LSU: 2024 Texas Bowl Champions

 

HOUSTON -- — Garrett Nussmeier threw for 304 yards and three touchdowns as LSU beat Baylor 44-31 in the Texas Bowl on Tuesday.

Nussmeier, who finished 24 of 34, tossed scoring passes of 10 yards and 1 yard to Trey’Dez Green and 41 yards to Chris Hilton Jr. in the first half as LSU (9-4) built a 34-17 halftime lead.

Nussmeier said the win gives LSU a “confidence boost” heading into next year.

“It’s definitely a good feeling to end the season with a win,” said Nussmeier, selected the game’s MVP. “It’s definitely something that we were looking forward to doing. It was one of our goals. Coach (Brian) Kelly said before the game that this is the start of 2025, so we wanted to make a statement. We talked about having that killer instinct.”

Hilton caught four passes for 113 yards and a touchdown. Aaron Anderson had eight receptions for 91 yards for the Tigers, who finished the season with a three-game winning streak. LSU has won three straight bowl games.

Kelly was pleased with how the Tigers wrapped up 2024.

“I know cynics would say it’s disappointing,” he said. “It wasn’t disappointing. It was a team that was less than perfect because of inexperience. A team that gained experience. … To win nine games and win three in a row at the end, I’m just happy for our football team.”

Sawyer Robertson was 30 of 51 for a career-high 445 yards and two touchdowns for the Bears (8-5), who had their six-game winning streak snapped.

“I thought he battled,” Baylor coach Dave Aranda said. “I thought he was able to put balls where they needed to be. … I thought he was patient under pressure, he stepped up in the pocket. He took some hits, got back up and rallied the troops. I think the best for him is yet to come.”

Dawson Pendergrass rushed for 63 yards and two touchdowns, and Josh Cameron caught eight passes for 111 yards and a TD.

“I think with this game it’s just way too many mistakes,” Aranda said. “Just so unfortunate. Hasn’t been a game like this in a while. We’ve played complementary football and this is not that. I think you take away just one of the mistakes that we had, and then we’re going to go win the game at the end of the game.”

Baylor closed to 34-24 on a 4-yard touchdown pass from Robertson to Ashtyn Hawkins with six minutes left in the third quarter, and after Garmon Randolph intercepted Nussmeier to give the Bears the ball on the LSU 26, Baylor had a chance to cut into the lead further.

However, on 4th-and-1 from the LSU 17, the snap went over Robertson’s head for a loss of 36 yards, and LSU capitalized on the mistake with Josh Williams scoring on a 4-yard touchdown run to start the fourth period.

Takeaways

Baylor: The offense, which entered averaging 434.5 yards per game this season, finished with 507. But the defense had trouble slowing down LSU, which gained 418 yards.

LSU: The Tigers scored in all three phases. Davhon Keys returned an interception 41 yards for a touchdown midway through the first quarter, and Zavion Thomas brought back a kickoff 95 yards for a score with 1 1/2 minutes left in the first half.

Up next

Baylor hosts Auburn on Aug. 30 to open next season. LSU visits Clemson that same day.

LSU: 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl Champions

TAMPA — Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels was missing, but it didn't stop LSU from having its quarterback provide heroics to win a big game.

Game MVP Garrett Nussmeier led an eight-play, 98-yard scoring drive in the fourth quarter to rally No. 13 LSU football past unranked Wisconsin, 35-31, on Monday in the 2024 Reliaquest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium.

Nussmeier connected with Bryan Thomas Jr. on a 4-yard touchdown pass with 3:08 remaining for the winning score. He finished 31 of 45 for 395 yards and three touchdowns as LSU piled up 492 yards of total offense.

The Tigers (10-3) needed every bit of their offense's production as their much-maligned defense, ranked 101st nationally in total defense and 76th in scoring defense, allowed 506 yards. Wisconsin quarterback Tanner Modecai had his first 300-yard game of the season and finished 27 of 40 for 378 yards and three touchdowns.

LSU's defense, however, made two big plays when it needed them to clinch the game by sacking Modecai on third and fourth downs as the Badgers were driving for the winning score in the final minute.

LSU football erases 14-point deficit for second time

Jackson Aker's 33-yard touchdown run on the opening drive of the second half put Wisconsin up 28-14, but LSU rallied to tie the score for the second time with scores on back-to-back possessions.Nussmeier tossed a 38-ychard touchdown pass to Brian Thomas Jr., then followed up with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Chris Hilton Jr. to tie the score, 28-28.

