Tag: Kayshon Boutte

Who stood out and who didn’t in LSU’s 55-17 loss to Alabama

The LSU Tigers allowed 650 yards of offense and 55 points to Alabama in a 38 point loss on Saturday.

The LSU Tigers fell to 3-5 on the season following Saturday’s 55-17 loss to No. 1 Alabama inside Tiger Stadium.

LSU only accounted for 352 total yards of offense and gave up 650 yards to the Crimson Tide. The Tigers finished the game with just 98 rushing yards and averaged 4.9 yards per play.

Here’s a look at the studs and duds following LSU’s loss to the top ranked Crimson Tide:

Stud: WR Kayshon Boutte

(Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)

The freshman receiver hauled in eight catches for 111 yards. He averaged 13.9 yards per catch.

With Terrace Marshall Jr. opting out of the season earlier this week, the Tigers offense needed a receiver to step up in his place.

Boutte proved that he can become a viable part of the offense down the stretch with his performance on Saturday.

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Instant reaction: LSU rolled by No. 1 Alabama

LSU’s defense had no ways to solve Alabama’s offense, led by Mac Jones and wide receiver DeVonta Smith, Saturday night in Baton Rouge.

If Alabama was out for revenge, then they got it with authority. No. 1 Alabama (9-0, 9-0 SEC) was in complete control of LSU (3-5, 3-5 SEC) on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. A year after losing to LSU in Tuscaloosa, Alabama’s offense was ready to clobber LSU in Baton rouge. They did just that with a 55-17 victory to remain in the driver’s seat to the SEC championship and a possible national championship.

Alabama quarterback and Heisman Trophy hopeful Mac Jones was precise and efficient. Jones came out of the game early in the fourth quarter to end his night completing 20-of-28 for 385 yards and four touchdowns. Alabama receiver and Louisiana native DeVonta Smith had a monster game with eight receptions for 231 yards and three touchdowns, including a one-handed grab for a score late in the first half to push Alabama’s halftime lead to 45-14.

LSU’s defense showed some improvement in the last couple of games, but defensive coordinator Bo Pelini could not find any answers for the Alabama offense from the jump. Alabama scored touchdowns on each of their first five possessions and scored points on each of their first-half possessions with one field goal working its way into breaking up Alabama’s perfect touchdown streak.

If there was a turning point in the game, it came at the end of LSU’s first offensive series. After Alabama opened the game with a 75-yard touchdown drive, LSU worked its way into the red zone. On fourth down with one yard to go from the Alabama 15-yard line, Ed Orgeron opted to go for the first down rather than attempt to put some points on the scoreboard. But Alabama swallowed up Tyrion Davis-Price for a stop and five plays later the Crimson Tide took a 14-0 lead. The Alabama defense forced a three-and-out on LSU’s ensuing possession and the Alabama offense took a commanding 21-0 lead. The game was never in doubt.

Alabama’s 55 points scored is a new high for either team in the long-standing history of this rivalry. The previous record had been 46 points, scored by LSU a year ago. This was also the third-largest margin of victory for Alabama over LSU in the series. Alabama largest margins of victory over LSU are by 44 points (1922, 47-3) and 42 points (1925; 42-0). What a difference a year can make.

LSU quarterback TJ Finley completed 14-of-28 for 143 yards and a touchdown. The big play of the night for the LSU offense came on a pass from Finley to Kayshon Boutte, who dropped the football before crossing the goal line. Jontre Kirklin made what was ruled an immediate recovery for the score, letting Boutte off the hook this time.

Alabama’s win over LSU clinched the SEC West Division for Nick Saban and the Crismon Tide. Alabama will now face the Florida Gators, who clinched the SEC East Division title earlier in the day with a win over Tennessee.

LSU, on the other hand, fell to 3-5 on the season with just two games remaining on the regular-season schedule. Next week will see LSU face the Gators in a game that was rescheduled from a postponement earlier this season. A loss would clinch a losing record for LSU in 2020. LSU has not had a losing season since 1999, the final season under former head coach Gerry DiNardo. LSU made a coaching change after that 1999 season, hiring none other than Saban.

What does LSU football’s bowl game history look like over the past 20 years?

Watch: LSU player drops ball before crossing goal line

LSU’s Kayshon Boutte, a freshman, was en route to a score against Alabama on Saturday. The only issue was the wideout dropped the ball before crossing the goal line. Everyone realized it … except the officials. Per LSUTigerswire.com: LSU got to the …

LSU’s Kayshon Boutte, a freshman, was en route to a score against Alabama on Saturday. The only issue was the wideout dropped the ball before crossing the goal line.

Everyone realized it … except the officials.

