LSU Gold

 

Game Notes for the 2016 LSU Football team, as well as the weekly opponents’ notes, will be published prior to each game.

 

GAMECENTER

LSU TO FACE LOUISVILLE AND HEISMAN TROPHY QB IN CITRUS BOWL
LSU, now 5-2 under head coach Ed Orgeron, will make its 17th straight appearance in a post-season bowl when the 20th-ranked Tigers face 13th-ranked Louisville and its Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Lamar Jackson in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 31. Kickoff is scheduled for 10 a.m. CT from Camping World Stadium (65,000). The game will be televised on ABC with Dave Pasch (play-by-play), Greg McElroy (analyst) and Tom Luginbill (sideline reporter) calling the action. LSU enters the game coming off a 54-39 win over Texas A&M on Thanksgiving Night. The win over the Aggies improved LSU to 7-4 overall and the Tigers tied for second in the SEC Western Division with a 5-3 league mark. Louisville, members of the ACC, brings a 9-3 overall mark into the contest. The Cardinals won nine of their first 10 games and climbed to No. 5 the College Football Rankings before losing their last two games of the regular season. The Citrus Bowl contest will mark the first-ever meeting between LSU and Louisville on the gridiron. LSU has faced Louisville coach Bobby Petrino before as the Tigers are 2-2 against Petrino-coached teams with all four games coming while he was head coach at Arkansas. Orgeron is 21-29 overall (5-2 at LSU, 6-2 at Southern Cal, 10-25 at Ole Miss) and he’s 11-4 in his last 15 games as a head coach. LSU brings one of the nation’s top defenses into the game as the Tigers have allowed just 16 touchdowns all season, the second-lowest total among all FBS teams. Overall, LSU ranks No. 2 in the SEC in rush defense (121.8), No. 3 in scoring defense (16.4) and total defense (323.0) and No. 4 in pass defense (201.2). Offensively, LSU is averaging 28.3 points and 425.7 total yards (238.1 rushing, 184.6 passing) per game. Since taking over after 2-2 start, LSU’s offensive numbers under Oregon jump to 32.4 points and 475.0 total yards (264.6 rushing, 210.4 passing) during the 7-game span. RB Derrius Guice leads LSU and ranks No. 2 in the SEC with 113.5 yards rushing per game. Guice has rushed for 1,249 yards and 14 touchdowns, which includes a school-record 285 yards on the ground against Texas A&M. QB Danny Etling is 6-3 as the starter for the Tigers and has completed 144-of-240 passes for 1,906 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions. His top targets are Malachi Dupre (34 rec., 454 yards, 3 TDs), Travin Dural (28 rec., 280 yards, 1 TD), and D.J. Chark (24 rec., 419 yards, 3 TDs). Defensively, LB Kendell Beckwith (out with knee injury) leads the Tigers in tackles with 91. Other defensive leaders for LSU include LB Duke Riley (85 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 Int.), All-America S Jamal Adams (70 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 1 Int.), DT Davon Godchaux (55tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks), OLB/DE Arden Key (50 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 10.0 sacks, 10 QB hurries, 3 forced fumbles) and All-America CB Tre’Davious White (31 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 1 Int., 13 PBUs).

TALKING POINTS
LSU is 5-2 in the Season of Orgeron, winning the five games by a combined 130 points. LSU scored at least 38 points in all five victories under Orgeron. Overall under Coach “O”, LSU has outscored the opposition 227-103 or 32.4-14.7 per game.

Sophomore RB Derrius Guice is only the second player in SEC history (other is Kentucky’s Moe Williams in 1995) to rush for 250 yards or more twice in the same season. He also joins Herschel Walker (1980 and 1981), Bo Jackson (1983 and 1985), and Williams as the only players in SEC history with two 250-yard rushing games in a career.

Under Orgeron and acting offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger, LSU’s offense produced two 600-yard games (634 vs. Missouri, 622 vs. Texas A&M) and two 500-yard games (515 vs. Ole Miss, 547 vs. Arkansas).

LSU was the last remaining team in the FBS to hold its opponents to 21 points or less when Texas A&M scored 39 points against the Tigers in the season finale.

LSU has given up just 27 first quarter points and 33 third quarter points this year. LSU didn’t allow a first quarter TD until the sixth game of the season (Southern Miss). Only three teams scored first quarter TDs against LSU (Southern Miss, Ole Miss, Texas A&M).

Under Coach Orgeron, LSU has held its opponent scoreless in 14 of 28 quarters, including scoreless first halves against both Alabama and Missouri. LSU also held Ole Miss scoreless in the second half.

LSU’s roster features 3 first team All-America’s, including consensus All-America DB Tre’Davious White. Other first team All-Americas include C Ethan Pocic and DB Jamal Adams.

In its 4 losses, LSU allowed only 3 TDs. The 4 losses were by a combined 23 points and the outcome of the 2 of LSU’s 4 losses were decided on the final play of the game (Auburn and Florida).

LSU is one win away from extending its streak of consecutive seasons with at least 8 victories to 17 straight. LSU’s current streak of 16 seasons with at least 8 wins ranks as the longest among all Power 5 teams. Overall, Boise State stands as the only FBS school with more consecutive 8-wins seasons (18) than LSU.

GAMECENTER
Date/Time: Saturday, December 31 at 10 a.m. CT
Location: Camping World Stadium – Orlando, Florida (65,000)
Television: ABC or WatchESPN
Radio: LSU Sports Radio Network – 98.1 FM in Baton Rouge
Sirius Satellite Radio – ch. 81; XM Radio – ch. 81

Series Record: First meeting
Series Notes: This is the first meeting between LSU and Louisville in football… LSU is 35-27 all-time against current members of the ACC… The bowl game will be the program’s fifth meeting against Louisville coach Bobby Petrino, holding a 2-2 mark from when he was the coach at Arkansas from 2008-11… LSU earned a 41-17 win over Petrino and the Razorbacks in his final season at Arkansas before going to the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.

Other LSU vs. Louisville Notes of Interest:
LSU has twice faced Louisville in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament … Louisville and Dr. Dunkenstein eliminated LSU, 86-66, in the Elite Eight in 1980 … In 1986, the Cardinals beat the Tigers, 88-77, in the Final Four in Dallas … LSU is 1-8 all-time against Louisville in men’s basketball with the lone Tiger victory coming by a 84-70 count in at the Sugar Bowl Classic in New Orleans … LSU is 1-4 vs. Louisville in women’s basketball … LSU’s beat the Cardinals, 65-46, in Baton Rouge in 2002 … Two of Louisville’s wins over the Lady Tigers came in NCAA play – a 62-52 victory in the second round in Baton Rouge in 2009 followed by a 73-47 win in Louisville in the Sweet 16 in 2014 … LSU’s softball team beat the Cardinals, 13-9, in the NCAA Regional operning game at Tuscon in 2014 … LSU and Louisville have never met in postseason play in baseball.

LSU Goes Bowling For School-Record 17th Straight Season
LSU will make its 17th straight appearance in a bowl game – a school record – when the Tigers face Louisville in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31. LSU has played in a bowl game each year since 2000. LSU’s current streak of 17 straight bowl appearances ranks No. 5 nationally, trailing only Florida State (35), Virginia Tech (24), Georgia (21), and Oklahoma (18).

Tigers Set To Make 48th Bowl Appearance
The LSU football program will be making its 48th appearance in a bowl game when the squad takes on Louisville at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, sporting a 24-22-1 all-time mark in bowl games. Last year, LSU beat Texas Tech, 56-27, in the Texas Bowl in Houston. The 24 bowl victories is 10th nationally and fourth in the SEC.

