HALFTIME: LSU 14, Western Kentucky 7.
The No. 5 Tigers are without some key defensive players against Western Kentucky. Defensive tackle Christian LaCouture and cornerback Tre’Davious White will not play on Saturday.
Sophomore defensive tackle Greg Gilmore replaced LaCouture for his first career start at LSU.
LaCouture and White are critical pieces to LSU’s defensive success, and will be absent against a Western Kentucky offense — averaging 407.1 passing yards a game.
After four-straight Leonard Fournette carries, sophomore quarterback Brandon Harris combined with sophomore wide receiver Malachi Dupre on his first passing attempt for a 55-yard play action touchdown with 12:13 remaining in the first quarter.
Western Kentucky (6-1, 4-1 Conference USA) countered the Tigers with 10:55 remaining in the second quarter on a forward, shuffle pass to junior running back Anthony Wales for a seven-yard touchdown.
Western Kentucky senior quarterback Brandon Doughty composed the touchdown drive, finishing the first half with 128 yards, completing 16-of-30 passes for one touchdown in the first half.
The Hilltoppers led its last four games going into halftime by 42, 25, 38 and 25, respectively.
The Tigers lead the Hilltoppers, 14-7, heading into halftime after a Darrel Williams two-yard touchdown with 1:25 remaining in the second quarter.
LSU will receive the ball the start the third quarter.
You can follow Christian Boutwell on Twitter @CBoutwell_TDR.