Per LSUTigerswire.com:

LSU got to the scoreboard for the first time of the night in a rather unconventional manner, with a 44-yard reception by Kayshon Boutte that should have been his touchdown, but instead became Jontre Kirklin’s after Boutte dropped the ball outside of the end zone.

WATCH: LSU’s Kayshon Boutte gets away with dropping football before crossing goal line vs. Alabama

LSU wide receiver Kayson Boutte got his touchdown celebration started a little early. Fortunately for him, a teammate let him off the hook.

Perhaps the college football gods are taking it easy on LSU tonight in Tiger Stadium. How else can you explain the missed call by the officials on what turned out to be a Kayshon Boutte touchdown reception to open the second quarter against Alabama?

Down 21-0 after one quarter of play, LSU opened the second quarter of their home game against the top-ranked Crimson Tide with a bang. TJ Finley completed a 44-yard pass to Kayson Boutte, who caught the ball in stride and cruised his way down the left sideline for a touchdown to put the Tiger son the board.

That’s all well and good. But a replay of the touchdown shows Boutte got started with his celebration a tad prematurely, as he clearly dropped the football prior to crossing the goal line.

It feels as though this ridiculous touchdown celebration pops up at least once every college football season, and Boutte is just the latest to partake in the trend that must drive coaches absolutely crazy.

Fortunately for Boutte, the game continued, seemingly letting Boutte off the hook for this mishap. As the video replay continued, you can see why the officials decided the LSU touchdown should stand. That is because teammate Jontre Kirklin came to the rescue making a beeline for the deserted football as LSU teammates celebrated in the end zone. As it turned out, Kirklin was the one they should have been celebrating.

Had the play been correctly blown dead with nobody recovering the football, LSU would have had the football at the Alabama one-yard line. In the grand scheme of things, this may not have been a major sequence of events one way or the other. Regardless, LSU head coach Ed Orgeron and his staff will have to take some time to remind their players that actually scoring touchdowns will forever be cooler than pre-touchdown celebrations.

Five takeaways from LSU’s tough night against Texas A&M

LSU’s offense looked to be outmatched in every way against a stingy Texas A&M defense.

LSU had another downward turn on the roller coaster of a 2020 season on Saturday night. Although LSU avoided being shutout by Texas A&M, the Tigers left Kyle Field with plenty of questions and fires to put out with its offense.

1. TJ Finley made a critical freshman mistake

Down two scores and backed up deep in their own end, LSU could not afford to have the quarterback make a costly mistake. TJ Finley did just that with an ill-advised throw under pressure into the middle of the field. It was picked off by Texas A&M’s Buddy Johnson and returned 15 yards for an easy touchdown for the Aggies. That score turned a 13-0 deficit into a three-score game with time already becoming critical for the Tigers.

Head coach Ed Orgeron was visibly upset over the decision-making by his young quarterback as he got in his face as Finley came off the field. Perhaps not coincidentally, Max Johnson took the field for LSU’s ensuing possession.

Instant Reaction: LSU offense no match for Texas A&M defense

2. Defense played well vs Kellen Mond

Last week saw LSU’s defense show signs of improvement after a pause in the schedule. Although they gave up some big pass plays to Feleipe Franks of Arkansas, the overall takeaway from last week was the defense played better. They somehow managed to improve a little bit more this week by frustrating Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond all night long.

Mond completed just 11 of his 34 pass attempts for 105 yards without a touchdown. Mond was also held to just 27 rushing yards, highlighted by a 26-yard run. Texas A&M still managed to get production on the ground to grind out some points, but LSU forced the Aggies to succeed on the ground in other ways.

3. Seriously, how is this not a catch?

It may not have had a dramatic effect on the outcome of the game, but it was certainly a huge swing in momentum when LSU had a two-play touchdown drive wiped out by a video replay and a turnover on the very next play.

After the defense held firm for a fourth-down stop, LSU ripped right down the field with a quick two-play drive traveling 54 yards for a touchdown. TJ Finley’s 54-yard pass to Terrace Marshall was followed by an acrobatic catch by Kayshon Boutte for a touchdown. Or was it?

Replays did seem to show the ball had a very brief moment where it was not in full control of Boutte, but the referee failed to really dive into any explanation for the overturned call.

Immediately following the overturned call, TJ Finley was intercepted by Texas A&M’s Jaylon Jones at the 21-yard line. LSU went from thinking it scored a touchdown on a quick two-play drive after a fourth-down stop and instead was sending its defense back out on the field following a turnover.

 

4.  The LSU QB situation is a roller coaster

Finley was intercepted twice in the game, with his second turnover being the most costly. Finley threw an ill-advised pass under pressure deep in LSU;’s end and it was intercepted and returned for a 15-yard touchdown by Buddy Johnson. Ed Orgeron was notably upset with his quarterback’s decision-making and it may not be a coincidence that Max Johnson played the rest of the game at quarterback.

