The thought of having next weekend free did not seem to affect the performance of the No.14 LSU Tigers on Saturday night.
Sporting their seldom-used purple jerseys for the second time this season, the Tigers defeated the Fresno State Bulldogs 38-6 in Tiger Stadium.
The Tigers won their 11th-straight home game and have not lost in Death Valley since a 30-27 overtime upset against the University of Tennessee in September 2005.
Thunderstorms, which produced the threat of lightening in the area, delayed kick off four minutes from 8:12 p.m. to 8:16 p.m.
LSU coach Les Miles said that following the rain the field crew did a great job of making sure the field was in the best shape possible.
“I wanna give some credit to our field crew,” Miles said. “That field was in really, really good shape. Footing was crisp, and we could throw, catch and run our routes. I just can’t tell you how good that field held up.”
After winning the opening coin toss for the eighth time in eight games this season, the Tigers (6-2, 2-2 Southeastern Conference) deferred to the second half. The Bulldogs (1-6, 0-3 Western Athletic Conference) went three downs and out on their opening possession, and the Tigers’ offense wasted little time putting points on the scoreboard.
LSU wide receiver Early Doucet, who lined up at quarterback with quarterback JaMarcus Russell split wide to the right, had a 5-yard run before true freshman Trindon Holliday scampered into the end zone on a toss play from 38 yards out to give LSU a quick 7-0 lead with 10:52 left in the first quarter.
Holliday and fellow true freshman Keiland Williams combined for 109 yards on nine carries in the game. Holliday’s first career touchdown equaled LSU’s longest rushing play this season, but a 38-yard run by junior running back Alley Broussard in the third quarter tied that mark.
Miles said fans can expect to see more from Holliday as the season progresses, and Holliday said he is fine with that.
“It sounds good to me,” Holliday said. “I think it’s gonna be a nice experience.”
The Tigers gained 62 yards on their first drive of the game but had a net gain of zero yards on their next three drives combined. The remaining first-quarter scoring was done by LSU senior receiver Craig Davis. The New Orleans native, who handled punt returning duties for the second straight game, returned a punt 77 yards to put the Tigers ahead 14-0 going into the second quarter.
Miles said Davis is dangerous when he has the football in his hands.
“He has the ability to run with the ball, and if he gets a sliver, he can hurt you,” Miles said.
Both the Tigers’ and the Bulldogs’ defenses held their own in the second quarter, permitting one another to only a field goal each as LSU took a 17-3 advantage into the locker room at halftime.
Fresno State junior Clint Stitser kicked another field goal to close the lead to 17-6 in the third quarter, but Broussard, who led the Tigers in rushing with 67 yards on five carries, scored on a 21-yard touchdown run late in the period to give LSU a 24-6 lead.
LSU junior safety Craig Steltz said that since Broussard is still recovering from the knee injury that sidelined him for the 2005 season, the entire team roots for him to succeed.
“Anytime Alley goes out there, we’re all cheering for him,” Steltz said. “He’s busted his ass out there rehabbing his knee. He does a great job, [and] when he’s out there, we’re all 100 percent behind him.”
Broussard’s touchdown opened up the floodgates for LSU’s offense. Senior wide receiver Dwayne Bowe caught a 58-yard touchdown pass from Russell early in the fourth quarter to extend LSU’s lead to 31-6. Davis added a 30-yard touchdown reception to put the game on ice for the Tigers.
Russell continued to look as efficient as he has all season. The junior completed 15 of 19 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns.
In his first career start, Fresno State sophomore quarterback Sean Norton completed 13 of 20 passes for 134 yards. Junior Dwayne Wright handled the offensive load for the Bulldogs, rushing for 42 yards and picking up another 55 yards receiving. The Bulldogs converted only one third down in the game and were outgained 394 yard to 211 on offense by LSU.
Miles said Fresno State is a better team than its record shows, and a hard-fought victory is good for the Tigers in preparation for their Nov. 4 meeting at No. 7 University of Tennessee.
“I feel like going into the open week, [the win] will be just what we need,” Miles said.
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—–Contact Tyler Batiste at [email protected]