LSU may have had their ups and downs this season, but the Tigers found a way to end the 2020 campaign on a winning note. A wild shootout of a victory over Ole Miss offered a bit of hope for things to come and featured some of the shortcomings on defense that have plagued them all season. Here are five quick reactions from LSU’s performance against Ole Miss, a breath-taking 53-48 victory over the Rebels.
Kayshon Boutte sets the single-game receiving record
LSU wide receiver Kayshon Boutte has been the player to step up the most in the final few game of the season. Following the decision to opt out by LSU’s leading wide receiver, Terrace Marshall Jr., it was Boutte who emerged with authority to be LSU’s go-to receiver. Following back-to-back 100-yard games against Alabama and Florida, Boutte ended the season by breaking the LSU single-game receiving record. And he did it with the game-winning touchdown.
Boutte is the sixth player in LSU history with three consecutive 100-yard games and the first to eclipse the rare 300-yard receiving mark.
Max Johnson makes his case going into the offseason
Quarterback Max Johnson got his second start for LSU to close out the regular season. Whether it is a coincidence or not, LSU is 2-09 in games started by Johnson. Johnson ended his season by passing for 435 yards and three touchdowns, becoming just the fourth player in LSU history to throw for 400 or more yards in a game (and doing so for the seventh time in program history). That is a heck of a way to finish a season as LSU looks to bounce back next season. The quarterback situation will be fascinating to watch this offseason.
Instant Reaction: LSU closes out season with fireworks and optimism for 2021
Points off turnovers!
LSU had plenty of opportunities to put points on the scoreboard off of Ole Miss turnovers. The Rebels had six turnovers in the game, and LSU made them pay for them. LSU scored 27 points off the first five turnovers and ran off the clock in the final moments. That’s a full team effort.
LSU still has to fix the defense
the turnovers were great, but LSU still gave up an excessive amount of offensive yards and points. The struggles of the defense have been consistent concerns all season long for LSU. And given how much is being invested in defensive coordinator Boi Pelini, it is fair to expect improvements next season as long as LSU continues on with Pelini. Pelini likely is not going anywhere so it all comes down to finding ways to improve with what should hopefully be a more equipped roster in 2021. If things continue this porous trend in 2021, Pelini could be on the way out.
Ending the season at .500 can feel like a win
This was a roller-coaster season for LSU with plenty of pitfalls along the way. Finishing at .500 a season after hoisting the national championship trophy is still a big step back, but 2020 has been known to throw plenty of curveballs. Are there reasons for LSU’s setbacks this season? Absolutely. Roster turnover from graduation, opt-outs, the NFL draft and more took a toll on the depth of the LSU Tigers, not to mention some coaching changes on the staff. This was not the same team it was a year ago, but they finished the season showing fight and grit. And with that, two wins to break even.
As bad as this season was, it wasn’t a losing season. There is reason to take pride in that given the circumstances of this particular season. There is work to be done, and head coach Ed Orgeron doesn’t need to be reminded of that. In fact, he may even embrace the opportunity to get back to work planning and preparing for next season.
See you again in 2021, LSU football.
With LSU serving a self-imposed bowl ban, LSU’s 2020 season is now officially in the books. The next time LSU is scheduled to play a game will be Sept. 4, 2021 with a road game at UCLA. Here’s hoping things are in a better place to allow for that game to go on as currently scheduled.