LSU’s Citrus Bowl History
LSU’s date against the Louisville Cardinals on New Years Eve will be the program’s fourth appearance in what is now the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl, the first since 2010 when it was known as the Capital One Bowl. The Tigers are 1-2 in the bowl all-time, earning a 34-10 win over Wake Forest in 1979, falling to Iowa 30-25 in 2005 and most recently dropping a 19-17 decision to Penn State in 2010.

Dec. 22, 1979
LSU 34, Wake Forest 10
LSU’s win over Wake Forest in 1979 marked the final game of the legendary coaching career of the winningest coach in LSU history Charles McClendon. The win over Wake Forest was the 138th for McClendon at LSU, a mark that still stands as the most in school history. The game also featured a quarterback named Steve Ensminger, who is currently the acting offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Tigers. Against Wake Forest, Ensminger scored on a 4-yard run in the fourth quarter for LSU’s final points. Ensminger rushed for 43 yards and completed 5-of-7 passes for 74 yards in the contest as he platooned with David Woodley at quarterback.

Jan. 1, 2005
Iowa 30, LSU 25
In what was the final game of Nick Saban era at LSU, Iowa scored on a 56-yard pass as time expired to shock the Tigers, 30-25. LSU rallied from a 24-12 fourth quarter deficit with a pair of JaMarcus Russell TD passes to Skyler Green. The first was a 22-yard strike with 8:21 to go that cut the deficit to 24-19 and then with 36 seconds left Russell hit Green with a 3-yard TD pass to give the Tigers a 25-24 lead – their first advantage of the game. Iowa needed just three plays to go 71 yards in 46 seconds, capped by the last-second Hail Mary that gave the Hawkeyes a 30-25 victory.

Jan. 1, 2010
Penn State 19, LSU 17
A sloppy field held LSU’s explosive offense in check as the Tigers once again lost another Citrus Bowl late in the fourth quarter, this time coming at the hands of Penn State. The Nittany Lions kicked a 21-yard field goal with 57 seconds left to beat LSU, 19-17. LSU took its only lead of the game early in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard run by Stevan Ridley, putting the Tigers up 17-16. Penn State went 65-yards on 12 plays to setup the game winning kick with less than a minute left.

LSU vs. the ACC
LSU is 35-27 all-time against current Atlantic Coast Conference member institutions in program history. The Tigers are familiar with the conference after having played Syracuse, Clemson and North Carolina in recent history, with Syracuse on the schedule in 2017. The Tigers have played Georgia Tech the most at 19 times since 1915.

LSU Against Heisman Trophy Winners in Bowls
When LSU squares off with Louisville in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl, it’ll be the third time in program history that the Tigers will be facing the newly crowned Heisman Trophy winner in a bowl as Cardinal quarterback Lamar Jackson was named the winner on December 10. The last time LSU faced off with a Heisman winner weeks after the award was given out was in January of 2004 when LSU and Oklahoma’s Jason White met for the BCS National Championship in the New Orleans Superdome. The first time was in 1974 when LSU faced Penn State’s John Cappelletti in the Orange Bowl. LSU won the game and national title against White’s Sooners, while dropping the Orange Bowl to the Nittany Lions and Cappelletti. In all, LSU has played against seven Heisman winners since the 2003 season. Below is a look at how the Heisman Trophy winner fared statistically against the Tigers in those bowls:

LSU vs. Heisman Trophy Winners in Bowls
Date Player Bowl Result
Dec. 31, 2016 Lamar Jackson Citrus ?
Jan. 4, 2004 Jason White Sugar LSU def. Oklahoma, 21-14
White’s Stats: 13-for-37, 102 yards passing, sacked five times
Jan. 1, 1974 John Cappelletti Orange Penn State def. LSU, 16-9
Cappelletti’s Stats: 26 carries, 50 yards, 1.9 yards per carry, 1 TD; 1 catch, 40 yards

LSU Tabs Matt Canada Offensive Coordinator; Joins Tigers After Bowl
LSU head football coach Ed Orgeron today announced the hiring of Matt Canada as the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Tigers on December 14. Canada, who was the only offensive finalist for the Broyles Award this year as the nation’s top assistant coach, joins the LSU staff after spending the 2016 season at Pittsburgh, where as offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, he guided a Panther offense that ranked No. 10 in the nation in scoring (42.3) and averaged 447.5 total yards per game. The Panthers also led the nation in redzone touchdown percentage at 82 percent. Canada comes to LSU with 25-years of coaching experience with stops at North Carolina State (2013-15), Wisconsin (2012), North Illinois (1998-2003; 2011) and Indiana (2004-10). At Pitt, Canada’s 2016 offense scored 76 points in a win over Syracuse to cap the regular season and the Panthers also beat Big 10 champion Penn State, 42-39, and topped second-ranked Clemson, 43-42. Pitt is the only Power 5 team in the nation to score at least 28 points in every game this year. Canada earned his B.A. in Business (1993) and M.A. in Sports Administration (1995) at Indiana University.

LSU Sets Numerous Offensive Records Since Coach ‘O’ Took Over
In the seven games that LSU has played under Coach Orgeron and acting offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Steve Ensminger, the Tiger offense has thrived. LSU’s offensive numbers have drastically improved under Orgeron and Ensminger as compared to the first four games of the season. The following is a comparison of some key offensive numbers for the Tigers in weeks 1-4 vs. weeks 5-11 as well as a look at the offensive records broken by the Tigers this year under Orgeron and Ensminger:

LSU Offensive Comparison
Category Games 1-4 Games 5-11
Scoring Avg. 21.0 32.4
Total Offense 339.5 475.0
Rushing Offense 191.8 264.6
Passing Offense 147.8 210.4
First Downs 68 (17 per game) 147 (21 per game)
Yards per play 5.8 7.4
Plays of 20+ yards 13 (3.3 per game) 41 (5.9 per game)
3rd-Down Conversion 20/50 (40 pct.) 39/85 (46 pct.)
Red Zone TDs 6/13 (46 pct.) 17/24 (71 pct.)
Record 2-2 5-2

Opponent Record
Missouri 634 total yards – most in LSU history vs. SEC opponent
42:33 time of possession – highest on record for LSU dating back to 1978
Ole Miss 284 rushing yards by Leonard Fournette – LSU single-game record
Arkansas 96-yard rushing TD by Derrius Guice – longest play from scrimmage in LSU history
Texas A&M 285 rushing yards by Derrius Guice – LSU single-game record

Other Offensive Notes to Note
Opponent Noteworthy
Missouri 418 rushing yards – most by LSU team since 1976
Texas A&M 1st 300-yard passer (Etling with 324) and 200-yard rusher (Guice 285) in same game in LSU history
Texas A&M 622 yards of total offense – 2nd most LSU history in true road game

LSU In The Polls
LSU goes into the Citrus Bowl ranked in the Top 20 in all three major polls. LSU stands at No. 19 in the AP Top 25 and No. 20 in both the College Football Playoff Rankings and in the Coaches Poll. Going back to 2001 when LSU’s football program won its first SEC Championship since the 1980s, LSU has played 193 of its 207 games during that span ranked in the Top 25. LSU has been ranked for 10 of its 11 games this year as the Tigers opened the year ranked No. 5 in the nation. The only game LSU wasn’t ranked this year came in a 42-7 win over Missouri in what was the debut for new coach Ed Orgeron.

