The LSU Tigers found themselves in a little bit of a pickle for Tuesday’s Texas Bowl against the Kansas State Wildcats last night.
LSU was playing extremely short-handed last night, so much so that they had no quarterback on their roster for their bowl game matchup. The Tigers decided to turn to senior wide receiver Jontre Kirklin to play quarterback last night, and considering the circumstances, the former high school quarterback played well for himself.
Jontre Kirklin ends the Texas Bowl with an 81-yard touchdown pass, his third on the day! Not bad a for a wide receiver… pic.twitter.com/MeB7WzaR3X
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) January 5, 2022
The wide receiver turned quarterback threw for three touchdowns, tied for the third-most touchdowns a “quarterback” has thrown for in a bowl game for the Tigers.
Only 2 players in LSU history have thrown more TD passes in a bowl game than Jontre Kirklin’s 3 vs. Kansas State:
Joe Burrow (3 times) and Matt Flynn
— Jason Starrett (@starrettjason) January 5, 2022
While the game did not go the way that LSU had hoped for in a 42-20 loss to Kansas State, it was a special moment for Kirklin in what has been a wild career to say the least.
“Amazing. It was a journey. Getting recruited as a cornerback. Playing cornerback for two years. Bouncing around at receiver. Scout team QB. Back to corner for a bowl game. Back to QB tonight. I’ve played everything. I’m blessed and honored.” said Kirklin on his career with the Tigers.
Here were some reactions coming from fans and teammates of Kirklin following his valiant performance last night.
Jontre Kirklin rolled out, bought time and delivered a dime to Malik Nabers, who made a diving catch in the back of the end zone. LSU trails, 42-14.
Kirklin: 6 of 10 for 57 yards with two touchdowns and two picks.
— Wilson Alexander (@whalexander_) January 5, 2022
Jontre Kirklin is a legend for tonight.
— Van “#1 Voice in Wrestling Media” Lathan Jr (@VanLathan) January 5, 2022
Jontre Kirklin hasn't started a game since 2017 when he was in high school and he is already better than any of the quarterbacks who are on the Giants roster. https://t.co/gQkLFMxQx7
— Tyler Englander (@TylerEnglander) January 5, 2022
Regardless of whatever the hell happens the rest of this LSU-KSU game, that's a great, rest-of-your-life moment for Jontre Kirklin. Young man from Lutcher has been through a lot at LSU, seen a lot at LSU and stuck around for all of it.
— Perryn Keys (@PerrynKeys) January 5, 2022
Regardless of the outcome of the game, this one was fun to watch for the viewers at home. The game had a backyard football feel to it, and the Tigers didn’t quit.
With new LSU head coach Brian Kelly coming into the fold next season, don’t expect to see any more out-of-position quarterbacks playing for LSU anytime soon.
[ESPN]
