ATHENS — In a conference normally renowned for its defensive prowess, two top-10 teams squared up in Athens, Ga., for an offensive fireworks show, as No. 9 Georgia defeated No. 6 LSU 44-41.
LSU senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger had a career day on the field for the Tigers, completing 23 passes for 372 yards and three touchdowns.
“Zach came in here to play quarterback for the Tigers and try to lead this team to victory,” LSU coach Les Miles said. “And that is what he did. Was he perfect? No, but he was good. We like him as our quarterback.”
It wasn’t enough to overcome Georgia senior quarterback Aaron Murray, who completed 20 passes for 298 yards and four touchdowns.
With 1:42 remaining in the fourth quarter, Mettenberger and the Tigers’ offense got the ball on the 24-yard line down by three with a chance to drive into field goal range and tie the game. After an unsuccessful drive, though, UGA began its on-field celebration.
Offensively, LSU (4-1, 1-1 SEC) put up a game to remember.
For the past four weeks, LSU struggled to find a receiver who would solidify the No. 3 role on the depth chart. With juniors Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry receiving the majority of the receptions, a number of options were available to take over.
Senior Kadron Boone decided to take the reins Saturday, as he became Mettenberger’s favorite target in the first quarter against Georgia (3-1, 2-0 SEC).
With the Tigers trailing 7-0, Boone lined up up on the outside in a one-on-one situation ater the UGA safety came in on a blitz. Mettenberger found Boone, who proceeded to sprint 48 yards into the endzone. It was only Boone’s second catch of the 2013 season.
With 2:51 remaining in the first quarter, Mettenberger located Boone again, this time on a four-yard strike to give the Tigers a 14-7 lead.
“We already knew coming into the game the coaches were going to try to take away Jarvis [Landry] and Odell [Beckham], so I just had to be patient, wait my turn and make the best of my opportunities,” Boone said.
The Ocala, Fla., native disappeared after his two-touchdown quarter, and the veterans of the receiving corp reasserted themselves as the quarterback’s go-to options.
On third down and nine with 3:40 remaining in the third quarter and LSU trailing 27-20, Landry snagged a 39-yard receiving touchdown to tie the game.
In the fourth quarter with the Tigers trailing 34-27 and looking for a key conversion, Mettenberger targeted Landry in triple coverage. Landry dove, put both hands in the air and came down with a catch made for the highlight reels, setting LSU up in the red zone.
Junior running back Kenny Hilliard later ran in the game-tying two-yard score.
Redshirt freshman kicker Colby Delahoussaye silenced any fears held by the LSU coaching staff Saturday. Prior to the Georgia contest, Delahoussaye’s career-long field goal was 28 yards. On Saturday afternoon, he nailed two key field goal conversions, one from 49 yards out and the other from 39 yards away.
All that being said, it was a number of miscues and miscommunications that downed the Tigers in Athens.
With LSU gaining momentum after a touchdown strike to Landry and a defensive stop, a key mishap by Beckham changed the course of the contest. With 2:47 remaining in the third quarter, Georgia punted to the LSU 24 yard line. Beckham glided under it, muffed it, and the Bulldogs recovered to give UGA solid field position.
Murray would eventually toss a 21-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Michael Bennett to give Georgia a 34-27 lead.
Several blown coverages in the secondary also resulted in Georgia touchdowns, leaving the contest as a game that could have been won by LSU, but instead was snatched away by the home Bulldogs.
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LSU senior wide receiver Kadron Boone (86) scores the Tigers’ second touchdown on Saturday, Sept 28, 2013 during UGA’s 44-41 victory against the Tigers in Sanford Stadium. Boone scored the first two touchdowns in the game.
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LSU senior wide receiver Kadron Boone (86) scores the Tigers’ first touchdown on Saturday, Sept 28, 2013 during UGA’s 44-41 victory against the Tigers in Sanford Stadium. Boone scored the first two touchdowns in the game.
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LSU senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger (8) prepares to pass the ball Saturday, Sept 28, 2013 during UGA’s 44-41 victory against the Tigers in Sanford Stadium.
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LSU junior wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) runs across the field and into the endzone to score a touchdown Saturday, Sept 28, 2013 during UGA’s 44-41 victory against the Tigers in Sanford Stadium.
