ATHENS, Ga. — LSU trails Georgia 24-17 after an exciting first half in which the Tigers simply could not  match Georgia on the ground. 
Georgia struck first with a near flawless eight-play 75-yard touchdown drive.
LSU quickly responded as senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger found senior receiver Kadron Boone for touchdowns in back-to-back drives to give the Tigers a 14-7 lead late in the first.  
But the Bulldogs came back with another quick touchdown drive to even things up at 14. 
Both offenses slowed down in the second quarter, as the two teams traded field goals.
Georgia had the last laugh of the half after a 9-play, 82-yard drive in the final minutes put the Bulldogs ahead 24-17 as they went into the locker room. 
Even with Georgia sophomore starting tailback Todd Gurley out for a majority of the half with an ankle injury, the Bulldogs tallied 143 yards on the ground on 21 carries.
The Tigers paled in comparison, garnering just 13 yards on 15 rushing attempts.