The vaunted LSU defense, which had begun springing leaks weeks ago, gave way to gushers of yardsSaturday nightas theArkansas Razorbacksupset the Tigers 31 -23. QuarterbackJordan Jefferson went just about the entire way, consistently facing 3rd and long and just as importantly, not letting the Tigers defense get any semblance of rest. And it showed. Razorbackrusher Knile Davis knifed through purple and gold defenders for 158 yards on 31 carries. Arkansas gained 465 yards on one of the best defenses in the country.
The Tigers will still be eligible for a great game, but the fantasy, the mirage of being the best team outside of Auburn is over.
Against a stubborn and determined Ole Miss squad, LSU somehow scored early and often, outgunning the Rebels 43-36.
Of all people, quarterback Jordan Jefferson turned in a lights-out offensive performance. Jordan passed for a career-high 254 yards, running and passing for a score. Of course, he also threw a pick.
They needed every ounce of Jefferson this week because Ole Miss, led by senior quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, almost won the game.
He threw for 177 yards, but had two interceptions. Fleet-footed Mississippi running back Brandon Bolden churned up 91 yards on the ground and made several athletic plays that left Purple and Gold defenders in the dust.
The first thing people are going to say is that LSU's defense got shredded against a team that came in with six losses.
But Ole Miss stayed in the game by going for fourth down FOUR TIMES. And making it ... all four times.
LSU also had 2 turnovers (Ole Miss had 3, the last one an interception on a deep heave to the end zone). Linebacker Kelvin Sheppard said Ole Miss had some razzle-dazzle that the Tigers hadn't seen before, and he said their starting running back, who scored two touchdowns, is the real deal. "I didn't realize he was that fast," Sheppard said. "When he got to the edge, he took it. I tip my hat off to Bolden."
Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt has a knack for showing off against LSU. He'd been 3-0 against the Tigers the previous three games before Saturday. He was proud of his guys at the end. "You like the way they played," Nutt said of his team. "You like the way they competed and they left their heart out there. That's the thing that I'll go to sleep with tonight."
Mississippi's kick return game was huge, amassing 188 yards with at least three almost broken for touchdowns.
After the game, Jefferson did a Cam Newton: He went up to the fans and raised his arms in the air as they chanted his name. "I have definitely been waiting on a night like this," Jefferson said. "I'm just glad that [the passing game] finally came through when we needed it."
The University of Louisiana-Monroe had to know this was coming sooner or later: The Fighting Tigers of LSU finally scored some points, easily notching its 9th win of the season in a 51-0 victory.
LSU, who still has faint chances of a BCS at-large berth, did most of the damage with defense and on the ground.
ULM quarterback Kolton Browning, a Texas native, said before the game he was insulted how LSU's fans were openly wearing their colors in the week leading up to the game.
"Seeing people that wear LSU stuff around campus kind of makes me mad, personally," Browning said. "Honestly? LSU stuff? Why can't you root for ULM? I'm here to play for us and that's all I'm worried about."
He had plenty to worry about.
LSU only amassed 251 yards but had a defensive scores, and a plethora of touchdown runs from short distances. Jordan Jefferson, shaky as usual had less than 60 yards. We'll take it.
When Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee aren't confused, they're pretty good.
Case in point, Jefferson's 75-yard slant to receiver Rueben Randle.
Another case in point: Lee's 47-yard lob to Randle on a 3rd down play late in the game.
Maybe the Tigers should call a timeout before every play, then they'd have confident quarterbacks under center.
Whatever you call it, LSU's 24-21 win against the defending national champs Alabama Crimson Tide was a major statement and huge win.
It meant that the Nebuchadnezzar-like (grass-eating) Les Miles doesn't have to take a back seat to any coach in the SEC.
It meant that Nick Saban can be outcoached.
It meant that LSU should be a top 5 team, schedule-wise.
But all that is for another day.
Now, LSU sits just a game behind undefeated Auburn Tigers, who need to lose to Georgia next week then Alabama for LSU to get a shot.
