The LSU football team shook off a slow start during a rare morning kickoff in Tiger Stadium to dominate an outclassed Kentucky squad, 35-7, on Saturday.
Quarterback Jarrett Lee had his least efficient game of the season, going 8-for-21 through the air but using a few big passes to still throw for 169 yards and a touchdown.
The Tigers opened the scoring with a familiar face back in uniform. Senior quarterback Jordan Jefferson, returning from a suspension after his alleged involvement in August’s infamous Shady’s bar fight, subbed in on 4th and goal from the 1-yard line in the first quarter and notched his first touchdown of the season on a quarterback sneak. However, his substitution was met with a resounding chorus of boos from what had been a quiet Tiger Stadium crowd.
“I was excited for him,” Lee said of Jefferson. “He came in and made a big play for us. He brings another aspect to this team.”
Jefferson also saw time in the second half but did not throw a pass in eight snaps while rushing for 29 yards on four carries.
Freshman receiver Odell Beckham Jr. wowed with three catches for 75 yards, including a 51-yard touchdown reception where he dashed across the length of the field while eluding several Kentucky defenders.
Elsewhere, the Tigers continued to use its early-season formula of defense and a timely running game to overpower opponents.
Sophomore defensive back Tyrann Mathieu forced another fumble, the eighth of his career — an LSU career record — on a sack of Kentucky substitute quarterback Maxwell Smith before returning the loose ball 23 yards for a touchdown to give LSU a commanding 28-0 lead late in the third quarter.
The LSU running game stalled in the first half as Kentucky stuck eight men in the box and Spencer Ware was lost early to a hamstring injury. But a persistent combination of sophomores Michael Ford and a rejuvenated Alfred Blue along with freshman Terrance Magee, making his LSU debut, steadied the Tiger offense in the second half.
“It was a shock [having Magee playing],” Blue said. “We just heard the coaches call No. 14, and he was ready. He looked good out there.”
LSU finished with 46 carries for 179 yards in the game.
The Wildcats never got anything going against a typically stout LSU defense, as they managed just 155 yards and 7 points while completing just seven of 25 passes for 66 yards and punting 10 times.
The Tigers, ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press poll, are now 5-0 this season and 2-0 in Southeastern Conference play. LSU hosts Florida next week at 2:30 p.m. in Tiger Stadium.
 
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