LSU’s 49 game non-conference home game win streak was snapped tonight by Troy. 
The last time LSU and Troy faced each other, the Tigers rallied from 28 points down in the 4th quarter. It was also a homecoming game and quarterbacks Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson led the Tigers to a 40-31 comeback win.
But this is 2017, and Jordan Jefferson did not walk out of that locker room.
“It’s a hard pill to swallow,” senior nose tackle Greg Gilmore said following the loss. 
Troy controlled virtually every aspect of the game for the entire 60 minutes.
A fumble by senior running back Nick Brossette on the first play of the game resulted in an early touchdown from Troy and flashbacks of 2008 began to surface.
With Derrius Guice out, the Tigers were once again leaning on Darrel Williams to lead the rushing game.
Williams ran just 69 yards on 17 attempts before being taken out in the fourth quarter due to an ankle injury. Williams was unable to break through the Trojan’s defense with his longest run being for 11 yards. 
“I wish I could have that first play back,” LSU coach Ed Orgeron said. “I wanted Darrel [Williams] on the ball. I should have done a better job of game-planning. I think that’s not the way we ought to start the game.”
Kicker Jack Gonsulin missed a 35-yard field goal attempt with 2:32 left in the half. He is now 2-for-5 this season.
Danny Etling was crushed by a Troy defender that left him on the ground towards the end of the first half. While Etling was able to run off the field, Orgeron told the LSU radio show that Brennan would take the snaps for LSU in the second half.
“We needed a boost and [Brennan] made some big plays,” Orgeron said. 
As the clock ran out in the first half, a Troy receiver was tackled with two seconds left on the clock and time ran out as the referee waived his hands. Both teams ran into their respective locker rooms, but after review, two seconds were put back on the clock.
Troy made a 37-yard field goal that bounced off the post giving the Trojans a 10-0 lead at the half.
The last time LSU trailed a non-conference opponent in the first half was Louisiana Tech in 2009.
At the start of the second half, Troy broke out for a 74-yard run to put the Trojans at the 1-yard line.
Redshirt freshman cornerback Greedy Williams chased down Troy’s Jordan Chunn before he ran into the end zone, but the Trojans were still able to score on 4th and one.
Two minutes into the second half, Troy led LSU 17-0 and the chance of an upset looked more possible than ever.
“The big plays by them is what killed us on the defense,” Gilmore said. ‘We just didn’t make the plays. Everything that could go wrong, went wrong. They were chipping away and then they got a big yard run or a big pass on third down.”
A 48-yard catch made by DJ Chark was soon forgotten as Derrick Dillon fumbled the ball and was recovered by Troy.
John Battle, who was questionable to start, turned around and forced a fumble on the Trojans and was recovered by sophomore linebacker Devin White as something had finally gone LSU’s way.
LSU took advantage and put points on the board for the first time. Brennan connected with Foster Moreau for the 7-yard pass.
Just as the Tigers were rearing for a comeback, the Trojans reminded everyone that they were here to play and to win.
Troy went up by 17 points in the fourth quarter on a 7-yard run and Tiger Stadium cleared out.
Again, this is not 2008.
Etling entered the game in the 4th quarter and nailed a 34-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Russell Gage, cutting the Trojans lead back to 10.
LSU recovered another fumble, caused by senior linebacker Donnie Alexander. On 4th and six, the Tigers went for it and converted for the first time. 
Moreau scored on a 20-yard pass from Etling to put the Tigers within three with two minutes left in the game. 
During a late push by LSU’s offense, Etling’s pass was intercepted with five seconds left in the game. 
“This is what I told [the team],” Gilmore said, “‘If anything, play for me. Not just me, but for the seniors. This is all I have left. Find the thing inside your heart to keep you motivated.” 
LSU’s will face seven SEC opponents for the remainder of the season, starting next Saturday in Gainesville, Florida. The Tigers will face the Florida Gators (3-1) and look to bounce back from the upset against Troy. 
“We have to keep going,” Gilmore said. “We have a war coming up.” 

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Ramsina Odisho

Troy vs. LSU final