BATON ROUGE — The LSU-Auburn series has become one where the unexpected is to be expected. Things shouldn’t be any different on Saturday as seventh-ranked LSU hosts 15th-ranked Auburn at 6:45 p.m. in a sold out Tiger Stadium.
In a series that has featured everything from an “Earthquake Game,” to “Bringing Back the Magic” and “The Burning Barn”, Saturday’s contest could shake out as just an old-fashioned hard-nosed football game between two football teams who are once again in the thick of things in the SEC Western Division.
The game will be televised to a national audience by ESPN with Ron Franklin and Bob Davie handling the call. The game will also be broadcast on the LSU Sports Radio Network by the Voice of the Tigers Jim Hawthorne and Doug Moreau. Fans can also catch the contest on the Internet in the Geaux Zone on LSUsports.net.
Temp.
70?
Condition:
Clear
Rain Chance:
0%
Humidity:
50%
Wind:
N 5 mph
Sunset:
6:26 p.m. CT
LSU, winners of three straight, brings a 4-1 overall mark and a 3-1 league record into Saturday’s game. LSU is coming off a 21-17 win over Florida a week ago, a win the moved the Tigers to No. 7 in the nation in both the AP and USA Today Coaches Polls. The Tigers debuted this week at No. 6 in the BCS Standings, which were released for the first time this year on Monday.
Auburn, winners of five consecutive games since a season-opening loss to Georgia Tech, is 5-1 overall and 3-0 in conference play. The Tigers, who are coming off a 34-17 road win over Arkansas, are ranked as high as No. 15 in the nation.
The home team has won the last five game in the series, including last year’s 10-9 Auburn victory on the Plains. Prior to that, LSU beat the Tigers, 31-7, in Baton Rouge during the 2003 national championship season.
“We have had a good week of preparation for Auburn,” LSU coach Les Miles said. “We’ve addressed the mistakes that we made in the Florida game and feel like we made progress in practice this week.
“Auburn is a very talented team in all phases of the game. So we’re going to have to play well on offense, defense and special teams on Saturday.”
One area of concentration this week has been the eliminating of mistakes, which includes taking care of the football. A week ago, the Tigers turned the ball over five times and were whistled for 12 penalties in a 21-17 win over Florida. Three of LSU’s five turnovers against the Gators led to all 17 of Florida’s points.
“We want to eliminate some of the mistakes that we made in last week’s game and to be our best that has to happen,” Miles said of the penalties and turnovers by the Tigers. “I think the guys are working at it and it’s something that they’re all conscious of. We have not had the ball on the ground at all this week (during practice). We’re really working harder at it and coaching it more aggressively.”
When LSU has the football, the Tigers will go against one of the nation’s best defenses as Auburn ranks third nationally in scoring defense (10.7 points per game) and sixth in total defense (267 yards per game). LSU, on the otherhand, is scoring 30 points per game, while putting up 386 yards of offense per contest.
Offensively, the Tigers will again rely on the running of Joseph Addai and the throwing of quarterback JaMarcus Russell. Addai, who leads the SEC in rushing with 107 yards per game, is coming off a career-best 156 yards on 32 carries against Florida. Addai, who has scored at least one touchdown in every game this year, currently ranks ninth in LSU history in career rushing yards with 2,203.
Russell directed yet another fourth quarter comeback for the Tigers last week in LSU’s 21-17 win over Florida. In five games in 2005, Russell has completed 86 of 135 passes for 1,117 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions.
Russell’s favorite target of late has been that of junior Dwayne Bowe, who now has 13 catches for 266 yards and a team-high four touchdowns.
Defensively, LSU will be tested by an Auburn offense that has good balance. Auburn running back Kenny Irons is the reigning SEC Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for 182 yards in last week’s win over Arkansas.
Quarterback Brandon Cox has been the perfect compliment to the Auburn rushing attack as the sophomore signal-caller has completed 86 of 136 passes for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns.
To counter the Auburn offense, LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini will put a unit on the field that has held its last three opponents to an average of 10 points and 191 yards of offense over the past 12 quarters. LSU’s defense hasn’t allowed a passing touchdown since the first quarter of the Mississippi State contest and the Tigers haven’t surrendered a scoring drive of longer than 42-yards since the first quarter of the 37-7 win over the Bulldogs on Oct. 1.
As a unit, LSU is first in the SEC and third in the nation against the run, allowing only 69 yards per contest. The Tigers are 14th in the nation in total defense, holding opponents to 290 yards per game.
