The LSU defense had Washington quarterback Keith Price on the run for the entire first half as the Tigers stifled the Huskies en route to a 20-3 halftime lead.
The Huskies managed only 70 total offensive yards, going three-and-out on their first three drives before gaining a first down. Price, who went 10-of-23 for 81 yards, had a hard time finding outlets as the LSU secondary smothered the Husky receivers. He felt the pressure from the defensive line, getting sacked by senior Lavar Edwards and throwing a ball that was deemed intentional grounding.
On offense, Mettenberger continued his efficiency, completing 9-of-14 passes for 129 yards. The recievers were not as efficient, dropping a majority of the incompletions. Junior James Wright led all receivers with 65 yards. The Tigers gained 102 yards on the ground, paced by junior Alfred Blue with 54 yards on nine carries.
Following senior Josh Dworaczyk, who was filling in for injured left tackle Chris Faulk and starting for the first time since the 2011 Cotton Bowl, Blue was the first to find the end zone on a 21 yard carry early in the first quarter. Senior fullback J.C. Copeland scored for the second week in a row to make it 14-3 with two minutes to go to the second.
Washington got a break to start the game when sophomore wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. lost the opening kickoff at the 20. To cap the Huskies’ first third-and-out, kicker Travis Coons made his field goal attempt for the game’s first points. LSU senior kicker Drew Alleman had two field goals of his own.