Forget a repeat of last year’s bowl game.
LSU, behind an offensive explosion rare to the Tigers in 2010 and a suffocating second half defense, thumped Texas A&M, 41-24, in the Cotton Bowl on Friday in Arlington, Texas.
Junior quarterback Jordan Jefferson accounted for 236 yards of total offense, senior receiver Terrence Toliver had three touchdowns in the win. Junior running back Stevan Ridley (105) and freshman running back Spencer Ware (102)  racked up a combined 207 yards rushing.
Toliver was named the game’s Offensive Most Valuable Player.
The three touchdown grabs tied Keyshawn Johnson’s Cotton Bowl record performance in 1995. It was also the first time an LSU player had three touchdown catches since Dwayne Bowe in 2006 against Kentucky.
The Tigers started off sluggish. On the opening kickoff, Texas A&M junior defensive back Coryell Judie returned the ball 69 yards, helping the Aggies set up a quick touchdown. After a LSU three-and-out, Texas A&M kicker Randy Bullock booted a 39-yard field goal to give the Aggies a 10-0 lead.
It was no matter for the surprisingly potent LSU offense.
Behind Jefferson, the Tigers posted 28 points in the first half, taking a 28-17 lead into halftime. It would only get worse from there.
LSU scored again on its opening drive of the second half to take a 35-17 lead with 12:06 remaining in the third quarter.
A&M made a final push early in the fourth with a 4-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Ryan Tannehill to sophomore wideout Kenric McNeal with 10:04 left.
Senior kicker Josh Jasper provided the final dagger with two field goals — from 50 yards and 26 yards, respectively.
Freshman quarterback Tyrann Mathieu provided a spark defensively, with 6.5 tackles, a sack, an interception and a forced fumble. He was named Defensive Most Valuable Player.
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