Got to give it to the Pittsburgh Steelers, they have one of the top defenses in the NFL, again. But fortunately they ran into New Orleans and Drew Brees, one of the top quarterbacks in the league.
Who else can throw an interception, lose the football on a sack fumble, and be hailed as a hero but Brees?
He did it Sunday night, throwing for 304 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns.
Big Ben and Rashard Mendenhall did all they could to stop the Gold and Black, but on this night, a gloulish night, the Black and Yellow didn't have the magic. Saints win 20 - 10.
Last year it was the New Orleans Saints that caught teams by surprise, throwing care to the wind and dialing up all the gadgetry allowed on the gridiron.
The Cleveland Browns showed the world champs how it was done Sunday, amassing a whole 200 yards of offense and winning, going away, 30 -17, in the Super Dome.
Drew Brees had four interceptions, including two brought back for touchdowns by linebacker "Killer" Bowens.
Even former Saint Scott Fujita caught one of Bree's errant passes.
The Saints offense, going weeks now without Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas, is anemic, incapable of any ground game and a desparate passing attack.
The only good news? Safety Darren Sharper is back after missing the first six games, and receiver Marques Colston finally surpassed 100 yards receiving and caught a touchdown.
But can the Saints still win the division?
LSU couldn't pass the ball at all, but found a way to tie it early in the 4th quarter. But the only problem was, Auburn had this Super Man-type guy by the name of Cam Newton.
Perhaps you've heard of him? Ran through LSU like syrup down a pancake -- and back up again.
The Auburn Tigers also exposed LSU's fragile two-quarterback system, and more importantly, LSU coaches' lack of confidence it it.
With the game on the line, LSU simply couldn't throw down field. Even when they tried, with Jordan Jefferson, looking off the safety, prize receiver Terrance Toliver dropped the ball, at least twice.
Auburn will be No. 1 by the end of the Sunday, guaranteed.
LSU? They probably are looking at a three-loss season, which in retrospect, is a great year.
For Bayou Bengals fans, no other LSU game incites the raw emotion that Auburn week does.
I mean, it's tiger vs. tiger for goodness sakes. Auburn is one of those rivalries where you really do hope the other team does well when they don't play each other. LSU fans never want to play a weak or sad Auburn team, and I'm sure real Auburn fans feel the same way about LSU.
This year both come into the contest undefeated with Auburn coming off a 63-point outburst. Luckily their defense can give up as many.
Auburn's coach sees it another way.
"Defensively, I keep using the word resilient," Tigers coach Gene Chizik said in a recent interview. "Here's what I like about our defense: They keep fighting. They're into the game.
When these two squads are at their best and loaded with talent, there is nary a college football game in the land that can boast two fine war machines so often in the middle of the season.
Of late LSU, or should I say Les Miles, has owned Auburn winning 4 out of 5 matchups. The one he lost? A 7-3 debacle ruined by bad officiating, but I digress.
For the record, Cam Newton looks even scarier than Tim Tebow did three years ago. Of course, we won that one.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees recently taped an anti-bullying message. Last year the Saints bullied a few people by the name of Kurt Warner, and Brett Favre, on the way to their first ever Super Bowl championship title.
The LSU Tigers, No. 9 in the polls, are licking their chops at their first true cupcake of the season: McNeese State.
The Tigers have won every game this season in a different fashion: A last-second defensive stand, winning drives, clock mismanagement, you name it.
But they have won.
It has not been pretty, but LSU -- in the five years that coach Les Miles has been there -- has not been terribly efficient with the football.
JaMarcus Russell routinely left 10 to 21 points out on the field, and they still only lost two games in his final two years.
But things have changed. A little.
LSU is in prime position to make a serious championship run, if they can get by the AAA powers: Auburn, Alabama and finally, Arkansas.
Now, with Auburn on the horizon, the Tigers can sharpen up some things against McNeese (and even expand their offensive package) and get ready to go up to Alabama.
The Arizona Cardinals are a good team, but last week's 10-point victory over the Saints exposed how banged up New Orleans is rather than how awesome the Cards are.
