The seismograph may not have registered another earthquake on Saturday night, but Death Valley shook for the LSU-Auburn game.
However, unlike the Earthquake Game of 1988 – which ended in a 7-6 LSU win – this one got ugly in a hurry.
Behind an explosive offense and a stingy defense, No. 9 LSU dominated No. 17 Auburn, 31-7, before 92,085 fans in Tiger Stadium.
“I think that was a great win for all Tigers,” said LSU coach Nick Saban. “I am very proud of the players for the way they played in the game. I think it was a total team win. What a great atmosphere to play a football game in. Our fans were tremendous.”
Following a 30-minute lightning delay to the start of the game, LSU came out sizzling at the start. Tigers quarterback Matt Mauck hit Devery Henderson and Michael Clayton for touchdown passes and freshman tailback Alley Broussard ran for another in the first quarter to give LSU an early 21-0 lead.
“I think the team did a great job on both sides of the ball doing what they’re asked,” said Mauck, who completed 17-of-28 passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns. “I think we came out and played like we’re capable of.”
Mauck hit Henderson on LSU’s first drive for a 64-yard pass for the first score and Clayton scored on an 18-yard screen pass, where he dove into the end zone. Henderson finished with 101 yards on six catches while Clayton had six receptions for 59 yards.
“We just basically stuck to our game plan,” Clayton said. “We had a real good week of practice and that usually carries over to how you play in the game. Our intensity level in practice was good all week. We came with that high intensity level in the game and it kept us up.”
LSU (7-1, 4-1 Southeastern Conference) had its opportunities to score more in the second quarter when Auburn punt returner Tre Smith muffed two punts, which LSU recovered. But the Tigers were unable to capitalize and the score remained 21-0 at halftime.
The Tigers scored their final 10 points in the third quarter. Ryan Gaudet hit a 33-yard field goal and Mauck hit Henderson again for 16-yard score.
Tailback Justin Vincent picked up 127 yards on 14 carries for LSU, while Broussard had 13 carries for 31 yards.
“Justin had over 100 yards and I thought he made some outstanding cuts against a good defensive football team,” Saban said. “They had eight-man fronts too. Our offensive line did a good job of getting a push. But he did a much better job than Alley did tonight of cutting the ball back that Alley’s experience probably didn’t allow him to do. That’s one thing that Justin gives us and I thought he did a fantastic job in the game. I was really pleased with our entire offensive team.”
LSU finished with 381 yards of offense, averaged 6.2 yards per play and committed only four penalties for 40 yards.
“We prepared hard all week,” said offensive guard Stephen Peterman. “The coaches put together a great game plan. We just did a great job of executing it. Our backs did a great job of hitting the holes. We were running the ball, throwing the ball. It seemed like everything was working.”
While LSU poured on the offense, defensive tackle Chad Lavalais, and the Tigers’ defense put Carnell “Cadillac” Williams and Auburn’s high-octane running game in park. Lavalais finished with eight tackles for a loss of 24 yards, including a key stop off Williams on a fourth down in the first quarter.
The Tigers held Auburn (5-3, 4-1) to 193 yards of offense and 50 net rushing yards. Williams finished with 61 yards on 20 carries.
“We knew we had to hit [Williams] hard,” said defensive end Marcus Spears, who finished with six tackles and a sack. “He’s a hard runner and he gets a lot of yards after contact. Coach told us all week to get a face mask on a face mask and get him on the ground.”