LSU's dynamic duo of quarterback Jayden Daniels and wide receiver Malik Nabers capped a dominant start to SEC play with a huge touchdown on a fourth-and-7 to open up an early 17-0 lead at Mississippi State.
— SportingVids (@VidsSporting) September 16, 2023
Through the first three Tigers offensive drives, Daniels was 16-of-17 for 176 yards with two touchdowns, both of which went to Nabers, who had seven receptions for 113 yards.
Jayden Daniels ➡️ Malik Nabers for the 26 yard TD! #LSU up 10-0 @ Mississippi State pic.twitter.com/TQeujhsMcX
— Video from: @TSV__1 (@TSV__1) September 16, 2023
The blistering start was very different from LSU's inefficient start two weeks ago against Florida State when it failed to convert two early fourth downs en route to a 45-24 loss.
Daniels finished that game with 346 yards, but his 59.5 percent completion percentage was a far cry from the 68.6 percent he finished with last season.
His near-perfect performance was a bit of a surprise after that game against the Seminoles, not to mention the early 11 a.m. CT kickoff.
LSU averaged 13 points in two 11 a.m. kickoffs last season, with Daniels particularly struggling against Arkansas, going 8-of-15 for 86 yards and an interception.
The unexpected hot start got even hotter later in the half when the duo connected on a 48-yard gain on LSU's fifth possession, leading to another touchdown and a 24-0 lead.
LSU QB Jayden Daniels is on pace to cure world hunger and invent time travel by the end of this game pic.twitter.com/SGkMq03Dn3
— SouthpawTodd (@850elitefitness) September 16, 2023
Watch out. Between the hot start in Week 3 and a 72-10 blowout win against FCS Grambling last weekend, the Tigers are beginning to look like the team that was ranked fifth in the Associated Press preseason poll.
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