Les Miles let LSU down by not playing Jarrett Lee @ Alabama

Looking back at the 2011-2012, LSU Fighting Tigers football season, there is a great sense of pride and joy at the accomplishments. The top team in the land for most of the season, 13-0 at one point. Undisputed No. 1 and much feared for much of the year. But alas a final test failed.

Alabama is a great team -- and they showed it in the BCS Championship Game. But who would have thought they were 21 points better than an LSU team that had been averaging more than 38 points a game?

We all know what happened throughout the season and even before it. Starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson was having an awesome spring camp and people said he would likely start the season. Then came the bar fight. Then Jarrett Lee stepped in and led the Tigers to 8 straight victories in convincing fashion.

When the team traveled to Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 5, Lee was shaky. He threw two bad interceptions, one which leading to 3 points. Then that was it. He was benched.

"I just felt we could get something going with Lee," coach Les Miles said. It was a plausible excuse. Jefferson was the more mobile of the quarterback and took vicious hits that he surprisingly got up from each and every play.

The next game and so on, Jefferson would start. The Tigers continued to roll. But then things got weird. The Tigers would be up big in the third quarter and then the fourth, yet Jefferson wouldn't see any playing time.

At first it was proper to dismiss this as "feeling Jefferson out" for the long haul. Lee had started in eight straight games. It was time to let Jefferson get off a little bit.
But then what was once construed as weird, seemed more and more just down right mean. The end of the Arkansas game with the Tigers up by 30-some points, Lee stayed in until the final seconds. It didn't feel right to the Tiger faithful. That game was Senior Day, the last time Lee or Jefferson would play in Tiger Stadium.

 Same thing against Georgia. Tigers were up big and Lee came in only to shake hands as the final seconds ticked.
By then it was clear that either Lee had did something wrong, or Miles had simply lost faith in a young man that had given his all to the school and program.

Even now, the Tiger faithful still don't know what really happened as to why Lee didn't see the field late in the season. Miles had always challenged both quarterbacks to compete against each other, only this time he had clearly picked a winner.

Still, as any coach, he had the right to play whoever he deemed best suited to provide a spark.

So in the Alabama game, the LSU faithful, the Alabama faithful, the TV folks, the whole world, knew that Jefferson was struggling so bad that he would'nt be able to run or throw his way out of this one.

The Bama defense had bore down on him and had knew his every move. It was clearly time for  a change. Everyone knew it. But Miles. Even former NFL quarterback and current TV analyst Shawn King knew it was time for a change. Not Miles.

His excuses, this time, don't fly. The Tigers didn't cross midfield til midway through the fourth quarter. Lee should have been in midway through the third.

No good reason exists as to why Miles didn't play Lee. And the damage goes beyond one blemish on a football record. Recruits and players already on the squad can't help but think, 'Wow, this man has shown that if you mess up one time, in one game, you could be benched for the reason of the season.'

LSU lost more than a game when it lost to Alabama. In alot of ways, it lost respect for itself.

LSU loses to Alabama in BCS title

The Alabama defense -- too strong, too fast for much of the night -- completely dominated the LSU Tigers on MOnday night to win the BCS National Championship. Make no mistake about it, the better team won in a rematch of the Game of the Century. Jordan Jefferson looked ill-prepared and played even worse than that. As good a season as the Tigers have had, they have not had the offensive support that they needed to be a BCS champion. Diehard fans knew it long ago, even against teams such as Florida and Tennessee. But here we were Monday night, hoping against hope that the vaunted Tigers defense could fine a way. Jarrett Lee, the quarterback that began the season as LSU's starter, watched with anticipation from the sidelines, hoping he would get a chance to prove his worth. LSU coach Les Miles would have none of it, for reasons that have remained secret for much of the past few months. As for the Tide, they rolled and rolled hard. "They are unbelievable," said Alabama offensive lineman Barrett Jones, speaking of the Tide defense. "That defense is as good as any defense I've ever seen. They rush the passer, they have awesome linebackers and they're great in coverage. They really don't have any weaknesses. They have to be as good as any defense ever." ON MOnday night, to conclude the 2011 season, LSU would have to agree.

Will Jarrett Lee EVER get any meaningful playing time?

It got egregious in the Arkansas game. Ahead, 41-10, LSU coach Les Miles continued to insert Jordan Jefferson after the game was way out of hand and victory over the No. 3 Razorbacks was all but assured.