“We’ve had spirited practices this week,” Miles said. “I think everyone is looking forward to the match up and the opportunity to finally play a Saturday night game in Tiger Stadium.”
The Auburn contest will mark the first Saturday night home game for the Tigers in 2005.
LSU Notebook
Tigers Continue Home Stand In Tiger Stadium
After playing three of its first four games away from home, the Tigers continue a four game home stand in Tigers Stadium as LSU hosts Auburn tonight at 6:45 p.m. The Auburn game is the second of the four straight home games.
The Second Of Four Straight At Home
Tonight’s game against Auburn will mark the second of four straight home games for LSU. Next week, LSU hosts a make-up game against North Texas and then the Homecoming contest against Appalachian State on Nov. 5. The Tigers close out their home schedule on Nov. 26, hosting Arkansas at 1:30 p.m.
Alabama Tigers
LSU has five players on its roster from the state of Alabama. Alabama natives are Ken Hollis (Adamsville), Chevis Jackson and JaMarcus Russell (Mobile), Melvin Oliver (Opelika) and Brandon Washington (Tuscaloosa).
The Auburn Connection
LSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher spent six season as the quarterbacks coach for the Auburn Tigers … Offensive line coach Stacy Searels, a 1990 Auburn grad, was an All-American lineman for the Tigers and spent two seasons as a graduate assistant coach at Auburn … Sam Nader, LSU’s assistant AD for Football Operations, graduated from Auburn in 1967 after playing quarterback for the Tigers.
Expect The Unexpected When LSU And Auburn Meet
Since 1988, the LSU-Auburn series has become one of close calls and one in which the teams and the fans have come to expect the unexpected. The following is a listing of some of the notable happenings in the series since 1988:
1988: LSU’s Tommy Hodson hit Eddie Fuller in the back of the endzone on fourth down with 1:41 left to lift the Tigers to a 7-6 win over fourth-ranked Auburn. The noise from the stadium crowd after the play registered on a seismograph across campus prompting the game to be titled “The Earthquake Game.”
1994: Auburn intercepted five passes in the fourth quarter, returning three for TDs as the Tigers rally to post a 30-26 win over LSU in a game that become known as “The Interception Game.”
1995: LSU donned white jerseys at home for the first time since the early 1980’s and promptly went out and upset fifth-ranked Auburn, 12-6. LSU preserved the win with an interception in the endzone on the last play of the game. The contest was dubbed the “Bring Back the Magic” game.
1996: With the old Auburn Sports Arena burning to the ground a couple hundred yards away, LSU beat Auburn, 19-15, in a game titled “The Night the Barn Burned.”
1997: Titled “The Comeback”, Auburn QB Dameyune Craig engineered a 10-play, 80-yard drive late in the fourth quarter to spark the Tigers to a 31-28 upset of 10th-ranked LSU.
2004: Titled “The Call”, Auburn appeared to have missed an extra point with 1:14 left that would have left the game tied at 9-9. However, LSU was called for a penalty on the extra point, thus giving Auburn a second chance at winning the game. The second PAT was good and Auburn held on for a 10-9 win, snapping LSU’s 10-game winning streak.
Highsmith Named SEC Defensive Player of the Week
LSU linebacker Ali Highsmith has been named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his role in the Tigers’ 21-17 win over 11th-ranked Florida on Saturday. Highsmith, a sophomore from Miami, led the Tiger defense with nine tackles, including four tackles for losses, against the Gators. Highsmith added a pair of sacks and three quarterback hurries as the Tiger defense held Florida’s potent offensive attack to only 17 points and a season-low 206 yards of offense. For the season, Highsmith leads the Tigers in tackles (35), tackles for losses (6.5) and sacks (4). He also ranks first in the SEC in forced fumbles with three. The honor is the first of Highsmith’s career and it marks the third straight week in which an LSU player has been recognized by the league. Last week, quarterback JaMarcus Russell was the league’s offensive player of the week, while Skyler Green earned SEC Special Teams Player of the Week honors against Mississippi State.
Miles Off To Best Start For First-Year LSU Coach Since 1987
With a 4-1 overall record, Les Miles is off to the best start for a first-year coach at LSU since 1987 when Mike Archer won 7 of his first 8 games in leading the Tigers to a 10-1-1 overall mark.
