Tag: Terrace Marshall Jr.

LSU WR Terrace Marshall Jr. releases statement of opting out of the 2020 season

LSU wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. took to Twitter with a statement on opting out of the rest of the 2020 season.

LSU football is now without one of its top players after Terrace Marshall Jr. officially announced he was opting out of the remainder of the 2020 college football season.

The announcement came just one day after LSU’s 20-7 fall to the Texas A&M Aggies on the road, and ahead of the Tigers’ upcoming matchup against the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide.

“First of many words, I thank God for all the blessings that he has allowed to come my way because without him I wouldn’t be in this position,” he wrote. “I am blessed to have a platform to display God’s work and show the world that in all things we must give thanks. As I reflect on the past, every trial and tribulation I have faced has made me who I am today. I strive to be the best every day and I won’t let up until my destiny is fulfilled.”

Before opting out, Marshall was a favorite target of LSU quarterbacks this season, recording 48 receptions for 731 yards with 10 touchdowns this season.

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He totals 106 receptions for 1,594 yards with 23 touchdowns on his college career.

Here’s a look at the complete statement from Marshall:

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Report Card: Grading LSU after difficult loss to Texas A&M

LSU received some tough grades following its 20-7 loss to Texas A&M. The defense earned some high marks, but that was not enough for LSU.

The grades for LSU are in after the Tigers lost Saturday night against Texas A&M. And those grades are not particularly pretty this week. While there are at least a couple of bright spots to highlight in LSU’s loss, the review of this game was not too kind to the Tigers.

Here is the report card for LSU after its 2-0-7 loss to the Aggies this weekend.

Quarterbacks: D

It can be really easy to be incredibly down on TJ Finley after the kind of performance he had against Texas A&M. Two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown and completing just nine of 25 pass attempts would certainly seem to be a slam dunk case for a failing grade. However, we’ll give Finley a slight pass because he was up against one of the best defenses in the country, on the road. There wasn’t much to be proud of, but perhaps this is just one stumble that serves as a learning experience.

MAx Johnson did come into the game and led LSU to a touchdown late in the fourth quarter to avoid being shut out by the Aggies.

Next: Running Backs

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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?

LSU offensive players of the week following win over Arkansas

LSU’s offense finished with 419 yards against Arkansas, led by quarterback TJ Finley.

The LSU Tigers are coming off a 27-24 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks last Saturday, and will look to repeat their success when this week’s matchup with Texas A&M rolls around.

TJ Finley earned the start at quarterback, and played significantly well for the Tigers in the win.

LSU’s defense held Arkansas to 0-of-10 on third down and just 104 rushing yards.

Here are the offensive players of the week following the Tigers’ big win over the Razorbacks.

TJ Finley

Finley finished the game 27-of-42 passing for 271 yards with two touchdowns. The freshman averaged 6.5 yards per pass and had a QBR of 81.2 for the game.

The coveted freshman signal-caller has continued to play well for LSU despite a disappointing showing in his first road start at Auburn on October 31.

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Report Card: Grading LSU’s win against Arkansas

LSU looked confident in all areas of the game in a road victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday.

After a couple of weeks off for one reason or another, LSU got back in the win column on Saturday with a 27-24 win at Arkansas. The win featured a fourth-quarter rally and a defensive stand to protect the lead.

The win evened LSU’s record at 3-3 as a season of ups and downs continued. Overall, this was a fairly positive game without much reason to criticize any particular group. This was a stark contrast from our last report card following LSU’s blowout loss to Auburn.

Let’s dig into this latest progress report on the Tigers.

Quarterback: B

TJ Finley started his third game for the Tigers, and he was much closer to his South Carolina performance than his dreadful outing against Auburn. That was very good news for LSU. Finley passed for 271 yards and two touchdowns without an interception thrown. The ability to protect the football was essential in a tight game like this, and seeing him look much more comfortable was an encouraging sign after Auburn really roughed him up a few weeks ago.

Finley also added 15 rushing yards to the game, but the ground game was in good hands as well.

NEXT: Running Backs

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Which questions surround LSU during the open date?

LSU reaches the open date at a disappointing 2-3. Which questions must Ed Orgeron and the Tigers answer?

LSU football needed this open date.

After dropping a lopsided game on the road against Auburn last week, LSU is left searching for plenty of answers to questions both internally and from outside the program.

Celebrating a national championship earlier this calendar year feels like ages ago (then again, everything in 2020 does), which makes the pain of a 2-3 season even more disappointing at this point in the season.

Here are five questions Ed Orgeron and LSU must address during their bye week.

Where do LSU players stand in CBS Sports’ 2021 NFL Draft projections?

LSU wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Terrace Marshall Jr. are listed as first-round selections in CBS Sports’ updated mock draft.