Jarrett Lee, the No. 2 rated passer in the mighty Southeastern Conference strapped his helmet on and just stared at Miles, waiting for, at that point, obligatory playing time. After all, it was Senior Day. Lee's parents, as were all the mothers and fathers and available relatives of the undefeated LSU Tigers, in attendance.
But Miles, being Miles, didn't let Lee in until less than 2 minutes remained in the game.
On Saturday in the SEC Championship, LSU was up big-time over Georgia 35-10 even as the third quarter drew to a close.
To start the fourth quarter, who was it again? Jefferson.
So, the question begs itself: Why isn't Lee getting any meaningful playing time?
This is a guy who staked LSU, in its most important football campaign in five years, to an 8-0 start before throwing two bad interceptions at Alabama.
His punishment since that time? About 5 minutes P.T.
Tops.
Is there something deeper? Did Lee's father possibly curse Miles out after the Bama game and the coach see fit to send a message? We don't know.
Whatever the offense, Lee's time in the game has been reduced to Token Time. Garbage.
While Lee has only thrown for more than 200 yards once (against Mississippi State) he was completed more than 70% of his passes an astounding five times, including 90% against Northwestern State.
For comparison, Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, the likely Heisman winner and No. 1 pick in next year's NFL draft, has completed 70% of his passes in five games also.
Jefferson, a constant threat on the ground, has only completed 70% of his passes in two games, including one in which 100% of his passes were caught (against Ole Miss).
Will Lee get some valuable P.T. in the BCS game against likely opponent Alabama, especially since having a horrible showing against them on November 5?
Time will tell.

LSU wins SEC Title, will play for BCS National Championship

LSU is back in the BCS title game.
After defeating the Georgia Bulldogs, 42-10, the Tigers await their opponent -- Alabama or Oklahoma State.
Saturday night, the Tigers looked like the could handle both of them as Tyrann Mathieu turned in an MVP and maybe Heisman, performance, running back a punt 62 yards for a touchdown, setting up another score with a fumble recovery and whipping No. 14 Georgia

LSU (13-0) gets to play the BCS title game in New Orleans. The team on the other side of the field will be announced Sunday night.
Will it be the mighty Tide, whose only loss was a3-point defeat to the LSU Tigers? Or Okahoma State, who dropped a 2-overtime thriller to lowly Iowa State?

LSU beats Georgia 41-10, Wins SEC Championship

The Honey Badger took what he wanted and LSU slaughtered the Georgia Bulldogs 42-10, erupting for 42 straight points in the SEC Championship game.

Tyrann Mathieu took a punt to the end zone and recovered a fumble in the second half that led to another LSU touchdown as the Tigers (13-0) tied a school record for wins in a season and guaranteed itself a spot in the BCS national championship game Dec. 9 in New Orleans, an 80-mile drive from Baton Rouge and their home away from home.

 

"There was no question we were going to show ourselves and play like we came to play," said LSU coach Les Miles, whose team bounced back from a 10-0 deficit.

UGA quarterback Aaron Murray is the real deal. In the first half he tried his best to put a dagger in LSU but dropped passes -- at least four crucial ones in the first quarter alone, allowed the Bayou Bengals to hang around. Murray ended the game 16-for-40 for 163 with three turnovers, the fumble and interceptions by Tharold Simon and Morris Claiborne, who ran his back for LSU's last score in the fourth quarter.

Jordan Jefferson was shaky for most of the game but did just enough for the Tigers, which benefited from stellar defensive play in the second half, including a fumble and two interceptions, one of which went to the house.

Alfred Blue had a team-high 94 yards on 8 carries while Hilliard carried eight times for 72 yards as the Tigers. Somehow, some way the Tigers finished with 207 yards rushing for the game.

Now for the BCS title, where the Tigers will play ............................................................................................................................................................................................... anybody but Alabama.

LSU runs over Arkansas 41-17

LSU defensive back Tyrann Mathieu sparked the lackluster LSU Tigers to a 41-17 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks Friday, shutting the door on the Hogs' BCS hopes.

The Honey Badger returned a punt 92 yards for a game-tying score and the Tigers turned to the ground game, churning out big yards and running throug Arkansas for 286 yards rushing, wiping out a 14-point deficit with a 41-17 win that put them in the SEC championship.

"I could hear my teammates in my ear saying, 'Man, we need you to go make a play,'" Mathieu said. "I was able to help the momentum really go in our favor.

