LSU Tops Western Ky. 48-20 in Rainy, Muddy Contest
By Scotty Nola
Savvy LSU fans started to get concerned Friday when they heard news reports of torrential rains and flooding in Dallas. If you know Baton Rouge well you know the city can often predict it’s weather a day in advance based on whatever is happening in Texas.
If you saw the Tigers warming up it is understandable if you were concerned about LSU losing a second game this season to weather.
Fortunately the downpour slacked off enough to keep the game on, but it continued to rain through a sloppy first half that featured slick footballs and a muddy field.
The first half was a “slog”, to put it accurately .
There was very little scoring and Western Kentucky QB Brandon Doughty was able to keep the Hilltoppers within a score of the Tigers at halftime.
When the Tigers finally broke the game open it wasn’t on a big run by Fournette or other expected big play by the offense or defense.
The much maligned kick coverage team created a turnover giving the Tigers a short field. Starting Safety Jamal Adams jarred the ball loose on the return and Freshman RB Nick Brosette recovered it.
Leonard Fournette quickly punched the ball in for a touchdown giving the Tigers a 27-13 lead. Fournette’s 1 yard run capped a 3 play drive.
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On the very next Western Kentucky drive, Jamal Adams created another turnover by intercepting a Brandon Doughty pass at mid-field. Adams’ two turnovers in under three minutes of game time allowed the Tigers to turn their 20-13 lead into a 34-13 lead and never look back.
The game had it’s share of big plays. The Jamal Adams turnovers were certainly highlight reel material. Donte Jackson made a brilliant play in the Hilltoppers backfield, jarring the ball loose from Brandon Doughty and carrying the resulting fumble into the end zone.
That play was called back because of an unrelated foul but Tigers fans have to be excited to see yet another highly recruited freshman on the field making plays.
Tyron Johnson flashed his speed and receiving ability on a 61 yard TD pass from Brandon Harris in the 3rd Quarter.
Veteran Travin Dural was able to top that effort with a 67 yarder of his own.
Derrius Guice added a big play late, getting a score on a 47 yard run. Leonard Fournette didn’t have a run over 20 yards but still tallied 150 yards and a touchdown, keeping his Heisman hopes simmering on the front burner.
Brandon Harris watchers will be glad that while he wasn’t as efficient as usual, going 11-20 in slippery conditions he had 286 yards and 3 touchdowns on the day, both career bests.
All in all this was a ‘tune-up’ game — nothing more, nothing less. It was played in pretty tough conditions against a dangerous opponent with a top NFL prospect under center, and the Tigers did everything they needed to in order to win.
Up next is an off week, time the Tigers will use to heal a couple of injured players and install their game plan for this season’s toughest opponent: the Crimson Tide of Alabama…….