The 2020 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and competed in the West Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They were led by fourth year head coach Ed Orgeron.
The season was not an easy one for LSU, who were the defending national champions. After starting the year with a stunning home loss to Mississippi State, the Tigers were only able to string together five wins. In addition to losing a record 14 players to the NFL draft the year before, All-American wide receiver, Ja'Marr Chase opted out of play before the season. The Tigers also lost their starting quarterback, Myles Brennan, three games in and had to rely on true freshmen, TJ Finley and Max Johnson, for the remainder of the year. In spite of these obstacles, the Tigers managed to end the season on a positive note with wins over sixth-ranked Florida and Ole Miss, the former as a 24-point underdog. The Tigers also had a scheduled home game vs. Missouri switched to Columbia three days before kickoff due to the threat of Hurricane Delta along the Louisiana coast.
By comparison, LSU had already eclipsed more losses by their seventh game of the season than they had in all of 2018 and 2019 combined. Still, the victories over Florida and Ole Miss allowed LSU to avert its first losing season since 1999, when the Tigers went 3–8. The .500 season is the first for LSU since a 5–5–1 ledger in 1974.
On December 9, LSU announced a self-imposed bowl ban for the 2020 season. Although the Tigers did not finish the season with six wins, the NCAA removed bowl eligibility requirements for the 2020 bowl season. This self-imposed bowl ban was enacted due to an NCAA investigation at LSU over allegations of improper booster payments to their players.
Preseason SEC Media Days In the preseason media poll, LSU was predicted to finish in second in the West Division behind Alabama. LSU received the second-most votes (tied with Georgia) to win the SEC Championship Game.
Schedule LSU Tigers announced its 2020 football schedule on August 7, 2019. The 2020 schedule originally consisted of 7 home, 4 away, and 1 neutral site game in the regular season.
The Tigers had games scheduled against Nicholls, Rice, Texas, and UTSA, which were all canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the Covid 19 Pandemic, LSU, like the other SEC members played a 10-game all conference schedule. The games vs. Vanderbilt and Missouri were not on the Tigers' original schedule.
The game between LSU and Missouri was originally scheduled to take place in Baton Rouge. However, in light of Hurricane Delta, the game was moved to Columbia, Missouri. The game between LSU and Florida was originally scheduled to take place on October 17. However, due to COVID-19 management requirements in response to positive tests and subsequent quarantine of individuals within the Florida program, the game was rescheduled for December 12. Schedule source:
Game summaries Mississippi State
Statistics MSSTLSU First downs 24 25 Total yards 632 425 Rushing yards 9 80 Passing yards 623 345 Turnovers 4 2 Time of possession 30:28 29:32 Team Category Player Statistics Mississippi State Passing K. J. Costello 36/60, 623 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT Rushing Kylin Hill 7 rushes, 34 yards Receiving Osirus Mitchell 7 receptions, 183 yards, 2 TD LSU Passing Myles Brennan 27/46, 345 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT Rushing Chris Curry 9 rushes, 47 yards Receiving Terrace Marshall Jr. 8 receptions, 122 yards, 2 TD
At Vanderbilt
Statistics LSUVAN First downs 28 17 Total yards 498 266 Rushing yards 161 153 Passing yards 337 113 Turnovers 1 2 Time of possession 29:13 30:47 Team Category Player Statistics LSU Passing Myles Brennan 23/37, 337 yards, 4 TD, INT Rushing Chris Emery Jr. 12 rushes, 103 yards, TD Receiving Terrace Marshall Jr. 2 receptions, 67 yards, 2 TD Vanderbilt Passing Ken Seals 11/25, 113 yards, TD, 2 INT Rushing Javeon Marlow 17 rushes, 83 yards Receiving Camron Johnson 3 receptions, 63 yards
