LSU’s Russell shows why he’s the starter

By Darrell Laurant  |   Monday, September 04, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

LSU Tigers
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article!

Like they love to say down in Cajun country, the eighth-ranked LSU Tigers let the good times roll on Saturday night against Louisiana Lafayette.

And it was just like old times for JaMarcus Russell and Alley Broussard.

Both Tiger stars were coming off injuries that sidelined them for part (Russell) or all (Broussard) of last season, but you couldn't tell it from their performance in a 45-3 rout of the Ragin Cajuns.

Broussard led LSU's rushers with 47 yards and a touchdown in limited action, while Russell hit 13-of-17 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns, all in the first half.

Although the visitors tried to rattle Russell with constant blitzing, the 6-foot-6, 260-pound junior burned them repeatedly with quick decisions and his thunderbolt of a right arm.

The first touchdown pass said all the Ragin' Cajuns needed to know about Russell, who won a three-way battle for the starting spot in preseason over Matt Flynn and Ryan Perrilloux. Rolling left, getting hit and throwing across his body, he still rifled a 58-yard pass to redshirt freshman Brandon LaFell, who carried it into the end zone.

That sort of throw is why Russell will very likely be playing in the NFL next year.

And perhaps Broussard will join him.

"He was like a ballpeen hammer on a very tired defense," said LSU coach Les Miles of Broussard's performance after replacing Justin Vincent.

The Tiger defense didn't look tired at all, sparked by a stout pass rush and Jonathan Zenon's two interceptions of Louisiana Lafayette QB Jerry Babb.

Russell left in the third quarter, making way for Flynn (3-of-6 passes, 36 yards) and Perrilloux (a brief stint in the final period).

NOTES: LaFell's touchdown reception came on his first play as a Tiger.

"The dude (Louisiana Lafayette safety Johnny Felders) hesitated," he told the Shreveport Times, "and I just blew by him."

LaFell also scored the first time he touched the ball in high school (Lamar High in Houston), sprinting 80 yards on a quarterback keeper.

Freshman Keiland Williams, the heir apparent to Broussard and Vincent, gained 13 yards on two carries late in the fourth quarter.

Get more on the LSU Tigers and Louisiana Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns at Realfootball365.com
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article! (0)

About Darrell Laurant

Sorry, Darrell Laurant's bio is currently not available. Please check back soon!
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report