Drew Brees, with a gimpy knee, is struggling mightily without his two starting running backs, Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush.
The screen plays that used to go for big gains have been null and void for the past two games.
The deep ball, which used to be a staple of the New Orleans offense, is gone.
Coach Sean Payton doesn't seem to worried about it all, according to a recent interview.
"You know how this league is. It's week by week," Payton said Monday. "Do I think we can play better? Yes. That's the thing that's encouraging; that's the thing that gets you here and started on the next plan and that's the thing that keeps you driven and motivated. We don't have to identify it as anything other than a setback. Any time you lose a game, we feel like it's disappointing, but what's most important is what you do about it."
Marques Colston showed up last week, but for most of the season he's been a nonfactor.
The defense is missing at least three starters, including Tracy Porter and Darren Sharper. Despite this, they are playing decent football, holding the Cards without a touchdown, except for a freaky fumble.
So, what's killing the Saints? Turnovers.
Brees had three of them Sunday. Against the Carolina Panthers they had two of them.
After weeks of hearing boos from the LSU faithful -- despite an undefeated record --- the Fighting Tigers on Saturday heard cheers seconds after a thrilling come-from-behind victory over the No. 14 Florida Gators.
The two-quarterback system of Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson operated wonderfully and efficiently, giving the Gator defense fits.
LSU stumbled at times, most notably Jefferson's interception in the first quarter that allowed Florida to score their first touchdown. Again in the second half, Patrick Peterson, muffed a kickoff.
But LSU overcame it. More importantly, coach Les Miles got a huge monkey off his back after last week's debacle (still a win) against Tennessee. It was the first time he actually outcoached somebody too. Urban Meyer literally couldn't guess right against the Tigers as Miles hit him with Lee for a spell then Jordan for a span. In the process, LSU may have discovered lightning in a bottle for their until-now anemic offense.
Having resigned itself to a two-quarterback system from here on out, the 5-0 LSU Tigers are hoping one of them -- near-sighted Jarrett Lee or the numb-armed Jordan Jefferson -- can emerge with a hot game to win in Gainesville.
LSU with nary a loss and five wins over BSC opponents (which no other team in the country can say) can expect to crack the top 10 with a win.
If Florida comes out victorious, look for the Gators to lick their chops at another chance to take down Alabama in the SEC Championship Game and a shot at a national title. LSU coach Les Miles has been lampooned for the whole seven days since his team squeezed by an undermanned and ultimately unprepared Tennessee team. But Miles, bumbler as he is, is not a wobbler. Gators coach Urban Meyer, after losing to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game last year, quit then changed his mind. And you wonder why the teams play so wishy-washy? Lord knows what he'll do at season's end. At any point, someone has to win this game. And a quarterback has to find his way. LSU 21-FLA 20
Saints quarterback Drew Brees has a brace on his knee.
Safety Darren Sharper was out even before the season started after undergoing surgery.
Running back Reggie Bush has a broken leg.
Pierre Thomas has knee and ankle problems.
Oh it goes on and on, that's just the big names.
The latest broken Saint? Safety Tracy Porter had knee surgery and will miss up to four weeks.
Can the Saints continue to compete with injuries mounting like they are?
Saints coach Sean Payton says it looks like the New Orleans has slowed down, but actually the defenses they are facing are dictating the way the Saints attack. "Certainly we see people getting a little softer in their coverages and yet we still constantly are paying attention and looking for ways to get an optimum look to get behind the defense," Payton said in a recent interview. "But sometimes there are plays that when they come out of my mouth and Drew (Brees) calls them in the huddle, all of us are (thinking) 'shot' and then it ends up being a dump-off or a check-down.
This poignant and plain-sung folk song captures the sentiment of the millions of Gulf Coast residents that have been affected by the Gulf Oil Disaster. While BP and federal talking heads have scaled back tremendously, the very livelihood of men and women of the sea is at stake. But it ain't over.
Saints new-old kicker John Carney probably didn't think he would be needed so urgently in a so-called "high-powered" offense, but the only thing high-powered about the New Orleans Saints these days is their kicking game.