And of course, Wisconsin (7-6) quickly answered to retake the lead, this time on a field goal, to take a 31-28 lead into the fourth quarter.

Wisconsin strikes quickly twice for early lead over LSU

After LSU's opening drive stalled after nine plays, Wisconsin took over at its own 22 and needed just five plays to go 78 yards for the first touchdown of the game. Quarterback Mordecai completed back-to-back passes to Will Pauling for 53 yards, the first a 12-yard gain on third-and-five and the second pass going for 41 yards.

The back-to-back completions set up a 20-yard touchdown pass to Bryson Green in the corner of the end zone.

On the Badgers' third possession, they needed just two plays to go 60 yards and scored on Mordecai's 53-yard pass to Pauling that put Wisconsin up 14-0. Mordecai, who had just six touchdown passes on the season, was 5 of 5 for 127 yards in the quarter, and Pauling had three catches for 106 yards.

LSU salvages first half with big second quarter

LSU was shut out in the first quarter for just the second all season – the first coming in its 34-31 victory over Arkansas in Game 4 – but got back in the game by scoring on consecutive possessions to tie it up.

Harold Perkins Jr. scored on a 1-yard run to cap an eight-play, 60-yard drive, and Kaleb Jackson ran in from 12 yards to cap a seven-play, 67-yard drive.

A late touchdown gave Wisconsin a 21-14 halftime lead. The Badgers finished the first half with 291 yards of total offense to 232 yards for LSU. Mordecai was 14-of-20 for 219 yards and two touchdowns. Nussmeier was 18-of-26 for 179 yards and one interception.

Jayden Daniels: 2023 Heisman Trophy Winner

Senior quarterback Jayden Daniels from Louisiana State University was announced as the 89th winner of the Heisman Memorial Trophy during ESPN’s 2023 Heisman Trophy Ceremony Presented by Nissan on Saturday (Dec. 9), originating from Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, N.Y.

Fellow Heisman finalists quarterback Michael Penix Jr. of Washington, quarterback Bo Nix of Oregon and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. of Ohio State finished second, third and fourth, respectively, in the Heisman balloting.

Daniels is LSU’s third Heisman winner as he joins Joe Burrow (2019) and Billy Cannon (1959) among Tigers to hoist the bronze statue. He is also the 20th quarterback in the last 23 years to win the award and the 39th quarterback overall.

The 6-foot-4 Daniels, born in San Bernardino Calif., completed 236-of-327 passes for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns with just four interceptions while also rushing for 1,134 yards and another 10 scores. 

He leads the nation in total offense (4,946), TDs responsible for (50), passer rating (208.0, currently above the NCAA record), yards per pass attempt (11.7) and rushing yards by a quarterback (1,134) while his 40 TD passes are tied for first. 

Daniels earlier this week was named the 2023 AP Player of the Year in addition to winning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm, Davey O’Brien National Quarterback and Walter Camp Player of the Year Awards. He is also a five-time SEC Offensive Player of the Week winner this season.

He became the first player in FBS history to rush for 200 yards and pass for 350 yards in a game when he did it against Florida on Nov. 11, collecting 372 yards through the air and 234 on the ground. The 606 total yards broke the SEC record. Daniels joined Heisman winner Johnny Manziel as the only other player in SEC history to pass for 3,500 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a season and is the eighth player to do it overall.

Daniels’ passer rating of 208.01 is a Heisman best and his 4,946 total yards is tied for the third-most by a Heisman winner, matching 2018 winner Kyler Murray’s total. His 50 total touchdowns are the seventh most in Heisman history and his 3,812 passing yards is 12th most.

Daniels is the fifth player in the last seven years who won the award after transferring and he is the first Heisman winner born in California since Matt Leinart won it in 2004. Despite the drought, California has still produced 14 Heisman winners, more than any other state.

He is just the third senior to win the award since 2006, the other two including Burrow (2019) and DeVonta Smith (2020). Daniels, the first Heisman winner coached by Brian Kelly, is the 34th winner from the SEC. 

Penix Jr. is Washington’s highest finisher ever in Heisman balloting, topping defensive tackle Steve Emtman’s fourth-place finish in 1991. Nix is Oregon’s highest finisher since Marcus Mariota won the award in 2014. Harrison Jr. is Ohio State’s highest finisher since C.J. Stroud was third in 2022. 

