On a day when the Associated Press No. 3 and No. 7 teams fell, along with the nation’s longest winning streak, LSU gutted out a win. LSU moved up to No. 7 in both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches’ polls, but its performance Saturday wasn’t pretty. The 31-3 LSU victory would seem to say otherwise, but the final score was not indicative of how the game went. “It didn’t feel like that at all,” said Louisiana-Lafayette coach Rickey Bustle. “I felt like LSU had to earn every inch they made. Offensively, we moved the ball between the 20-yard lines quite a bit and just couldn’t get the ball in the end zone.”The Ragin’ Cajun offense was indeed somewhat effective. ULL amassed 109 yards on the ground and had four possessions inside the LSU 40-yard line, but could only squeeze three points out of it. ULL got within 1 yard of a touchdown, which would have been its first against LSU since 1924. It also would have marked the first touchdown the Ragin’ Cajuns had ever scored in Tiger Stadium. But the LSU defense held, preventing ULL from scoring and sending the 92,443 fans in attendance into a frenzy. “We were just trying to play ball,” said senior linebacker Jacob Cutrera. “The goal is to not let them score at all. We were just trying to do our job and get off the field.”The defense did its job well. After giving up 478 yards to then-unranked Washington, who toppled No. 3 USC Saturday, the new-look unit has not allowed 300 total yards in its last two games. “I thought our defense played hard and tackled crisply and played the way an LSU defense is expected to play,” said LSU coach Les Miles. “I liked everything about it.” Miles did not see the same effort from the Tiger offense. Overall, the LSU offense accrued an unspectacular total of 330 yards on a ULL defense that allowed 380 total yards against Southern in their season opener. “I hope that we can keep saying afterward that we’re better with each game that we play,” Miles said. “I think we did not throw the football efficiently. I don’t think we ran the football efficiently. We have struggled where maybe we shouldn’t.”Sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson delivered a steady 17-of-26, 166-yard performance that included two touchdowns and one interception.  Jefferson overthrew a streaking Chris Mitchell for the second game in a row for what would have been a touchdown. His lone pick came on a 46-yard heave intended for senior wide receiver Brandon LaFell. “Our quarterback was not necessarily in a groove early, but we have some talent,” Miles said. “We have the ability to make plays, but we’re not hitting on all cylinders just yet, and we must run the football.”The Tigers’ ground attack produced a solid performance, accounting for 164 yards on 36 carries. Senior running back Charles Scott led the bunch with 63 yards on 12 attempts. “We have too many good runners to not run the football more efficiently, so that’s our quest,” Miles said. Senior running back Trindon Holliday was honored after the first quarter ended for his individual national title in the 100-meter dash at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in June. Offensive coordinator Gary Crowton called Holliday’s number on the next play. Holliday seized the opportunity and streaked 11 yards for a touchdown to put LSU up, 14-0. “It was a big honor,” Holliday said. “It was mostly an honor for me to go out there and be honored in front of all those fans. To come out and score a touchdown on the next play is just amazing.”LaFell, who caught a pair of touchdown passes, said the offense is still trying to find its groove after three uninspiring performances.”We have to do a better job of getting in a rhythm and moving the chains,” LaFell said. “As soon as we’re able to do that consistently, we’ll be a better team.”Jefferson was simply appreciative of the victory, especially on a day of upsets. “We got our third victory tonight, and we’re ready to keep earning victories,” Jefferson said. “We’re going to come in Monday and correct our mistakes and get ready to play again next week.”LSU travels to Starkville, Miss. next Saturday to face Mississippi State (2-1, 1-1). ————Contact Chris Branch at [email protected]