Against the fiesty Carolina Panthers squad, the Saints had to scratch and claw to hang on Sunday, 16- 14 as rookie quarterback Jimmy Clausen almost pulled off an upset before regressing badly during his team's final few plays.
For sure, the Saints were undermanned. Actually the Saints are hurtin' bad. Both starting running backs are out. Two safeties are out as well. A hodge-podge of offensive players did what they could but two early turnovers made this game a nail biter.
Drew Brees played a great game, but the Saints receivers, most notably Devery Henderson, couldn't hang on to the easy ones, and when they did they couldn't take the tough shots the Panther defenders gave them without losing the football (Lance Moore).
Still, the Saints had Carney, who hit three huge field goals. In the process, he showed the NFL why a decent kicker -- no matter the age -- is so valuable.
It was ugly, but a win is a win.
A two-headed quarterback: Say what you want about Jarrett Lee, and this blog has said plenty, but he can actually move the ball. A sweet 47-yard bomb in the fourth quarter got LSU near the goal line with a chance to take the lead before the last-second theatrics. Jordan Jefferson's mobility, really his 89-yard juant on the first play from scrimmage, had to make the Vols at least think twice about him every time he snapped the ball. The only thing is, LSU, as well, had to think twice about it everytime he had the ball.
LSU's front four: Drake Nevis and the boys up front absolutely carried the Bayou Bengals Saturday evening. If not for a goal line stand, a turnover on downs and numerous blitzes on third down, Tennessee quarterback Matt Simms carves the secondary up like a turkey. LSU's line held its own going largely without starting defensive end Sam Montgomery who suffered a chop block early in the 1st quarter. Also, starting end Ken Adams was out. So, given that LSU's D-line was at 50%, they did excellent.
Referees: Let's be honest. Jordan Jefferson and a befuddled coaching staff all had to stare in horror as the final seconds clicked off the clock on Saturday. The game was over, and Tennessee players joyously celebrated. But a referee -- one referee-- the one that was supposed to make sure each team had only 11 men on the field, courageously, miraculously said the unsayable "Hold up. This game aint over." As a result, I'd like to buy the man a drink, if somebody could get me his name. Matter fact, I've got him -- and his immediate family -- at Chimes next time he's down that way, if he wants. LSU lucked out. Plain and simple.
Some how some way, LSU beat the Vols in the craziest game in Tiger Stadium history.
Les Miles did all he could to give the game to the Vols, but, as fate would have it, Tennessee's coach is as bottom-tier as LSU's. Who would have thunk it?
Thirteen players on the field on the last play? And what referee would have even called that?
Think about it: The game is done, over. And a zebra stops the hoopla to deliver the sweetest news to Tiger fans since boiled shrimp went for half price?
Seriously, the Tennessee Volunteers deserved to win this game: Let me say that again, and louder.
THE VOLUNTEERS DESERVED TO WIN THIS GAME.
LSU didn't. Let's be honest.
The LSU Tigers manhandled the Tennessee Tigers through three composite quarters but still were losing 14-10 with 10 minutes to go in the game.
Jordan Jefferson continued his three-game slump and even made worse decisions than the previous three games, if that's possible.
Backup quarterback Jarrett Lee may have taken the starting spot of Jefferson in the process, sparking LSU to a first down inside the 10 midway through the fourth quarter.
But he then threw LSU's final interception.
Tennessee quarterback Matt Simms struggled mightily against a steady barrage of blitzes by the LSU defense, but he finally settled down and started to pick the secondary apart.
After being down 7-0, the Vols scored the next 14 points, and even missed a field goal.
LSU's defense outplayed itself, but was simply on the field too long.
After the game, Miles shouldn't thank his coaching staff, or even his players. He should thank whatever voodoo priestess through the dust his way.
Drew Brees has a sore knee. Pierre Thomas has a shaky ankle. We all know Reggie Bush is out for a while, and yet it's still game on.
The Saints, one week after losing a close one to the Falcons, better pick themselves up off the mat quick. The Carolina Panthers come to town.