The LSU Tigers may not repeat as national champions this season, but they will certainly have many players selected in the 2021 NFL draft.

Wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Terrace Marshall Jr. are almost locks to be selected in the first round.

There are a handful of teams in the NFL that could use Chase and/or Marshall on the outside in the pass catching scheme. But where do those two Tigers end up for their professional careers?

On Tuesday, CBS Sports updated their mock draft, and Chase and Marshall Jr. are still the only two Tigers selected in the first round.

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Round 1, Pick 7: Ja’Marr Chase (Washington Football Team)

The Washington Football Team has experienced many issues on the offensive side of the ball so far this season. The team’s 2-5 record is indicative of just how poorly their offense has been playing.

In offensive rankings, Washington ranks 30th in total offense with 292.7 yards per game. On the receiving end, the Football Team ranks 27th in the league at 217.7 reception yards per game.

Former LSU Tigers wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase could help Washington out tremendously in increasing those numbers.

His athletic ability to catch any pass thrown his way and to make moves against defenders and earn separation at the line of scrimmage would give the team a new star on the outside.

Terry McLaurin, Washington’s best wideout, could use help on the opposite end, and Chase could provide that.

While his final destination on draft day continues to bounce around, Chase will certainly be a top-10 pick in next year’s draft.

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Round 1, Pick 24- Terrace Marshall Jr. (Baltimore Ravens)

Marshall continues to be the leading receiver in Baton Rouge this year. Despite a new quarterback and passing game coordinator, the Tigers’ junior receiver climbs the draft boards after each game.

So far for the 2020 season, Marshall Jr. has 540 yards on 31 receptions with nine touchdowns. With five games to go in the regular season, his numbers will continue upward.

The Ravens have weapons on the outside with Marquise Brown leading the way on the outside. Willie Snead IV and Myles Boykin are the team’s other two star receivers.

Adding Marshall would give Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson a fourth weapon — and possibly the No. 2 receiver — to throw to on the outside.

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Studs and duds in LSU’s 48-11 loss to Auburn

The LSU Tigers fell to 2-3 on the season after Saturday’s humiliating 48-11 defeat at Auburn. 

The LSU Tigers fell to 2-3 on the season after Saturday’s humiliating 48-11 defeat at Auburn.

Quarterback TJ Finley made his second career start in place of the injured Myles Brennan and had his share of struggles. Finley completed 13 of 24 passes for 143 yards with two interceptions.

Finley didn’t receive a lot of help from his running game, as the Tigers managed just 32 rushing yards.

This was LSU’s worst loss since 1996, and its most lopsided defeat at the hands of an unranked opponent since 1936.

The Tigers are off next week before their annual meeting with No. 2 Alabama the following week.

It was a tough day for LSU on both sides of the ball. So, who were the studs and duds for the Tigers in defeat?

Stock up, stock down: Which LSU players impressed, struggled in loss to Auburn

Any chance the LSU Tigers had of turning around their season ended in Saturday’s 48-11 loss at Auburn.

Any chance the LSU Tigers had of turning around their season ended in Saturday’s 48-11 loss at Auburn.

The defending national champions dropped to 2-3 on the season and are off next week before a date with Alabama on Nov. 7.

In the loss, LSU struggled on both sides of the ball. Freshman quarterback TJ Finley had a tough day, completing 13-of-24 passes for 143 and two interceptions.

Finley was terrific in his debut in last week’s win over South Carolina, but he was constantly under pressure in the loss to Auburn. Fellow freshman quarterback Max Johnson entered the game in the second half.

The defense had its share of issues, too, allowing over 500 yards of total offense.

After such a disappointing day, whose stock is high and low for the LSU Tigers?

Report Card: Grading LSU’s loss against Auburn

After suffering the program’s worst defeat since 1996, there was plenty of blame to go around for LSU after its loss at Auburn.

Just about anything that could go wrong for LSU against Auburn went wrong.

LSU was dominated by Auburn in a 48-11 setback on Saturday that dropped LSU to 2-3 as the month of October came to a close.

With such a decisive loss, there is plenty of blame to go around. Let’s hand out some grades for this week’s performance as LSU wraps up the midway point of its season.

Quarterbacks: D

Young quarterbacks will tend to have some growing pains in new situations. This was one of those for TJ Finley. A week after impressing against South Carolina, Finley got a rude dose of reality from an aggressive Auburn defense. Finley completed just 13 of 24 attempts for 143 yards with two interceptions and a fumble, which was returned for an Auburn touchdown.

Max Johnson came in to deliver Finley in the second half and ended the game with 172 yards and a touchdown. After the game, Ed Orgeron made it clear that Myles Brennan will still be LSU’s quarterback when he is ready to return to the field.

Next: Running backs

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