"You have no idea how bad I just wanted to go out there and make a big play for our team. I was fortunate enough to be able to do that."

LSU had to doubt itself at first as Arkansas scored first then popped the ball loose from Michael Ford and scored on a defensive touchdown to take a 14-0 lead early. But the Honey Badger took what he wanted, namely a 92-yard punt return for TD. Game on.

The LSU ground game came alive as Kenny Hilliard, Spencer Ware and Jordan Jefferson all scored on the ground for LSU (12-0, 8-0 SEC), which is 12-0 for the first time and will play No. 13 Georgia next weekend in Atlanta.

A win over the Bulldog and the Tigers will play for the BCS title against Okahoma State or Alabama. And you know what? The Tigers might get there even with a loss.

"That was a huge turning point in the game," Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said after the contest in which he was caught by CBS cameras mouthing dirty words at LSU coach Les Miles (watch video below). "We were trying to get the ball punted to the sideline, but he miss-hit it a bit and punted it to the middle. ... (Mathieu) made a great cut and made us miss at the point of attack. He made a great play."

LSU DESTROYS Ole Miss 52-7

LSU quarterback got the long ball going Saturday night as the No. 1-ranked Bayou Bengals ravished Ole Miss 52-7.

The Tigers (11-0, 7-0 Southeastern Conference) matched their best start since 1958, the days of Billy Cannon. It was the worst whipping Ole Miss has recieved since a 49-0 shellacking from Georgia in 1974.

Jefferson started his second consecutive game, going a perfect 7 of 7 passes for 88 yards and a touchdown. That was all the Tigers needed after building a 35-3 lead at halftime. Alfred Blue, the Tigers No. 3 running back, powered the Tigers with 74 rushing yards. Spencer Ware added 70 yards and a touchdown.

Ole Miss (2-9, 0-7) has lost six straight games and a school-record 13 straight conference games. Barry Brunetti rushed for a team-high 74 yards as the Rebels managed just 195 total yards.

"It's unfortunate to have a coach (Houston Nutt) end a home stand in a fashion like today," LSU coach Les Miles said in the wake of the news that Nutt would be fired at season's end. "That being said, we look forward to our future. It's something that we're really pointed to. It's a short week, but we're looking forward to taking on a very talented Arkansas team (next weekend)."

LSU whips Western Kentucky, 42-7

This one had 'trap game' written all over it. And for a half, it was true.

Western Kentucky coach Willie Taggart had one bragging right after his team got whipped 42-7 by the top-ranked team in the country.

“We scored more points than Alabama,” he said.

Can't argue there. The Hilltoppers came into Death Valley and kept the game competitive into the third quarter.

“We played hard and didn’t give up,” Taggart said. “I believe we were going to win, but I knew it wouldn’t happen if we didn’t play perfect.”

LSU (10-0) came in favored by nearly six touchdowns, but perhaps due to not taking WKU seriously only led only 14-7 at halftime.

“We just were flat,” said LSU defensive end Barkevious Mingo. “There really is not much you can say about that. Early on we were just not ready to play.

“This game kind of woke us up and we won’t let this happen any more games this year. The Alabama game is over now. We are going to move on and hopefully play for a lot more the rest of this season.”

Jordan Jefferson completed a beautiful 59-yard bomb to Rueben Randle to open up the scoring for the Tigers.

Jefferson played until 12 minutes remained in the fourth quarter, when Lee relieved him, drove down the field and threw a 5-yard scoring pass.

Hilltoppers quarterback Kuwaun Jakes completed 11 of 24 passes for 97 yards and was intercepted once by linebacker Tahj Jones.

4 Reasons why Alabama lost to LSU 2011

First off, let's be honest. If the referees don't call a block in the back, the Tide take over at LSU's 3-yard-line after an intereception return. Also, if the referees don't make the initial call of an interception on the Michael Williams-Eric Reid jump ball, again, it's Tide's ball at the 1. But these were two supremely talented defenses going at it when No. 1 LSU went to Bryant-Denny Stadium to face the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide.

Here are the 4 reasons why Alabama lost the game.

1. Bama's confidence @ QB: AJ McCarron refused to look in the middle of the field for his passes. The one interception spooked him something awful. Don't know if he thought he could screenpass all day (which was very successful), but sooner or later you've got to throw the ball vertically to keep the defense honest. Nick Saban refuses to let his players "just play." As someone who likes to be in complete control, iIf he could take over the use of their limbs via puppetry he'd do it.

