LSU hopes home isn’t so sweet after all in its SEC opener

By David Moorman  |   Wednesday, September 17, 2008  |  Comments( 2 )

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The road has been rocky in the LSU-Auburn series, with the last eight games having been won by the home team. What’s more, six of the last eight winners have gone on to win the Southeastern Conference Western Division championship.

Commentary: After weathering the disruption of two hurricanes (Gustav and Ike), LSU will have its most severe on-the-field test of the season in its SEC opener.

LSU ran roughshod over outmanned Appalachian State and North Texas by a combined score of 82-16. It won’t be so easy against Auburn, but it has imbued LSU with optimism. LSU hasn’t rushed for a touchdown against Auburn since 2003, although junior Charles Scott gives the Bayou Bengals the means to do so this season.

After just three carries against North Texas in last week’s 41-3 victory, Scott had rushed for 88 yards, with scoring runs of 39 and 43 yards. In two games, he’s combined to rush 23 times for 262 yards and four touchdowns.

Scott is by no means the only scoring threat. Junior return specialist Trindon Holliday returned a punt for a 92-yard touchdown against North Texas, matching the second-longest runback in school history. Holliday returned four punts for 163 yards in the most extensive special teams action of his career. Holliday still doesn’t always show the best judgment in fielding punts, but he compensates with sprinter speed.

LSU has several talented receivers, but inexperienced quarterbacks Andrew Hatch and Jarrett Lee can’t always make the best use of them. True freshman Jordan Jefferson saw his first action of the season against North Texas and could play against Auburn.

Of course, LSU has had trouble scoring points at Auburn no matter who’s at the controls. LSU has scored a combined 19 points in its last three visits to Auburn, which includes having future NFL top draft pick JaMarcus Russell at quarterback.

Undoubtedly, LSU will have to run the ball with some authority if hopes to change the series trend.

Fan Pulse: Two hurricanes within less than two weeks disrupted the plans of many people, who haven’t been able to see LSU play. They should finally get the chance with a n ESPN-televised game that will offer a truer picture of what LSU is all about than the first two games.

Injury Watch: Senior middle linebacker Darry Beckwith is out with a left knee injury sustained against North Texas. Junior Jacob Cutrera will replace Beckwith as in the past when Beckwith’s been hurt.
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About David Moorman

Dave Moormann is an award-winning journalist, who has covered LSU athletics since 1980. He began his coverage with the Baton Rouge Advocate, where he was a writer and editor from 1980-98. In 1996, he authored a book on the history of LSU football entitled, "Fighting Tigers Handbook: Stories, Stats...
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