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LSU senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger (8) is sacked by UGA sophomore Chris Mayes (93) Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013 in Sanford Stadium.
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lsu sophomore running back Jeremy Hill (33) is tackled by UGA junior Ramik Wilson (51) on Saturday, Sept 28, 2013 in Sanford Stadium
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lsu senior wide receiver Kadron Boone (86) runs the ball into the endzone for a touchdown Saturday, Sept 28, 2013 in Sanford Stadium
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LSU junior wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) dives after a drive down the field Saturday, Sept 28, 2013 during UGA’s 44-41 victory against the Tigers in Sanford Stadium.
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LSU junior running back Kenny Hilliard (27) attempts to score a touchdown in the forth quarter despite blocks from UGA’s defense Saturday, Sept 28, 2013 during The Bulldogs’ 44-41 victory against the Tigers in Sanford Stadium.
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LSU sophomore safety Micah Eugene (34) attempts to block UGA sophomore running back Keith Marshall (4) Saturday, Sept 28, 2013 during The Bulldogs’ 44-41 victory against the Tigers in Sanford Stadium.
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LSU junior running back Terrence Magee (14) falls to the ground after a play Saturday, Sept 28, 2013 during The Bulldogs’ 44-41 victory against the Tigers in Sanford Stadium.
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LSU freshman defensive back Rickey Jefferson (29) attempts to knock down a UGA player Saturday, Sept 28, 2013 during The Bulldogs’ 44-41 victory against the Tigers in Sanford Stadium.
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LSU senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger (8) prepares to make a pass Saturday, Sept 28, 2013 during The Bulldogs’ 44-41 victory against the Tigers in Sanford Stadium.
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LSU senior linebacker Lamin Barrow (18), sophomore safety Micah Eugene (34) and sophomore cornerback Jalen Mills (28) gather around UGA freshman Brendan Langley (4) after a play Saturday, Sept 28, 2013 during The Bulldogs’ 44-41 victory against the Tigers in Sanford Stadium.
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LSU sophomore running back Jeremy Hill (33) drives down the field Saturday, Sept 28, 2013 during The Bulldogs’ 44-41 victory against the Tigers in Sanford Stadium.
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UGA senior quarterback Aaron Murray (11) celebrates as the last play ends Saturday, Sept 28, 2013 during The Bulldogs’ 44-41 victory against the Tigers in Sanford Stadium.
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LSU head football coach Les Miles looks on as UGA celebrates Saturday, Sept 28, 2013 after The Bulldogs’ 44-41 victory against the Tigers in Sanford Stadium.
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LSU junior junior wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) avoids a tackle from UGA sophomore safety Josh Harvey-Clemons (25) Saturday, Sept 28, 2013 during The Bulldogs’ 44-41 victory against the Tigers in Sanford Stadium.
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LSU junior wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) fights off UGA junior cornerback Damian Swann (5) Saturday, Sept 28, 2013 during The Bulldogs’ 44-41 victory against the Tigers in Sanford Stadium.
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LSU junior wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) is pushed out of bounds Saturday, Sept 28, 2013 during The Bulldogs’ 44-41 victory against the Tigers in Sanford Stadium.
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LSU sophomore safety Micah Eugene (34) puts pressure on UGA senior quarterback Aaron Murray (11) Saturday, Sept 28, 2013 during The Bulldogs’ 44-41 victory against the Tigers in Sanford Stadium.
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LSU junior wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) is tackled by UGA freshman Tray Matthews (28) near the endzone Saturday, Sept 28, 2013 during The Bulldogs’ 44-41 victory against the Tigers in Sanford Stadium.
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LSU head football coach Les Miles walks to meet his team during a time out Saturday, Sept 28, 2013 after UGA’s 44-41 victory against the Tigers in Sanford Stadium.
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LSU junior wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) moves around UGA defenders Saturday, Sept 28, 2013 during The Bulldogs’ 44-41 victory against the Tigers in Sanford Stadium.
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LSU junior wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) resists a tackle from a UGA defender Saturday, Sept 28, 2013 during The Bulldogs’ 44-41 victory against the Tigers in Sanford Stadium.
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LSU junior wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) fights off UGA defenders Saturday, Sept 28, 2013 during The Bulldogs’ 44-41 victory against the Tigers in Sanford Stadium.
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