By Chris Macaluso
Special to LSUSports.net
BATON ROUGE — LSU appeared unstoppable Saturday morning/afternoon in Tiger Stadium. In fact, the only time LSU’s offense was slowed in the least through most of Saturday’s contest by Mississippi State was when it fumbled the ball away four times, three deep in Bulldog territory.
Aside from the dropped balls, the Tigers couldn’t have rebounded better from last week’s heart-wrenching, 10-9 loss at Auburn. LSU ran and passed and ran all over the under-powered and over-matched Bulldogs sending its visitors home to Starkville with a 51-0 loss in front of 91,431 sun-drenched fans, plenty of whom made their way to the exits well before the final whistle.
LSU’s record improved to 3-1 overall, 1-1 in the Southeastern Conference. Mississippi State’s record fell to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the SEC. The Tigers travel to Georgia next week to re-enact last year’s SEC Championship Game with the highly-touted Bulldogs. Kickoff is set for 2:30 CDT on CBS. Mississippi State will play at Vanderbilt.
While Tiger Head Coach Nick Saban was very pleased with his team’s dominating performance, saying it was the first time this season the Tigers executed the way they are supposed to, Mississippi State’s first-year leader Sylvester Croom responded with overwhelming disappointment.
“Where I come from that’s called an old-fashioned butt whooping.” Croom said. “You have to hand it to Nick (Saban) and his staff. They have an outstanding team. I never dreamed we’d come out here and get drummed like this today.”
LSU tailback Alley Broussard scored three touchdowns and the LSU defense reeled in four interceptions on its way to its most lopsided victory since Saban’s first game as Tiger coach, a 58-0 drubbing of Western Carolina in 2000. It also represented the most one-sided conference win since 1969 when LSU defeated Mississippi State 61-6.
The LSU offense sputtered little, converting all six of its third down opportunities in the first half and 12-15 for the game. JaMarcus Russell, Marcus Randall and Matt Flynn all led LSU to multiple scores at quarterback and handed the ball to a bevy of Tiger tailbacks with ease. LSU outgained the Bulldogs 353-59 in the first half and an astounding 599-130 yards for the game.
The Tigers averaged 7.4 yards per play compared with a scant 2.7 yards per play for the Bulldogs. Six Tiger tailbacks carried for at least 20 yards, with Broussard leading the way with 73 yards on 13 carries.
Flynn and Russell each had a touchdown pass while Randall completed all seven passes he attempted. Dwayne Bowe led all receivers with six grabs for 99 yards. Eight Tigers caught a total of 18 passes for 327 yards and two touchdowns. LSU did not punt the entire game.
LSU received the opening kick after Mississippi State won the toss and deferred to the second half. The Tigers started at their own 26-yard line and marched straight down the field on a beleaguered Bulldog defense that surrendered 43 points two weeks ago to the same Auburn team that managed just 10 against LSU last week.
The Tigers blended pass and run well on a 10-play, 74-yard drive that culminated with an 11-yard Broussard touchdown scamper with 12:18 to play in the first quarter. Chris Jackson booted the point after giving LSU a 7-0 lead before the seats were warm.
LSU scored again before the fans stopped celebrating its first touchdown. Mississippi State wide receiver Brandon Wright had the football stripped from his arms by defensive back Corey Webster on the second play of the Bulldog drive giving the Tiger offense a scoring chance from the 18-yard line. Six plays later, Broussard plunged into the endzone from one yard out giving LSU a two-touchdown advantage with 8:29 remaining in the first quarter.
The hometown defense stopped the Bulldogs on three plays on the ensuing drive forcing Brooks Crabtree to punt the ball back to the Tigers. LSU started on another methodical march into Bulldog territory, but stopped itself at the Mississippi State 27-yard line when receiver Craig Davis fumbled after picking up nine yards on a flanker screen.
The Bulldogs couldn’t move the ball again and Crabtree was forced to punt the ball away. That punt turned momentarily advantageous for the Bulldogs as the short kick hit Tiger blocker Daniel Francis square in the back at the 36-yard line. State recovered the fumble but handed the ball back to the Tigers shortly after when quarterback Omarr Conner lobbed an errant pass, with two defenders dragging him to the ground, into Webster’s diving arms at the LSU 31-yard line.
