Saturday proved to be a night of firsts for the LSU football team.
The No. 10 Tigers (2-0) pitched their first shutout since 2010 against Sam Houston State (1-2) in the first-ever meeting between the two programs in the first game to be played in the newly expanded Tiger Stadium, which had ticket sales that surpassed 100,000 seats for the first time in LSU history.
“How wonderful that the first time that we take the field in front of [more than 100,000], it’s victorious and significant,” said LSU coach Les Miles. “A lot of very talented, young players played. What a great statement.”
LSU sophomore cornerback Dwayne Thomas got things started when he recorded his first career interception in the game’s first drive.
Sophomores quarterback Anthony Jennings and wide receiver Travin Dural made their first starts in Tiger Stadium and made history on the Tigers’ first play from scrimmage when the duo connected for a 94-yard touchdown pass — the longest in LSU history — and the first score of the game.
“I’m happy I got to do it in front of the fans, as opposed to doing it in someone else’s stadium,” Dural said. “I’m happy that it was the first play of the game. We started out in this new stadium with a bang.”
Dural would finish the game with three catches for 140 yards and three touchdowns, marking his first career back-to-back 100-yard receiving performances and making him the second Tiger to earn touchdowns in his first three receptions.
Subsequently, Dural awaits his first career reception not to result in either a first down or a touchdown, as his first 13 have.
“It just so happens that every time I touch the ball, it goes for either a first down or a touchdown,” Dural said. “I work really hard, and I’m trying to make the most of my opportunities.”
Later in the first quarter, freshman running back Leonard Fournette earned his first big gain when he ran it 40 yards to the Bearkat 4-yard line, setting up the first touchdown of his career.
Fournette also had his first game-leading rushing performance, as he carried the ball 13 times for 92 yards.
As the Tigers comfortably held onto a 27-0 lead in the second quarter, LSU freshman quarterback Brandon Harris led his first drive in Tiger Stadium. He made the most of it and ran the ball 46 yards for his first career touchdown.
“I was happy for him,” Jennings said. “I went out on the field and dapped him up. There’s more to come from him. If he keeps doing what he’s doing, he’s going to be a great quarterback.”
While Harris started his night with his first touchdown, he ended it with his first turnover when he fumbled the ball three times in two plays.
After dropping his second consecutive snap, he picked the ball up and ran past the first-down marker before fumbling the ball again, allowing the Bearkat defense to collect its first turnover of the night.
“No matter how well in hand the game is, there is never a time to carry the ball the way Brandon Harris did at the end,” Miles said. “But to his benefit, that is why he is out there playing and learning.”
Sixteen Tigers played their first career snaps in the contest. Among them were freshman wide receiver Malachi Dupre, who caught his first touchdown pass at the start of the fourth quarter. The play, set up by sophomore safety Rickey Jefferson, also served as Harris’ first career touchdown pass.
Other members of the LSU football team who played their first snaps Saturday included running back Darrel Williams, who added himself to the list of freshmen to score their first career touchdowns in the third quarter.
“It was really a quality group of freshmen that were out there,” Miles said. “Those snaps really allow them to translate to the next game and the next game and the next game.”
As the seconds on the clock dwindled and this night of firsts came to a close, Miles was happy with his team’s performance, but he said it still has a lot of work to do.
To him, these firsts were simply small steps toward the Tigers’ long-term goal.
“There are some things we need to improve that were a little sloppy,” Miles said. “Our football team grew up a little bit today.”