by Chris Macaluso
Special to LSUsports.net
BATON ROUGE — Saturday’s contest between 1-AA Appalachian State and No. 6 LSU in Tiger Stadium, on paper, was not supposed to be much of a game.
On the field, however, the Mountaineers proved more worthy than some of LSU’s Southeastern Conference foes by out-rushing the Tigers and holding the score to a respectable 24-0 in front of a tepid homecoming crowd of 91,414.
The win improved LSU’s record to 7-1 overall and framed the long awaited showdown at SEC-leading Alabama next Saturday. Appalachian State fell to 6-3 overall in a loss that shouldn’t affect the Mountaineers’ standings in the 1-AA race.
Four Moutaineer rushers split time carrying the ball through often gaping holes in the Tiger defense. Led by quarterback Richie Williams’ 80 yards on 10 carries, the quartet combined for 176 yards on the ground compared to 163 yards for the Tigers.
Tiger junior Justin Vincent led all rushers with 89 yards on 16 carries and one touchdown.
But, LSU vastly eclipsed Appalachian State in passing yardage thanks to an efficient 16-22, 208-yard two-touchdown performance by quarterback JaMarcus Russell.
LSU’s lead was never truly threatened after the Tigers jumped to a 7-0 lead in the game’s first possession. The Moutaineers did manage to make matters a bit interesting in the second half, driving the ball to the Tiger 15 in the third quarter with LSU holding just a 14-0 advantage.
After missing its first and only legitimate chance to score when a 33-yard field goal bounced off the right upright, Appalachian State fell prey to the faster, stronger and deeper Tigers who scored a touchdown and a field goal in the fourth quarter to salt away the win.
Appalachian State Coach Jerry Moore said he was extremely proud of the way his players approached the game in an atmosphere foreign to nearly every 1-AA team. LSU Head Coach Les Miles said Moore had every reason to be proud.
“I tried to let this team know that this team we’re playing is a good football team,” Miles said. “It didn’t make any difference what division they’re in. They have all the ingredients — offense, defense and special teams.”
Miles’ comments came just a week after the Tigers pounded 1-A inferior North Texas 56-3, prompting the Tiger coach to say Appalachian State was a much more worthy opponent and a better test for his team as it approaches the long-awaited contest in Alabama that could decide the SEC Western division.
LSU drove the ball decisively on its first possession, mixing runs and short passes on a seven-play march that culminated in a 9-yard pass threaded between three defensive backs by Russell to Dwayne Bowe. Russell completed all five attempts during the drive, including 15-yarders to Craig Davis and Bowe respectively. Colt David’s extra point gave the Tigers a 7-0 advantage with 11:02 remaining in the first quarter.
Appalachian State responded by moving the ball rapidly across midfield thanks largely to a 20-yard, first-down pass from Williams to wide out Jermaine Little. But, the Mountaineers stalled at the Tiger 45 and were forced to punt.
After LSU was unable to earn a first down on the ensuing possession, Appalachian State regained possession at its 12-yard line, lost yards on its first two plays and faced a 3rd-and-17 at its 5-yard line. Williams stepped through the LSU blitz and raced down the field for 35 yards, leaving the shadow of the north endzone behind. But, the Mountaineers stumbled near midfield again and punted back to LSU.
LSU seized the chance to extend its lead to two touchdowns. Riding Vincent’s back, the Tigers methodically marched 80 yards in eight plays. Vincent carried the ball six times during the drive for a combined 58 yards including the 1-yard touchdown dive. David’s extra point made the score 14-0 with 11:56 remaining in the half.
Again, Appalachian State moved the ball near midfield, this time thanks to a holding penalty by LSU at the line of scrimmage during the punt giving the Mountaineers a first down at the Tiger 35 instead of a LSU first down near the 50-yard line. But, the Mountaineers stalled once more and LSU took eventually took back possession at its 35.
The Tigers stalled as well on the ensuing possession at their 41-yard line, forcing punter Chris Jackson to pin the Mountaineers at their 6-yard line after a spiraling 54-yard punt. Richardson burst through the Tiger line for 10 yards on first down, giving Appalachian State some working room. But, the advance ended five plays later and LSU took control at its 34.
