:06 left. in the first quarter.

It was a strong start for LSU’s defense, as Purdue had just four passing yards and 17 rushing yards in the first quarter of the game.

Daniels returned to quarterback for the Tigers and found Nabers on a 17-yard connection to the Purdue 46 and then Taylor on a 32-yard field goal. second quarter.

On the next possession, Daniels returned Taylor for a 15-yard completion down the middle of the field to the LSU 45. Taylor had five catches for 83 yards, averaging 20.8 yards per catch at that point in the game.

Daniels set up the Tigers’ leading scorer after a 37-yard QB interception advanced the ball to the Purdue 9. Daniels’ 37-yard run was a season high.

Cain recorded his second rushing touchdown of the game on a 9-yard score that extended LSU’s lead to 28-0 with 8:23 to play in the first half at Camping World Stadium.

With Purdue driving inside the LSU 30, Burton’s snap was intercepted by senior cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse.

On a trick play, Nabers found Kyren Lacy for a 45-yard run to the Purdue 10.The 45-yard gain from Nabers to Lacey was the longest by an LSU non-QB player since WR Todd Kinchen threw a 51-yard TD pass to WR Tony Moss for Ohio on 9/30/1989.)

Nussmeier, back under center, then found Brian Thomas Jr. for a 10-yard touchdown to make it 35-0.

LSU led 35-0 at halftime and set a school record for halftime margin in bowl games (35). (LSU topped Oklahoma in CFP semifinal (Peach Bowl), 49–14, Dec. 28, 2019.)

The Tigers forced a turnover on downs to open the second half when senior linebacker Micah Baskerville nearly intercepted Burton on 4th and 4 at the Purdue 45.

Nabers found Daniels on a 5-yard touchdown pass on a trick play. It marked Nabers’ second pass of the game, giving him 50 yards in the air and a touchdown to extend the Tigers’ lead to 42-0. With the score, Daniels also became the only LSU quarterback to pass and receive a touchdown in the same game since at least World War II.

Brooks picked off Alaimo at the Purdue 27 with 9:17 left in the third quarter.

Nabers added to an already impressive day by taking a shower from Nussmeier 75 yards for a touchdown, extending LSU’s lead to 49-0 with 3:15 left in the third quarter.

On another drive in the fourth quarter, the Boilermakers got on the board when Alaimo found Sheffield for a 16-yard touchdown to make it 49-7 Tigers.

True freshman Walker Howard stepped in at quarterback for LSU and led the offense on a seven-play drive that culminated in Derrick Davis Jr.’s 12-yard touchdown run up the middle to extend the lead to 56-7.

Quad Wilson picked off Jack Albers and returned it 99 yards for a touchdown, capping the 2022-23 season to secure a 63-7 Citrus Bowl victory.