LSU Is 66-7 vs. Non-Conference Teams Dating Back to 2001
Going back to the 2001 season when LSU captured its first outright SEC title since 1986, the Tigers have done quite well against non-conference opponents, going 66-7 against non-SEC foes during that span. Of the seven losses, only two have come during the regular season (2002 at Virginia Tech, 2016 vs. Wisconsin at Lambeau Field). The other five losses have come in bowl games (2003 Cotton Bowl vs. Texas; 2005 Capital One Bowl vs. Iowa; 2009 Capital One Bowl vs. Penn State; 2012 Chick-fil-A Bowl vs. Clemson; 2014 Music City Bowl vs. Notre Dame). LSU hasn’t lost a non-conference home game since September of 2000 when UAB kicked a last-second field goal to beat the Tigers, 13-10.

Etling Will Be 5th Bowl QB For Tigers In 6 Years
When the Tigers take the field against Louisville, Danny Etling will become the fifth bowl quarterback for the Tigers in their last six appearances. Over the past 6 years Anthony Jennings is the only LSU quarterback to start consecutive bowl games for the Tigers (2014 Outback Bowl, 2014 Music City Bowl). Other starting QBs for the Tigers in last six bowl trips include: Jordan Jefferson (2012 BCS), Zach Mettenberger (2012 Chick-fil-A Bowl) and Brandon Harris (2015 Texas Bowl).

LSU Makes Second Appearance on ABC This Season
The Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl will be LSU’s second appearance on ABC this season, following the team’s season-opening game against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field. It’ll be LSU’s 54th appearance on the channel in program history, which is the third most games on any television network behind CBS and ESPN. LSU has 18 wins on the channel and will be going for its first win on the network since defeating West Virginia 47-21 in 2011.

LSU’s Defense Has Allowed Just 16 TDs In 11 Games
LSU’s defense has given up just 16 touchdowns through the team’s 11 games of the season. The 16 TDs ranks second in the nation behind only Alabama. Prior to Texas A&M scoring 39 points in the regular season finale, LSU was the final FBS team that had yet to give up more than 21 points in a game. The Tigers are No. 6 in the FBS in scoring defense, allowing just 16.4 points per game, and have given up just 180 points total which is fourth nationally. If LSU can hold Louisville to fewer than 20 points, it’ll be the 10th time in the last 30 years that a Tiger team has given up less than 200 points in a season.

Tiger Defense Ranks Among Top 3 in SEC in Scoring, Rushing and Total Defense
LSU’s defense under first-year coordinator Dave Aranda has been outstanding as the Tigers head into bowl season ranked among the top 3 in the SEC several major cateogies. LSU is No. 2 in the league in rushing defense, allowing only 121.8 yards per game. The Tigers are No. 3 in the SEC in scoring defense (16.4 points per game) and total defense (323.0 yards per game). LSU ranks No. 4 in the SEC in pass defense at 201.2 yards per game and the Tigers’ 28 sacks is the fourth-highest total in the league. Overall, LSU is allowing 4.9 yards per play (No. 3 in the SEC) and only 3.4 yards per rush (No. 2 in the league). Under head coach Ed Orgeron and Aranda, LSU has held teams scoreless in 14 of a possible 28 quarters.

LSU Looks To Keep 8-Win Season Streak Alive
With a 7-4 overall mark, LSU is one win shy of extending its streak of consecutive 8-wins seasons to 17 straight. LSU currently has won at least 8 games every year dating back to 2000. LSU’s streak of 16 straight seasons with at least 8 wins leads all Power 5 schools and ranks behind only Boise State, who has won 8 games for 18 straight year, in the FBS.

Tre’Davious White Earns Consensus All-America Status
LSU DB Tre’Davious White earned consensus All-America status this year after being named first team All-America by the America Football Coaches Association and Walter Camp along with picking up second team honors from the Football Writers Association of America and the Sporting News. White was also a finalist for the Thorpe Award as well as being and named first team All-SEC.

Adams and Pocic Named First Team All-America
S Jamal Adams and C Ethan Pocic joined Tre’Davious White on first team All-America lists following the 2016 season. Adams was named first team All-America by CBS Sports and picked up second team honors from the Associated Press and the American Football Coaches Association. Pocic, a finalist for the Rimington Award as the nation’s top center, was a first team selection by the Football Writers Association of America, second team by Walter Camp and third team by the Associated Press. One other Tiger was cited for his performance in 2016 as LB Kendell Beckwith earned second team All-America honors from Walter Camp, Sporting News, Football Writers Association of America and American Football Coaches Association. He was also a third team pick by the Associated Press.

The following is a complete look at LSU’s All-America honors in 2016

Player (Pos.) Team Organization
Tre’Davious White (DB) Consensus
First Team Walter Camp, AFCA
Second Team FWAA, Sporting News, Pro Football Focus
Jamal Adams (DB) First Team CBS Sports, Pro Football Focus
Second Team AP, AFCA
Ethan Pocic (C) First Team FWAA
Second Team AFCA, Walter Camp, Sporting News
Third Team AP
Kendell Beckwith (LB) Second Team Walter Camp, FWAA, AFCA, Sporting News
Third Team AP

LSU is DBU
With two first team All-America defensive backs in 2016, LSU can easily back up its claim as being “DBU”. With the addition of Tre’Davious White and Jamal Adams, LSU has now produced 10 first team All-American defensive backs since 2003. Overall, LSU claims 14 first team All-America defensive backs, including three-time selection Tommy Casanova (1969, 1970, 1971) and two-time pick Corey Webster (2003, 2004). In terms of the NFL, since 2007 LSU has had more defensive backs selected in the NFL Draft (15) than any other team in the nation. Of LSU’s 15 NFL Draft picks since 2007, four have been first round picks and five came in either the second or third round.

Six Tigers Named to AP All-SEC Teams
LSU senior C Ethan Pocic, senior CB Tre’Davious White, junior S Jamal Adams, and sophomore DE Arden Key were named to the All-SEC first team by the Associated Press. Junior RB Leonard Fournette and senior OG Josh Boutte were also selected to the second team.

Tigers Claim Nine Spots on Coaches All-SEC Team
Sophomore RB Derrius Guice, sophomore OG Will Clapp, senior C Ethan Pocic, senior LB Kendell Beckwith, and senior CB Tre’Davious White were all selected to the All-SEC first team by the league coaches. Junior RB Leonard Fournette, junior S Jamal Adams, and sophomore LB Arden Key earned second team honors. Guice was selected to the second team at the all-purpose position.

Guice Breaks Single-Game Rushing Mark With 285 Yards vs. Texas A&M
LSU RB Derrius Guice broke the school’s single-game rushing record on Thanksgiving Night when the sophomore rushed for 285 yards on 37 carries against Texas A&M. The 285 yards edged out the previous mark of 284, which was set by Leonard Fournette against Ole Miss in game 7 of the 2016. Prior to Fournette and Guice’s rushing marks, the previous record of 250 yards by Alley Broussard vs. Ole Miss in 2004 stood for nearly 12 years. In the season finale against Texas A&M on Thanksgiving night in College Station, sophomore RB Derrius Guice broke Leonard Fournette‘s LSU single-game rushing record by a yard with 285 and four touchdowns in LSU’s 54-39 win over the Aggies. Guice carried the ball 37 times in the victory and out-rushed the entire Texas A&M unit by himself as he became the first LSU player in program history to have two games of 250 yards or more when coupled with his 252 against Arkansas just two weeks prior. In SEC history, he is only the fourth player ever to do so joining the likes of Herschel Walker, Bo Jackson and Moe Williams.