While their record is 0-3, New Orleans would be foolish to sleep on a team that has had the best running back tandem in the league for three years now. And the Saints have yet to stop that run attack. Jonathan Stewart and Deangelo Williams single-handedly almost beat the Saints last year and have spit their season series in recent years.
As for the Panthers, coach John Fox is on the hot seat despite losing his franchise quarterback (who should have been gone a few years ago, but he's a Louisiana boy so I'll go easy on him).
Saints coach Sean Payton is watchful of the Panthers, for good reason.
"You have to pay close attention to the weapons," said Payton in a recent interview. "You have to look closely at their two halfbacks, to the experienced offensive line, Steve Smith. From a defensive perspective you study closely the scheme and what they do. It varies with who's behind center, but most importantly is identifying where the threats are and making sure that you know where those guys are on every play. If Clausen is able to hand off with success, that changes his job description for the game."
It took almost two years in prison. It took almost three years away from the game he grew up playing, but now Michael Vick is the NFL's poster child again.
What has he done to earn such distinction? He's recorded back-to-back wins for the Philadelphia Eagles in dramatic fashion, the first one a 35-32 barnstormer against the Detroit Lions. In the second game, named the starter earlier in the week, Vick completed 17 of 31 passes for 291 yards in a 28-3 rout of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Where was this guy when he was in the NFC South facing the Saints?
Actually Vick played pretty good against New Orleans, nearly splitting the win total. Of course, that was when his cousin, Aaron Brooks took snaps behind center as a Saint.
But will Vick continue to play well? Will the NFL actually feature him in commercials and marketing campaigns as it did for six years before Dog Gate?
Time will tell. In the meantime, I'm glad the Saints don't have to face him this year. At least not in the regular season.
The day of reckoning if upon the Tigers, a bonafide, sturdy, rambunctious SEC home game is ahead for Les Miles' boys. The formidable Tennessee Volunteers, themselves searching for an identity, are licking their chops as they visit the Bayou Bengals this Saturday.
Well, the 3-1 Vols aren't exactly licking their chops.
Last week, the Volunteers gave up 429 yards to a UAB quarterback and receivers that flew around like meteors. Tennessee still won, but barely.
LSU will not pass for 400-some yards.
LSU will not pass for 300 yards.
LSU is averaging 110 yards, dead last in the SEC.
"Offensively nobody is satisfied in our building," said Miles said recently.
As the fans' discontentment grows to the point of being disillusioned, Miles continues to put a happy face on the offense, I mean, they're 4-0, right?
"Our running backs are coming to life and our line understands the commitment to running the ball," Miles said. "If that characteristic maintains itself over time, we will be a very good offense."
But that "will be" may take a while.
Tennessee, for its part, can't keep its quarterback upright. Matt Simms was downed something like six times against UAB. He's been sacked 14 times in three games and as a result he's said he's kind of "mastered" it. Wow.
But Tiger Stadium is a terribly difficult place to play -- for both teams, it seems.
And Jordan Jefferson has not shown the gumption to play gutsy, confident football yet.
So, the Drave Nevis, the defensive line, and Patrick "Heisman" Peterson will need to score six or so.
Let's hope so, because LSU's offense won't put much points on the board.
Well, Garrett Hartley finally missed one that cost us the game, like Saints kickers in the past, most recently Olinda Mare.
With a first and goal at about the Falcons 12 yard line, the Saints try a field goal with about 9 seconds left in regulation. I thought it was enough time to try one pass to Marquez Colston, but evidently Sean Payton thought otherwise.
I told you the 4 things the Saints needed to do to win the game. The Saints did only one of them today, and that was try, with success, the long ball.
The Falcons, led by a strong running game powered by Michael Turner and Jason Snelling, were able to methodically move down the field in OT and kick the game winner.
The Atlanta Falcons come down to the Big Easy for a showdown over NFC South supremacy today.
The Saints, 2-0, have had one of the NFL's most potent offenses over the last few years. But not this year. The offense has scored only two touchdowns each in the two games this season. The Saints margin of victory this year? 3.2 points.