2. Sometimes you can just get too cute: Trent Richardson was built for a game like this. He got 23 carries, but he should have gotten 33. The trick-play wild cat pass that ended in an interception was unnecessary. Richardson had just churned out a 24-yard run and was feeling it. But Bama's coaches saw fit to switch it up a bit, I guess. Wrong move.



3. Kicking themselves: Alabama missed four field goals, including Cade Foster's 52-yard attempt after the Tide got the ball first in the extra period. It could be argued that the first two shouldn't have been kicked, but Nick Saban could have been setting up a fake field goal attempt for later in the game.

4.Receiver Marquis Maze was hobbled ... and Tide coaches should have saw that. His crucial leg injury wound up at the center of two key miscues in the fourth quarter. Maze, favoring his leg, threw a pass out of the wild cat formation to a wide open tight end. But he threw it on his back foot, the bad one. It was intercepted. Also, in what some are saying was the play of the game, Maze chose not to field a  long line-drive punt. He turned away from it around his own 40 and the ball rolled all the way to the Alabama 19. INstead of the Tide taking over at the LSU 40-yard line he let the ball roll all the way to the 19. The 72-yard punt totally reversed the field position and took the wind out of the Bama coaches.

LSU escapes Alabama in OT, 9-6

L.S.U. is the best team in the country. The Tigers beat the Alabama Crimson Tide 9-6 in overtime at Alabama's home field. The Tigers now  take full control in the SEC and the B.C.S. standings.


Yes, Trent Richardson is a beast, but so is the LSU secondary. The score is low. Boring. The game however was not. LSU should have won 12-6, but Michael Ford stepped out of bounds at the seven-yard line on an option play from a last-split-second delivery from Jordan Jefferson.

L.S.U. ran two plays from the seven, putting the ball in the middle of the field, before calling on Alleman. He drilled it, pushing the Tigers to 9-0 and putting them firmly in the driver’s seat for a berth in the national title game.

Alabama is certainly kicking itself (no pun intended) for the three missed field goals and one blocked one.. They had one blown opportunity after another yet in his press conference Bama coach Nick Saban handled it like a stand-up guy. "Nobody is to blame. We had some missed opportunities."

Yes, you did, Nick.

L.S.U. just outlasted the Tide. They couldn't really do much with the Tide. LSU couldn’t move the ball, not consistently. The Tigers had tackling issues in the second half,, where Richardson started to gash them. The Tigers even survived a surprisingly poor punt by Brad Wing.

But, the Tigers are on top of college football. WE are NO. 1.

LSU tramples on Auburn, 45-10

 Rueben Randle caught two bombs and Auburn looked like it was hit by them.


 No. 2 LSU rolled Saturday in a 45-10 trampling of the Auburn Tigers in Baton Rouge.


 Jordan Jefferson and  Jarrett Lee, both had superb games and displayed their long balls as the Tigers rolled to their eighth-straight victory by double digits.


"It just seems like no matter who goes down or who's out, we have guys who are ready to step in … and not just to fill a spot but to go in and dominate," said LSU center T-Bob Hebert.
"I almost feel like everybody else makes a bigger deal about it than we do," Hebert said of the periodic lineup upheaval, and the public scrutiny of the misbehavior that has caused it.
"It's not distracting to us. This team is so good about staying focused, one-track mind, not letting anything on the outside get to them because we don't want to have any regrets."
Somehow, some way Alabama has overtaken the Tigers for the No. 1 spot in college football. Nothing a little head to head comp can't settle.


NOW, WHAT SAY YOU, BAMA???

Tigers demolish Vols @ Rocky Top, 38-7

It wasn't pretty. There were few style points, but  top-ranked LSU still mopped the floor with Tennessee, 38-7 in front of more than 101,000 at Rocky Top.

For the first time, perhaps, we saw a less-than-confident Jarrett Lee, who looked shaky at times. He finished with 115 yards and two touchdowns but they were both short passes that didn't require a lot of moxie.

Don't get me wrong, we'll take it.

The win was the Tigers' sixth straight SEC victory and their seventh consecutive win by double digits.

"I felt like we did what we needed to do," LSU coach Les Miles told reporters after the game. "It wasn't our best game, but we did what we had to do to ensure victory. Our defense gave us turnovers and the opportunities to take the opponent out. Our offense late in the game gave us the football and ate up the time of possession and scored."