Guice Joins Elite SEC Company With 2 250-Yard Rushing Games in 2016
With a pair of 250-yard rushing games in 2016, sophomore RB Derrius Guice joined elite SEC company as he along with Moe Williams of Kentucky are the only two players in league history to have two 250-yard rushing games in the same season. Williams did it in 1995 with 299 yards vs. South Carolina and 272 vs. Cincinnati. Guice had 252 yards vs. Arkansas in week 9 and then followed that with a record-setting day of 285 yards vs. Texas A&M in week 11. Guice joins Williams are joined by Auburn’s Bo Jackson and Georgia’s Herschel Walker as the only four players in SEC history with two 250-yard games to their credit in a career.

Arden Key Second in SEC in Sacks, First in Sacks Per Game Ranking Sixth in the Nation
LSU sophomore OLB/DE Arden Key is second the SEC in total sacks with 10.0 and ranks sixth in the nation and tied for first in the conference in sacks per game with 1.00. Key has registered at least a .5 sack in eight of 11 games this year as he is now tied for third in the single-season category at LSU all-time, two away from Oliver Lawrence’s record of 12 set back in 1989. His 12.5 tackles for loss ranks 10th in the SEC. Key is also second in the SEC and ranks 19th in the nation in fumbles forced with three.

Etling, Guice Become First LSU Duo to Have 300-Yard Passing/200-Yard Rushing In Same Game
For the first time in program history LSU featured a 300-yard passer and a 200-yard rusher in the same game as QB Danny Etling and RB Derrius Guice accomplished the feat vs. Texas A&M. Etling threw for 324 yards and two touchdowns in the win, while Guice ran for 285 yards and four touchdowns in the 54-39 victory.

Seven LSU Players Earn SEC Weekly Honors This Season
Over the course of the season, senior DB Tre’Davious White, sophomore LB Arden Key, freshman P Josh Growden, sophomore RB Derrius Guice, senior C Ethan Pocic, junior RB Leonard Fournette and senior DE Lewis Neal all earned SEC weekly honors.

Both Growden and White were named SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Week. White, the electric return man, earned the honor after his 60-yard punt return for a touchdown against Jacksonville State. Growden averaged 49.2 yards per punt, including longs of 65 and 61 in the Tigers’ win over Mississippi State.

Guice earned SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors after three games. The first honor for the Baton Rouge native came against Missouri when he ran for a then career high 163 yards and three touchdowns. In the final stretch of the season, Guice earned the honor after totaling 252 yards against Arkansas and a school record 285 rushing yards against Texas A&M. Guice became just the fourth player in SEC history to have multiple 250-yard rushing games. Fournette also earned his seventh career SEC weekly honor after his record-setting performance against Ole Miss.

Pocic earned three weekly honors as the anchor of the offensive line that paved the way to record games for Guice, Fournette and the Tiger offense. Against Missouri, LSU totaled 634 yards of total offense for a school conference record. Fournette also rushed to a school record 284 rushing yards against Ole Miss and Guice totaled 252 rushing yards and two touchdowns against Arkansas.

Neal and Key were both named Defensive Lineman of the Week in 2016. Neal totaled 11 tackles against Alabama and limited the Crimson Tide to 10 points for their lowest total of the year. Key finished with five tackles, a force fumble and two sacks in the win over Mississippi State.

2016 LSU Football Honors
Game Player Honor
Jacksonville State Tre’Davious White SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Week
(60-yard punt return for TD in win over Jacksonville State)
Mississippi State Arden Key SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week
(5 tackles, 2.5 TFL, FF, 2 sacks in win over Miss. State)
Mississippi State Josh Growden SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Week
(49.2 punt avg., 65 and 61-yard punts in win over Miss. State)
Missouri Derrius Guice SEC Offensive Player of the Week
(Career-high 163 yards and 3 TDs in win over Missouri)
Missouri Ethan Pocic SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week
(Leader on offensive line that helped LSU to 634 yards (418 rushing) in win over Missouri)
Ole Miss Leonard Fournette SEC Offensive Player of the Week
(Rushed for school-record 284 yards and 3 TDs in win over Ole Miss)
Ole Miss Ethan Pocic SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week
(Helped LSU accumulate 515 total yards (311 rushing) in win over Ole Miss)
Alabama Lewis Neal SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week
(11 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 QB hurries as LSU held Alabama to 10 points – lowest total of year)
Arkansas Derrius Guice SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week
(252 yards rushing, 2 TD’s – Set LSU record with 96-yard play from scrimmage on a TD run)
Arkansas Ethan Pocic SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week
(Anchored LSU line that helped produce 390 yards rushing and 547 yards of total offense)
Texas A&M Derrius Guice SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week
(285 yards rushing, 4 TD’s – Set LSU single-game rushing mark in win over Texas A&M)

Duke Riley Named Team MVP at Annual Awards Banquet
Senior linebacker Duke Riley was given the Charles McClendon Award as LSU’s Most Valuable Player and junior fullback J.D. Moore claimed the Charles E. Coates Award as the team’s top student-athlete at the annual Senior Banquet on Dec. 18. ball banquet at the Raising Cane’s River Center Dec. 18. The Percy E. Roberts Outstanding Offensive Player was shared by a trio of Tigers in Leonard Fournette, Derrius Guice and center Ethan Pocic. The Percy E. Roberts Outstanding Defensive Player was presented to a trio of defenders – cornerback Tre’Davious White, linebacker Kendell Beckwith and safety Jamal Adams. The Jeff Boss Unsung Hero Award was presented to defensive end Lewis Neal, offensive guard Josh Boutte, tight end DeSean Smith, wide receiver D.J. Chark and Dural. The Butch Duhe Award, which is given to the player or players whose character and contributions to the team most personify the idea of unselfishness, dependability and commitment, went to tight end Colin Jeter, defensive end/outside linebacker Tashawn Bower and quarterback Danny Etling. Nose tackle Davon Godchaux was named the recipient of the George M. Wallace Memorial Award, which is presented to the defensive player who distinguished himself by performance, leadership and commitment to team. Other awards handed out on Sunday night include White and Pocic being named to LSU’s all-time Strength and Conditioning Team, while linebacker Donnie Alexander won the Wild Tiger Championship Trophy for special teams performance.

Six Tigers Named Permanent Team Captains for 2016
Six LSU players – two on offense, three on defense, and one on special teams – were selected as permanent team captains for the 2016 season. The permanent team captains for 2016 include: C Ethan Pocic and WR Travin Dural on offense; LB Duke Riley, CB Tre’Davious White and S Jamal Adams on defense; and PK Colby Delahoussaye on special teams.

DE LaCouture To Return For a Fifth Season in 2017
LSU DE Christian LaCouture announced on Dec. 15 that he has decided to remain with the program for another season and will play for head coach Ed Orgeron and the Tigers in 2017. LaCouture missed all of the 2016 season with a knee injury that he suffered during preseason practice. In his three years on the field, LaCouture has played in 37 games with 23 starts and recorded 86 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. LaCouture, who played as a true freshman in 2013, will be a fifth-year senior in 2017. LaCouture has already graduated as he earned his LSU degree in sports administration in the August of 2016. He will continue his pursuit of a Master’s degree through the spring and into next year. In addition to LaCouture, defensive back Corey Thompson will attempt to return to the team in 2017 as well after missing all of 2016 with an injury.

Fournette, Guice First LSU RB Duo To Have 250-Yard Rushing Games In Same Season
With 284 yards against Ole Miss and 252 yards against Arkansas, LSU’s Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice became the first Tiger running back duo to have 250-plus yard rushing games in the same season. It’s only the second time in school history that multiple backs have had 200-yard rushing games in a year as Cecil Collins (232) and Kevin Faulk (212) each did so in 1997. Guice and Fournette also became the second duo nationally this year to rush for 200 yards, joining Tulsa’s D’Angelo Brewer and James Flanders, while being the only set to have over 250.