The 2023 Heisman Trophy ballots went out to 928 electors, which includes 870 members of the media, our 57 living Heisman winners and one overall fan vote presented by Nissan, premier partner of the Heisman Trophy. All ballots were submitted electronically to the independent accountants at Deloitte.

Rounding out the top 10 finishers in the 2023 Heisman voting were:

5. Jordan Travis, Florida State

6. Jalen Milroe, Alabama

7. Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State

8. Cody Schrader, Missouri

9. Blake Corum, Michigan

10. J.J. McCarthy, Michigan

Heisman voting results 2023

Finish Player Pos. School Points 1st 2nd 3rd

1 Jayden Daniels QB LSU 2,029 503 217 86

2 Michael Penix Jr. QB Washington 1,701 292 341 143

3 Bo Nix QB Oregon 885 51 205 322

4 Marvin Harrison Jr. WR Ohio State 352 20 78 136

5 Jordan Travis QB Florida State 85 8 19 23

6 Jalen Milroe QB Alabama 73 4 8 45

7 Ollie Gordon II RB Oklahoma St. 31 1 2 24

8 Cody Schrader RB Missouri 29 1 2 22

9 Blake Corum QB Michigan 28 3 2 15

10 J.J. McCarthy QB Michigan 21 1 7 4

LSU: 2023 Citrus Bowl Champions

ORLANDO, Fla. – The LSU 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.

KEY PERFORMANCES

Quarterback 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.

Sophomore receiver Malik Nabers led the receivers with nine catches for 163 yards and a touchdown. Freshman tight end Mason Taylor recorded five catches for 88 yards and a touchdown.

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

KEY PLAYS

Purdue won the toss and deferred to 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 elected to go for it, and Daniels connected with Nabers for a 12-yard pickup to the Boilermaker 24. Daniels then found Nabers again for a 9-yard gain down to the Purdue 15. 

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

After forcing Purdue to punt, the Tigers were awarded an extra 15 yards after a kick-catch interference penalty was enforced. Gregory Clayton fair caught the football at the LSU 18 and the penalty moved the ball to the 33.

Nussmeier entered at quarterback on LSU’s third offensive possession of the game. On 3rd-and-4, Nussmeier found Taylor for an 17-yard completion and first down to the Purdue 14. Noah Cain rushed up the middle for a 9-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 14-0 with 1:06 to play in the first quarter. 

It was a strong start for the LSU defense, holding Purdue to just four pass yards and 17 rush yards in the first quarter of play.

Daniels returned at quarterback for the Tigers, finding Nabers for a 17-yard connection to the Purdue 46 and then finding Taylor for a 32-yard touchdown completion, creating some separation with an early 21-0 advantage with 13:03 to play in the second quarter. 

On their next offensive possession, Daniels went back to Taylor for a 15-yard completion over 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 put the Tigers in prime scoring position after a 37-yard QB keep advanced the ball to the Purdue 9. The 37-yard run by Daniels marked a season-long. 

Cain recorded his second rushing touchdown of the game with a 9-yard score, extending 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 pass with interception by Jarrick Bernard-Converse.

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

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

Taking a 35-0 lead into the break, LSU tied its school record for half-time margin in a bowl game (35). (LSU led Oklahoma in the CFP Semifinal (Peach Bowl), 49-14, on Dec. 28, 2019.)

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

Nabers found Daniels for a 5-yard touchdown pass. That marked Nabers’ second completion of the game, giving him 50 yards passing and a touchdown, to extend the Tigers’ lead to 42-0.

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

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

On the second play from scrimmage in the fourth quarter, the Boilermakers got on the board as Alaimo found Sheffield for a 16-yard touchdown to make it 49-7 Tigers.

True freshman Walker Howard entered at quarterback for LSU, leading the offense to a seven play scoring drive, culminating in a 12-yard touchdown rush up the middle by Derrick Davis Jr. to extend the lead to 56-7.

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

LSU vs. Clemson 2020: Let It Ride

#CFBPlayoff #NationalChampionship #CFB150 #NCAA #NY6

LSU: 2019 NCAA Division I FBS National Champions

NEW ORLEANS — When it comes time to write the story of the 2019 college football season, we will not just start with Joe Burrow. We will ask Burrow to write it. He will be quick, he will be absurdly accurate, he will make sure a whole bunch of people get involved, he will explain what his coach actually said, and he will finish with a flourish.

LSU is your national champion, the best team playing its best football at the best time, thanks mostly to the nation’s best player. Burrow was great when his team wasn’t, then great when it was. How good was he? How good is LSU?

