First Quarter
As much as No. 1 LSU said it wasn’t looking ahead to the national championship game Jan. 9, the Tigers sure didn’t show it in the first quarter of Saturday’s Southeastern Conference championship bout with No. 12 Georgia
LSU came out of the gates flat, gaining a total of 11 yards in the first quarter without earning a first down.
No. 12 Georgia on the other hand, racked up 134 yards and got on the board first when senior kicker Blair Walsh nailed a 40-yarder on the Bulldog’s opening drive.
Georgia successfully converted a surprise onside kick on the ensuing possession, but the Tigers held the Bulldogs scoreless on the drive.
After another bland drive by LSU, Bulldog quarterback Aaron Murray connected with tight end Aron White for a 12 yard touchdown, to put Georgia up 10-0 as the quarter ended.
 
Second Quarter
With LSU’s offense looking dead, the Tigers had to rely to turn to its special team
A monster punt by freshman punter Brad Wing pinned Georgia inside their own 15 yard line.
Two unsuccessful runs coupled with a Sam Montgomery sack forced the Bulldogs to punt from inside their own 5.
That’s when the Honey Badger struck yet again.
Sophomore cornerback  Tyrann Mathieu fielded the punt at the 38 yard line, and with the help of several crushing blocks, returned it 62 yards for the Tiger’s first points of the contest.
The first half would end without any more action from either side, as both LSU and Georgia would each gain one yard in the quarter.
LSU would go into the break with 12 total yards, no first downs and lucky to only be down by 3.
 
Third Quarter
Whatever LSU coach Les Miles said at halftime must have worked.
The Tigers came out of the break firing on all cylinders, forcing a fumble against Murray on Georgia’s opening drive.
Mathieu recovered the fumble the 26 yard line, which would set the Tigers up for their first offensive points of the game.
After a six-yard pass from senior quarterback Jefferson to junior wide receiver Rueben Randle, freshman running back Kenny Hilliard scampered 15 yards to pay dirt to give LSU its first lead of the contest.
The Tigers wouldn’t stop there.
A three-and-out by Georgia forced another Bulldog punt. Mathieu fielded the punt at the 36 yard line and in true Dancing With the Stars fashion, juked and jived his way 47 yards down to the 17 yard-line.
Four plays later, Hilliard would work his way four yards into the endzone for his second score of the game, increasing LSU’s lead, 21-10.
But the woes continued for the Georgia.
Five plays into the ensuing possession, Murray’s deep ball down the right sideline was picked off by sophomore cornerback Tharold Simon.
Ten plays and 70 yards later, Hilliard would cross the goal line for the third time to put the Tigers ahead 28-10
Hilliard, who caught the ball on the six yard line, ran through Georgia senior safety Brandon Boykin en route to the endzone. Hilliards touchdown tied the SEC championship game record for both touchdowns scored, with three, and points scored, with 18.
The Tigers entered the fourth quarter up 18 and just a quarter away from securing an SEC title, as well as a spot in the national championship.
 
Fourth Quarter
The Tigers used the fourth quarter to put the finishing touches on the Bulldogs.
With 8 minutes left in the game, sophomore running back Alfred Blue plunged 48 yards up the middle of the field for a touchdown to put LSU ahead 35-10.
If it wasn’t a sure thing yet, the ensuing drive solidified victory for the Tigers.
Junior corner Morris Claiborne picked off Murray and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown and a 42-10 victory.
LSU held off the Bulldogs the rest of the contest and has earned a spot in the national championship game Jan. 9 in New Orleans.