FSU Football: How to contain LSU QB Jayden Daniels
By Kelvin Hunt
FSU football will rematch LSU in a top-10 matchup Sunday night in primetime. The Noles will be slight underdogs going into the game on a neutral field in Orlando. FSU was in the same position last year and won the game outright.
The similarities between this year and last are apparent, as both teams return some familiar faces. I think FSU can point to several reasons why they can score points against LSU, but LSU will largely depend on the play of quarterback Jayden Daniels.
After all, he was their entire offense last year, as he often had to scramble because of pressure from the FSU defensive front. FSU held the LSU offense in check for the majority of the night, aside from Daniels scampering here and there, until the final 99-yard drive they put together after an FSU fumble on the goal line.
LSU had 348 total yards, and 99 came on that final drive. Daniels had 116 yards rushing on 16 carries. He got sacked four times and hurried several other times. However, the undisciplined play of green defensive ends aided his elusive ability. It was the first start for Jared Verse at FSU after coming from FCS Albany.
Patrick Payton was a redshirt freshman, and Derrick McLendon didn’t have a ton of experience. That won’t be the case in 2023. Verse is a Preseason All-American, Payton is the reigning ACC Freshman Defensive Rookie of the Year, and Gilber Edmond replaces the departed Derrick McLendon.
Edmond played over 600 snaps last season at South Carolina. FSU also has more proven depth at defensive tackle. Jayden Daniels found some success last year, but I think FSU will have a better opportunity to contain him on Sunday night. Let’s take a look at last year.