TIGER TV REPORTER
The LSU Tigers grinded out a victory against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 24-13 Saturday Night in Tiger Stadium.
Despite the win, the scoreboard was the only statistical category LSU had an advantage in over Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs finished the game with more rushing yards, receiving yards, first downs and time of possession.
LSU coach Les Miles acknowledged after the game this was not LSU’s best performance.
“I think we did not play sharp,” said Miles. “I do not like how we played. I think we can play better.”
The Tigers’ first possession of the game ended with points, as kicker Josh Jasper capped off a 9-play, 49 yard drive with a 35-yard field goal.
After Tech answered with a field goal, quarterback Jarrett Lee connected with wide receiver Brandon LaFell for a 38-yard touchdown pass.
Lee struggled in place of an injured Jordan Jefferson as the starting quarterback. Although he did not throw any interceptions, the junior only completed 31 percent of his passes for 105 yards.
Miles had much to say after the game about his replacement quarterback.
“I think he expected more, but I think there were some positives in the fact that he managed the game a little bit better,” Miles said.
The second quarter belonged to Louisiana Tech, as the Bulldogs possessed the football for nearly 12 minutes.
After adding another field goal, Louisiana Tech quarterback Ross Jenkins orchestrated the most impressive drive of the night at the end of the first half.
With two seconds remaining, Bulldog coach Derek Dooley decided to go for the touchdown with the ball at the LSU one-yard line. The play ended successfully as Louisiana Tech running back Daniel Porter connected with tight end Dennis Morris on a “jump pass” for a touchdown.
“It works pretty much every time,”” Porter said about the play. We get the defense on their toes and catch tem off guard with the trick play.”
The touchdown gave Louisiana Tech a 13-10 lead going in halftime. It marked the first time the Bulldogs led the Tigers at halftime since 1904.
“I didn’t like how the defense started the game,” Miles said. “I felt they (LSU defense) just did not have their feet on the ground in the first half.”
In the second half, the defense responded by not allowing the Bulldogs any points in the third quarter. The only offensive production came from Keiland Williams, as the Tigers regained the lead after his 3-yard touchdown run.
The Tiger defense carried the momentum over to the fourth quarter when the defense stifled the Bulldog offense, forcing them to a three and out on their first possession.
Williams would then seal the game for the Tigers as his 9-yard touchdown run sealed the deal for the Tigers as he and freshmen Russell Shepard would gather all 56 yards on the drive.
In place of injured running back Charles Scott, Williams carried the load in spectacular fashion for the Tigers. After only rushing for 29 yards in the past five games, the senior racked up 116 yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns.
“I definitely feel like I played well tonight,” Williams said. “We (LSU running backs) could have been better at times, but I think we did a good job.”
LSU’s defense picked up their act in the second half, holding Louisiana Tech to only 91 yards. LSU defensive tackle Al Woods knew his unit just needed to relax.
“They found ways to try to get us nervous or rattled. But we came out for the second half and calmed down and played our ball,” Woods said.
LSU will travel to Oxford, Miss. next week to play the Ole Miss Rebels, a team that humiliated the Tigers last year in Tiger Stadium. Miles said that he is looking forward to having some key players back to the team, including his starting quarterback.
“I hope we get some guys back healthy. I hope our tight end (Richard Dickson) returns to health and certainly our quarterback (Jordan Jefferson),” Miles said.
But no matter who is playing, Williams knows how tough it is going to be against a solid Ole Miss Rebel football team at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
“Ole Miss always plays hard,” Williams aid. “We know they are going to bring their ‘A’ game, so we have to come in and prepare well and get ready to play next week.”