Matt Simms, making his first start in place of the injured Tyler Bray, was 6 of 20 for 128 yards and two interceptions, one of them being the play of the game by LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne. His 89-yard return to the 5 yard line put the Tigers in the driver's seat with their first score.

"It wasn't a really complex game," Tennessee coach Derek Dooley said. "In the first half, I thought we competed our tails off and had a couple of real bad mistakes that was ultimately the difference in the first half. In the second half, we had a couple of third-down opportunities where we didn't execute and they pounded us. I don't know any other way to say it."

Next up for the Tigers: The always-tough Auburn Tigers.

LSU stomps Florida, 41-11

The LSU Tigers showed Saturday afternoon that it could blow a team out offensively and strangle it defensively in a 41-11 victory over the Florida Gators in Baton Rouge.

It's hard to stay focused.It's hard not to skip the next two games and talk about the Alabama game, but it's all coming to a head, folks.

We see Oklahoma. We see you Boise. But do you see us?


On the ground LSU relied on Spencer Ware, who bounced off and rolled over defenders to finish with 109 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

LSU (6-0, 3-0 SEC) struck first and never looked back as Jarrett Lee, on LSU's second play from scrimmage, riled back and launched a rainbow bomb that hit Rueben Randle in stride for a 46-yard touchdown.

On the other side of the ball, the18th-ranked Florida (4-2, 2-2) finished with 100 passing and 113 rushing behind third-string freshman quarterback Jacoby Brisset, who did what he could and no more.

Was it a dominating win? Of course. Did we enjoy it? Immensely, but let's be honest, folks. The Gators were without two-thirds of their offensive mojo: Speedster Jeffrey Demps and starting quarterback John Brantley or even Jeff Driskel. With them lining up, this game is still a Tiger victory, but it's worth another 10 points and buck-50 on the stat sheet. 


"We showed everybody that we are capable of some special things against a really good Florida team," said LSU defensive end Sam Montgomery.

LSU backup quarterback Jordan Jefferson added a touchdown toss on a jump pass ala' Tim Tebow in the fourth quarter.

"It was not necessarily the first time it was run in football," LSU coach Les Miles said at the press conference afterwards. "I really enjoyed it."

Miles, according to the Advocate, said the thing he appreciates most is the schedule that the Football Gods have given him.


“I like the idea that we’ve played quality opponents,” he told the newspaper, “and had the killer instinct to really gain the advantage and then withhold the opportunity of victory from them. That’s finishing the game, and we did that.”

Next week the Tigers travel to Rocky Top to face a Volunteers squad that got ravished by Georgia.

Jefferson returns as LSU whips Kentucky, 35-7

It wasn't pretty. It wasn't overwhelming, but the Tigers simply took all four quarters to grind out four offensive touchdowns and one defensive to whip the hapless Kentucky Wildcats 35-7.
The big news of the game was the return of veteran quarterback Jordan Jefferson, who scored on a one-yard sneak to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead.
To be honest, many of the Tiger faithful booed him when he trotted on the field. It was a mixed emotion-type thing.

Will Jarrett Lee, who got LSU to No. 1, be relegated to a backup role now? Will Jefferson get equal snaps now? All we know is that opposing defenses have that much more to worry about now.

"When Jordan Jefferson scored that touchdown, and (starting quarterback) Jarrett Lee celebrated, that's when I knew right then, that the word 'team' means so much more," LSU defensive end Sam Montgomery said. "Jordan's been through a whole lot, so now he can tell the story of how, 'I went through this, bounced back, came back on the team, and now we're all a big family again.'"

After the game, LSU coach Les Miles said Jefferson's return simply opens up the playbook.

"We will use Jefferson in a variety of ways," said Miles, who did not allow Jefferson to speak with reporters after the game. "At different times in the season, we will need every skill and every collective attribute of our team."

On the stat sheet it will show that LSU had their average of 178 (give or take) yards rushing, but in reality the Kentucky front line stuffed the Tigers more times than they will be given credit for.


With Spencer Ware leading the way (until he was injured) LSU’s power running game gained only a paltry yards on its first 12 carries.

“It’s really tough, because we came out and we thought we had them,” linebacker Ronnie Sneed said. “It was like, ‘Hey, we’re here to fight.’ I felt like we were showing them. We played pretty tough. Then it just slipped away from us.”

Wildcats starter Morgan Newton had an abysmal game, misfiring on his first nine throws and being sacked three times. 

