What Were LSU’s Plays of the Year?

Now that the 2018 LSU football season is firmly in the rear-view mirrow, let’s take a look back at some of our favorite moments, and see if we can come up with LSU’s ten best plays of 2018.

The nominees are:

Nick Brossette goes for 50 yards versus Miami

The Tigers’ first touchdown of the year came in impressive fashion when senior tailback Nick Brossette ripped off this score on a wide zone play.

Jacob Phillips pick-six versus Miami

LSU was already up 17 when the defense ripped the game open with this interception and 45-yard touchdown return from sophomore linebacker Jacob Phillips.

Cole Tracy boots a 54-yard field goal versus Miami

The Tigers’ ace kicker announced his presence with authority in week one, tying a school record for the longest field goal in school history.

Stephen Sullivan’s hail-mary touchdown versus Southeastern

There wasn’t much to remember about LSU’s week two home debut versus in-state Southeastern, but wide receiver Stephen Sullivan had a moment to remember as the first half ended, hauling down a 40-yard touchdown on a Hail Mary toss from Joe Burrow.

Derrick Dillon’s 71-yard touchdown versus Auburn

Auburn might have underachieved on the year, but in week three, LSU’s trip to Jordan-Hare loomed very large. And after Auburn pulled ahead 21-10, things looked bleak until Burrow fired a perfect throw right over the linebackers to Derrick Dillon on a crossing route and the junior wideout took off and burned the entire defense up the sideline for a 71-yard touchdown.

Cole Tracy’s Game-Winner in Jordan-Hare

And lo, did the legend of the grad transfer kicker grow. Trailing 21-19 with five and a half minutes left, LSU mounted a 14-play drive that ate up nearly the rest of the clock and put the offense in position to win or lose the game on one play. And the import from Assumption College did the rest.

Devin White’s Fumble Recovery versus Louisiana Tech

Fumbles were kind of Devin White’s thing in 2018, and this recovery versus Louisiana Tech may have been his most impressive, although he just missed scoring with a late step out of bounds. Just a one-handed YOINK after he saw the ball was loose.

Grant Delpit’s Diving Interception versus Ole Miss

LSU’s superstar safety didn’t take long to make a big impression against Ole Miss, intercepting Jordan Ta’amu on the second play of the game in impressive fashion.

Joe Burrow’s 35-yard touchdown versus Ole Miss

LSU’s quarterback put the final nail in a 45-16 win over the Rebels with a 35-yard sprint on a zone-read keeper.

Grant Delpit and Devin White Blow Up Georgia’s Fake Field Goal

LSU scored first against the then-second-ranked Georgia Bulldogs in October, but really gained momentum off some desperation by Kirby Smart. On fourth and long, the Bulldogs called a fake field goal, but Grant Delpit and Devin White read the fake perfectly, sealing the edge, corralling kicker Rodrigo Blankenship and even forcing a fumble.

Kristian Fulton’s Interception versus Georgia

LSU had a 13-point lead over Georgia near the end of the fourth quarter, but things still felt tenuous until cornerback Kristian Fulton made a tremendous diving pick of Jake Fromm that helped to set up another field goal.

Devin White Snuffs Out Georgia’s Two-Point Conversion

Georgia drove for a big touchdown to cut into LSU’s lead 19-9, but the 2018 Butkus Award winner came up with a huge tackle on a two-point attempt that could have cut the lead even further.

Joe Burrow Sprints 59 Yards Through the Heart of Georgia

LSU’s Ohio import ran for two touchdowns in the Georgia upset and both came on quarterback sneaks. But he helped put a big dagger into the Bulldogs in the fourth quarter with this 59-yard sprint on zone-read. He also served up a Georgia safety with one of the meanest stutter-steps that poor DB saw on the year.

Ed Paris Forces a Fumble That Avery Atkins Recovers versus Georgia

With LSU up 26-9, the Bulldogs committed one more final mistake to put the Tigers over the top when Mecole Hardman brough a deep kickoff out of the endzone. Ed Paris was able to pop the ball out, and kicker Avery Atkins was able to slide into the scrum late to snatch the ball away.

Michael Divinity’s Interception versus Mississippi State

The Tiger defense took it to Nick Fitzgerald quickly, pressuring him into a very poor decision over the middle that F-linebacker Michael Divinity pounced on.

Devin White’s Forced Fumble and Michael Divinity’s Touchdown Return versus Texas A&M

The forced fumble was something of a signature play for Devin White in 2018, and with Texas A&M up by seven in the fourth quarter and driving, the Tigers needed a big play. White covers a swing pass, rips the ball out and Michael Divinity brings it back for a game-tying defensive touchdown.

Grant Delpit’s Forced Fumble versus Texas A&M

With a three point lead in overtime, LSU’s All-American safety drilled Texas A&M tight end Jace Sternberger on a long reception and popped the ball loose for what should have been a game-winning fumble.

Justin Jefferson’s 22-yard Touchdown Catch in the Fiesta Bowl

Trailing 14-3. A disaster of a pick-six, plus a hit that looked to put Joe Burrow out of action. But the Tiger offense responded quickly, driving right down the field and then Burrow finding Justin Jefferson on a beauty of a 22-yard strike for six.

Devin White’s Forced Fumble in the Fiesta Bowl

LSU needed a break in the Fiesta Bowl. They were moving the ball well, but struggled to stop UCF on its first possession and trailing thanks to a pick-six. Once again, Devin White provided.

Ja’Marr Chase’s 32-yard Touchdown in the Fiesta Bowl

In what we hope is a sign of many more to come, freshman Ja’Marr Chase ran a beauty of a go route that Burrow hit in stride for a 32-yard touchdown.

The poll — LINKED HERE, if not visible below — will allow you to rank the plays. Likewise, feel free to offer votes and feedback (if you think we missed something, by all means) in the comments with posts and recs as well and we’ll come up with a top 10 from the results, with our own staff input of course.