Miles Has Chance To Pull Rare Feat
With a win over Auburn, LSU coach Les Miles will become only the fourth coach in school history, and the first since Jerry Stovall in 1980, to beat Florida and Auburn in the same season. Stovall did it in 1980, beating Auburn, 21-17, and Florida, 24-7. Bernie Moore was the first to do it, beating both teams in 1937, followed by Charles McClendon in 1973.
Keeping Them Out Of The Endzone
LSU’s defense has allowed only 30 points over the past three games, holding Mississippi State to just 7 first quarter points, limiting Vanderbilt to a pair of field goals in the 34-6 Tiger victory and allowing Florida just 17 points in the 21-17 victory. By holding Mississippi State to seven points and Vanderbilt to six points, it marks the first time since 2003 the Tigers held back-to-back SEC foes to 7 points or less in consecutive road games (Oct. 18 at South Carolina, 33-7 and Nov. 15 at Alabama, 27-3).
Bringing The Heat
After recording only 1 sack in the season-opener against Arizona State, LSU has now recorded 21 sacks in its last four games. Through 5 games, the Tigers have 22 sacks to their credit. The Tigers had 6 sacks against Vanderbilt, a week after LSU recorded 7 in its win over Mississippi State. DE Melvin Oliver and LB Ali Highsmith lead the Tigers with 4 sacks each. In all, the Tigers have had 10 different players record a sack this year.
No Passing TDs Allowed In 11 Quarters
LSU brings a streak of having not allowed a passing touchdown for 11 quarters, a stretch that dates back to the first quarter of the Mississippi State game on Oct. 1.
This Is No Sunday Drive
In addition to having not allowed a passing TD in 11 quarters, the LSU defense has also become very stingy when it comes to giving up yards. Consider that since the Vanderbilt game, the longest drive against the Tigers has only been 50-yards (which resulted in no points for the Commodores). The longest drive Florida mounted against the Tigers a week ago was a 5-play, 41-yard drive that was capped with a field goal. Florida’s other scoring drives were of 32-yards in lenght (twice). As a matter of fact, the only points LSU’s given up over the past 8 quarters (Vanderbilt and Florida games) have come off of turnovers – 2 TO’s vs. Vanderbilt resulted in a pair of field goals and 3 TO’s vs. Florida resulted in two TDs and a field goal. The last time LSU’s defense allowed a drive of 50 or more yards came in the fourth quarter against Missisisppi State (10-plays, 79-yards, no points).
Another Ranked Opponent
For the fourth time this season, LSU will face a ranked opponent when the Tigers host 15th-ranked Auburn tonight. The four ranked opponents in six games marks the toughest opening stretch for LSU since 1992 when the Tigers faced four ranked opponents in the first six weeks of the season. The difference between then and now, LSU went 1-3 against those ranked teams in 1992. LSU brings a 2-1 mark against ranked teams in 2005 into the Auburn game.
Mid-Season Grades From College Football News
College Football News.com handed out its mid-season grades this week and a pair of Tigers had high marks. LSU OT Andrew Whitworth and DT Claude Wroten were both named to CFN’s Mid-Season Second-Team All-America squad. In addition, LSU coach Les Miles was named CFN’s Mid-Season SEC Coach of the Year.
Addai Goes Over 2,000 Career Rushing Yards
With 102 yards rushing against Vanderbilt, senior RB Joseph Addai went over the 2,000-yard mark for his career. In just over three years with the Tigers, Addai has now rushed for 2,203 yards, which ranks ninth in school history. Addai goes into the Auburn game needing only 15 yards to move past Garry James for eighth place in school history. Addai currently leads the SEC with 107.4 yards rushing a game. In 5 games this year, Addai has rushed for 537 yards and a league-best 6 TDs on 105 carries.
Get Addai To 100 And The Tigers Win
LSU RB Joseph Addai has four 100-yard rushing games to his credit and the Tigers have wins in all four of those games. Addai rushed for a career-best 156 yards in the win over Florida, gained 109 yards in win over Arizona State earlier this year and followed that with 102 yards in the 34-6 victory over Vanderbilt. A year ago, Addai rushed for 107 yards in LSU’s 27-24 win over Ole Miss.
Career Day for Addai
RB Joseph Addai had a career day against Florida. The senior carried the ball 32 times for 156 yards and a score. His 32 carries and 156 yards marked career-highs for Addai. His 32 carries also tied Addai for the seventh most carries in a single game in LSU history and marked the first time a player carried the ball that many times in a game since Rondell Mealy rushed 34 times against Notre Dame in 1997.
