After his performance Saturday night, LSU junior receiver Odell Beckham Jr. put his name on the list of the famed and exclusive club already occupied by Tiger greats Kevin Faulk, Tyrann Mathieu, Josh Reed and Patrick Peterson.
It’s been more than a decade since fans saw the type of performance Beckham had in LSU’s 56-17 victory against UAB, as he amassed 331 all-purpose yards through receptions, rushes, returns and even a missed field goal. No LSU player has gained more all-purpose yards since Reed netted 338 yards against Alabama in his Biletnikoff Award-winning 2001 season.
“Honestly, I don’t know what to say, but it was in God’s plans for me tonight,” Beckham said. “I prayed before the game for a big game and it finally came through.”
The game could not have gone better for Beckham, who owned the night until LSU coach Les Miles took him out in the third quarter. Beckham collected a career-high four touchdowns — three of which were receiving touchdowns, making him the first LSU receiver to catch three since Terrence Toliver in the 2011 Cotton Bowl.
The most discussed score, however, came through special teams as Beckham caught a missed UAB field goal in the back of LSU’s end zone and ran it back 100 yards for the final touchdown of the night.
“When I went to the right and saw the whole team go right, I made a cutback left … and there was just a huge wall of everybody blocking,” Beckham said. “[The blockers] led the way all the way to the end zone.”
Miles said the team had practiced a similar situation before with special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey. He said that most players on a field goal unit are not fast and less likely to catch a skill player like Beckham.
Beckham recorded his second consecutive 100-yard receiving game, and was a large contributor to senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger’s LSU-record five passing touchdowns. Beckham remains Mettenberger’s most productive target, accounting for 254 of his 533 passing yards through the first two games.
“The guy’s a special athlete. Third all-time in all-purpose yards is special with all the talent that’s come through here is impressive,” Mettenberger said. “I’m proud to call him my teammate.”
Fellow junior receiver Jarvis Landry contributed to the offensive explosion, hauling in five receptions for 71 yards and two touchdowns. Senior linebacker Lamin Barrow praised Landry and Beckham, saying the duo are the best route runners he’s ever seen.
This season continues to be a large improvement from Beckham’s previous seasons, as he recorded just two 100-yard games and only six total touchdowns during his freshman and sophomore seasons.
“Focus was one of the biggest things for me [in the offseason],” Beckham said. “Throughout the summer, I just focused on everything: the small details, catching, running to the end of the routes, just everything. Just try to fine-tune it, and I still have a lot more learning and growing to do.”
When asked what the most exciting part of the night was, Beckham said getting to see younger guys on the team come in late in the game and gain some Tiger Stadium experience.
But while Beckham remains modest, some teammates have big expectations for what is to come for Beckham’s year.
“He’s a freakish athlete and you can start the Heisman campaign on him,” Barrow said. “He’s a humble guy and he’s not saying that. If he’s not saying that, then I’ll say it for him. I think he can do this week in and week out.”

Gallery • 19 Photos

Richard Redmann

LSU junior wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) runs a missed field goal for a touchdown Sept. 7, 2013 during the 56-17 victory against UAB in Tiger Stadium.