At Missouri
Statistics LSUMIZ First downs 20 25 Total yards 479 586 Rushing yards 49 180 Passing yards 430 406 Turnovers 0 3 Time of possession 29:11 30:49 Team Category Player Statistics LSU Passing Myles Brennan 29/48, 430 yards, 4 TD Rushing Tyrion Davis-Price 9 rushes, 38 yards, TD Receiving Terrace Marshall Jr. 11 receptions, 235 yards, 3 TD Missouri Passing Connor Bazelak 29/34, 406 yards, 4 TD Rushing Larry Rountree III 18 rushes, 119 yards Receiving Tauskie Dove 6 receptions, 83 yards, TD
South Carolina
Statistics SCLSU First downs 17 29 Total yards 403 541 Rushing yards 169 276 Passing yards 234 265 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 22:26 37:34 Team Category Player Statistics South Carolina Passing Collin Hill 12/22, 234 yards, TD, INT Rushing Kevin Harris 12 rushes, 126 yards, 2 TD Receiving Keveon Mullins 2 receptions, 101 yards LSU Passing T. J. Finley 17/21, 265 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing Tyrion Davis-Price 22 rushes, 135 yards, TD Receiving Terrace Marshall Jr. 6 receptions, 88 yards, 2 TD
At Auburn
Statistics LSUAUB First downs 20 23 Total yards 347 506 Rushing yards 32 206 Passing yards 315 300 Turnovers 3 1 Time of possession 28:31 31:29 Team Category Player Statistics LSU Passing Max Johnson 15/24, 172 yards, TD Rushing John Emery Jr. 9 rushes, 21 yards Receiving Arik Gilbert 6 receptions, 55 yards Auburn Passing Bo Nix 18/24, 300 yards, 3 TD Rushing Bo Nix 11 rushes, 81 yards, TD Receiving Anthony Schwartz 4 receptions, 123 yards, TD
At Arkansas
Statistics LSUARK First downs 24 14 Total yards 419 443 Rushing yards 148 104 Passing yards 271 339 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 41:43 18:17 Team Category Player Statistics LSU Passing T. J. Finley 27/42, 271 yards, 2 TD Rushing Tyrion Davis-Price 24 rushes, 104 yards, TD Receiving Terrace Marshall Jr. 7 receptions, 57 yards Arkansas Passing Feleipe Franks 17/26, 339 yards, TD, INT Rushing Feleipe Franks 14 rushes, 43 yards, TD Receiving Michael Woods II 4 receptions, 140 yards
At No. 5 Texas A&M
Statistics LSUTAMU First downs 14 16 Total yards 267 267 Rushing yards 36 162 Passing yards 231 105 Turnovers 3 0 Time of possession 26:28 33:32 Team Category Player Statistics LSU Passing T. J. Finley 9/25, 118 yards, 2 INT Rushing Tyrion Davis-Price 11 rushes, 18 yards Receiving Terrace Marshall Jr. 10 receptions, 134 yards, TD Texas A&M Passing Kellen Mond 11/34, 105 yards Rushing Isaiah Spiller 28 rushes, 134 yards, TD Receiving Ainias Smith 3 receptions, 36 yards
No. 1 Alabama
Statistics ALALSU First downs 32 21 Total yards 650 352 Rushing yards 265 98 Passing yards 385 254 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 33:17 26:43 Team Category Player Statistics Alabama Passing Mac Jones 20/28, 385 yards, 4 TD Rushing Najee Harris 21 rushes, 145 yards, 3 TD Receiving DeVonta Smith 8 receptions, 231 yards, 3 TD LSU Passing T. J. Finley 14/28, 144 yards, TD Rushing John Emery Jr. 7 rushes, 79 yards, TD Receiving Kayshon Boutte 8 receptions, 111 yards
At No. 5 Florida
Statistics LSUFLA First downs 24 26 Total yards 418 609 Rushing yards 179 135 Passing yards 239 474 Turnovers 0 3 Time of possession 31:54 28:06 Team Category Player Statistics LSU Passing Max Johnson 21/36, 239 yards, 3 TD Rushing Chris Curry 17 rushes, 64 yards Receiving Kayshon Boutte 5 receptions, 108 yards, TD Florida Passing Kyle Trask 29/47, 474 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Rushing Malik Davis 7 rushes, 81 yards Receiving Kadarius Toney 9 receptions, 182 yards, TD
Ole Miss
Statistics MISSLSU First downs 25 29 Total yards 558 593 Rushing yards 307 158 Passing yards 251 435 Turnovers 6 1 Time of possession 26:45 33:15 Team Category Player Statistics Ole Miss Passing Matt Corral 15/27, 251 yards, 3 TD, 5 INT Rushing Matt Corral 17 rushes, 158 yards, TD Receiving Braylon Sanders 4 receptions, 70 yards, 2 TD LSU Passing Max Johnson 27/51, 435 yards, 3 TD, INT Rushing Josh Williams 12 rushes, 55 yards Receiving Kayshon Boutte 14 receptions, 308 yards, 3 TD
