The Joe Burrow Touchdown Bracket: Day 17

The Cigar Region finally had its first upset as you the voters decided Terrace Marshall’s 20-yard fade against Auburn, the region’s 10 seed, was the better touchdown than his 26-yard post route against Texas.

The Cigar Region has one final vote before completing the first round. Today we’ll be choosing between a pair of Ja’Marr Chase touchdowns from the non-conference portion of LSU’s schedule.

No. 8: Chase’s 25-yard jump ball vs. Utah State

The context:

This was the exclamation mark for a 13-play, 99-yard drive. LSU is deep in its own territory thanks to Derrick Stingley intercepting Jordan Love. Remember this is only a 14-6 game and Utah State is driving looking to pull within a point or possibly tie the game with a touchdown and two-point conversion, but the best corner back in America put an end to that threat.

The offense responds beautifully and demoralizes the Aggies. Even with the poor field position and three separate third down situations, Utah State can’t stop Burrow. 3rd and 4? Burrow hits Chase for 9; 3rd and 15? There’s Derrick Dillon for 19. 3rd and 7? Nope, Utah State can’t stop that one either, and he finds Justin Jefferson for 15. Two plays later, Burrow hits Chase who goes up and grabs the ball over a helpless Aggie defensive back that winds up facedown on the ground while Chase celebrates the score. And I’m not going to spoil anything, but this play looks awfully similar to the next No. 1 seed we’ll meet tomorrow.

No. 9: Chase’s 12-yard score vs. Georgia Southern

The context:

This will be the one entry that doesn’t have video. Whatever game was on prior to LSU’s game against Georgia Southern must have gone long because by the time the broadcast starts, the game has already begun.

Here’s what I gathered from reading the drive summary. LSU received the opening kick and Burrow’s first pass of 2019 was incomplete. Now normally that would be an omen, that —once again—the much hyped LSU offense was simply that: hype. All style with no substance.

But 2019 was different as different could be. Burrow hits four passes in a row, the first went for four yards to Justin Jefferson; Thad Moss, that’s right y’all, LSU’s throwing to the tight end, caught a pass that went for 17 yards; then Burrow finds Jefferson for 44 (!!!) yards and the drive ends with Burrow hitting Chase for the season’s first touchdown. And I can’t emphasize this part enough, this would be the first of 20 scores for Chase and 65 for Burrow. 65! Also since we don’t have video, I made this meme which I believe captures the essence of LSU’s first scoring drive of 2019.