The LSU Tigers looked as if they were prepared to play with a vengeance, scoring a touchdown in just nine seconds.
Syracuse’s first throw of the game was picked off by freshman cornerback Greedy Williams, his third of the season, and junior running back Derrius Guice topped it off by scoring from one yard out. 
After that, the Tiger’s offense was limited by the Orange’s constant pressure. 
At the end of the first, LSU’s offense had just eight total yards and went 0-for-2 on third down conversions. The Tigers didn’t earn a first down by play until the beginning of the 2nd quarter.
Williams picked up what would have been his fourth interception of the year in the end zone, but after review, the referees ruled that the pass was just broken up by Williams. 
After the call was reversed, Syracuse scored a field goal from 42 yards out cutting LSU’s lead to 7-3 with 7:58 left in the first quarter. 
While the offense was still trying to work out the kinks, the Tigers managed to avoid penalties, an issue the team had faced all three prior games. 
Freshmen Ed Ingram and Tyler Taylor both earned the starting nod for the Tigers, at right guard and inside linebacker respectively. Senior linebacker Donnie Alexander sat the first half of the game for the targeting suspension against Mississippi State. 
Ingram was replaced by junior Adrian Magee in the second quarter after a struggling offensive line was unable to execute the pass protection for quarterback Danny Etling. 
The Tigers steadily crept into Syracuse territory late in the first half and with just 1:15 left, Etling connected with sophomore Stephen Sullivan for a 43-yard touchdown pass. 
Etling finished the half 8-for-14 with 95 yards.