Fournette Wraps Up Career Ranked No. 4 in LSU History With 3,830 Rushing Yards
RB Leonard Fournette will not play against Louisville in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl, thus ending the career of the one of the top players in school history. Fournette was slowed most of the season by an ankle injury that he suffered in a scrimmage a week prior to the season opener against Wisconsin. Fournette still rushed for 843 yards and 8 TDs in just games for the Tigers in 2016. Fournette, a New Orleans native who was rated as the No. 1 high school recruit in the nation at St. Augustine High School, rushed for 100 or more yards four times in 2016 and briefly held the school’s single-game rushing record with 284 yards in an October win over Ole Miss. Fournette finishes his LSU career ranked No. 4 in school history in rushing yards (3,830) and rushing touchdowns (40). His 119.7 rushing yards per game is a school-record and as his five 200-yard rushing games. Fournette ranks tied for third in LSU history in 100-yard rushing games with 19. Fournette holds LSU’s single-season records for rushing yards (1,953 in 2015), rushing touchdowns (22 in 2015), overall touchdowns (23 in 2015), 200-yard games (4 in 2015), 100-yard games (10 in 2015), and rushing yards per game (162.8 in 2015). He’s also the LSU single-game record holder for points (30 vs. Texas Tech, 2015) and touchdowns in a game (5 vs. Texas Tech, 2015). Fournette was a consensus All-America selection in 2015 as well as being a first team All-SEC pick that year. Despite only playing in seven games in 2016, Fournette earned second team All-SEC honors. Fournette earned SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors four times during his career, was SEC Freshman of the Week three times and earned National Player of the Week honors for his performance in LSU’s win over Auburn in 2015.

Etling Is 6-3 as Starter at LSU
LSU junior QB Danny Etling came off the bench to lead the Tigers to a win over Jacksonville State in week 2 and he’s been the Tiger starter even since going 6-3 in his nine starts. Etling, a transfer from Purdue, led the Tigers to wins over Mississippi State, Missouri, Southern Miss, Ole Miss, Arkansas and Texas A&M. His only losses came to Auburn, Alabama and Florida.

Beckwith, Riley Top 10 In Tackles In The SEC
LSU senior LBs Kendell Beckwith and Duke Riley both rank in the top 10 in the SEC in tackles this year. Beckwith is second SEC averaging 9.1 tackles per game and his 91 total tackles stand at No. 2 in the SEC. Riley, who is in his first year as a starter for the Tigers, ranks No. 7 in the league with 7.7 tackles a contest. Riley has 85 total tackles for the season. Beckwith and Riley make up the only linebacking duo in the SEC that rank in the Top 10 in the league in tackles. Beckwith had a career-best 16-tackle effort vs. Alabama, while Riley had a career-high 15 tackles in the win over Ole Miss. Beckwith has four double-digit tackle games this year (10 vs. Jacksonville State, 12 vs. Auburn, 15 vs. So. Miss, 16 vs. Alabama), while Riley has done it three times (13 vs. Auburn, 11 vs. So. Miss, 15 vs. Ole Miss).

Guice Reaches 1,000 Career Yards, Ranks in Top 5 In SEC In Rushing, Touchdowns, All-Purpose Yards
With a 21-yard rush late in the fourth quarter against Southern Miss, LSU sophomore running back Derrius Guice became the fastest player in school history to reach the 1,000 career rushing yard mark. Guice, who is the 46th Tiger to rush for 1,000 yards in a career, reached the milestone in just 113 carries, which is 23 fewer than Charles Scott. In the SEC, Guice ranks second in rushing averaging 113.5 yards per game, while his 8.0 yards per carry is fourth in the nation, but first among Power 5 school backs. He’s tied for first in the conference with 14 touchdowns, while his 135.1 all-purpose yards per game is first. Here is a list of the fastest LSU running backs to 1,000 yards by carry:

Rank Player Attempts Career Game Date (Opponent)
1. Derrius Guice 113 18 Oct. 15, 2016 (Southern Miss)
2. Charles Scott 136 25 Sept. 27, 2008 (Ole Miss)
3. Justin Vincent 148 14 Jan. 4, 2004 (Oklahoma, BCS)
4. Alfred Blue 158 29 Sept. 7, 2013 (UAB)
5. Jeremy Hill 165 14 Sept. 21, 2013 (Auburn)

Tre’Davious White A Senior CLASS Award Finalist
LSU senior DB Tre’Davious White has been selected as one of 10 finalists at NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision institutions for the 2016 Senior CLASS Award. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I FBS senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition. White, a Shreveport, Louisiana, native majoring in sport administration has been a mainstay in the LSU defense since his career began in 2013, starting 44 of 46 game during that span. White has six interceptions and three punt return touchdowns in his career.

Etling, Moore Named To CoSIDA Academic All-District Team
LSU junior QB Danny Etling and FB/TE J.D. Moore were both named to the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District Football Team for District 6. Recognizing the accomplishments of student-athletes both on the field and in the classroom, the duo were first team selections with Etling being the District 6 quarterback and Moore slotting in as the district’s tight end. Majoring in mass communications with a concentration in public relations, Etling currently sports a 3.74 grade point average, while Moore has a 3.99 GPA in architecture. First-team Academic All-District honorees advance to the CoSIDA Academic All-America Team ballot, where first-, second- and third-team All-America honorees will be selected later this month. If either is selected, it would be the first time that LSU has had an Academic All-American since Rudy Niswanger did so in 2005.

Leonard Fournette First To Set Single-Game Rushing Record in Win Over Ole Miss
Junior RB Leonard Fournette returned to the starting lineup against Ole Miss and was the first of two players this season set the school single-game rushing record with 284 yards on just 16 carries. The performance passed Alley Broussard’s record of 250, which was also set vs. Ole Miss in Tiger Stadium in 2004. Fournette had scoring runs of 59, 76 and 78 yards in the win over the Rebels, which moved him into a tie for 10th place in the SEC, while his 17.8 yard average is the second-most in an SEC game in conference history.

Etling-Fournette Third LSU Duo To Pass-Run For 200 Yards In Same Game
In the win over Ole Miss, RB Leonard Fournette and QB Danny Etling became just the third duo in school history to rush/pass for 200 yards in the same game. Against Ole Miss, Fournette rushed for then a school-record 284 yards, while Etling completed 19-of-28 passes for 204 yards and a TD. The other two times LSU’s had a 200-yard rusher and passer in the same game came vs. Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl last year (Fournette 212 rushing yards, Brandon Harris 261 passing yards) and in 1998 vs. Alabama (Kevin Faulk 201 rushing yards, Herb Tyler 214 passing yards).

LSU Defense Has Allowed TDs on Consecutive Possessions Just Twice This Year
LSU’s defense goes into the Louisville bowl game having allowed touchdowns on consecutive possessions just twice time this year, that coming against Mississippi State in week 3 and Texas A&M in week 13. In 133 possessions by the opponent, LSU’s defense has yielded just 16 TDs and 21 field goals. Wisconsin kicked two field goals and scored a TD on three straight possessions in the first game of the season, Auburn kicked field goals on three consecutive possessions in a 18-13 win over LSU and Texas A&M scored in three straight over the course of the third and fourth quarters after LSU went up big. Those are the only teams that have scored on 3 straight possessions this year. Ole Miss, Alabama and Florida are the only other teams to score on back-to-back possessions.