This may be the time to suggest Max Johnson has a legitimate chance to start next weekend against Alabama. Finley may still have plenty of tools to work with and he is still growing and learning. And sometimes taking these kinds of lumps helps in the long run. But each time Finley has had to be pulled from a game due to being ineffective this season, Johnson has finished the game and managed to get a touchdown on the board.

5. Where’s the running game?

Granted, running the football against Texas A&M is never an easy task. But LSU’s inability to run the football at all has to be concerning. LSU combined to rush for 36 yards, with Tyrion Davis-Price leading the Tigers with half of those rushing yards (18 yards).

What does LSU football’s bowl game history look like over the past 20 years?

Looking into LSU football’s options at wide receiver without Ja’Marr Chase

LSU star receiver Ja’Marr Chase opted out of the 2020 season. Which players could move up the depth chart and earn a starting role in 2020?

On Sunday, news broke that star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase opted out of the 2020 season to focus on his preparations for the 2021 NFL draft.

The Tigers lost 14 players to the NFL draft this past off-season and two assistant coaches. Now, their Biletnikoff Award receiver is gone. Chase recorded 84 receptions for 1,780 yards with 20 touchdowns in 2019.

The departure of Chase leaves LSU with a few open starting spots at the receiver position, and a few freshmen could now earn extended playing time.

1. Terrace Marshall Jr.

Junior wideout Terrace Marshall Jr. will now likely be the Tigers’ main target on the outside. Over the course of his career in Baton Rouge, Marshall has recorded 61 catches for 737 yards and 13 touchdowns. In 2019, he had 46 catches for 671 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Marshall is expected to have a breakout season in 2020 after he finished third on the team in receptions last year. With Chase gone, the opportunity for the junior to emerge as the Tigers’ top target is wide open.

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LSU HC Ed Orgeron praises Racey McMath, pair of freshmen

McMath will get more of the spotlight in LSU’s offense this year, while Boutte and Moore continue to come into their own.

LSU football lost plenty of talent to the 2020 NFL Draft, but names like Racey McMath and several other rising stars remain on the roster.

Head coach Ed Orgeron spoke highly of his wide receiver earlier in the week.

“Racey is doing a great job. Racey is going to be a starter for us,” Orgeron said.

McMath has obviously lived in the shadow of players like Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson in the past, with how stout LSU has been at the position. But he’s made a name for himself, continuing to be a force on special teams while also reeling in 17 receptions for 285 yards and three touchdowns on the 2019 season.

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He’s not the only one catching Orgeron’s eye, though. Freshmen wideouts Kayshon Boutte and Koy Moore have also put on some strong performances.

“(Kayshon) Boutte is doing a good job for us. All those guys are doing a great job,” Orgeron said. “I fell like we’re really talented at the wide receiver position. The guy I’m really impressed with is (Koy) Moore. He’s done a great job. From Rummel High School, I think he’s going to have an excellent freshman year.”

It’s going to be hard for Boutte and Moore to see significant time on the field this year with Chase, Terrace Marshall and McMath leading the pack, but they could certainly be players who make a large impact in future seasons.

LSU is set to open the season against the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Sept. 26 in Tiger Stadium.

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LSU football freshman profile: WR Kayshon Boutte

Boutte is already impressing ahead of the season.

We’re not even a full week into fall camp, and LSU freshman wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is already impressing head coach Ed Orgeron.

Keep in mind, the Tigers aren’t using pads yet or running routes. Currently, the team is in a walkthrough period, but Boutte is already making a name for himself.

Along with fellow freshman receiver Koy Moore, Boutte could be a surprise player in 2020. Orgeron has been surprised by the talent of both players so far in camp.

Boutte comes to LSU from Westgate High School in New Iberia, Louisiana. LSU fans should be excited about this talented freshman as he could quickly become the next Ja’Marr Chase for the Tigers. Boutte excels in route running and has the ability to separate himself from defenders to catch passes.

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The freshman was a four-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals. He was the No.1 receiver in the state of Louisiana coming out of high school.

During his final year of high school, Boutte caught 44 passes for 674 yards and eight touchdown receptions while averaging 15.5 yards per catch.

While the receiver spotlight will be taken up largely by Ja’Marr Chase and Terrace Marshall Jr. this season, Boutte could emerge from out of nowhere and be an early contributor to the offense. He will get the chance to learn and adapt to the collegiate level from arguably the best receiver in college football in Chase.

It will be interesting to see how the Tigers’ coaching staff elects to use Boutte this season, whether it be at receiver in a limited role or even on special teams in some distinguished way. His playing time will probably be limited, but Tigers fans will get a glimpse of his abilities during the season.

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