The Tigers stalled as well on their chanced to score again before halftime and Jackson punted back to the Mountaineers. Appalachian State again advanced to near midfield but no farther as the half ended on a completion to Hans Batichon across the middle of the field.
Appalachian State lost four yards on the opening drive of the second half giving LSU a chance to try to extend its lead. The Tigers moved no farther than the Mountaineer 21-yard line, providing Jackson an opportunity to try a 38-yard field goal. But, the boot was woefully short, landing in the north endzone while moans rained from the thinning crowd.
The Mountaineers then mounted their most productive attack of the contest. Instead of stalling near midfield, Appalachian State drove well beyond to the Tiger 15 giving place kicker Julian Rauch the chance to break the shutout on a 33-yard field goal attempt. But, in a scene Tiger fans have become accustomed to this season, Rauch bounced the attempt off the right upright and LSU took possession with 3:19 remaining in the third quarter.
LSU responded with a productive drive as well that eventually and finally extended the Tiger lead. Russell found tight end Keith Zinger open in the south endzone for a 9-yard touchdown, giving the Tigers a 21-0 advantage with 13:22 to play. The successful pass and catch capped an 80-yard, 10-play drive that further thinned the crowd.
LSU’s lead inched larger little more than 6:00 later when Jackson finally found the gap between the two uprights. His 34-yard field goal into the emptying south endzone capped a seven-play Tiger drive that consumed 3:29 of the fourth quarter and made the score 24-0.
Meghan O’Hara of Houston and Brad Golson of Baton Rouge were named the 2005 homecoming queen and king in a halftime presentation.
LSU vs. Appalachian State
Nov. 5, 2005 – Tiger Stadium
Game Notes
Team Notes
1. LSU’s game captains are 8 Ronnie Prude, 18 Jacob Hester, 41 Chris Jackson and 71 Nate Livings.
2. Appalachian State won the toss and deferred to the second half. LSU received the opening kickoff.
3. Tigers extending their consecutive starts’ streak today were: OT Andrew Whitworth (47), FS LaRon Landry (28) and DT Kyle Williams (28) and LB Cameron Vaughn (20). SS Jessie Daniels steak of 19 straight starts was snapped tonight.
4. LSU has outscored its opponents 51-3 in the first quarter since the game at Vanderbilt on Oct. 8. That stat includes the 9-3 score in the opening quarter at Vanderbilt and the 7-0 tonight. LSU has outscored its opponents 68-10 in the first quarter for the season and has allowed only one first-quarter touchdown (at Mississippi State).
5. LSU’s 2005 Homecoming king is Brad Golson from Baton Rouge, La., and the queen is Meghan O’Hara from Houston, Texas.
6. With TE Keith Zinger’s touchdown reception in the fourth quarter, 16th different players have now scored a touchdown for LSU this season.
7. LSU won its 12th straight game against non-conference opponents in the regular season and have won 14 straight games against non-conference opponents in Tiger Stadium.
8. LSU is now 53-25-3 all-time in homecoming games. The Tigers have now won five straight homecoming games.
9. LSU improved to 5-0 against Division I-AA opponents.
10. The Tigers recorded their first shutout of an opponent since blanking Mississippi State, 51-0, last season.
Individual Notes
11. OT Andrew Whitworth started his 47th straight game, moving the senior closer to second-place on LSU’s all-time starts list. The career record is held by Jerel Myers and Rodney Reed with 48 starts.
12. WR Craig Davis pulled in a pass on LSU’s first possession of the game early into the first quarter to extend his consecutive games with a reception streak to 18 (games in which he has played).
13. WR Dwayne Bowe pulled in his seventh touchdown reception of the season and 12th of his career on a 9-yard pass from QB JaMarcus Russell.
a. Bowe has now caught at least one touchdown is six straight games, the longest streak by a Tiger since Michael Clayton pulled in at least one score in six straight games during the 2003 season.
b. Bowe’s seven touchdowns this season move him into a tie for 10th-place on LSU’s receiving touchdowns in a season.
c. Bowe finished the game by tying a season-high in receptions with five.
