Post Game Review: No. 2 LSU 50, Texas A&M 7

Joe Burrow threw for 352 yards and three touchdowns as the No. 2 LSU Tigers defeated A&M, 50-7, on Saturday night in Death Valley. 

Joe Burrow quickly marched the Tigers down the field on the opening drive of the game and Clyde Edwards-Helaire capped the drive with a five-yard touchdown run. 

The Tigers got the ball back on their own 20-yard line after a Braden Mann touchback and drove down the field with ease. Burrow found receiver Jefferson for a 12-yard touchdown to give LSU a 14-0 lead just eight minutes into the game. 

After an eight-play A&M drive, LSU got the ball back and quickly extended their lead as Ja’Marr Chase ran past the Aggie secondary for a 78-yard touchdown. 

A three-and-out and short punt started the next Tiger drive at the A&M 46-yard line, and LSU used their rushing game to penetrate the Aggie defense. Ty Davis-Price finished the run-heavy drive with a four-yard touchdown to give the Tigers a 28-0 lead. 

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Kellen Mond struggled throughout the game thanks to unrelenting pressure from the Tiger defense.

LSU brought pressure on Kellen Mond and two incompletions hindered the drive and forced the Aggies into a three-and-out. The Aggies were able to get LSU into a 3rd-and-14 at their own 36, however, Jayden Peevy was called for roughing the passer, extending the drive for the Tigers. Cade York nailed a 51-yard field goal and the Tigers held a 31-0 lead at the half. 

After each team traded punts to start the second half, Kellen Mond threw an interception to Grant Delpit and the Tigers took over at the Aggies’ 40-yard line. A Cade York 50-yard field goal supplemented the LSU lead to 34-0. 

Kellen Mond found Isaiah Spiller for a 45-yard gain to kickstart the Aggies’ next drive. Spiller then completed the drive with a one-yard touchdown run to put A&M on the board. On the subsequent drive, Joe Burrow threw his third touchdown of the night – this time an 18-yard connection with Ja’Marr Chase. The commanding 41-7 lead ended Burrow’s last game in Death Valley with 352 yards and three touchdowns in three quarters of work. 

Myles Brennan took over for Burrow and scored on the next drive. The Aggies gave up a safety and the Tigers clinched a 50-7 win over the Aggies. 

RUMBLED: Justin Madubuike showed positive signs and forced Burrow out of the pocket on a few occasions in the game. The junior defensive lineman notched 1.5 sacks, two tackles for a loss and five tackles. The Aggies were able to get pressure on Burrow, but he was able to extend plays thanks to his elusiveness and missed tackles by A&M. Madubuike was a big part of the initial pressure. Anthony Hines also racked up 12 tackles. 

STUMBLED: Kellen Mond really struggled, completing just 10 of 30 passes for 92 yards and three interceptions. The junior signal-caller struggled with accuracy and was under pressure for virtually the entire evening. LSU brought different blitz packages and the Tigers were able to take Mond off of his game. Though he was under pressure on most of his longer-throw misses, Mond also missed easier checkdown throws including multiple dump offs to Isaiah Spiller. The A&M corners also got exposed by Joe Burrow who racked up 352 yards and made throwing on the Aggies look easy. LSU receiver Ja’Marr Chase was the biggest benefactor and tallied 197 yards and two touchdowns. 

UNSUNG HERO: Isaiah Spiller averaged 5.1 yards per carry and was the spark of the A&M offense late in the game. The freshman running back scored the Aggies’ lone touchdown of the evening. Braden Mann had a busy night, punting seven times for an average of 50.3 yards. The punter also converted a 4th-and-16 by running the ball for a first down on a fake punt. 

KEY STAT: Total Passing Yards – LSU: 425 yards, A&M 92 yards. The Aggies were thoroughly outplayed, both offensively and defensively. Joe Burrow had his way against the A&M secondary and showed exactly why he is a near-lock to win the Heisman Trophy. Mond had his lowest yard total and completion percentage of the season and threw three interceptions. 

Scoring summary

First-quarter: 

LSU: 12:50 - Clyde Edwards-Helaire 5-yard touchdown run. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards. TOP: 2:10. LSU 7, Texas A&M 0. 

LSU: 7:00 - Joe Burrow passed to Justin Jefferson for a 12-yard touchdown. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards. TOP: 4:06. LSU 14, Texas A&M 0. 

LSU: 1:47 - Joe Burrow passed to Ja’Marr Chase for a 78-yard touchdown. Drive: 3 plays, 91 yards. TOP: 1:20. LSU 21, Texas A&M 0. 

Second-quarter: 

LSU: 10:46 - Tyrion Davis-Price ran to the left for a four-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 11 plays, 55 yards. TOP: 4:15. LSU 28, Texas A&M 0. 

LSU: 5:58 - Cade York kicked a 51-yard field goal. Drive: 9 plays, 53 yards. TOP: 4:15. LSU 31, Texas A&M 0. 

Third-quarter: 

LSU: 7:25 - Cade York nailed a 50-yard field goal. Drive: 5 plays, 8 yards. TOP: 2:03. LSU 34, Texas A&M 0. 

A&M: 4:13 - Isaiah Spiller 1-yard rush. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards. TOP: 3:12. LSU 34, Texas A&M 7. 

LSU: 1:31 - Ja’Marr Chase 18-yard reception from Joe Burrow. Drive: 7 plays, 85 yards. TOP: 2:35. LSU 41, Texas A&M 7. 

Fourth-quarter: 

LSU: 10:36 - Racey McMath 58-yard pass from Myles Brennan. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards. TOP: 2:06. LSU 48, Texas A&M 7. 

LSU: 3:32 - James Foster lost control of the snap and his knee was down for a safety. LSU 50, Texas A&M 7.