Burrow’s first LSU season foreshadowed strengths that made him legendary

The Joe Burrow bandwagon is full.

Many will point to that bandwagon filled up in the midst of a 60 touchdown pass season that sparked LSU to one of the greatest seasons in college football history. That was 2019.

However, a reporter was on the bandwagon early in the 2018 season at Auburn, Alabama.

LSU trailed 21-13 with 8:18 to play when Burrow found Derrick Dillon over the middle for a 71-yard touchdown pass. The throw was a beauty, in the midst of three defenders.

Burrow’s underdog team still trailed 21-19.

On the next LSU possession, Burrow threw two dimes. A third-and-seven completion to Dee Anderson on the right sideline for a first down was followed by a pass to Stephon Sullivan for nine yards and a first down on fourth-and-seven.

Moments later, Cole Tracy kicked the game-winning field goal.

At the time, network TV analyst Gary Danielson, derided by many LSU fans as anti-Tiger, came up with a call only a quarterback can make. He noted that Burrow was in the midst of a bad day, one that he gutted out in the fourth quarter.

“I am tipping my hat to Joe Burrow,” said Danielson. “He steps up in the fourth quarter and makes all those great throws. That’s a guy anyone will play for.”

It was a prescient comment.

In a rout of Ole Miss that same season, Burrow showed his toughness and composure.

In the fourth quarter, he scrambled up the sideline only to get clocked out of bounds. Out came the flag for a 15-yard roughing penalty. Burrow did not react at all.

In the Fiesta Bowl, Burrow was intercepted. As he hustled to make a tackle, the first-year starter was blindsided with a vicious hit and forced to leave the game. He returned with a vengeance.

Burrow finished 21 of 34 passing for 394 yards and four touchdowns.

As he answered questions post game, Burrow stopped reporters and reminded them of something.

“I wasn’t hurt,” said Burrow. “I just had the wind knocked out of me.”

The following summer at the Manning Passing Academy, Burrow said the LSU offense was explosive.

“We could score, 40, 50, or even 60 points a game,” said Burrow.

Reporters scoffed.

Burrow was correct.

Fast forward to this postseason with the Cincinnati Bengals. The night before an upset of the top-seeded Tennessee Titans in the divisional round, Burrow spoke to his teammates.

His message?

“Why not us?” said a person in the room.

The room erupted in cheers. The team ended up earning their place in the Super Bowl.

Joe Burrow has many attributes. His arm is strong enough, but not the strongest. His mobility isn’t great, but good enough.

It’s Burrow’s leadership skills that are truly exemplary.

For this reporter, they were easy to spot on a sultry fall afternoon in Auburn, Alabama.