In an emotional SEC home opener, the Tigers pummeled the Ole Miss Rebels 45-16 behind a stout performance from the defense and a career-setting night for quarterback Joe Burrow.
LSU started the game by honoring basketball player Wayde Sims, who died early Friday morning from a gunshot wound.
“We addressed it on Friday, we said a prayer and talked about a little bit,” Orgeron said. “Guys were really hurt and we all feel for him and his family and the basketball team.”
The Tiger defense didn’t take long to make an impact as safety Grant Delpit continued his stellar play with an interception two plays into the contest.
With four straight three-and-out forces by the LSU defense coupled with four straight touchdown drives from the offense, this game got out of hand quickly as the Tigers led 28-3 with still six minutes left in the first half.
Burrow was sensational in the first half, passing for 194 yards on 12-of-16 completions and two touchdowns while also adding an additional 58 yards on the ground.
Burrow delivered a beautiful throw to freshman Ja’Marr Chase on the second possession of the game for a 21-yard touchdown and hit sophomore Justin Jefferson on a wide open cross route for another touchdown, this one for 65 yards.
“I’m excited about the play of Joe Burrow tonight,” Orgeron said. “I know Joe can make the throws and I know he can scramble, but whether or not we can protect him or not, I think that’s an improvement we need to make.”
Burrow finished with 292 yards passing on 18-of-25 throws to go with three touchdowns and 96 yards rushing.
It was Jefferson’s first career touchdown and the young sophomore receiver said it was a dream come true. Jefferson finished with a career high 99 yards on five receptions.
One blemish for the LSU defense was allowing the Rebels to take the ball 90 yards on the final possession of the second quarter and settle for a field goal to cut the LSU lead to 28-6 at the half. A 15-yard penalty on cornerback Greedy Williams extended the drive after LSU forced a 4th and 4.
The fast starts haven’t been the question mark for this LSU team as they have outscored opponents 52 to six in the opening quarter and 113 to 30 in first halves. The second half has been a different story as the woes continued on offense.
After an opening three-and-out from the offense, the Tigers were bailed out by a 15-yard roughing the kicker call only to fumble the ball in the red zone.
The defense surrendered a 13 play, 59-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter to make it a two-score game at 28-13.
In desperate need of points, Burrow delivered another big throw. This throw to freshman receiver Terrace Marshall for 52-yards put the Tigers inside the Ole Miss 10-yard line.
Burrow then fired his career-high third touchdown pass to Jefferson on a beautifully placed over-the-shoulder catch to put the Tigers up 35-13. The touchdown to Jefferson was LSU’s first third quarter touchdown of the season.