Again, the Tigers marched straight down the field with little resistance as Broussard capped another impressive scoring drive with 13:40 left in the first half. His third touchdown came on a 16-yard run around right end, ending a seven-play, 68-yard drive. Jackson continued the trend of the Tigers missing at least one extra point kick a game by hooking his attempt wide left, leaving LSU to settle for a 20-0 lead.
Conner handed LSU its next score less than two minutes later as, again, he foolishly lobbed a pass into the flat with an LSU defender hanging on his back. This time, it was linebacker Cameron Vaughn who applied pressure forcing Conner’s pass into the waiting arms of left end Marcus Spears who jaunted 35 yards into the south endzone. Jackson’s point after sailed true and LSU took a 27-0 lead.
Russell took over for Randall at quarterback on LSU’s next possession. Who was calling the signals made little difference in LSU’s ability to move the ball. Russell piloted the Tigers easily down the field staking LSU, on a mix of run and pass, to a first and goal opportunity inside the Bulldog five-yard line. But since the Bulldogs could do nothing to stop LSU, LSU stopped itself as tailback Justin Vincent fumbled a handoff at the seven-yard line on second down.
Mississippi State linebacker Jeramie Johnson returned the dropped ball to the 19-yard line giving his team’s offense a chance to lose yards. The Bulldogs punted the ball away four plays later on 4-and-14 giving Russell a chance to lead his team to a score. He capped the ensuing 43-yard, six-play drive with a 12-yard dart to Davis who broke free of a tackle at the three-yard line before diving over the goal line. Jackson added the point after and LSU ran its advantage to 34-0 with 2:37 to play in the half.
Mississippi State showed very small signs of coming out of its offensive coma on its next possession, but Conner put his team right back to sleep by lofting a pass well over Wright’s head and into the arms of Tiger defensive back Jesse Daniels. LSU took over at the Bulldog 45-yard line and again marched right deep into Bulldog territory mercifully allowing the first-half clock to expire with the ball at the 15-yard line.
LSU knocked Conner out of the game on the first drive of the second half when Tiger linebacker Ali Highsmith pulled the Bulldog quarterback to the turf on a second-down pass attempt with what was described as a strained knee ligament. The Bulldogs, holding true to their first-half form, punted after just three plays setting up another scoring chance for the Tigers.
Russell led the Tigers down the field, this time with the help of tailback Joseph Addai. Between Addai’s aggressive running and Russell’s accurate arm and scrambling, LSU added to its advantage with 10:10 to play in the third quarter. Russell finished the drive by dodging defenders for eight yards and diving into the north endzone, ending a seven-play, 51-yard scoring drive. Jackson’s point after made the score 41-0.
Kyle York took over for Conner at quarterback for the Bulldogs, but the script read exactly the same. Mississippi State punted three plays later after losing yards and gave LSU another chance to score with excellent field position.
This time the Tigers started at the Bulldog 37-yard line. LSU remained perfect on third-down conversions to that point as Russell found Bowe wide open 17 yards down the field on a third down try, setting up first and goal at the Bulldog six yard line. But, LSU’s third down conversion streak ended as Russell fumbled on third and goal at the two-yard line while trying for his second rushing touchdown of the game. Linebacker Clarence McDougal recovered the bouncing ball, ending the Tiger scoring threat.
The Bulldogs pushed the ball near mid-field on the ensuing possession but again were forced to punt giving Matt Flynn a chance to record some stats. He found freshman receiver Xavier Carter wide open 15 yards down the field on second down. Carter turned the simple completion into an explosive 57-yard touchdown as he showed off some of his rumored world-class speed. The point after gave LSU a 48-0 lead with 14:45 to play in the game.
York used the Bulldog’s next offensive possession to add to his team’s dubious interception tally. Cornerback Keron Gordon reeled in the errant York pass and Flynn had another chance to lead his team to a score. Back-up place kicker Ryan Gaudet added the points this time, booting a 37-yard field goal with 9:33 to play and extending LSU’s lead to 51-0.
LSU vs. Mississippi State — Sept. 25, 2004 – Tiger Stadium
Game Notes
Team Notes
- LSU’s game captains are 10 Joseph Addai, 84 Marcus Spears and 95 Kyle Williams.