Well, college football history is dotted with champions that won with outrageous talent and champions that won because of a collective belief that they would never lose.

Once in a while, you find a team with both qualities.

A team like Clemson.

Burrow and LSU just eviscerated that team. Clemson had won 29 games in a row, and Burrow effectively beat the Tigers twice. The first time was late in the third quarter, with LSU leading 35-25. Burrow feathered a pass into the hands of star receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who dropped it. Chase had a wonderful night, so it feels wrong to say he should have caught it. But … he should have caught it. LSU had to settle for a field-goal attempt, which failed.

Burrow just did what he has done all season: Lead another touchdown drive, finishing with a—you’ll never believe this—perfect pass to Terrace Marshall Jr. LSU led by the final margin, 42-25, and LSU fans were ready to start partying in the streets of New Orleans, which they had conveniently begun doing like a week ago.

This is LSU’s championship, Ed Orgeron’s championship, all of their championship. But this will be Joe Burrow’s season, forever. Very few players in the sport’s 150-year history dominated from start to finish like Burrow did. He threw 48 touchdown passes in his team’s first 13 games, then got better. He threw 12 in two playoff games, including five in this one.

But this went beyond his stats. Burrow played like he knew he could complete every pass, avoid every blitz, run for any first down he needed. He took the entropy out of the game.

Clemson was the undefeated defending national champion with the best NFL prospect in the country (quarterback Trevor Lawrence), but there was no doubt, as midnight approached in the Crescent City, that LSU was the better team.

LSU gained 359 yards in the first half, which begged the question: What was wrong with LSU? We kid, sort of. But the Tigers started slow. They kept dropping passes. They punted four times. LSU’s offense was so good all year that when it stalls at all, you expect a CHECK ENGINE light to appear on the sideline.

The Tigers destroyed so many teams this year, including Oklahoma in the “semifinal” exhibition two weeks ago, that it was easy to wonder how they would respond when faced with an actual deficit. But if you have paid any attention to Burrow this year, you didn’t wonder. The presumptive No. 1 NFL draft pick is deadly serious, the adult in any room he enters.

Burrow did not come all this way, from Athens, Ohio to Columbus to Baton Rouge and finally to New Orleans, just to let a few failed drives ruin his night. He kept throwing darts over the middle and delicately placed deep balls along the sideline and figured his excellent receivers would start catching them, which they did.

At halftime, LSU led 28-17, and LSU got the ball first in the second half, and it was easy to wonder if Clemson was going to get knocked out. But if you have paid any attention to Clemson under Dabo Swinney, you didn’t wonder. Dabo says sit, the Tigers sit. Dabo says fight, they fight. Dabo says roll over, they know he is kidding, because Clemson never rolls over.

Clemson fought, the way you would expect a team playing for its third title in four years to fight. Lawrence led a touchdown drive that ended with a two-point conversion. Even down 35-25, having lost starting linebacker James Skalski to a targeting ejection, Clemson fought. Clemson always fights. But this season, Joe Burrow and LSU always won.

Your 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship Game

Clemson University Tigers vs. 

Louisiana State University Tigers

2019 College Football Playoff National Championship Game

Mercedes-Benz Superdome

New Orleans, Louisiana,

United States of America

13 January 2020

National Collegiate Athletic Association

Division I Football Bowl Subdivision

LSU: 2019 Peach Bowl Champions

What happened Saturday afternoon in Mercedes Benz Stadium, to put it simply, was the stuff of legend.

Whether it was Joe Burrow's seven touchdown passes or Justin Jefferson's four touchdown receptions, the Tigers 63-28 route of Oklahoma provided an eye-popping moment nearly every step of the way.

The offensive performance was so unique, the Peach Bowl communications department passed out a sheet of the records that were broken, in the first half alone. And that sheet was a full page long.

There was Burrow's seven touchdown passes, which broke the Peach Bowl, New Year's Six and CFP semifinal records while his 403 passing yards also broke the CFP semifinal record.

In addition, Burrow's 56 passing touchdowns are now the second most for a single season in NCAA history, two behind Colt Brennan, who had 58 in 2006. The senior quarterback also became the all time LSU leader in passing touchdowns, passing Tommy Hodson (69) with his 70th touchdown pass as the first half drew to a close.

Then there was Jefferson's first half that saw the junior break the Peach Bowl, New Year's Six and CFP semifinal record for touchdowns and the Peach Bowl record for receptions by days end (14).

