LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels turned in the game of his life against Florida in The Swamp. The senior signal-caller threw for 349 yards, rushed for 44 yards and accounted for six touchdowns (three passing, three rushing) in the 45-35 win over the home-standing Gators. Daniels had struggled in the passing game for the majority of the year, but the 349-yard performance was his best of the season and second-straight game with 300 or more yards through the air.
It wasn't without stress, though. Up a touchdown with 5:32 left in the game, Daniels appeared to throw an interception to Jason Marshall Jr.; however, Florida defensive lineman Gervon Dexter was called for roughing the passer after wrapping Daniels up just as he threw and landing on him with the full force of his body. LSU retained possession, Josh Williams converted a fourth-and-1 on the Florida 27-yard line and kicker Damian Ramos drilled a 47-yard field goal with 1:45 left to ice the game.
That field goal staved off a furious fourth-quarter charge by Florida. The Gators were down three touchdowns headed to the fourth quarter before quarterback Anthony Richardson took off for an 81-yard touchdown on the first play of the quarter. That was followed up by an 11-play, 80-yard drive that culminated with a touchdown on the very next drive.
The Tigers scored touchdowns on their first six possessions -- all of which were on drives of 73 or more yards. They converted eight of 12 third downs and converted all five red-zone possessions into scores in what was an incredibly efficient offensive performance.
Jayden Daniels is a difference-maker
Daniels came to LSU as coach Brian Kelly's hand-picked signal-caller to stabilize the program, and Daniels showed why in the win. He is just the second quarterback in LSU history to account for six or more touchdowns in game. The other guy? Joe Burrow. Not bad company to keep. Daniels was 8 of 9 for 173 yards and six conversions on third downs alone, which is exactly why the Tigers were able to wear down a Gators defense that was gassed midway through the third quarter.
Daniels had quietly put together a solid season with 835 passing yards through four games in September but didn't show the game-breaking ability that is needed to make the Tigers contenders in the SEC West. But back-to-back 300-yard passing performances coupled with his ability to make plays on the ground has this LSU offense cooking as they head into the second half of the season.
Florida's defense leaves a lot to be desired
This was a flat-out embarrassing performance by a Gators defense that used to a point of pride for the program. It gave up 528 yards, yielded 7.5 yards per play and forced only one punt in the loss. That is an alarming stat in a season full of questionable defensive performances. It came into the game ranked 12th in the SEC in total defense at 412.8 yards per game and defensive yards per play (5.71).
This defense isn't good enough to shoulder the load; it needs heroic performances from quarterback Anthony Richardson to give the Gators chances to win. Richardson was solid on Saturday but had a hard time stretching the field deep save for a 51-yard touchdown toss to Justin Shorter on the first possession of the game.
LSU still in SEC West contention
Don't look now, but the Tigers control their own destiny in the SEC West. That's right, the team that lost on a blocked extra point in the opener vs. Florida State and was coming off of a home blowout loss to Tennessee the week before has plenty to play for moving forward.
The Volunteers topped SEC West behemoth Alabama on Saturday afternoon, which left Ole Miss as the only undefeated team left in what is commonly known as the nation's best division. The Tigers will host the Rebels next week in the SEC on CBS Game of the Week that could -- could -- serve as a de facto SEC West title game. Sure, that would take some chaos, specifically some more Alabama losses. But the LSU-Ole Miss Magnolia Bowl is suddenly one of the biggest SEC games of the year.