LSU Routes Depleted Purdue In Cheez-It Citrus Bowl

Photo Credit: Luis Corazon

ORLANDO, Fla.– LSU dismantled a depleted Purdue team on Monday afternoon 63-7 to win the 2023 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.

Here’s how it all went down at Camping World Stadium.

Purdue won the toss and deferred to the second half. LSU started their opening possession at their 26-yard line. After picking up a quick first down, Jayden Daniels and the Tigers would be forced to punt.

The Boilermakers offense, heavily depleted, had very little success on their opening drive. After starting at their own 22-yard line, their lone positive play was a five-yard quarterback-keeper from Austin Burton. The other two plays were incomplete passes, as the Boilers had to punt after a quick three-and-out.

LSU’s ensuing possession would see much more success after converting a 4th and two at the Boiler 36-yard line. This would help spark a 10-play 63-yard scoring drive, which was capped off by John Emry Jr. taking it in up the middle from one-yard out to make it 7-0 Tigers.

Purdue’s next possession started out positive, with them picking up a 3rd down conversion. Though, after that, it was another punt for the Boilers.

The Tigers would see success again on their possession, this time with quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. He went four of six, passing for 43 yards before Noah Cain took it up the git for a nine-yard rushing TD. This made it 14-0 Tigers with 7:01 left in the 1st quarter.

After yet another dismal Boilermaker offensive possession, LSU got back to work with Daniels back under center. It took them just five-plays to find the endzone as Daniels connected with Mason Taylor for a 32-yard touchdown pass to make it 21-0 with 12:27 left to play in the 1st half.

Purdue was still unable to get across midfield as they settled for a 4th punt of the game.

LSU continued to pour it on with a five-play 70-yard drive that was capped off by a nine-yard TD run from Cain to make it 28-0 with 8:23 left to play in the half.

Purdue was able to get across midfield on the next possession. However, an interception at the goal line would end the party.

Nussmeier then led the Tigers on a five-play 87-yard scoring drive to make it 35-0 before the half.

In the second half, Purdue would start with the ball and would pick up a 1st down conversion on 4th down. However, they would try again on the next set of downs and fail to convert, relinquishing the ball to LSU at the Boiler 45-yard line.

It would take them nine plays to go 45 yards, as Malik Nabers took it in for the score to make it 42-0.

Purdue’s struggles continued, however, they would get an interception in the endzone to gain some momentum. However, after they punted it away, Nabers broke free for a 75-yard rushing touchdown to make it 49-0 with 3:15 left to play in the 3rd.

As we entered the 4th quarter, Purdue had worked their way into LSU territory for only the second time of the day. They would finally get on the board on a 16-yard pass from Michael Alaimo to TJ Sheffield for the score. This made it 49-7 with 12:27 left in the game.

The Boiler defense would then force a three-and-out, to get the ball back. However, it would be all for not as they punted it after a three-and-out.

LSU then went 55 yards in 12-plays to get back into the endzone. This time it came on 12-yard rush from Derrick Davis Jr. to make it 56-7.

Shortly there after, Purdue’s final drive of the game would be a promising one as they got just outside the redzone. However, on 4th and nine, from the LSU 21, quarterback Jack Albers was picked off at the one-yard line by Quad Wilson, who took it 99-yards the other way for a Tigers touchdown to make it 63-7 with 40 seconds left to play.

One final snap from Purdue would then seal the deal on the 2023 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.

Written by Adrian Beecher

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