14. QB JaMarcus Russell tossed his 10th and 11th touchdowns of the season and 19th and 20th of his career with the two passes tonight. The first was a 9-yard pass to Dwayne Bowe on LSU’s first possession of the game and the second was a 9-yard pass to TE Keith Zinger with 13:22 left in the fourth quarter.
a. Russell’s 22-yard run with 12:00 left in the third quarter was the longest run of his career. His previous high was 15 at Vanderbilt earlier this season.
b. Russell finished the game with a career-high 42 yards rushing, eclipsing his previous best of 26 yards set against Mississippi State last season.
15. With a tackle in the first quarter, both DT Kyle Williams and FS LaRon Landry extended their tackles in consecutive games streak. They each have now made a tackle in 34 straight games.
16. DT Kyle Williams lined up in the slot on offense on LSU’s goal line formation with 11:56 left in the second quarter. It was the first offensive play of the senior’s career.
17. RB Justin Vincent scored his second touchdown of the season and 14th of his career on a 1-yard run with 11:56 left in the second quarter.
a. Vincent finished the game with a season-high 89 yards rushing on 16 carries.
18. TE Keith Zinger’s 9-yard touchdown reception with 13:22 left in the fourth quarter was the first of his career.
LSU HEAD COACH LES MILES
Opening Statement…
“I told our team that I thought we were in an awkward position in the fact that we played North Texas, a Division 1-A team, and had success and really manhandled maybe beat them too easily. Then we had a really good Division 1-AA come in and the idea that we play another opponent thereafter that’s very important on our season. I tried to let this team know that this team that we’re playing is a good football team. It didn’t make any difference what division they’re in. They have all the ingredients — offense, defense and special teams. They have a great quarterback, a great scheme. I thought we played well. I thought that considering it was not the emotion that we’ll in a week, it was a good outing. There were some things we did better, some things that we need to get better at. But overall, it’s what we needed and we look forward to next week. We promise you it’s been very difficult not to look to the next opponent.”
On the performance of Justin Vincent…
“I think he ran hard. I think he needs to step up and give us that guy we can turn to in the absence of Joe Addai. I think he and Shyrone Carey have to be those guys.”
On Appalachian State quarterback Richie Williams…
“(He is a) very mobile quarterback. There were times when our defense ran in there unmolested, and he just made somebody miss and scurried through that same hole. When that happens, you blitz a guy and he can avoid the blitz, there’s a void. And certainly that’s what they exploited. He made some big plays. We knew that he was that kind of player and certainly he proved to be so.”
On the play of LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell…
“I think JaMarcus was sharp. He made some really good decisions with the ball. I know that he pulled it down and got us some first downs running the ball, but I wish he would have thrown it away sometimes. But again I think he was good and he made several great reads with the ball. He did things that he’ll have to do for the remainder of the season.”
On tight end Keith Zinger’s performance…
“Both tight ends made some catches. Keith had a touchdown and a couple of other receptions, so he had a good night.”
LSU OFFENSIVE PLAYER QUOTES
TE Keith Zinger
On Appalachian State…
“They came out to play and it was a pretty hard fought game. I think we played pretty well on offense, defense and special teams.”
On the rest of the Tigers’ games…
“Every game we have left important. We come here to play these types of games. We’ll be ready and it’s going to be fun.”
On getting back to SEC play…
“I think everybody has been waiting to play another SEC opponent. I think the last to weeks gave us a chance to work some things out and I think it probably helped us.”
On the Appalachian State game…
“I wish we could have done more offensively, but we only had three possessions in the second half and eight for the whole game. We didn’t have a whole lot of time to get a whole lot of points, but we are making strides and getting better.”
On the Alabama game…
“Every year it’s a big time and game. It’s a physical game. It’s going to be another battle. That’s what we’re looking forward to and that’s what we’re excited about.”
On improving against underdog opponents…
“I don’t think it is tough to get better as much as it is to keep playing at the same level. I think that you lull at times even though you do get good work. It’s tough to play two teams back to back that you are so favored over.”
On the Appalachian State game…
“We started off a little shaky. We came back in the second half and I think we did a little better. We came in at half time and the coaches showed us what we needed to get corrected and I think we did that.”
