It wasn’t exactly the coming out party many anticipated from the LSU passing attack, but the Tigers held serve at home to open the season Saturday night, churning past North Texas for a 41-14 win in Tiger Stadium. Running backs Kenny Hilliard and Alfred Blue both eclipsed 100 yards rushing, sophomore receiver Odell Beckham Jr. returned a first-quarter punt 70 yards for a touchdown and the Tigers survived an injury scare to new starting quarterback Zach Mettenberger to remain undefeated all-time against the Mean Green. Mettenberger finished 19-of-26 for 192 yards with one interception and a lone touchdown, which came courtesy of a 34-yard strike to junior wideout Kadron Boone to open the fourth quarter. That 192 yards was hardly the meat of the Tigers’ offense, though, as LSU’s experienced offensive line carved out huge swathes of turf for the running backs to amass 316 rushing yards. But the line also struggled with some North Texas blitzes, allowing two sacks and surrendering an intentional grounding penalty. The most notable breakdown came when Mettenberger took a hard sack from North Texas cornerback Hilbert Jackson late in the first quarter, sending him to the locker room as fans held their breath. In the meantime, a pair of Hilliard touchdowns and Beckham’s second punt return for a touchdown - the first was called back for a block in the back penalty - staked LSU to an easy 21-0 lead. “I liked our return game and our special teams,” LSU coach Les Miles said. “We’ve talked about blocking better and being more sound. Odell was what we expected tonight, but we’ll clean up the block in the back that took away that first one.” Call it a hurricane hangover or simple lethargy, but the Tigers struggled the rest of the way, surrendering a pair of touchdown passes to North Texas and committing 10 penalties for 55 yards. After a Drew Alleman field goal extended LSU’s lead to 24-0, the Mean Green responded with an 80-yard touchdown strike, as quarterback Derek Thompson connected with wide receiver Brelan Chancellor with 1:55 left in the first half. The Tigers added another field goal during a tedious 3rd quarter, as fans filed from the stadium in droves and LSU’s offense largely stalled out. “It was kind of like offense, defense and special teams had an opportunity to play dominant at times, but really had some sloppy plays,” Miles said. Boone’s touchdown to open the final period gave the Tigers a 34-7 lead and essentially sealed LSU’s 10th season-opening victory in a row. Chancellor and Thompson hooked up again for a harmless touchdown seven minutes later to round out the Mean Green’s scoring.  LSU fullback J.C. Copeland capped off a nine-play, 75-yard fourth-quarter scoring march with a 5-yard touchdown dive to seal the final tally. Despite the two big plays from Chancellor, LSU still surrendered only 219 total yards and a stifling 75 rushing yards. “I’ve coached against and been a part of national champion teams,” said North Texas coach Dan McCarney. “I know what those defenses look like, and the Tigers sure have one of those again this year. They just don’t stay blocked very long.”
NOTES: Official attendance for the game was 92,059, though there appeared to be fewer fans actually present … 12 true freshman saw their first playing time against the Mean Green, including eight on defense … Copeland’s four carries all accounted for either first downs or a touchdown … Beckham’s TD return marked the third time in the last four LSU games a Tiger has taken a punt back for a score … The Tigers’ 508 yards of total offense marked the LSU offense’s first 500-yard output since a 595-yard night against Louisiana Tech on Nov. 10, 2007.  
HALFTIME UPDATE (7:45 pm)
In a wild day already around college football, LSU’s first half against North Texas was no different, even as the Tigers claimed a 24-7 halftime advantage. Things got off to a flying start, as LSU scored on four plays in just a 1:19 thanks to sophomore running back Kenny Hilliard’s 38-yard touchdown scamper. Sophomore wideout Odell Beckham Jr. followed that up only moments later with a dazzling 70-yard punt return for a touchdown. But LSU’s momentum slowly evaporated after a scary moment featuring new starting quarterback Zach Mettenberger.  Mettenberger took a shot on a 3rd-down sack from Mean Green cornerback Hilbert Jackson and promptly exited the field for the locker room.  Reports indicated he suffered a mild shoulder bruise, and the junior returned two series later. LSU added to its early lead behind another Hilliard score, this one a 5-yard plunge early in the second quarter. Hilliard finished the half with seven carries for 112 yards, including a 60-yard burst near the end of the half. But the Tigers’ miscues were also numerous, as junior safety Eric Reid was badly beaten by UNT receiver Brelan Chancellor on an 80-yard touchdown pass and LSU’s two new corners, Jalen Mills and Jalen Collins, both looked vulnerable on the edges. Offensively, Mettenberger looked stagnant and the playcalling bland, as No. 8 went 10-of-16 for 97 yards, but tossed an ugly interception in the red zone just before halftime. His pass protection didn’t do him any favors, as a veteran LSU offensive line allowed two sacks, including the hit that knocked Mettenberger out and a costly intentional grounding penalty. The Tigers will receive the ball first in the second half, so make sure to stay tuned here and on Twitter - @TDR_Sports and @AbshireTDR - for constant updates on the final half of LSU’s season opener.
 
____ Contact Chris Abshire at [email protected] Twitter: @AbshireTDR