In total, Jefferson hauled in 14 balls for 227 yards and four touchdowns while Burrow went for 493 yards and eight total touchdowns, both College Football Playoff records. The offense as a whole scored 49 points in the first half alone, also Peach Bowl, New Year's Six and CFP semifinal records.

The 63 total points would go on to set a College Football Playoff record, coming on a six-yard John Emery touchdown run.

While the offense was historically great, particularly in the first half, the intensity and performance of the defense was nothing to sneeze at either.

Sooner quarterback Jalen Hurts was scrambling all afternoon thanks to the LSU pass rush as Hurts mustered only 43 rushing yards while passing for another 217.

Outside linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson had a hectic afternoon, recording six tackles and two sacks while Kary Vincent recorded the game's lone turnover, an interception off of Hurts with LSU already up 35-14 in the first half.

The Tigers held Oklahoma to 14 first half points while the offense was doing its thing on the other end. Oklahoma would add 14 more points in the second half, which tied its season low on offense from a points perspective.

Up next for the Tigers is a berth to the National Championship game in New Orleans against either Clemson or Ohio State.

Joe Burrow: 2019 Heisman Trophy Winner

Joe Burrow of Louisiana State University was selected on Saturday (Dec. 14) as the 85th winner of the Heisman Memorial Trophy, an award presented annually by the Heisman Trophy Trust to the most outstanding player in college football.

The senior quarterback was announced as the 2019 winner of the prestigious honor at the end of ESPN’s live broadcast of the Heisman ceremony from Manhattan’s PlayStation Theater.

Burrow shattered Heisman voting records, notching the highest percentage of first place votes, the highest percentage of possible points and appearing on the most ballots. His margin of victory (1,846 points) bettered the long-standing record set by O.J. Simpson in 1968.

“It’s an honor to stand on the same stage as all of these guys,” said an emotional Burrow after hearing his name called. “I’m so thankful to have played for two of the best programs in the country. I wouldn’t have traded my journey for anything.”

Burrow is the second LSU player to win the trophy and first since the late Billy Cannon did so in 1959. His Heisman triumph makes him the third-consecutive transfer player to win the award (and seventh overall), though he is the first to do so under the NCAA’s graduate transfer rule.

The 6-4, 216-pounder from Athens, Ohio, had an extraordinary season, passing for 4,715 yards and 48 touchdowns (tying a Heisman record), while adding another 289 yard and three scores on the ground. He had a remarkable completion percentage of 77.9 percent, the best in Heisman history. As the field general for the nation’s top offense, he led No. 1 LSU to a 13-0 record, the SEC title (its first since 2011), and its first berth in the College Football Playoff.

Ballots were emailed to 870 media personnel across the nation plus 56 Heisman winners and one fan ballot, for a total of 927 electors. The ballots were received and tabulated by the independent accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP. Burrow polled 2,608 points to capture the award over Jalen Hurts of Oklahoma (762 points), Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields (747 points) and Ohio State defensive end Chase Young (643 points). The point total is reached by a system of three points for a first place vote, two for a second and one for a third.

Burrow will be officially inducted into the Heisman family at the 85th annual Heisman Memorial Trophy Dinner Gala on Sunday evening, December 15, 2017, at the Marriott Marquis in New York.

Final 2019 Heisman results

Number of electors: 927 – Announced: December 14, 2019.

Player Class Position School 1st 2nd 3rd Total Points
1 Joe Burrow SR QB LSU 841 41 3 2,608
2 Jalen Hurts SR QB Oklahoma 12 231 264 762
3 Justin Fields SO QB Ohio State 6 271 187 747
4 Chase Young JR DE Ohio State 20 205 173 643
5 Jonathan Taylor JR RB Wisconsin 6 44 83 189
6 JK Dobbins JR RB Ohio State 2 36 36 114
7 Trevor Lawrence SO QB Clemson 3 25 29 88
8 Chuba Hubbard SO RB Oklahoma State 0 11 46 68
9 Travis Etienne JR RB Clemson 0 7 11 25
10 Tua Tagovailoa JR QB Alabama 1 4 13 24
Three points are awarded for first place on a ballot, with two points for second place and one point for third place. Finalists in bold.

LSU: 2019 Fiesta Bowl Champions

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Joe Burrow watched the ball land in an opposing player's hands and immediately gave chase. Locked in on preventing a pick six, LSU's quarterback didn't see Joey Connors, Central Florida's 313-pound defensive lineman, bearing down on him.

With a thunderous, blindside collision , Burrow found himself flat on his back, woozy and wondering what happened.