Russell Gets to 2,000 Career Yards
QB JaMarcus Russell reached the 2,000 career passing yards milestone against Florida. He entered the game with 1,934 yards and finished the game with 2,170 yards. He has reached the milestone in 16 games.
Whitworth Has Started 44 Straight; Ranks As Second-Longest Streak In SEC
LSU senior OT Andrew Whitworth has started 44 straight games on the offensive line for the Tigers. Whitworth’s current streak of 44 consecutive starts ranks second in the SEC, just one game back of Florida center Mike Degory, who has started 45 straight games. Whitworth has a chance to become the only player in LSU history to start and play in 50 games in a career.
Taking Note On The Tigers Since 2000
Here is a look at some notable trends for LSU during the 69 games its played since 2000 … LSU is 43-4 when leading at halftime and 39-4 when leading after three quarters … The Tigers are 49-5 when scoring 20 or more points and 42-2 when scoring at least 25 points in a game … On the other hand, the Tigers are 3-12 when failing to reach the 20-point mark … LSU is 16-5 in games decided by 7 points or less and 7-3 in games decided by 3 points or less … LSU is 36-2 when holding opponents to fewer than 100 team rushing yards and the Tigers are 24-1 when having a player rush for 100 yards.
Bowe Scores Again
LSU WR Dwayne Bowe, who was slowed by an ankle injury during the first week of the season, scored for the fourth time this year against Florida with a 27-yard first quarter reception from JaMarcus Russell. In 4 games, Bowe has caught 13 passes with 4 of those receptions going for scores. Dating back to last year, Bowe has caught 52 passes with 9 of those going for scores.
Brazell Gets In the Endzone
WR Bennie Brazell pulled in the first touchdown of his career on Saturday against Florida. The senior speedster was on the receiving end of a 43-yard strike from JaMarcus Russell that put the Tigers on the board early in the first quarter. Brazell now has 10 catches for 193 yards and a touchdown in his career.
LSU Defense Ranks First In SEC And Third In Nation Against The Run
LSU continued its climb up the national charts in rushing defense on Saturday as the Tigers limited Florida to 99 yards on 32 attempts. LSU is first in the league and third in the nation in rush defense, allowing only 69.8 yards per game. LSU has held all five of its opponents to fewer than 100-yards rushing this year. Arizona State and Florida have the most rushing yards against the Tigers this season, both gaining 99 yards. LSU has held Tennessee to 70 yards, Mississippi State to 56 and Vanderbilt to 25. LSU hasn’t allowed a team to rush for more than 100 yards in a game since the Ole Miss contest a year ago. That’s a streak that spans 7 games, including all 5 contests this year.
Russell Engineers Another Fourth Quarter Comeback For Tigers
QB JaMarcus Russell engineered another fourth quarter comeback for the Tigers against Florida last Saturday. LSU trailed 17-14 entering the final quarter and Russell 12-play 75-yard drive for the go-ahead and eventual winning score with 12:35 left in the game. Russell also led the Tigers back on Sept. 10 when LSU scored 28 fourth quarter points to beat Arizona State, 35-31. The Tigers clinched the win with just over a minute left when Russell drove the Tigers 91 yards on 10 plays, capped on a 39-yard TD pass to Early Doucet on a fourth-and-10 play. The fourth quarterback comeback win represents the 10 time since the 2000 season that the Tigers have rallied to win games despite trailing in the final quarter. The following is a look at LSU’s other fourth quarter comebacks since 2000 that resulted in a victory for the Tigers:
Year
Game
4th Quarter Comeback
Result
QB
2000
Miss. State
scored 21 points to force OT
W, 45-38 OT
Booty
2000
Ga. Tech
scored 19 points for win in Peach Bowl
W, 28-14
Davey
2001
at Kentucky
scored TD with 13 seconds left
W, 29-25
Davey
2002
Ole Miss
scored TD with 6:34 left
W, 14-13
Randall
2002
at Kentucky
scored on 75-yard TD pass as time expired
W, 33-30
Randall
2004
Oregon State
scored TD with 1:05 left to force OT
W, 22-21 OT
Russell
2004
at Florida
scored TD with 27 seconds left
W, 24-21
Randall
2004
Troy
scored TD with 2:18 left
W, 24-20
Randall
2004
Ole Miss
scored TD with 10:51 left
W, 27-24
Randall
2005
at Arizona State
scored TD with 1:13 left
W, 35-31
Russell
2005
Florida
scored TD with 12:35 left
W, 21-14
Russell