- Today’s honorary captains for LSU are Eddie Ray (FB from 1967-1969) and Billy Truax (TE from 1961-63).
- Mississippi State won the toss and deferred to the second half. LSU will receive to open the game.
- OT Andrew Whitworth (31 straight), DE Marcus Spears (23), LB Lionel Turner (19), CB Corey Webster (18), C Ben Wilkerson (18) and CB Travis Daniels (18) all extended their consecutive games started streak.
- LSU has scored on its opening drive in three straight games. The Tigers scored a touchdown on the first drive against Arkansas State, scored a touchdown on the first drive at Auburn last week and scored a touchdown on the opening drive of today’s game.
- LSU has also now scored on its first two drives of the game for the third straight time. The Tigers scored a touchdown on the second possession against Arkansas State, kicked a field goal in the second possession at Auburn and scored a touchdown in today’s game.
- LSU has now scored at least one defensive touchdown in three of the last four games against SEC opponents. The Tigers scored a defensive TD against Arkansas last season, Georgia in the SEC Championship game and in today’s game. Last week at Auburn was the only game in that span LSU did not score a defensive TD.
- LSU’s 34 points in the first half marks the second time the Tigers have scored at least 34 points in the opening half of a game this season. LSU scored 39 points in the opening half against Arkansas State. The 34 points in today’s first half are the most in the first half by the Tigers against an SEC opponent since scoring 34 in the opening half against Arkansas last year.
- LSU under Nick Saban … LSU is now 36-3 when leading at the half and 34-3 when leading after three quarters … LSU is now 39-3 when scoring 20 points of more and 36-0 when scoring at least 25 points … LSU is 5-0 against Mississippi State under Saban.
- LSU has now won six straight games in Tiger Stadium.
- With the Tigers’ 51 points, it marks the fifth time LSU has reached the 50-point plateau under head coach Nick Saban and the second time this season.
- LSU’s 51 points are the most against a SEC foe since the Tigers scored 55 against Arkansas last season.
- LSU’s four interceptions in the game marks the first time the Tigers have recorded at least four interceptions in a game since Oct. 12, 2002 at Florida (4 INTs).
- LSU recorded its first shutout since blanking UL-Lafayette on Oct. 5, 2002. It marked the fifth time the Tigers have shut out an opponent in the Nick Saban era. The last time LSU shut out an opponent in the SEC was on Oct. 20, 2001, also against Mississippi State.
- The 599 total yards accumulated by LSU are the most in an SEC game by the Tigers since racking up 611 yards at Alabama on Nov. 13, 2001.
- LSU tallied 272 rushing yards in the game, the most in an SEC contest since rushing for 400 yards versus Kentucky on Nov. 1, 1997.
- LSU’s 51-point victory is the second most lopsided victory in the Saban era since LSU’s 58-0 defeat of Western Carolina in the 2000 season opener. That was also Coach Saban’s first game as LSU’s head coach.
- LSU’s 51-point victory is also the largest margin of victory over an SEC opponent since the Tigers defeated Mississippi State, 61-6 on Nov. 15, 1969.
Individual Notes
- LSU started two true freshmen in the same game on defense (LB Ali Highsmith and DT Glen Dorsey) for the first time under head coach Nick Saban.
- CB Corey Webster caused and recovered a fumble early in the first quarter. It was the first fumble recovery of the senior’s career.
- Webster recorded his 15th career interception with 1:15 left in the first quarter. He sits in second place in career interceptions at LSU, five behind Chris Williams’ 20.
- RB Alley Broussard recorded his first multi-touchdown game of his career. The sophomore scored LSU’s first two touchdowns of the game on runs of 11 yards and 1 yard and scored again from 16 yards out in the in the second quarter.
- Broussard’s three touchdowns marks the first time LSU had a player scored at least three rushing touchdowns in a game since Domanick Davis scored four touchdowns in the 2001 Sugar Bowl against Illinois. Broussard’s touchdowns all came in the first half, the first time a player has scored three rushing touchdowns in a half since Davis did so in the first half of the Sugar Bowl.
- Broussard’s three touchdowns also marked the first time LSU had a player scored three rushing against and SEC foe since LaBrandon Toefield scored three times against Arkansas on Nov. 23, 2001.