Still, the Falcons, who looked like world beaters last week when they obliterated the Arizona Cardinals 41-7, can't afford to rest on their laurels.
Here are 4 things that need to happen for the Saints fans to continue to party on Bourbon Street after the game.
GO LONG: The Saints have taken several shots downfield this season and the success has been lacking. Speedy receiver Devery Henderson has been just out of the reach on a couple of those balls as Drew Brees shook the rust off in week 1 and had to contend with high winds in week 2. These week, playing in the Super Dome, he'll have none of those excuses. Henderson and Robert Meachem will both need to fly downfield and look up for the deep ball.
The Falcons have upgraded their secondary specifically for this game (despite what they say), so they have been anxiously awaiting the aerial techniques of Brees and Co.
RUN, PIERRE, RUN: Running back Pierre Thomas has not had a breakout game this season although he has been effective in spurts. With Reggie Bush out for at least 6 weeks, Thomas will have to show that he can carry the load now. The Saints brought in former Redskins runner LaDell Betts for change up, but Thomas will be the majority of the carries. In two games so far, he's averaging a paltry 3.2 yards a carry, but let's face it: Thomas has asked to be the focal point in the Saints running attack for a few seasons now, here's his chance. Against a stout Falcons defense, is 100 yards on the ground asking too much of the Saints running game?
T.O. RATIO: Saints lived off turnovers on their run to the Super Bowl last year, and this year they've seemed to get better at it, if that's possible. While the Saints are 19th against the pass, they are No. 1 in the NFC in forcing turnovers. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan doesn't make a whole lot of mistakes, but surely, in a hostile dome for the first time this season, he'll make a few.
STOP TURNER: No NFL team, anywhere this season, has faced three premier running backs in three consecutive weeks as the Saints will be doing when Falcons bruiser Michael Turner comes to town. In week 1, the Saints held Adrian Peterson to 87 yards. In week 2, Frank Gore slashed them for 5 yards a carry on the way to 112 big ones on the ground (It would have been worse if the Saints didn't force crucial turnovers inside their own 30 yard line three times). Now comes Turner, who churned up the Saints for more than 150 yards in their last meeting at the Dome. Turner is not the fastest back, but when he's going downhill he is hard to bring down. Also add all purpose back Jason Snelling, who ran out of his mind last week vs. Arizona (129 yards) and the Falcons are bringing the most potent running tandem the Saints have faced this year and maybe last year too.
But -- and that's a big but -- if the Saints can do the aforementioned things today, the Saints win. And that's my story.
The Georgia Bulldogs have mailed in three weeks of uninspired football -- all losses -- and it just doesn't look like the same UGA.
What's up with the Dawgs? They've lost again, this time 24-12 to Mississippi State.
Mississippi State's Chris Relf, who ran for 97 yards and passed for double that, looked like Michael Vick out there as the Bulldogs were held to two field goals until the final minutes.
The absence of A.J. Green cannot be underestimated, but no one expected this. UGA coach Mark Richt has always done a fine job of not making the game about one player.
College kids go down all the time (i.e. Ryan Perriloux). The coaches are supposed to make the players forget about them and go on to the next guy on the bench, the next recruit.
In this regard, I'm surprised at Richt. He usually has a sound core with a few talented guys sprinkled in, but this quarterback Aaron Murray is making Joe Cox look like Joe Montana.
In all honesty, it's not all Murray's fault. There seems to be no senior leadership on this team --- and Bulldogs fans are getting restless.
Here's a snapshot taken from ESPN:
LSU just outlasted a determined, speedy, formidable West Virginia team bent on an upset. The Tigers scored on the first play of the 4th quarter for a six-point lead, and made it stand throughout the remaining hellacious 13 minutes and some change. LOOK! I even live-blogged it!
Up by six with the ever-dangerous but injured Noel Divine on the other side of the ball, the LSU defense rode it's swagger wagon, Patrick Peterson, to victory.
Peterson took back a punt 60 yards in the third quarter in a dazzling display that took the wind out of the Mountaineers, temporarily.