LSU Scores More Points Than Plays Run In Southern Miss Win
For the fourth time in program history, the LSU offense produced more points (45) than plays run (42) in a win over an opponent. Against Southern Miss last Saturday night, the Tigers scored touchdowns on drives of three plays twice and one play twice, scoring 35 unanswered points in the second half to pull away for good. Below is a look at the other times LSU had more points than plays:

Date Opponent Result LSU Points LSU Plays
Oct. 12, 1991 Arkansas State W 70 62
Oct. 15, 2016 Southern Miss W 45 42
Sept. 7, 2013 UAB W 56 54
Sept. 15, 2012 Idaho W 63 62

Guice Becomes 7th Player in LSU History with 100 Rushing Yards in Two Halves
Sophomore RB Derrius Guice became only the seventh player in LSU history to rush for 100 or more yards in both the first half and second half of a game. Guice did it on his way to rushing for a school-record 285 yards against Texas A&M. Guice had 117 yards in the first half and then followed that with 168 yards in the second half. The following is a look at the list of LSU players with two 100-yard halves in the same game:

LSU Rushers With 100 Yards In Both Halves
1st/2nd Half Yards Player Date Opponent (total)
117/168 Derrius Guice Nov. 24, 2016 Texas A&M (285)
171/113 Leonard Fournette Oct. 22, 2016 Ole Miss (284)
117/127 Leonard Fournette Sept. 26, 2015 at Syracuse (244)
102/114 Jeremy Hill Jan. 1, 2015 vs. Iowa (216)
125/125 Alley Broussard Nov. 20. 2004 Ole Miss (250)
103/128 Charles Alexander Nov. 26, 1977 Wyoming (231)
113/124 Charles Alexander Oct. 22, 1977 Oregon (237)

Chark First With 70-Plus Yard Touchdown Plays Rushing and Receiving
With his 80-yard TD reception vs. Southern Miss, LSU WR D.J. Chark became the first (and only) player in school history to score TDs of 75 yards or more both rushing and receiving. Last year, Chark scored on a 79-yard run vs. Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl.

Tre’Davious White Nearing Punt Return Record
Tre’Davious White is one punt return shy of tying the school record for punt returns for a touchdown following his spectacular 60-yard return vs. Jacksonville State in week 2. White has returned three punts for TDs during his career, one shy of tying Skyler Green’s school record. Overall, White has scored four touchdowns during his career (3 punt returns, 1 interception return).

The Offensive Line Shuffle
Injuries hit the LSU offensive line hard during the early portion of the season as the Tigers used four different combinations on the offensive line during the first six games of the season. Only two players – Ethan Pocic (10 at center, 1 at right guard) and K.J. Malone (11 at left tackle) have started every game on the offensive line for the Tigers in 2016. In all, LSU has used four different combinations on the offensive line and a total of seven different players have earned at least one start up front for the Tigers.

LSU Has Pair of 100-Yard Rushers vs. Missouri; Tigers 27-3 All-Time When That Happens
For fifth straight season, LSU produced a pair of 100-yard rushers in a game when Derrius Guice and Darrel Williams reached the milestone in the 42-7 win over Missouri. Guice led the way with a career-best 163 yards and 3 TDs, while Williams followed with his own career-highs of 130 yards and 3 TDs. LSU has had 30 games in which two players have reached the 100-yard mark and the Tigers are 27-3 in those games, which includes its current 11-game winning streak when it happens.

Lasting Legacy Of Mike The Tiger
After a four-month battle with spindle cell sarcoma, a rare form of soft-tissue cancer, LSU’s beloved living tiger mascot Mike VI was humanely euthanized Oct. 11th at the age of 11. “Roscoe,” soon to become Mike VI, came to LSU at the age of two in 2007 and was the first LSU mascot to make use of the new, $5 million, state-of-the-art habitat on campus next to Tiger Stadium. In a tradition that dates back to 1934, a search for Mike VII is currently underway. Here’s a look at notable moments during the reign of each of the previous Mike’s in LSU history:

Mascot Years Notable Moments
Mike I 1936-56 Purchased for $750, was the longest living mascot at 20 years, 115-83-14 record
Mike II 1956-58 The shortest reign with two tigers being used that season, 8-12 record
Mike III 1958-76 First football national title and three SEC titles during reign, 142-50-7 record
Mike IV 1976-90 Two SEC championships, 141-63-6 record
Mike V 1990-2007 Football national title, five baseball national championships, 120-72-1 record
Mike VI 2007-2016 Football national title, baseball national title, 92-30 record

LSU Produces Pair of 100-Yard Rushers and 200-Yard Passer vs. Missouri For Just 6th Time in School History
LSU’s offense produced a pair of 100-yard rushers along with a 200-yard passer in the debut of Ed Orgeron and offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger. Derrius Guice rushed for 163 yards and 3 TDs, Darrel Williams added 130 yards and 3 TDs and Danny Etling threw for 216 yards in the win. Last year, LSU produced a 200-yard passer (Brandon Harris 228 yards) and two 100-yard rushers (Derrius Guice 161 yards; Leonard Fournette 158 yards) in the win over South Carolina. Prior to that, LSU hadn’t had done it in an SEC game since 1997 vs. Kentucky when Kevin Faulk rushed for 212 yards, Rondell Mealey had 131 yards and Herb Tyler passed for 213 yards. Overall, LSU’s had two 100-yard rushers and a 200-yard passer in only six games in school history. Here’s a look at the games that it’s happened:

Game (Year) 100-Yard Rushers/200-yard Passer Results
Missouri (2016) Derrius Guice 163, Darrel Williams 130/Danny Etling 216 W, 42-7
South Carolina (2015) Derrius Guice 161, Leonard Fournette 158/Brandon Harris 228 W, 45-24
Furman (2013) Jeremy Hill 143, Terrence Magee 108/Zach Mettenberger 328 W, 48-16
Kent State (2013) Jeremy Hill 117, Terrence Magee 108/Zach Mettenberger 264 W, 45-13
at Kentucky (1997) Kevin Faulk 212, Rondell Mealey 131/Herb Tyler 213 W, 63-28
Florida State (1982) Dalton Hilliard 183, Garry James 116/Alan Risher 212 W, 55-21

Racking Up The Yards
LSU’s 634 yards of total offense against Missouri was a new school record for the most yards in an SEC contest, four more than the previous high which was set in 1987 against Ole Miss (630) and 1967 against Mississippi State (630). On the ground, the team’s 418 yards were the most in a contest since 1996 against Houston (433), and the most against a conference opponent since 1976 against Ole Miss (426). It was the seventh most yards gained in a single contest all-time at LSU overall. Here’s a look at the top 10 games of total offense in LSU history:

Rank Date Opponent W/L Score Total O Location
1 9/24/1977 Rice W 77-0 746 Baton Rouge
2 9/2/2000 Western Carolina W 58-0 680 Baton Rouge
3 10/26/2013 Furman W 48-16 672 Baton Rouge
4 9/19/1987 Rice W 49-16 664 Baton Rouge
5 11/1/2003 Louisiana Tech W 49-10 653 Baton Rouge
6 12/29/2015 Texas Tech W 56-27 638 Houston
7 10/1/2016 Missouri W 42-7 634 Baton Rouge
8 10/31/1987 Ole Miss W 42-13 630 Jackson
9 11/18/1967 Mississippi State W 55-0 630 Baton Rouge
10 10/10/2015 South Carolina W 45-24 624 Baton Rouge

Sharing the Wealth
So far this season, LSU quarterback Danny Etling has completed passes to 13 different players in the 10 games he’s played in. Five players in Malachi Dupre, Travin Dural, D.J. Chark, Leonard Fournette and Colin Jeter have double-digit receptions on the year at 34, 28, 24, 15 and 10 respectively. Last season just five players had double-digit receptions, with 16 total catching passes on the year. Etling has passed for 200-plus yards in six of the 10 games he’s played in, while completing 60.0 percent of his passes.