On the Alabama game…
“It’s definitely is a big game, going to Alabama. We are going to a tough environment and hopefully we are going to get a win.”
LSU DEFENSIVE PLAYER QUOTES
On pitching a shutout…
“It’s good, first one of the year. We haven’t had an opportunity to do that yet. I’m excited we held them without any points, but I wish we would have played a little bit better, a little bit sharper. I think everybody was trying to peak ahead, but we played well enough to win so that’s good.”
About peaking ahead, back in SEC and on the road…
“It’s going to be a great game. It’s going to be a great place to play. They’re going to be fired up. I’m sure all the LSU fans are going to be there, they’ll be fired up. Two good football teams, top five teams you can’t ask for anything more.”
On having three SEC games left, but controlling their own destiny…
“It’s always good to be this late in the year and still have an opportunity to accomplish all the things you wanted to accomplish in the pre-season. We’re excited about the opportunity and now we just have to come out and take advantage of it.”
On playing on offense tonight…
“We snuck that in on everybody. That’s fun. That’s something we’ve actually been practicing for a while, and we paid a little bit more attention to it this week and I got to go in on the offense and block for a touchdown.”
Appalachian State Head Coach Jerry Moore
Opening Statement
“I think that the best place for us to start is that Furman got beat today. I guess in reality the place to start is to tell you how proud we are, the way that our people played-our players played. You know, when you think about leaving Boone at six o’clock in the morning, we actually left at seven to go eat breakfast at the training table, and then we took a bus to Greensboro, caught a flight out of there and got into here around one o’clock. The hotel we stayed at fixed us some places to lie around, some banquet kind of rooms. The players watched TV till three, central time, and then ate their pre-game meal. When you put that all into perspective, and how they played tonight against the sixth or seventh ranked team in the country, we don’t get into this kind of environment much, and I’m not sure that we probably didn’t feed off that some. I am really really pleased, really proud of the way we played. I will say this, LSU couldn’t be more complimentary, their staff, their players, the seven or eight minutes that you spend out there on the field after the game, they couldn’t be more complimentary.”
APPALACHIAN STATE OFFENSIVE PLAYER QUOTES
RB Kevin Richardson
On the running game…
“The offensive line came in prepared. We practiced really hard all last week. They (LSU) just came out ready.”
On his dropped pass…
“I saw everybody coming so I knew I needed to turn my head around it was just a little too far. It hurt my heart.”
On the team’s leadership…
“The leadership of Richie and the offensive line really helped us. They motivated me to come out and give more effort. I think that is what kept us in the game.”
QB Richie Williams
On rushing for more yards then LSU…
“It’s a big accomplishment. We played hard especially our offensive line. We really ran the ball well. We just had some problems getting in the red zone.”
On how he felt going into the second half…
“We felt like we were still in this thing. We felt like we had to fight harder and try and put some points on the board. They just out lasted us. They are a great football team.”
APPALACHIAN STATE DEFENSIVE QUOTES
NB Jeremy Wiggins
On the safeties’ play during the game…
“Corey and I kind of deepened up and tried to keep everything in front of us. We didn’t want to give them the big play. We could play with these guys.”
On playing a Division I school…
“I’m excited about the way we came down here and competed with LSU. You can always tell when you go against a Division I school when you are Division I-AA that you are going to have doubts some time. It was kind of different, but we were just going to come in and play our game and give these boys the best that we got. It was a good game for us, because we held No. 6 team to 24 points when last week they played a I-A team and scored 56 points, for us that’s a good feeling.”
RE Jason Hunter
On the defense’s play during the game…
“I’d have to say that our defense played well. Coming into the game that there was a possibility that if we stayed disciplined we could keep it a tight game. Through the course of the game we didn’t realize it was going to be as close as it was. We’re going to have to look back at the tape and realize we didn’t capitalize on some missed opportunities.”
On playing JaMarcus Russell…
“That’s always a factor on when you’re playing a big quarterback. We tried to find ways to limit his mobility. Our coaches said he liked to move around a lot and to try to keep him inside the pocket if you can. I think we had almost three missed sacks, so we were getting pressure on him.”