West Virginia stormed back from 17 points down to make it a three point game before LSU's workman-like rushing attack went into overdrive.
And Jordan Jefferson? No progress week to week, just the same DIH (Deer In Headlights) look he always has. Jarrett Lee, for the second game in a row, came in to finish the game after JJ simply flamed out mid-game. Again.
But Peterson? I think it's time we talked Heisman.
First off, congrats to the West Virginia Mountaineers. They have some special talents on both sides of the ball, starting with Divine.
LSU will win this one, but not in a going away fashion.
Some things are painfully evident. Les Miles and Gary Crowton still don't know how to coach Jefferson. Also, Jefferson just isn't progressing. Sorry, he just isn't. Other quarterbacks with his experience behind pocket are calling audibles, checking out of bad plays, confusing defenses. Not J.J.
The Tigers won, but barely. Not in a confident mode or dramatic fashion. They'll win this one as they've won against all the teams last year, and North Carolina this year: By the skin of their teeth. Yeah, but we can't be mad: We're 4-0, BABY (Top 10, here we come!)
Ridley up the middle on first and second down, and a modest pass short of the first down for Lee. LSU must punt.
Wow, Jarrett Lee has entered the game for Jefferson, who can't throw it in the ocean.
LSU's defense forces the punt with 8 minutes left in the game.
LSU's defense stuffs Divine one play after he turned a 3-yard loss into a 12-yard gain. #Dangerous
Nice run, Jefferson. LSU won't have enough for the first down despite getting first and goal at the 10 yard line. Jasper kicks the field goal. LSU 20 - WV 14.
LSU has turned to the ground, just like it did last game against Vanderbiilt. The passing game is terrible.
Nice pass in the flat from Jefferson to Randle. First down at the Mountaineers' 40 yard line.
Jefferson under center, the give is to Ridley who rips up the middle for 16 big ones.
Tests were negative for West Virginia's Divine (big toe), but will he be back?
Wait, Jefferson walks back out there on the field for the Tigers' possession. The crowd is booing. Again.
Jefferson looks scared, even on the sideline. The crowd is antsy about him going back in, and, well, how do you like that? Jarrett Lee, LSU's former starting QB, has put on his helmet and is warming up. The crowd is going crazy.
West Virginia gets a good run then a great throw. The Mountaineers are running well this drive, and mixing it up with the pass as well. Smith avoids a sack, pass complete to Jock Sanders for 13 yards = TOUCHDOWN MOUNTAINEERS. LSU 17 - WV 14
Jefferson looks lost, he scrambles for little gain on first down. On second down he throws it too high for Randle. Jefferson throws it ... INTERCEPTED by West Virginia. (crowd starts to boo Jefferson).
West Virginia looks determined this time, whoa, Geno Smith throws it complete to Stedman Bailey for 5 yards = TOUCHDOWN, Mountaineers.
3 AND OUT: A run for no gain. Jefferson overthrows an easy pass, then the receiver drops one.
LSU is trying to apply pressure, and it's working. West Virginia must punt.
Noel Divine, West Virginia's best runner, has evidently tweaked his leg, actually his toe. He is being taken out of the game.
Jefferson has entered one of his stagnant phases. His balls are low or ... INTERCEPTED.
Patrick Peterson grabs the kickoff out of the air, the 50, the 45, the 40, the 35 .... See ya! #Touchdown LSU.
LSU's Josh Jasper comes out to kick a field goal. GOOD. LSU 10- WV -0.
Thanks to Jefferson's quick feet LSU will keep the chains moving.
LSU's Jordan Jefferson looks shaky early. Hopefully he can calm down.
This didn't take long. TOUCHDOWN Ridley scores from one yard out. LSU 7 - WV -0
Wow, Steven Ridley looks good early. He just gashed West Virginia for about seven yards up the middle.
LSU opens up the game looking to answer some critics amid the Tiger Stadium faithful.
The New Orleans Saints are 2-0 and have won both games in dramatic fashion. Against the Vikings, the Saints struck early then went to a smashmouth running game to seal the victory, 14-10.