Minutes later, after being helped to his feet, Burrow was back on the field, hitting receivers all over the field.

The nation's longest winning streak was over. So was a second self-proclaimed national championship.

The LSU Tigers were Fiesta Bowl champions, thanks to their gritty junior quarterback.

Burrow shook off the big early hit to throw for 394 yards and four touchdowns, helping No. 11 LSU end No. 7 UCF's 25-game winning streak with a 40-32 victory in the Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday.

"I didn't really think about the hit too much after it happened," said Burrow, who had a cut on his neck from the hit. "It hurt for a second, I got right up and went on to the next play."

LSU (10-3, No. 11 CFP) started its first Fiesta Bowl without several key players on defense and fell into an early 11-point hole against the high-scoring Knights (12-1, No. 8 CFP).

The Tigers clawed back behind Burrow and a defensive front that made life difficult for UCF quarterback Darriel Mack Jr.

Burrow returned from the early blindside hit to pick apart UCF's secondary, hitting 21 of 34 of passes, including two touchdowns to Justin Jefferson.

"It looked like the passing game we wanted," LSU coach Ed Orgeron said. "Joe was on the money."

LSU sacked Mack five times and made him rush numerous throws, holding the nation's third-best offense to 250 total yards -- 295 below its average -- while spoiling the Knights' bid for a second straight self-proclaimed national title.

Taj McGowan scored on a 2-yard run and the Knights converted a 2-point conversion to pull UCF to within 40-32. After LSU recovered the onside kick, the Knights' last-ditch attempt finished with a tipped interception, ending a run that started after a loss in the 2016 Cure Bowl.

"Obviously, everyone in the locker room is really upset," UCF defensive lineman Mason Colubiale. "We haven't lost a game since 2016."

UCF declared itself national champions after finishing as the only undefeated FBS team a year ago. The Knights earned another shot at an undefeated season by staging a massive rally to beat Memphis in the American Athletic Conference title game.

But just like last year, UCF was on the outside looking in when the College Football Playoff final four was announced, adding to the boulder-sized chip on its shoulder and only a self-awarded national title in its reach.

The Speedy Knights got the Fiesta Bowl off to a fast start, going up 14-3 on Greg McCrae's 25-yard TD run and Brandon Moore's 93-yard interception return.

The Tigers roared back behind Burrow and their disruptive defensive front.

Burrow shook off the big hit on the pick six, finding Jefferson on a pair of scoring passes and a 49-yard TD to Derrick Dillon.

UCF sputtered offensively after its opening drive, but Mack hit Gabriel Davis on a 32-yard pass in the closing seconds to pull UCF to within 24-21 at halftime.

Burrow opened the second half with a 32-yard TD pass to Ja'Marr Chase, and Cole Tracy hit three field goals to put LSU up 40-24. Tracy's final kick, the 97th of his career, broke the NCAA all-division record and ended the nation's fourth-longest winning streak since 2000.

"Love the way they competed for four quarters, continued to fight with everything that they had. Believed. Played as a group," UCF first-year coach Josh Huepel said. "Just weren't good enough at the end."

THE TAKEAWAY

Even depleted, LSU's defense proved to still be formidable and Burrow showed his grit after the big hit, giving LSU its first 10-win season since 2013.

UCF missed injured two-time AAC player of the year McKenzie Milton and had no answer for LSU's passing game to lose for the first time in two years.

SO MANY PENALTIES

The first meeting between UCF and LSU was chippy from the start, including three first-half ejections. LSU consensus All-America safety Grant Delpit was among those ejected after being called for targeting in the second quarter.

UCF had a key penalty in the second quarter, when Randy Charlton was hit with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the Knights stopped LSU on a third-and-6. That kept the Tigers' drive alive and Burrow hit Justice for a TD that pulled LSU to within 14-10.

LSU had 14 penalties for 145 yards, LSU had 12 for 104 yards.

UP NEXT

LSU: RB Nick Brossette is a senior, Clyde Edwards-Helaire is just a sophomore and Burrow will be back. Delpit also is a sophomore and most of the defense should be back. LSU opens the 2019 season against Georgia Southern on Aug. 31.

UCF: Most of the Knights' offense skill players should be back, but they have four seniors on the two-deep offensive line roster. UCF also will have new pieces on defense next season, with nine seniors on the two-deep. UCF opens the 2019 season against Florida A&M on Aug. 31.

