South Carolina leads LSU 7-3 at halftime

<p>LSU safety Eric Reid (1) talks to defensive end Sam Montgomery (99) Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012 during the first half of the Tigers' game against South Carolina in Tger Stadium. LSU football support staff helped Montgomery off the field.</p>

Catherine Threlkeld

LSU safety Eric Reid (1) talks to defensive end Sam Montgomery (99) Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012 during the first half of the Tigers' game against South Carolina in Tger Stadium. LSU football support staff helped Montgomery off the field.

By Alex Cassara

The LSU offense outgained No. 3 South Carolina in yardage 178-69 in the first half of the teams’ primetime matchup on Saturday, but its red zone and ball retention problems assured the Gamecocks a 7-3 lead at the break.

The offense’s first drive was similar to the one a week prior, moving downfield before stalling and settling for a Drew Alleman field goal. LSU coach Les Miles showed a bit of creative playcalling early by putting junior running back Spencer Ware, who totaled 47 yards in the first quarter, at quarterback in the red zone. LSU would be without Ware in the second quarter when he walked to the locker room for unapparent reasons.

LSU ended the first frame on a note all too familiar, with junior quarterback Zach Mettenberger chucking the ball to South Carolina cornerback Jimmy Legree on the last play of the quarter. Legree would return the ball to the LSU 1-yard line and one play later, the Gamecocks held its 7-3 lead.

The defense did its usual job of bailing the offense out. After LSU failed to put it in yet again inside the red zone and Alleman shanked a 32-yard field goal, South Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw moved the ball to scoring range before the defense beared down. Senior defensive tackle Josh Down sacked Shaw on third down to take the Gamecoacks out of field goal range, forcing a punt, and Mettenberger kneeled the ball to close out the half.