- FB Jacob Hester pulled down the first reception of his career, a 10-yard pass from Marcus Randall with 13:49 left in the second quarter.
- DE Marcus Spears pulled down the fourth interception of his career and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown, the senior’s second interception return for a touchdown if his career. His other return for a score came against Oklahoma in the BCS National Championship game.
- LB Ali Highsmith, who made the first start of his career, recorded the first sack of his career with 6:12 left in the second quarter.
- WR Early Doucet pulled down the first touchdown reception of his career with 2:37 left in the second quarter, a 12-yard pass from JaMarcus Russell.
- SS Jessie Daniels collected the first interception of his career with 0:34 remaining in the second quarter.
- QB JaMarcus Russell scored the first rushing touchdown of his career, a 10-yard scramble with 10:10 left in the third quarter.
- LB Dorsett Buckels recorded the first sack of his career midway through the third quarter.
- WR Craig Davis’ 99 receiving yards is a career-high and his five receptions matches his career-best.
- WR Dwayne Bowe’s 6 receptions is a career-high.
- QB Matt Flynn’s first career completion was a 67-yard touchdown to Xavier Carter with 14:45 left in the fourth quarter. The touchdown was also Carter’s first of his career.
- DB Keron Gordon pulled down the first interception of his career early in the fourth quarter.
- WR Bennie Brazell hauled in the first reception of his career, a 20-yard strike from Matt Flynn, late in the fourth quarter.
LSU HEAD COACH NICK SABAN OPENING STATEMENT
“We were trying to get this team to establish an identity. I haven’t been particularly pleased with the toughness that we played with mentally or physically, the kind of relentless competitive spirit that we have demonstrated consistently or the way we’ve executed and gone out and kind of knocked the other guys out. This team has been affected by everyone else that kind of worries about the results of winning rather than beating the other team. I think there is a tremendous difference in that psychologically.
“This was the first game today that I thought we went out and beat the other team like we want, dominate the line of scrimmage and I was particularly pleased with the way the team as a whole did that. I know we made some mistakes and turned the ball over, but we were kind of sacrificing that to get the kind of effort and resiliency and toughness that we want to try to get. I think that was most important to reestablish our team. I was very happy with the way the team responded to that challenge. I thought some of the older guys on the team demonstrated some playmaking today that has been absent and I think some of our younger guys need an example for. I think that’s also a real positive. I’m sure we made our share of mistakes out there. We have a lot of things that we can work on and correct and we need to continue to improve relative to the challenges we have ahead.
“I was fairly well pleased with the way both quarterbacks played today and Matt Flynn for that matter. We got a lot of time for the young receivers. Skyler Green was available to play today; we were going to use him in four wide outs. We scored the first two times we got the ball so we didn’t play him and that will help him be even healthier for the future. I was particularly pleased with the way Alley Broussard ran the ball for the second straight week.”
LSU OFFENSIVE PLAYER QUOTES
…On dominating an opponent
“It feels good. Coach (Saban) challenged us to go out there and identify ourselves, and I think we did a pretty good job of reacting to what went on (at last week’s game) at practice this week.”
…On the win versus Mississippi State giving the team confidence for remaining Southeastern Conference schedule
“This game would give anyone confidence. We did a good job and we came through. I think as long as we play games like this, we’ll get more and more confident.”
… On his comfort level on the field
“The more reps you get, the more comfortable you get. So getting in the flow of things is really good for me.”
… On his thought on the two-quarterback system
“Right now it’s doing pretty good. We did things today that were a lot better than we normally do. We had a pretty good group of plays between one another. We put a bunch (of scores) up on the board. We helped the team get in good situations, and that is why we were able to win.”
… On the difference from playing last year to this year
“I just feel more relaxed and more confident. The difference from last year to this year is that I can see the holes better and get my reads better. I think I played with more confidence this game.”
… On the toughness he brings to the team
“It’s natural. That’s just how I play. If I can’t make the move, I just go out there and try to run through you. It’s going to be easy for me in the third and fourth quarters because by that time they’ll get tired of it and just let me pass.”
WR Craig Davis
… On how this win helped confidence level after loss to Auburn
“We really weren