Personnel Coaching staff Current staff as of February 10, 2020
Ed Orgeron Head coach Steve Ensminger Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Bo Pelini Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Scott Linehan Passing game coordinator James Cregg Offensive line coach/running game coordinator Mickey Joseph Wide receivers coach/assistant head coach Kevin Faulk Running backs coach Bill Johnson Defensive line coach Corey Raymond Cornerbacks coach/recruiting coordinator Bill Busch Safeties coach Greg McMahon Special teams coordinator Tommy Moffitt Strength and conditioning coordinator Russ Callaway Senior offensive assistant & analyst Donald D'Alesio Defensive analyst
Roster 2020 LSU Tigers football rosterQuarterbacks 11 – T. J. Finley – freshman (6'6, 242) 12 – Walker Kinney* – freshman (6'2, 223) 14 – Max Johnson – freshman (6'5, 219) 15 – Myles Brennan – junior (6'4, 210) 16 – A. J. Aycock* – sophomore (6'4, 217)
Running backs 3 – Tyrion Davis-Price – sophomore (6'1, 232) 4 – John Emery Jr. – sophomore (5'11, 215) 8 – Tre Bradford – sophomore (6'0, 190) 18 – Chris Curry – sophomore (5'11, 216) 23 – Corren Norman – freshman (5'9, 195) 26 – Keenen Dunn* – sophomore (5'11, 183) 27 – Josh Williams – freshman (5'9, 195) 81 – Nick Demas – freshman (5'11, 202)
Fullback 44 – Tory Carter* – senior (6'0, 244)
Wide receivers 1 – Kayshon Boutte – freshman (6'0, 185) 2 – Koy Moore – freshman (6'0, 174) 6 – Terrace Marshall Jr.* – junior (6'3, 200) 7 – Ja'Marr Chase* – junior (6'0, 208) 10 – Jaray Jenkins – sophomore (6'2, 200) 12 – Alex Adams – freshman (6'0, 196) 13 – Jontre Kirklin – senior (6'0, 184) 16 – Devonta Lee – sophomore (6'2, 224) 17 – Racey McMath* – senior (6'3, 224) 28 – Nick Rocha* – freshman (6'1, 164) 29 – Ethan Laing – freshman (5'11, 176) 33 – Trey Palmer – sophomore (6'0, 180) 86 – Michael Martin* – sophomore (5'10, 185) 88 – Evan Francioni – sophomore (5'11, 194)
Placekickers 32 – Avery Atkins – junior (5'11, 214) 36 – Cade York – sophomore (6'1, 198) 39 – Ezekeal Mata – freshman (5'11, 180) 43 – Preston Stafford – sophomore (5'10, 174)
Punters 32 – Avery Atkins – junior (5'11, 214) 38 – Zach Von Rosenberg* – senior (6'5, 245) Tight ends 2 – Arik Gilbert* – freshman (6'5, 249) 30 – Jack Mashburn – freshman (6'2, 218) 42 – Aaron Moffitt – junior (6'2, 237) 45 – Stephen King – sophomore (6'6, 257) 46 – Charlie Drost – freshman (6'4, 236) 49 – Jansen Mayea* – sophomore (6'2, 245) 82 – Brandon Hubicz* – freshman (6'2, 227) 84 – T. K. McLendon* – junior (6'3, 269) 85 – Nick Storz – sophomore (6'5, 260) 87 – Kole Taylor – freshman (6'7, 243)
Offensive linemen 56 – Liam Shanahan – senior (6'5, 304) 62 – Siaki Ika* – sophomore (6'4, 340) 64 – Austin Harden* – freshman (6'1, 286) 85 – Ray Parker* – freshman (6'5, 245)
Defensive linemen 3 – Andre Anthony – senior (6'3, 255) 8 – BJ Ojulari – freshman (6'2, 230) 11 – Ali Gaye – junior (6'6, 262) 47 – Nelson Jenkins III* – sophomore (6'4, 300) 49 – Travez Moore* – senior (6'4, 242) 53 – Soni Fonua – junior (6'3, 268) 55 – Jarell Cherry – sophomore (6'2, 277) 72 – Tyler Shelvin* – junior (6'3, 346) 90 – Jacobian Guillory II – freshman (6'2, 344) 92 – Neil Farrell – senior (6'4, 319) 93 – Justin Thomas* – junior (6'5, 290) 94 – Joseph Evans – freshman (6'1, 319) 96 – Eric Taylor* – freshman (6'4, 313) 97 – Glen Logan – senior (6'3, 339) 99 – Jaquelin Roy – freshman (6'4, 302) Linebackers 12 – Donte Starks* – freshman (6'1, 217) 19 – Jabril Cox* – senior (6'4, 231) 41 – Carlton Smith* – junior (6'3, 237) 43 – Ray Thornton* – senior (6'3, 225)
Cornerbacks 1 – Eli Ricks – freshman (6'2, 196) 2 – Dwight McGlothern – freshman (6'2, 182) 5 – Kary Vincent Jr. – senior (5'10, 189) 21 – Jordan Toles – freshman (6'0, 199) 24 – Derek Stingley Jr. – sophomore (6'1, 195) 25 – Cordale Flott – sophomore (6'1, 165) 26 – Darren Evans – senior (6'3, 180) 28 – Lloyd Cole – senior (6'0, 205)