LSU stops the Boilermakers at the station

January 2, 2023

DSC_3889-2 — LSU receiver Malik Nabers (8) is tripped up by Purdue linebacker OC Brothers (20) in the first quarter at the Cheez-it Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL on Monday January 2, 2023. LSU won by a score of 63 to 7. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)

ORLANDO, Fl – The No. 17 LSU Tigers finished the regular season with a 63-7 win against Purdue in the Citrus Bowl on Monday. LSU dominated the game in all phases, and the young players stepped up big with new found playing time.

LSU receiver Malik Nabers had a killer game and was named MVP of the Citrus. Nabers grabbed nine catches for 163 yards with a 75-yard touchdown. He also threw two passes for 50 yards and a touchdown. One of his passes was to Kyren Lacy for 45 yards and the other was a 5-yard touchdown toss to quarterback Jayden Daniels.

It didn’t matter who was at quarterback for the Tigers Jayden Daniels started the game threw for 139 yards on 12/17 passes with a touchdown. Then Garrett Nussmeier stepped up and threw for 173 yards on 11/15 passes with two touchdowns and an interception.

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) avoids being tackled by Purdue safety Jah’von Grigsby (12) in the second quarter at the Cheez-it Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL on Monday January 2, 2023. LSU won by a score of 63 to 7. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)

Purdue offense just could catch fire today in Florida. Quarterback Austin Burton completed only 50% of his throws 12/24 for 74 yards and an interception. Off the bench Michael Alaimo jumped in to throw 4/11 passes for 37 yards and account for the Boilermakers only touchdown of the game.

Devin Mockobee carried the lite load for Purdue rushing 13 times for 48 yards. TJ Sheffield led the team with 7 catches for 56 yards and the sol touchdown reception.

The Tiger’s never trailed, recording 594 total yards and finishing the scoring with Quad Wilson’s 99-yard interception return for a touchdown.

LSU cornerback Quad Wilson returns a fourth quarter interception off of Purdue for a touchdown at the Cheez-it Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL on Monday January 2, 2023. LSU won by a score of 63 to 7. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)

“That’s kind of the mantle of LSU wide receivers,” Tigers coach Brian Kelly said of Nabers, who was the game’s MVP. “It’s his opportunity now, and you can see that he wanted to make sure that he made a statement out there today.”

“This performance shows that I’m able to come out here and perform at a high level with anybody,” Nabers said.

Nabers was clearly a shooting star during this game right from the opening drives by LSU.

Purdue quarterback Michael Alaimo (1) makes a pass attempt in the third quarter against LSU at the Cheez-it Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL on Monday January 2, 2023. LSU won by a score of 63 to 7. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)

Coach Kelly ends his first season with 10 wins, an SEC Championship Game appearance and great momentum for the program heading into the offseason. Not a bad start to bring this storied program back into top tier team discussions.