A week later, they traveled to Candlestick Park to face an aggressive 49er team and capitalized on four turnovers and the leg of kicker Garrett Hartley to escape with a 25-22 win.
It doesn't get any easier. This week, they host the Atlanta Falcons coming off a high-flying 41-7 win against the Arizona Cardinals.
The Saints will need more than 17 points to beat this team. Two offensive touchdowns a game won't cut it.
Will the Saints win? Especially without Reggie Bush, who broke his leg Monday night?
I don't know. What I do know is that with bruising running back Michael Turner coming to town, the Falcons will have faced three of the best running backs in the NFL in as many weeks.
In week one, Adrian Peterson ran around the Saints for 87 yards on 19 carries, a 4.6 yard-per-carry average.
In week two, Frank Gore plowed through them for 112 yards on 20 carries.
Now in week three, here comes Turner and a resurgent Jason Snelling.
How much can a defense take?
Everybody was waiting to see if the Saints would drop 35 or 40 on the San Francisco 49ers a week after they lost by 25 points to a new coach.
People were waiting for Drew Brees to throw for 400 yards, and for Reggie Bush to run a punt back for a touchdown.
They'll have to wait a little longer.
The Saints used the sturdy leg of kicker Garrett Hartley to escape Candlestick Park with a 25-22 victory on Monday night.
The Saints defense caused three turnovers, none bigger than when Courtney Roby recovered a muffed punt in the 4th quarter deep in 49er territory.
Bush left the game with a knee injury after getting piled on after briefly fumbling a fair catch. Brees was as cool as ice, but still a little off as several of his throws were high.
San Fran's Frank Gore gored the Saints defense for 100 yards rushing and quarterback Alex Smith looked like Fran Tarkenton, running around Saints defensive linemen for first downs.
Still, in the end, the Saints were able to move the ball methodically down the field after the 49ers tied it with a Vernon Davis two-point conversion.
Who Dat talking about beating dem Saints? Is it Atlanta?
LSU clobbered Mississippi State on Saturday in Death Valley 29-7, but looks are deceiving.
The Tigers' average starting field position was their 48-yard-line, meaning LSU would not pile up tons of yards but they gave up 152 yards on the ground.
True, the Bulldogs quarterback Chris Relf is a scrambler with shifty legs but it wasn't necessarily his ability to break tackles that led to MSU outgaining the Tigers in overall yardage. No, Mississippi State's O line created such gaping holes, the likes of which I haven't seen this season opposite the Tigers.
MSU backup quarterback Tyler Russell moved the ball decently against the Tigers -- when he wasn't throwing directly to them. LSU had five interceptions but should have had at least 40 points, but a stout MSU made an accounting of themselves. Stevan Ridley continues to have a strong season, finishing the game with just shy of 80 yards rushing and one touchdown.
Jordan Jefferson is basically in timeout since he threw a bad interception in the end zone against Vanderbilt. Les Miles and Gary Crowton have told him to just run the dang ball, and check down to his third receiver. He's done that and in doing so he's become a game manager, which is safer but not as dynamic.
LSU also continues to leave points on the board, this time at least 14 points due to several reasons and misques.
Can they beat the Auburns and Tennessees and Floridas with this kind of smashmouth run game and a ferocious defense? No, but they can compete.
LSU has yet to hit on all cylinders offensively in a game since the days of JaMarcus Russell. And that's a Saban recruit.
Sat, Sep 5 vs McNeese State (CANCELLED)
Yesterday @ Mississippi State W 21 - 19 Final
Sat, Sep 19 vs Auburn W 45 - 21
Sat, Sep 26 @ Syracuse
Sat, Oct 3 vs Eastern Michigan
Sat, Oct 10 @ South Carolina
Sat, Oct 17 vs Florida
Sat, Oct 24 vs Western Kentucky
Sat, Nov 7 @ Alabama
Sat, Nov 14 vs Arkansas
Sat, Nov 21 @ Ole Miss
Sat, Nov 28 vs Texas A&M
