Pregame
Alright, LSU, here we go. Time to show if you really are ready to be a national title contender this season, or if Sylvester Croom can pull off another stunning SEC upset and try and keep his job for another season. ESPN has been pimping this game hard doing 25 hours of college football leading up to kickoff. LSU is a double-digit favorite on the road but rain is expected with temperatures in the mid-70s. I still look for LSU to cover the spread and heralded redshirt-Sophomore Ryan Perrilloux to get some playing time in mop up duty in the 4th quarter. Game time!
First Quarter
Herbstreit is gone to ABC's primetime game, so he's no longer doing the Thursday night broadcast. Instead we've got Doug Flutie in the booth with Craig James and Chris Fowler. State is wearing their white jerseys forcing LSU to wear purple in an SEC game for the first time in awhile. Croom has won 2 of 3 season openers as head coach at MSU (the loss coming last year 15-0 on Thursday night to Spurrier and South Carolina). Les Miles is 1-1 losing in his first season to Tennessee in OT
No rain yet. LSU wins the toss and defers. LSU kicking off. Will the rule change moving the ball to the 30 make a difference? Short kick taken at the goal line out to the 25.
First and 10 MSU. They really need to come out and make some noise in this first drive to get any kind of rhythm against this tough LSU defense. In the shotgun first pass is ALMOST intercepted in the left flat by Chevis Jackson. LSU might have been able to end this game before it even started with that play. State goes conservative on 2nd down and fumble the ball, but it goes out-of-bounds. Two plays and LSU has almost gotten a turnover on both plays. