Even at less than its best, LSU breezes by Mississippi State

By David Moorman  |   Wednesday, October 01, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

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Well, at least LSU avoided the upset bug last week. The Tigers surely weren’t at their best in beating Mississippi State, 34-24, but they won, which is more than three of the previously top four ranked teams can say.

Commentary: Redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee gave a strong account of himself in his first start, but much of that had to do with another sterling performance from junior running back Charles Scott. Scott rushed a career-high 27 times for 141 yards and two touchdowns to soften up the Bulldog defense for Lee.

Operating behind an experienced offensive line, Lee still had to have the presence of mind to complete 18 of 27 passes for a career-high 261 yards and two touchdowns. That earned him Southeastern Conference Freshman Player of the Week honors.

Lee played virtually the entire game, as regular starter Andrew Hatch sat out with a concussion sustained the week before against Auburn. Coach Les Miles had said Hatch would play against Mississippi State, but Hatch didn’t practice all week and his future is uncertain.

LSU has this week off to correct the mistakes it made against Mississippi State, heal its wounded and get ready to visit Florida on Oct. 11. The Gators were among those upset last week, drooping a 31-30 decision against Ole Miss.

LSU made its share of miscues against Mississippi State but used its superiority and good fortune to overcome them. Lee bounced back from his one interception, tight end Richard Dickson recovered wide receiver Brandon LaFell’s fumble in the end zone for a touchdown and the Tigers roared back from a 3-0 deficit achieved after Mississippi State returned the opening kickoff 59 yards.

LSU freely moved the ball against Mississippi State’s defense in gaining 427 yards total offense. Scott scored on a pair of 1-yard runs in grinding out tough yardage as he had the week before against Auburn.

Fan Pulse: While Scott has become the first LSU runner since 1978 to open the season with four consecutive 100-yard games, there was at least one caller to a post-game show who wondered why LSU hasn't made more use of Keiland Williams.

Injury Watch: The open date should help junior defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois return from a slight groin injury that forced him to leave the game early against Mississippi State. Senior linebacker Darry Beckwith could be back after missing two games with a knee injury.
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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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