BATON ROUGE – LSU will look to bounce back from last week’s performance when the 17th-ranked Tigers host New Mexico State at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday in Tiger Stadium in what will be just the second meeting between the two programs.
In its only other meeting, LSU posted a 63-7 win over New Mexico State in 1996.
Saturday’s contest will be televised on the SEC Network with Tom Hart (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (analyst) and Heather Mitts (sideline) calling the action. The game can also be heard on the LSU Sports Radio Network (98.1 FM locally) with Jim Hawthorne, Doug Moreau and Gordy Rush on the call.
LSU goes into the New Mexico State game with a 3-1 overall mark following last week’s 34-29 setback to Mississippi State. The Aggies, members of the Sun Belt Conference, are 2-2 overall and are coming off a 38-35 loss to New Mexico a week ago.
LSU is 23-1 following a loss under Les Miles and the Tigers are 43-3 in Saturday night games during the Miles era. LSU has also won an NCAA record 48 straight non-conference regular season games, a streak that dates back to the season-opener in 2002.
“I thought our practices were sharp this week and we improved,” LSU coach Les Miles said following Thursday’s workout. “There haven’t been a lot of smiles around here this week, but I think we’ve had a good and productive week.”
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One area of concentration this week has been more consistent and improved play on both the offensive and defensive lines. Last week, LSU rushed for 89 yards and allowed three sacks, while the defense gave up 302 rushing yards.
“We have to eliminate the big plays,” Miles said. “We went back to spending more time going ‘good vs. good’ in practice. That’s the best work that we get and the best way for us to improve. It made a difference this week in practice.”
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GameDay Info #17 LSU (3-1, 0-1 SEC) vs. New Mexico St. (2-2, 1-0 Sun Belt) Saturday, Sept. 27 GameDay Forecast Times of Interest 8:30 a.m. 4:35 p.m. In-Game: 1st Quarter: Halftime: SEC Network Replay |
Miles said that he expects both quarterbacks to play against New Mexico State with Anthony Jennings likely to get the starting nod again. Jennings has started all four games this year and he’s thrown for 723 yards and five touchdowns.
True freshman Brandon Harris made his case for increased playing time by leading the Tigers to a late rally against Mississippi State, throwing a pair of touchdown passes to Malachi Dupre during the final two minutes of the game. For the season, Harris has connected on 11-of-16 passes for 216 yards and three scores.
“I think Anthony Jennings will take the first snap,” Miles said. “[Brandon Harris] is getting a lot of snaps in practice. They are both getting better, it just takes time. It is a maturity that you would like to have happen quick but maturity comes with experience and experience comes with time.”
“Brandon is a talented guy and it’s just bringing him on and Anthony at the same time. It is a competition and it was duly noted that he gave us a tremendous lift and a spark and an opportunity at victory (last week). Don’t pretend that we are not noticing. We recognize how he played in that game [against Mississippi State].”
Senior Kenny Hilliard continues to lead the Tigers in rushing with 245 yards and four touchdowns. He’s followed by a pair of true freshmen in Leonard Fournette (200 yards, 2 TDs) and Darrel Williams (106 yards, 3 TDs).
Sophomore Travin Dural leads the Tigers in receiving with 494 yards and four touchdowns on 18 catches. Dural’s 27.4 yards per catch leads the SEC. True freshman Trey Quinn is second on team with seven receptions for 73 yards, followed by Dupre with six catches for 143 yards and three scores.
Defensively, LSU is allowing just 14.5 points and 296.8 total yards per game. However, a week ago, Mississippi State put up big numbers against the Tigers, totaling 570 yards of offense in the 34-29 victory over LSU.
“I have great confidence in Coach Chavis and our defense,” Miles said. “I thought the defense had a good week of preparation. We recognize some of the mistakes that we made last week and have addressed them and made the necessary adjustments.”
Miles said that it’s likely that junior defensive tackle Quentin Thomas will miss the New Mexico State game with an injury and that true freshman Davon Godchaux will start in his place alongside Christian LaCouture. Miles noted that Lewis Neal will see increased playing time on the defensive line for the Tigers.
Against New Mexico State, the Tigers will face an Aggie team that is scoring 30.2 points and averaging 425.8 total yards per game. The Aggies are completing 25 passes on 40 attempts per game with the passing game accounting for 267 yards a contest.
Defensively, the Aggies have had a difficult time stopping the run, allowing 299 yards on the ground per game. Opponents have thrown for just 493 yards and four touchdowns against New Mexico State this year.
“Every week is about improving and preparing to play your best football on Saturday,” Miles said. “There is a time where we have to play better and improve. We had a good week of preparation and now it’s about taking it to the field in Tiger Stadium on Saturday night against a New Mexico State team that is talented and has ability.
“This is a team that has scored a lot of points and can move the football both through the air and on the ground so we have to be ready and prepared to defend them in both areas.”