Tigers steady the ship with win over Auburn

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By Joshua Davidson

Coming off the worse start of his career against Florida two weeks prior, it didn't take LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson long to put the Tigers on top with a first drive touchdown strike to Terrance Tolliver followed by a rushing touchdown to end the first quarter.

The second quarter wasn't nearly as smooth for the Tigers' offense as the team fumbled the ball over in their first possession and then punted the ball the next two before eventually hitting a field goal in the wining seconds of the half giving LSU a 17-0 lead.

The LSU defense didn't let up at any point in the first half holding Auburn to only five first downs and only 42 total yards of offense on 27 offensive plays led by Kelvin Sheppard with nine tackles and Harry Coleman with two sacks.

The third quarter was more like the first for LSU, as the team opened back up the playbook with big plays by Brandon LaFell, Reuben Randle and capped off by a huge 69-yard touchdown run by Russell Shepard, the first touchdown of his young career.

By the end of the third quarter LSU had already answered many of the critics, as Jefferson showed that he can lead the high powered Tiger offense both on the ground and through the air. The increased use of Shepard lined up at quarterback, running back and receiver, had the Auburn defense on their toes trying to figure out where the playmaker was going to be next.

The 31-10 victory for the Tigers not only was the teams biggest victory over conference rival Auburn in many years, it was also the signature win the team needed build up the confidence they have in their sleeves and the confidence of the Tiger faithful looking forward to a strong schedule.

With a home game this weekend against instate rival Tulane on Halloween, the Tigers should be able to tune up their offense even more giving the Green Wave a couple of tricks while giving the fans plenty of treats.

Tulane (2-5) are coming off an embarrassing loss at the hands of Southern Miss last weekend when they fell 43-6, the Green Wave's third straight loss of the season.

The game gives LSU a chance to pad their stats a little bit more and possibly improving their No. 9 ranking in both the Associated Press and BCS polls. Expect Les Miles and Gary Crowton to open the playbook a little bit more and take some more chances down the field while also feeding an underachieving running game.

Look for Jefferson to add to his nine touchdown passes and two rushing touchdowns on a Tulane defense that has at least 37 points five times this season. The second half of the contest will likely be dominated by Charles Scott and Keiland Williams, who should run all over a rushing defense of Tulane that allowed Southern Miss to run for a staggering 253 yards.

Barring a complete meltdown from the entire LSU team, the Tigers should move to 7-1 with a blowout victory over Tulane heading into the showdown in Tuscaloosa against Nick Saban and company.

Originally Published: Issue 821 - October 28, 2009

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