Three Observations: Joe Burrow's Heisman Statement, Offensive Standouts and Capitalizing on Turnovers
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.- LSU’s win over Alabama Saturday afternoon marked a turning point in the program’s tenure under coach Ed Orgeron. It's a win that will not only define the 2019 regular season, but one of those "where were you" moments in 20 years time.
Inside Joe Burrow's Heisman making performance
As LSU quarterback Joe Burrow began making his way to the locker room after the Tigers 46-41 victory over Alabama Saturday night, LSU nose tackle Tyler Shelvin and offensive lineman Jakori Savage lifted him in the air. The senior would only last on the two's shoulders for mere seconds but the message behind that gesture was telling indeed.
It was an out-of-body experience for the senior, who was certainly deserving of the moment after tossing for 393 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for an additional 64.
"That was pretty special," Burrow said. "Having these guys embrace me the way they have, some quarterback from Ohio who came in last June , it means a lot to me that this entire program has embraced me the way that they have."
With his latest performance, Burrow now likely has the inside track at the Heisman trophy, with his duel against Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa churning up much of the talk over the last two weeks. The senior now lies 149 yards away from breaking Rohan Davey's single-season pass yardage record and has already passed up Jamarcus Russell and Matt Mauck for most touchdowns in a single-season.
The real test came for the senior when Alabama began to stage a comeback in the second half, converting on three critical third downs in the fourth quarter to hold off the pesky Tide.
With the lead shrinking to 39-34 with a little over five minutes to go, Burrow capped off that string of third down conversions with an 18-yard run on third-and-two that set up Clyde Edwards-Helaire for the knockout punch one play later.
Burrow completed at least six passes to four different receivers Saturday night, relying heavily on his running back, Edwards-Helaire, receivers Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase and tight end Thaddeus Moss.
"We worked really hard all offseason and I think we have a great team," Burrow said. "I grew up watching football and LSU-Alabama was always a hard nosed matchup I enjoyed watching. It's really just a great night for us but I want my teammates and people to know that we've still got more goals ahead of us."
Edwards-Helaire, Jefferson and Chase lead the pack offensively for the Tigers
Justin Jefferson remembers exactly where he was sitting the last time LSU beat Alabama in 2011.
"I was right there in those stands," Jefferson said pointing to the LSU section at Bryant-Denny Stadium. "I remember it like it was yesterday. It definitely feels like a dream to be on this field and to come out with a win in 2019."
Justin was 11-years old the last time LSU beat Alabama, watching his older brother Jordan in the second half of a defensive slug-fest. This go around was much different for the youngest Jefferson brother as the Tigers hung up 46 points and accumulated 559 yards of total offense.
For Jefferson's part in the win, the junior hauled in seven receptions for 79 yards while a number of other LSU stars contributed in a major way as well.
There was Edwards-Helaire, who rushed for 103 yards and three touchdowns, adding an additional 77 yards in receptions. There was sophomore receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who brought in six receptions for 140 yards and the game's first touchdown of the game. Lastly, there was tight end Thaddeus Moss, who earned himself a one way ticket on his father Randy's "You Got Mossed," after an insane 16-yard reception in the first half that will live on in LSU folklore.
But the night was especially significant for the junior running back Edwards-Helaire, who despite his small stature (5-foot-8), played like one of the biggest players on the field Saturday night. To cap it all off, he had his father in the stands cheering him on.
"It's always a proud moment for me to make my dad happy, to make my family happy," Edwards-Helaire said. "It's hard to explain the emotions [after winning a big game] but for me it's a big thing being from Baton Rouge watching these games the last eight years. I mean I was in middle school the last time we beat Alabama."
One of the biggest plays of the night for the junior came on third-and-10 in the fourth quarter as LSU was clinging to a 33-27 lead. With Alabama inches from a sack that would've assuredly put the crowd noise at deafening levels, Burrow connected with Edwards-Helaire on a two-yard checkdown pass and the junior running back did the rest, carrying Alabama defenders to the first down mark.
"I was thinking just make the catch and get the first," Edwards-Helaire said. "It's as simple as that, if you think too much you play slow."
"Clyde is a great back and a lot of people doubt him because of his size but he showed tonight he can be with the big dogs," Jefferson said. "We're definitely excited by his play and we're going to keep moving forward."
Capitalizing on first half Bama mistakes proves pivotal for LSU down the stretch.
In what turned out to be quite an exhilarating finish, lost in all of the back-and-forth second half scoring are the key first half plays the LSU defense was able to come away with, and most importantly, turning them into points on the offensive end.
As Alabama drove down the field on the first drive of the game it felt inevitable that the Tide were going to come away with points. After all, it only took three plays to march 60 yards down the field. That's where the mistakes started as Tua Tagovailoa simply lost control of the football and fumbled it away on third-and-goal. LSU would score a touchdown on the ensuing drive.
Then there was the punt that was dropped by Tide punter Ty Perine, a play that would set Burrow and company up in Alabama territory and lead to a 40-yard field goal from freshman kicker Cade York.
Finally there was the interception by linebacker Patrick Queen with just 11 seconds to go in the first half, enough time for Burrow to connect with Edwards-Helaire for a touchdown to wrap up a dream first half that saw LSU take a 33-13 lead into the break.
In total, LSU would score 17 points off Alabama turnovers in the first half. Imagine if that interception doesn't take place or if Tua doesn't fumble on the first drive of the game. It certainly wouldn't have been such a comfortable halftime lead. Those three plays were all the difference for what would become a 46-41 shootout in the second half that would end with the Tigers still standing.
The fourth quarter clutch gene showed by the offense will steal the headlines as it should but it's also important to remember those momentum-swinging plays that LSU was able to convert on.
