LSU football: Which players earned their stripes against MSU?

2. Malik Nabers

Whereas Roy had one moment to shine, the next player who earned his stripes had many. Malik Nabers and the rest of the LSU receiving core must be slightly frustrated with their lack of involvement thus far. For one reason or another, the Tigers have run the ball (either with the backs or Daniels himself) a lot more than they should at times. There is still a lot of time left in the season and the offense is still attempting to work out some of its internal issues.

Nabers popped up and performed whenever he was needed most on Saturday though. Many will remember the Bayou Bengals’ No. 8 for his two muffed punts in Week 1. This is a bit unfair to the youngster though as he’s done so much more since then to redeem himself. Chances are his showing at the weekend will put those chats to bed once and for all.

LSU needed to move the ball downfield throughout the second half. A bleak offensive performance in the first half put the home team behind early. The defense held on as well as it could, the Tigers just needed to string some solid drives together.

Enter Nabers.

The young receiver came up huge with several third and fourth down conversions, including one of the most important plays of the game. Daniels turned to the sophomore on fourth and three from the Mississippi State 34-yard-line. Instead of trying to get cute and pick up just a couple of yards, Denbrock dialed up a slot fade for Nabers, who ended up picking up 25+ yards on the catch.

LSU would go on to score as a result of Nabers’ heroics on the drive and put the game out of reach for Mike Leach’s men. The Tigers would’ve stalled offensively on numerous occasions if not for the clutch catches by their young receiver. Nabers finished the evening with six receptions for 76 yards—both of which were team highs.