A view from the stands-LSU 24 La. Tech. 16

A view from the stands
  LSU 24 La. Tech. 16

By William Queen
Jr. Contributing Writer
Assisted by Rafael Garcia
Sr. Contributing Writer
Southeast Region


It was Homecoming weekend for the Bayou Bengals and the tailgating scene was crazy. Tiger fans stretched for miles around campus, preparing for the 100th homecoming game in LSU history. Thousands of fans lined up on North Stadium Road, hoping to get a glimpse of the players and band marching towards the stadium. Cheers came for head coach Les Miles, all the players, the band, and the cheerleaders. However, the refs didn’t get the royal treatment. An explosion of boo’s and taunts were directed towards the refs as they entered Tiger Stadium. Though the atmosphere was incredible, the game wasn’t sold out. Due to LSU’s unexpected struggles, it was rather quiet. Déjà vu? I think so. Last year at about this time, LSU was coming off a stunning overtime loss to top ranked Alabama and had to pull off a 28-point comeback to overcome Tulane the week after. It just so happened that this game wasn’t an easy one either. Trailing La. Tech 13-10 at the half, the Tigers appeared to be hung-over from the Alabama game. Going 0-3 on third downs, being out-gained 229-138 offensively, and having already allowed 131 yards on the ground, the Tigers needed to make some serious half-time adjustments if they want to keep their season alive. This was about the time that the blame shifted over to starting quarterback Jarrett Lee. Lee started most the 2008 season for the Tigers and threw 16 interceptions, including six returned for touchdowns, so he already had a bad wrap. However, the bayou Bengals were playing without starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson and starting running back Charles Scott, so you can’t blame him; they were playing with a different cast of players. A certain feel that the fan base gave him is not proper. “That's not the way it should be," LSU coach Les Miles, said concerning Lee. "He's not perfect and dang it, we didn't play well. It wasn't his entire fault. It just seems like we are ready to jump on him and I'm not ready to”. Holding the Bulldogs to two field goals and just one touchdown, the LSU defense did a pretty good job of bending but not breaking. Besides, the only touchdown they allowed was when the quarterback went in motion and the ball was snapped to the running back, who then did a Tim Tebow-like pass over the line; all this occurring on the last play of the half. Now all of Tiger Stadium knew the chances of that happening again were once in a Blue Moon. So needless to say that, though the Tigers were losing, LSU had the upper hand coming into the second half of the ballgame. The fourth kick-off of the game for the Bulldogs was, once again, kicked short in attempt to avoid the ball from getting in the hands of Trindon Holliday; the fastest player to ever put on shoulder pads. The Tigers stalled their first drive, but after forcing a quick three-and-out, came back on offense and executed a nine-play, 58-yard drive; capped off by a three-yard touchdown run by Keiland Williams. At this point, leading 17-10, the Tigers looked to be back in business. Led by junior safety Chad Jones, the LSU defense stiffened in the third quarter, squandering every one of Tech’s drives short of a score. Fighting for their 25th straight victory vs. non-conference opponents, the Tigers defense did not take a play off the rest of the night. Now perhaps another reason for LSU’s offensive freeze this game was because they hadn’t been on the field much. The Bulldogs had the ball in their possession for 36 minutes and 20 seconds of the game, keeping the dynamic Tigers offense off the field. However, this was not an excuse in the second half. The defense did their part, the offense responded in the form of senior running back Keiland Williams. Running for 116 yards off 16 carries and two second half touchdowns, Williams unwaveringly took over injured starter Charles Scott’s role. “It definitely gives you more confidence when you are out there knowing that you are not going to be pulled after one or two carries," Williams said, who moved to number one on the depth chart due to Scott’s injury against Alabama. Williams scampered away from tackles and scored his second touchdown on a nine-yard touchdown with only 7:01 to go in the fourth quarter, practically suffocating the Bulldogs hopes of pulling off the upset.  Earlier that drive, true freshman quarterback Russell Shepard enjoyed what was perhaps the loudest roar of the night as he jogged out on the field to take the next snap. A designed quarterback run, Sheppard enjoyed even more applause as he ran for 14 yards that play and then an additional three yards the play after. Then, right on cue, the crowd felt as if they’d been tricked, as Jarrett Lee jogged back on the field to finish off the drive. Trailing 24-13, the Bulldogs only hopes were two quick scores. Yet, after one first down, they stalled and turned the ball over on their own side of the field. Giving LSU good field position at the 41, the Tigers looked to run the clock down. When the game looked to be out of reach, LSU’s game-icing drive ended in a fumbled field goal snap, giving the Bulldogs the ball and perhaps another chance at pulling off the upset. Louisiana Tech freshman kicker Matt Nelson finished the drive with a 49-yard field goal, setting up an onside kick and a chance at beating the Tigers for the first time in over a century. Predictably, LSU recovered the onside try and kneeled on it for the win. Throughout the game, you could tell that the Tigers were holding something back, especially on offense. Though this game was a close one, don’t be surprised to see the Tigers come out firing against SEC rivals Ole Miss next weekend. After the game, some players sneakily worked their way out the stadium, trying to avoid the rush, while others paused and signed autographs. You only get to play one homecoming game; the senior’s last. And when these players were talking to fans, signing autographs, and taking pictures, you could get the sense that they knew when to turn it on. LSU is still one of the best teams in the country.