Fournette Becomes Fastest Back To 3,000 Rushing Yards in LSU History
In his fourth carry of the game against Wisconsin, junior running back Leonard Fournette eclipsed the 3,000-yard mark, becoming just the fourth player in program history to do so and the fastest, needing just 26 games and 572 total rushing attempts. Fournette finished the game with 138 yards on the ground on 23 carries, his 16th career 100-yard rushing game at LSU, and for his career is averaging 119.7 yards on the ground, 6.2 yards per carry on 19.2 attempts per game. Here are the top five rushing leaders in LSU history:
Rank Name (Years) Total Yards
1. Kevin Faulk (1995-98) 4,557
2. Dalton Hilliard (1982-85) 4,050
3. Charles Alexander (1975-78) 4,035
4. Leonard Fournette (2014-present) 3,830
5. Harvey Williams (1986-90) 2,860

Two Tigers Have Scored Defensive TDs
Two current Tigers – CB Tre’Davious White and LB Kendell Beckwith – have scored defensive touchdowns for the Tigers. White scored on a 21-yard interception return against Wisconsin in the season opener this year, while Beckwith scored on a 29-yard interception return against New Mexico State in 2014. LSU has scored at least one defensive TD for the past three years and for 14 of the last 15 seasons going back to 2002.

#NFLSU – Tigers Lead The Way On Week 1 NFL Rosters Since 2014
Since 2014, the LSU football program has had the most former players on active NFL rosters heading into week one than any program in the nation with a combined 121. In 2016, LSU again leads the way with 43 former players on NFL 53-man squads, topping all other schools for the third-straight season, as it’s also the second consecutive year there have been at least 40 Tigers on active rosters. The SEC makes up four of the top five over that span, while being five of six schools with at least 100 players in the NFL over that time.

School Total No. of Players
LSU 121
Alabama 112
Florida State 105
Georgia 104
Florida 102
Southern California 102

No. 18 Tradition Passed Down to Tre’Davious White
A tradition established in 2003 continues as senior cornerback Tre’Davious White was voted to wear the No. 18 jersey for the 2015 and 2016 seasons. White was presented the jersey following a vote of the coaching staff and former LSU No. 18s during the Tigers’ first team meeting of fall camp in 2015 and then again this year. White is one of LSU’s leading returners on defense after recording 44 total tackles, with 30 on the solo end and 1.5 tackles for losses. Against Syracuse in the Carrier Dome, White cleared 69 yards in a shade over nine seconds on a punt return for a touchdown in the win over the Orange. Jersey No. 18 was born when, in 2003, quarterback Matt Mauck guided LSU to its first national championship since 1958. His number became synonymous with success — both on and off the field — as well as a selfless attitude that has become the epitome of being an LSU football player. After his final year with the Tigers, Mauck passed the jersey number down to running back Jacob Hester, who then helped LSU to another national title in 2007. Here is a look at the jersey No. 18s:
Years Player Position
2003 Matt Mauck QB
2004-07 Jacob Hester RB
2008-09 Richard Dickson TE
2010 Richard Murphy RB
2011 Brandon Taylor S
2012 Bennie Logan DT
2013 Lamin Barrow LB
2014 Terrence Magee RB
2015-16 Tre’Davious White CB

Leonard Fournette in LSU Top Five for Career 100-Yard Rushing Games
Since joining the program as a freshman in 2014, running back Leonard Fournette has rocketed up the LSU rushing charts, including ranking in the top five in reaching at least 100 yards in multiple games. In 2016, Fournette rushed for 138 yards in the opener against Wisconsin in Green Bay, 147 yards against Mississippi State, 101 yards at Auburn and 284 yards against Ole Miss to get to 19, matching former Tiger great Dalton Hilliard, one away from tying Charles Alexander and three from tying record holder Kevin Faulk. Here is a list of the most 100-yard rushing games in LSU history:
Rank Player 100-Yard Games Seasons at LSU
1. Kevin Faulk 22 1995-98
2. Charles Alexander 20 1975-78
3. Dalton Hilliard 19 1982-85
4. Leonard Fournette 19 2014-present
5. Jeremy Hill 11 2012-13

This Day vs. Night Thing in Tiger Stadium
The facts indicate that LSU plays better at night in Tiger Stadium than they do during the day. The numbers show that since 1960, LSU is 245-65-4 (.780) at night under the lights compared to a 34-26-3 (.567) mark in Tiger Stadium during the day. Since 2000, LSU is 103-17 (.858) overall at home, which includes a 79-10 (.886) mark at night in Tiger Stadium and a 24-7 (.775) record during the day. Prior to 2000, LSU had only won 10 games at home during the day in 32 tries. From 1960 to 1999, LSU posted a 10-19-3 (.359) record at home during the day. The following is a breakdown of LSU’s night record, day record and overall record in Tiger Stadium since 1960:
Decade at Night during the day Overall
1960-69 47-9-2 2-2-1 49-11-3
1970-79 51-12-1 1-2 52-14-1
1980-89 38-16-1 3-5-2 41-21-3
1990-99 30-18 4-10 34-28
2000-09 49-5 11-6 60-11
2010-15 25-4 13-0 38-4
2016 5-1 0-1 5-2
Totals 245-65-4 34-26-3 279-91-7

Tiger Stadium Top Attendances
No. Att. Opponent Date Results
1. 102,321 Alabama Nov. 5, 2016 Lost, 10-0
102,321 Florida Oct. 17, 2015 Won, 35-28
102,321 Eastern Michigan Oct. 3, 2015 Won, 44-22
102,321 Auburn Sept. 19, 2015 Won, 45-21
102,321 Alabama Nov. 8, 2014 Lost, 20-13 (OT)
102,321 Ole Miss Oct. 25, 2014 Won, 10-7
102,321 Mississippi State Sept. 20, 2014 Lost, 34-29
7. 102,164 Southern Miss Oct. 15, 2015 Won, 45-10
8. 102,071 Missouri Oct. 2, 2016 Won, 42-7
9 102,043 Florida Nov 19, 2016 Lost, 16-10
10. 101,987 New Mexico State Sept. 27, 2014 Won, 63-7
11. 101,803 Texas A&M Nov. 28, 2015 Won, 19-7
12. 101,720 Ole Miss Oct. 22, 2016 Won, 38-21
13. 101,699 Arkansas Nov. 14, 2015 Lost, 31-14
14. 101,581 Kentucky Oct. 18, 2014 Won, 41-3
15. 101,561 Western Kentucky Oct. 24, 2015 Won, 48-20
BOLD indicates current season.

LSU: The SEC’s Winningest Team Since 2005
LSU is the winningest program in the SEC since 2005 as the Tigers have posted a 119-36 mark during that span. The 119 victories for LSU are six better than Alabama, while the Tigers are also tops in final poll rankings. LSU is also tied for fourth nationally in wins since 2005 behind only Ohio State (133), Boise State (132) and Oklahoma (122).
Team W-L Bowls SEC Titles Top 25
LSU 119-36 11 2 10
Alabama 113-27 11 3 9
Florida 112-43 10 2 8
Georgia 111-46 11 1 7
Auburn 101-52 9 2 7
South Carolina 91-59 9 0 4
Arkansas 85-66 7 0 3
Tennessee 81-69 6 0 3
Mississippi State 78-72 7 0 2
Ole Miss 73-75 6 0 4
Kentucky 65-83 5 0 0
Vanderbilt 64-84 4 0 2

Wins Since 2005 (Nationally)
Ohio State 133
Boise State 132
Oklahoma 122
Oregon 119
LSU 119
Wisconsin 118
TCU 117
Southern Cal 115
Alabama 113
Florida 112
Georgia 111
Virginia Tech 110

True Freshmen Play Big Roles at LSU
LSU recently has never shied away from playing true freshmen. In the last 12 years, a total of 125 true freshmen have seen action for LSU, including 12 in 2016. Of the 125 true freshmen who have played, 40 have started at least once during their freshman season, and 14 current Tigers started at least one game as a true freshman.