Kentucky coach Joker Phillips put true freshman quarterback Maxwell Smith in for the second half but he was even worse, going 1 for 5 before fumbling the ball on a sack.

"We just thought we needed a spark and wanted to give Morgan a chance to sit back and watch the game from a distance," Phillips said.

Phillips was piping-hot mad in the first quarter when LSU scored their first TD. Replay showed that the Tigers broke the huddle with 12 men, which should have been a flag. Instead, the referee touched his flag during the commotion but didn't throw it. If he had, the Tigers might have elected not to put Jefferson in and may have had to settle for a field goal.

Another controversial call was when Odell Beckham, who scored on a swerving 52-yard touchdown earlier, had a jump ball clearly taken from him in the second half. Replays showed that the defender had took possession from Beckham but the referees gave the ball to LSU at the Wildcat 5-yard line. It was a crucial play in the game if for nothing more it would have given Lee an interception.


The Wildcats were outgained 348 yards to 155, with more than half of that coming very late in the game. To put it another way, UK had 59 yards in the first three quarters.

After the game, Kentucky's coach indicted his players.

“We’ve got to find out if our kids are willing to continue to fight, scratch and claw,” Phillips said. “I think we’ve got a chance to turn this thing around … but we’ve got to start making plays, and we’ve got to start playing smarter.”

LSU wanted the shutout but couldn't keep it as Newton returned to the game and hit Matt Roark with a 4-yard pass with 6:09 on the clock.

LSU Tyrann Mathieu, who by now must be at least looked at for Heisman consideration, continued his strong play, scoring on a 23-yard fumble return that he forced on a sack. He set the school record for forced fumbles on the play. He had another in the fourth quarter.

"I was just sneaking up to the line and it was just getting to the quarterback," said Mathieu.

Next up for the Tigers, Florida.

Jordan Jefferson's in trouble, but ...

LSU starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson andsecond string linebacker Josh Johns turned themselves in to the East Baton Rouge Parish authorities on August 26 after police got arrest warrants charging them with felony second-degree battery for fight outside Shady's bar near the LSU campus.


The players, as is customary, broke their 10:30 p.m. curfew on the last day of training camp.


"Other arrests could be made in this case that are just as serious as the two already made," attorney Michael Bienvenu said. "This isn't over."


Read more @ ESPN

Jefferson's quarterback thinks the QB may be unjustly maligned.
“It is more than unjust to destroy this young man’s career if it’s all about a bunch of nothing, which is what I think,” defense attorney Lewis Unglesby said Monday, according to media reports.


“ I have no criticism, nor knowledge base, to say what Les Miles is doing is wrong, but I want to make sure he is fully informed that there’s a whole other side to this, and that Jordan is not only presumed innocent, but I’m saying that he is,” Unglesby said, according to the Associated Press.


Read more @ AP


The good news: Jefferson may be able to come back in 2012, if he desires, and if ... if ... this all blows over in his favor.

Jefferson could also be redshirted and maybe, just maybe, return to LSU as a fifth-year senior for the 2012 season, according to The Shreveport Times. The plan was to redshirt Jefferson in his true freshman season in 2008, but he had to play as a true freshman in 2008 after quarterback Andrew Hatch was injured and starter Jarrett Lee continued to falter.

Read more @ the Times

"Yeah, I've not crossed that bridge just yet," Miles said. "But that's a very, very interesting piece."

Page

LSU piles on Texas A&M in Cotton Bowl

Well, the Fighting Tigers 2010 campaign has come to a glorious end.
The Tigers beat Texas A&M on Monday to claim an 11-2 mark in Les Miles' fifth year.
 Texas A&M's Coryell Judie returned the opening kickoff 69 yards to the LSU 31-yard line and scored first, then again to stake a 10-0 lead on the Tigers.
Jordan Jefferson's deep ball to Terrence Toliver closed the gap to three points, but it was the LSU running game bearing the brunt of the lifting. LSU had 187 yards at the half.
By the first possession of the second half, Jefferson and Toliver had hooked up for three touchdowns.

LSU whipped by determined Razorbacks, 31-23

The vaunted LSU defense, which had begun springing leaks weeks ago, gave way to gushers of yards Saturday night as the Arkansas Razorbacks upset the Tigers 31 -23.
Quarterback Jordan 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.
Razorback rusher 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.

LSU outlasts Ole Miss, 43 - 36

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."

LSU's 24-21 win against Bama one for the ages

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.

Auburn takes 24-17, runs over LSLU 10-23-10

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.