LSU: 2016 Citrus Bowl Champions

ORLANDO, Fla. -- For much of the first half Saturday, LSU sophomore running back Derrius Guice found little room to work as Louisville's defensive front filled the gaps and swarmed to the ball.

But the second half of the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl was a different story.

The game slowed down and Guice took the time to let the blocks develop before hitting the holes. Finally he popped a 12-yard run off left tackle and then the big one came the next play when he burst up the middle, broke a tackle and then was off to the races for a 70-yard touchdown early in the third quarter that all but closed the door on the 15th-ranked Cardinals and sealed the 19th-ranked Tigers 29-9 victory at Camping World Stadium.

"As a running back you just have to be patient, you can't get upset, you can't get mad when things don't always go your way," said Guice, who earned the Citrus Bowl MVP after finishing his day with 138 yards and a rushing touchdown while also catching a 1-yard touchdown pass. "You just got to work and grind, go on the sidelines with the coaches and get everything fixed."

The spotlight has been on Guice since star running back Leonard Fournette announced earlier this month that he would not play in the Tigers' bowl game so that he can focus on getting his injured ankle healthy to begin his path toward an NFL career. Guice had filled in nicely for Fournette during the season and Saturday was no different as his clock-draining runs and the Tigers' (8-4) suffocating defense limited Louisville's Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Lamar Jackson.

"We had probably one of the best players in college football in Leonard Fournette get hurt, and he stepped in and didn't blink an eye," said LSU coach Ed Orgeron, who won his first official game as head coach since being relieved of the interim title last month. "He is one of the best players in America and I totally expect him to be the best player in America next year and we're fortunate to have him."

Guice made explosive plays running the ball and catching it, but his most memorable play may have come on special teams in the fourth quarter when he took a kickoff return 50 yards, steamrolling Cardinals kicker Blanton Creque near the sideline in the process. It was the perfect capper on a breakout season while delivering a glimpse of is in store for next season.

"LSU is Army U so when one man goes down you've got to step up," Guice said. "I feel like I've done a great job of stepping up this year."

KEY MOMENT

The Tigers sacked Jackson eight times and linebacker Arden Key was responsible for two of the sacks.

Key sacked Jackson for a safety late in the second quarter and then on the opening play of third quarter, he sacked Jackson again to establish a school record for sacks with 12.

TAKEAWAY

LSU: The Tigers defensive front was too fast and too dominant for Jackson and the Cardinals offense. Louisville was 0 for 13 on third-down conversions well into the fourth quarter before converting its first.

LOUISVILLE: Clearly the Cardinals' offense had not seen the type of speed on defense in the ACC they encountered against the SEC's LSU. The Tigers got to Jackson early and often from their base defense and with a variety of blitzes. Defensively, the Cardinals (9-4) struggled without starting secondary members Josh Harvey-Clemons (safety) and Trumaine Washington (cornerback) along with sack leader James Hearns (linebacker) all missing due to injuries.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

LSU: The Tigers looked overpowering on both sides of the football and will certainly see their stock sore from No. 19 in the AP poll after a convincing win over Louisville.


LOUISVILLE: The Cardinals suffered their third straight loss to conclude the season, which certainly makes it appear their No. 15 ranking was inflated. Louisville may remain in the Top 25 but it will be just barely.

UP NEXT

LSU: Now that the bowl season is over, the Ed Orgeron era begins in earnest. Matt Canada has been hired as the new offensive coordinator and can begin to install his system. His biggest decision will be at quarterback where Etling is returning with experience but the Tigers have two recruits coming in in pro-style quarterback Myles Brennan and dual-threat quarterback Lowell Narcisse.

LOUISVILLE: Led by the tremendous talent of Jackson, the Cardinals could contend for the ACC title and College Football Playoffs next season. But coach Bobby Petrino will definitely have more playmakers to help Jackson. The offensive line also has to get better in its protection of Jackson. The Cardinals lose a couple of talented seniors off the defense but the core returns, giving Petrino a chance to have his best team since returning.

LSU Tigers: 2015 Texas Bowl Champions

HOUSTON — Cam Cameron strutted along the sideline with play sheet in hand, and D.J. Chark raced 79 yards for a touchdown.

Trey Quinn caught a 46-yard pass, and Tre’Davious White played some safety.

Les Miles followed last month’s job-security drama with some ole Mad Hatter surprises in the Texas Bowl.

The result: LSU 56, Texas Tech 27.

