Pregame:
The Tigers will be under-staffed today against No. 20 Auburn as LSU coach Les Miles announced starting sophomore running back Spencer Ware, starting sophomore cornerback Tyrann Mathieu and fellow sophomore cornerback Tharold Simon will be suspended for the contest.
Sophomore running back Michael Ford will start in place of Ware. Junior cornerback Morris Claiborne, senior cornerback Ron Brooks, sophomore safety Eric Reid and senior safety Brandon Taylor will patrol the secondary.
LSU is also donning new all-white Nike Pro-Combat uniforms for the game.
 
1st Quater
LSU didn’t seem to feel the effects of their suspensions on the offensive side of the ball, as the Bayou Bengals marched 76 yards in 8 plays on their opening drive, capped off by a nine yard touchdown run by freshman running back Kenny Hilliard – the first of his career.
Senior quarterback Jarrett Lee went 4-for-4 for 38 yards on the drive, and got help from three different running backs – Hilliard and sophomores Alfred Blue and Michael Ford.
A big sack by sophomore defensive end Barkevious Mingo on third and 3 of Auburn’s first drive forced a punt.
Freshman wide receiver Odell Beckham filled in as return man for Mathieu. Junior wide receiver Russell Shepard took over kickoff return duties along with Brooks.
A 41-yard drive anchored by Auburn junior running back Onterio McCalebb gave the visiting Tigers their first points of the game when kicker Cody Parkey hit a 42-yard field goal to cut the lead to four.
Mingo came up big on third down again, sacking Auburn quarterback Clint Moseley to force a fourth and goal from the 26.
LSU would hold a 7-3 lead after one.
 
2nd Quarter
After exchanging punts, LSU took over possession at the 40 yard line, where senior quarterback Jordan Jefferson would see his first action of the afternoon.
But Jefferson couldn’t get the offense moving, and three straight run plays led to another Brad Wing punt.
Two drives later, following a “Jarrett Lee” chant from the student section, Jefferson hit junior wide receiver Rueben Randle on a 42-yard pass to put the host Tigers up 14-3.
A relatively action-free third quarter ended on an opposite note.
After a slow start to their final drive of the half, LSU drove 86-yards in eight plays for their third score of the contest, as Lee hit Randle breaking free from double coverage on a 46-yard bomb with 40 seconds left in the quarter.
The touchdown was Randle’s second of the ball game and seventh of the season.
Junior kicker Drew Alleman tacked on the extra point to give LSU a 21-3 halftime lead.
 
Third Quarter
LSU’s defense continued to shine in the second half, forcing Auburn to punt on their first drive of the third quarter.
The Bayou Bengal offense came out firing, as Lee hit junior tight end Chase Clement on a 27-yard pass to start the drive.
Five plays and 47-yards later, Lee connected with Shepard on a 10-yard touchdown pass to increase their lead to 28-3.
On the ensuing kickoff, Reid laid a licking on Auburn return man Tre Mason, forcing a fumble that was recovered by sophomore linebacker Tahj Jones on the Auburn 22-yard line.
Hilliard would rumble, bumble and stumble his way into the endzone for his second score of the day, as LSU pulled ahead 35-3 with 8:12 left in the third quarter.
Auburn’s woes continued on the following drive, as Auburn sophomore quarterback Clint Moseley’s pass was picked off by Brooks and taken to the house, again increasing their lead, 42-3.
An action-packed third quarter ended with the Bayou Bengals driving down to the 20-yard line, looking to score yet again.
 
 
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Contact: Mark Clements at [email protected] or follow him on twitter @mcleme9