Last season, Zach Mettenberger was expected by many to lift the LSU passing attack out of a rut of mediocrity. Instead, he was plagued by inconsistency and often looked uncomfortable in the pocket.
As a senior, Mettenberger has looked like a completely different quarterback. Gone are the happy feet and the bad decisions. In their place, the tigers find a record-breaking quarterback.
The No. 9 LSU football team followed Mettenberger’s five passing touchdowns, a LSU single-game record, to a 56-17 rout of the University of Alabama-Birmingham.
The Tigers (2-0) jumped out to an early lead after Mettenberger connected with junior wide receiver Odell Beckam Jr. for two touchdowns in the first quarter. After junior running back Kenny Hillard made the score 21-0 for LSU at the end of the opening quarter, the game was all but decided.
Beckam would contribute two more touchdowns, one receiving and a 100 yard missed field goal return, in what was one of the most electric performances in the history of LSU football. His 331 all-purpose yards is second in LSU history behind running back Kevin Faulk, who had 367 in a 1996 game against Houston.
The rushing game played second fiddle to Mettenberger’s firework show. Hilliard finished with a team leading 54 yards on ten carries with a touchdown. Sophomore Jeremy Hill was a close second with six carries for 50 yards and a touchdown. LSU ran for 139 yards as a team.
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LSU junior wide reciever Jarvis Landry (80) escapes a UAB tackle Sept. 7, 2013 during the Tigers’ 56-17 victory against the Blazers in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior wide reciever Jarvis Landry (80) escapes an attempted tackle by sophomore cornerback Lamarcus Farmer (3) Sept. 7, 2013 during the Tigers’ 56-17 victory against the Blazers in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior wide reciever Jarvis Landry (80) squares off with UAB freshman safety Nick Jackson (6) Sept. 7, 2013 during the Tigers’ 56-17 victory against the Blazers in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger (8) runs the ball Sept. 7, 2013 during the Tigers’ 56-17 victory against UAB in Tiger Stadium
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LSU senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger (8) runs the ball Sept. 7, 2013 during the Tigers’ 56-17 victory against UAB in Tiger Stadium
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LSU head football coach Les Miles waits for his team to walk down Victory Hill on Sept. 7, 2013 before the 56-17 victory against UAB in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU Golden Band from Tigerland marches down Victory Hill before the 56-17 victory against UAB in Tiger Stadium.
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Even if you’re not a huge football fan, the immense school spirit within Tiger Stadium is something that should be experienced by every student. There’s only 4 home games left, so don’t miss out!
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LSU fans participate in a chant Sept. 7, 2013 during the 56-17 victory against UAB in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU fans participate in a chant Sept. 7, 2013 during the 56-17 victory against UAB in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU head football coach Les Miles leads his team onto the field on Sept. 7, 2013 before the 56-17 victory against UAB in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU head football coach Les Miles leads his team onto the field on Sept. 7, 2013 before the 56-17 victory against UAB in Tiger Stadium.
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Mike the Tiger dresses as a dragon slayer Sept. 7, 2013 during the Tigers’ 56-17 victory against UAB in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU president and chancellor F. King Alexander claps after being presented Sept. 7,2013 before the 56-17 victory against UAB in Tiger Stadium
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LSU sophomore cornerback Jalen Mills (28) pumps up the crowd Sept. 7, 2013 during the 56-17 victory against UAB in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU Golden Girls march down Victory Hill on Sept. 7, 2013 before the 56-17 victory against UAB in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) catches a touchdown pass Sept. 7, 2013 during the LSU vs. UAB game in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior defensive end Jordan Allen (98) celebrates a tackle Sept. 7, 2013 during the 56-17 victory against UAB in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior running back Terrence Magee (14) runs the ball during the 56-17 victory against UAB in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU sophomore safety Micah Eugene (34) celebrates a tackle Sept. 7, 2013 during the 56-17 victory against UAB in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) catches a touchdown pass Sept. 7, 2013 during the 56-17 victory against UAB in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) runs a missed field goal for a touchdown Sept. 7, 2013 during the 56-17 victory against UAB in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU sophomore safety Micah Eugene (34) tackles UAB freshman running back Jordon Howard (7) on Sept. 7, 2013 during the Tigers’ 56-17 victory against the Blazers in Tiger Stadium.
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Jr., Wide Reciever, Odell Beckham Jr., celebrates with Soph., Defensive End, Danielle Hunter, Sept. 7, 2013 after a touchdown against UAB in Tiger Stadium
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Jr., Wide Reciever, Odell Beckham Jr., scores a touchdown, Sept. 7, 2013 against UAB in Tiger Stadium
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LSU junior defensive end Jermauria Rasco tackles UAB junior runningback Darrin Reaves Sept. 7, 2013 during the 56-17 victory against UAB in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior wide reciever Odell Beckham Jr. runs the ball Sept. 7, 2013 during the 56-17 victory agaisnt UAB in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU freshman place kicker Colby Delahoussaye kicks an extra point field goal Sept. 7, 2013 during the 56-17 victory against UAB in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU freshman place kicker Colby Delahoussaye kicks an extra point field goal Sept. 7, 2013 during the 56-17 victory against UAB in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU freshman place kicker Colby Delahoussaye kicks an extra point field goal Sept. 7, 2013 during the 56-17 victory against UAB in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger directs his offense Sept. 7, 2013 during the 56-17 victory against UAB in Tiger Stadium
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