True Freshmen Starters by Year Since 2005
2016 1 (WR Dee Anderson)
2015: 6 (FB Bry’Kiethon Mouton, DE Arden Key, TE Foster Moreau, OL Maea Teuhema, CB Kevin Toliver II, OL Toby Weathersby)
2014: 6
(S Jamal Adams, WR Malachi Dupre, RB Leonard Fournette, DT Davon Godchaux, QB Brandon Harris, WR Trey Quinn)
2012: 6
(LB Kwon Alexander, OL Vadal Alexander, SNP Reid Ferguson, RB Jeremy Hill, LB Lamar Louis, CB Jalen Mills)
2013: 5
(S Rickey Jefferson, QB Anthony Jennings, OL Ethan Pocic, CB Rashard Robinson, CB Tre’Davious White)
2006: 4 (LB Jacob Cutrera, TE Richard Dickson, RB Charles Scott, RB Keiland Williams)
2010: 3 (RB Alfred Blue, CB Tyrann Mathieu, S Eric Reid)
2011: 3 (WR Odell Beckham Jr., PK James Hairston, WR Jarvis Landry)
2007: 2 (DT Drake Nevis, WR Terrence Toliver)
2008: 2 (QB Jordan Jefferson, TE Deangelo Peterson)
2009: 2 (FB Dominique Allen, WR Rueben Randle)
2005: 0

LSU Is 67-0 When Rushing For 100 Yards and Holding Opponents To Less Than 100 Yards
In the last 153 games, LSU’s success is easy to predict when it comes to net rushing yards. Get to 100 yards rushing and LSU will more than likely win as the Tigers are 114-16 when that happens. Hold the opponent to fewer than 100 yards and the Tigers are 68-5. An even more telling stat is that when LSU rushes for 100-plus yards and holds the opponents to fewer than 100 yards, the Tigers are 67-0. The following is a look at LSU’s rushing numbers and have the Tigers have fared in those games:
Year LSU 100+ LSU 100- Opp 100+ Opp 100- LSU 100+/Opp 100-
2005 10-0 1-2 3-1 8-1 7-0
2006 10-0 1-2 5-0 6-2 6-0
2007 11-2 1-0 3-2 9-0 8-0
2008 8-3 0-2 2-5 6-0 6-0
2009 8-0 1-4 7-4 2-0 2-0
2010 11-2 0-0 7-1 5-0 5-0
2011 13-0 0-1 4-1 8-0 9-0
2012 9-1 1-2 4-2 6-1 6-0
2013 10-1 0-2 6-3 4-0 4-0
2014 8-3 0-2 4-4 4-1 4-0
2015 8-1 0-2 3-3 6-0 5-0
2016 7-3 0-1 3-3 4-0 4-0
Totals 114-16 5-20 51-29 68-5 67-0

LSU 20-4 When Current Running Back Reaches 100-Yard Mark
LSU is 20-4 when a current running back reaches the 100-yard mark. On two occasions, LSU’s had two running backs go over the 100-yard mark in the same game (Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice vs. South Carolina, 2015; Guice and Darrel Williams vs. Missouri, 2016). LSU is 15-4 in games when Fournette reaches the 100-yard mark; the Tigers are 6-0 when Guice reaches the 100-yard mark; and LSU is 1-0 when Williams gets to 100 yards.

The Aussie Punting Connection
Since the 2011 season, LSU has had the unique connection of having an Australian native punter. Brad Wing, a native of Melbourne, was a 2011 first-team All-American and served as the Tigers’ punter in 2012 as well. Jamie Keehn took over punting duties in 2013 and finished his career with the fourth-best punting average for a career last year as a senior while being a permanent team captain and was named to the 2015 SEC Academic Honor Roll. The next in the pipeline is redshirt freshman punter Josh Growden, a native of Sydney, Australia, who in 2016 was named the SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Week and had a career-long 68-yard punt against Southern Miss which is tied for the longest in the SEC this season. Growden was also named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.

LSU Has FBS’ Best Record When Trailing in the Fourth Quarter Since 2005
Since 2005, no team has a better record in games when trailing in the fourth quarter. Here is a look at the Top 5 teams with the best record when trailing in the fourth quarter since 2005:
Team W-L Record Win Pct.
LSU 24-30 .444
Florida State 21-41 .339
Clemson 19-39 .328
Boise State 10-22 .313
Texas 19-47 .288

Colby Delahoussaye Ranks Fourth in LSU Career FG Percentage
Placekicker Colby Delahoussaye is ranked fourth in LSU history for career field goal percentage. He has booted 33-of-41 field goals for a .805 percentage. He was 11-of-15 in field goal attempts in 2014, including a game-winning, career-long 50-yard attempt at Florida. As a freshman in 2013, Delahoussaye shattered the LSU record for most consecutive field goals to start a career by converting his first nine attempts. The previous record was seven straight by David Browndyke in 1986. Delahoussaye also ranks third in LSU history for career PATs made at 127. Delahoussaye is now in Top 10 for most field goals made in a career in LSU history. He has 33 through 2016 which is tied for eighth all-time.

LSU Features Eleven Graduates on its Roster
Eleven current LSU football players have already earned their undergraduate degree at the university. Corey Thompson and Colby Delahoussaye earned their degrees in the fall of 2015, Marcus Roberts and Christian LaCouture received their degrees in the spring and summer of 2016, respectively, and earlier this month John Ballis, Travin Dural, Colin Jeter, Lewis Neal, Ethan Pocic, Dwayne Thomas and Tre’Davious White received their diploma. Ballis, Delahoussaye and Jeter earned their degrees in general business, Dural’s is in interdisciplinary studies, while Neal, Pocic, Thomas, White Roberts, Thompson and LaCouture earned theirs in sports administration.

Two Current Tigers Have Accounted For Four Special Teams Touchdowns
Two current Tigers have accounted for four special teams touchdowns – Tre’Davious White with 3 and Leonard Fournette with 1. White has returned three punts for touchdowns, while Fournette returned a kickoff 100 yards for a TD against Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl in 2015. LSU has scored at least one special teams touchdown every year dating back 2001. The following is a breakdown of LSU’s special teams touchdowns involving current players:
Year Opponent Play
2016 Jacksonville State Tre’Davious White 60-yard punt return LSU def. Jacksonville State, 34-13
2015 Syracuse Tre’Davious White 69-yard punt return LSU def. Syracuse, 34-24
2014 Kentucky Tre’Davious White 67-yard punt return LSU def. Kentucky, 41-3
Notre Dame Leonard Fournette 100-yard kickoff return LSU lost to Notre Dame, 31-28

Ten LSU Players Selected For Postseason Senior Bowls
Ten seniors on LSU’s football team have been invited to participate in postseason showcases in the Reece’s Senior Bowl and the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. Invited to the Senior Bowl are Kendell Beckwith, Travin Dural, Ethan Pocic, Duke Riley and Tre’Davious White. Those four, along with Josh Boutte, Tashawn Bower, Dural, Colin Jeter, Christian LaCouture and Lewis Neal have received invites to the Collegiate Bowl.