Considering all the absent players for Missouri, that was a heck of a first half. I think you could very easily make the case Mizzou out-executed the defending national champs. 17 of LSU's 24 points came when it started on the Missouri side of the field, thanks to a failed fake punt (the one coaching decision I didn't love; it was so obvious, if you're going to go for it, use the offense), a muffed punt and a sack fumble. The Missouri defense struggled out the gates, particularly the secondary, but appears to have settled in and is playing a lot better. I've been impressed with the ability to get pressure on Myles Brennan, particularly given the absences on the defensive line. Perhaps the most shocking stat of the entire first half: LSU has seven rushing yards on seven attempts. Credit to Mizzou, particularly Isaiah McGuire and Markell Utsey, who have played the vast majority of snaps at defensive tackle, but also that feels like a coaching failure by LSU to not try to run more.
On the offensive side, Eli Drinkwitz is pulling out all the stops. The flea flicker on the first drive was awesome. Mizzou almost hit on another big gain on a trick play but Connor Bazelak overthrew Daniel Parker Jr. by a hair. I love the aggressive play-calling, especially in a game where you kind of have nothing to lose. I love even more that they've balanced the aggression with plenty of running between the tackles. Larry Rountree and Tyler Badie have combined for 95 yards on 15 carries. They need to make sure to keep coming back to that throughout the game.
I don't want to coronate anyone too early, but Connor Bazelak looks like he could be the starting quarterback here for a long time. He's been on time and accurate with almost all of his passes. He's felt pressure pretty well and showed he's athletic enough to avoid it. Keep in mind, he's throwing to second- and third-string receivers (although those guys, particularly Boo Smith, have looked good enough to warrant some more playing time, IMO), so Bazelak's stat line of 15-19 for 171 yards and a score is particularly impressive.
Obviously the biggest adjustment Mizzou needs to make is to stop putting the ball on the ground. They fumbled four times in the first half. Two of those came on muffed punts. That might be the most dangerous play right now for Missouri. It looks like Jarvis Ware will replace Kris Abrams-Draine as punt returner. I mentioned that you could make a case that Mizzou has out-executed LSU; you could just as easily say Missouri is very lucky to be tied, since both of those last two fumbles looked like they should have been recovered by LSU.
Overall, that's about as good of a first 30 minutes as you could have hoped for. Entertaining and competitive, good quarterback play. It has to feel good to enter the second half with a real chance to win. Enjoy.
On the offensive side, Eli Drinkwitz is pulling out all the stops. The flea flicker on the first drive was awesome. Mizzou almost hit on another big gain on a trick play but Connor Bazelak overthrew Daniel Parker Jr. by a hair. I love the aggressive play-calling, especially in a game where you kind of have nothing to lose. I love even more that they've balanced the aggression with plenty of running between the tackles. Larry Rountree and Tyler Badie have combined for 95 yards on 15 carries. They need to make sure to keep coming back to that throughout the game.
I don't want to coronate anyone too early, but Connor Bazelak looks like he could be the starting quarterback here for a long time. He's been on time and accurate with almost all of his passes. He's felt pressure pretty well and showed he's athletic enough to avoid it. Keep in mind, he's throwing to second- and third-string receivers (although those guys, particularly Boo Smith, have looked good enough to warrant some more playing time, IMO), so Bazelak's stat line of 15-19 for 171 yards and a score is particularly impressive.
Obviously the biggest adjustment Mizzou needs to make is to stop putting the ball on the ground. They fumbled four times in the first half. Two of those came on muffed punts. That might be the most dangerous play right now for Missouri. It looks like Jarvis Ware will replace Kris Abrams-Draine as punt returner. I mentioned that you could make a case that Mizzou has out-executed LSU; you could just as easily say Missouri is very lucky to be tied, since both of those last two fumbles looked like they should have been recovered by LSU.
Overall, that's about as good of a first 30 minutes as you could have hoped for. Entertaining and competitive, good quarterback play. It has to feel good to enter the second half with a real chance to win. Enjoy.