The No. 22 Tigers (9-3) rolled up 638 yards of offense — gaining some in peculiar ways — and LSU’s defense suffocated the pass-heavy Red Raiders (7-6) just enough, finishing a wacky 2015 season by winning a late-night shootout Tuesday.

Running back Leonard Fournette ran for 212 yards and four scores, caught a touchdown pass and broke the LSU single-season record for rushing TDs.

All of that was normal and expected.

What wasn’t?

Chark, a little used sophomore receiver, had a 79-yard scoring run on an end-around on the first play of LSU’s third drive.

Cameron called plays from the sideline for the first time in his three-year tenure as offensive coordinator.

Quinn, another little-used sophomore receiver, more than doubled his receiving yards in the previous 11 games with his 47-yard grab.

And White, the Tigers’ cornerback and projected first- or second-round draft pick, played safety at times.

In front of a sellout crowd of 71,307, Cameron and his offense roared against a defense that was one of the worst in the nation. LSU scored its most points this season and finished with its most yards. Brandon Harris threw for more than 250 yards, and four players had at least 40 receiving yards.

Receiver Malachi Dupre, the one-time five-star recruit, shined with leading receiver Travin Dural out with injury. He caught four passes for 94 yards, making two highlight-reel plays.

Fournette excelled, as many expected against the nation’s second-worst rushing defense. He picked up a fourth 200-yard game this season and a 10th 100-yard outing in 12 games.

His five touchdowns tied the NCAA bowl record for scores from scrimmage, and he broke a half-dozen tackles on the way to a banner day.

The Tigers needed him in this scoring mess. Tech entered with the top passing offense in the nation and the second-best offense overall.

Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 370 yards and four touchdowns, and LSU needed a key play in the third quarter to change momentum.

With the Tigers nursing a 28-20 lead, White tipped a pass from Mahomes, and Rickey Jefferson — another surprising star — picked it off at the goal line.

“That was a big turning point,” Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury said.

The Tigers’ hot offense answered. They got a clutch 39-yard reception from Dupre on the next drive, and then Harris hit Quinn for that long pass to set up one of Fournette’s four rushing touchdowns.

The Tigers scored again the next series on Harris’ 26-yard designed keeper, grabbing a 42-20 lead with 9 seconds left in the third quarter to clear out a once-packed NRG Stadium.

Kendell Beckwith had 2.5 sacks, Davon Godchaux had 2 and Deion Jones had one as the Tigers used that old 3-2-6 Mustang defense against spread-crazed Tech.

The swarming defensive front held Tech to 399 yards — nearly 200 under its season average — helping guarantee the Tigers a Top-25 ranking to end the season. LSU will finish in the Top 25 for the ninth time in Miles’ 11 seasons, and the Tigers hit the nine-win mark for the ninth time.

Players and coaches celebrated on a late night in the nation’s fourth-largest city. They swarmed around a makeshift stage at midfield during the trophy presentation.

Seniors Jamie Keehn, Vadal Alexander and Jones — permanent team captains — stood on the stage with Miles and Fournette, the MVP. Thousands of Tigers fans lingered and roared as Miles addressed them and slipped on a Texas Bowl baseball cap.

Fournette visited with family and friends, donning a cowboy hat — all smiles on a surprising night in Houston.

LSU: 2014 Outback Bowl Champions

TAMPA, Fla. -- Chilly, wet conditions bogged down Wednesday's Outback Bowl, but No. 16 LSU used Jeremy Hill's tough running and a stifling defense to outlast Iowa 21-14 and earn its 10th win of the season for a school-record fourth straight season. 

Here's how the Tigers earned the win: 

It was over when: Jeremy Hill broke three long runs -- including a 37-yard touchdown -- on LSU's final possession, allowing the Tigers to run three minutes off the clock and go up 21-7 with 2:02 to play. Hill finished with 216 yards, becoming the first LSU back since 2004 to crack the 200-yard mark in a game. 

Game ball goes to: Jamie Keehn and LSU's punt coverage team. While neither team's offense was able to get it in gear consistently, Keehn's overall consistency kept Iowa deep in its own territory. The Tigers' James Wright recovered Kevonte Martin-Manley's muffed punt at the Iowa 39, setting up a Hill touchdown run that made it 14-0 LSU in the second quarter. 

Stat of the game: Two. Iowa's two turnovers -- the fumbled punt and Craig Loston's fourth-quarter interception deep in LSU territory -- were the difference in the game. The offenses combined to generate just 535 yards (302 by LSU and 233 by Iowa), so the turnover battle played a major role on Wednesday.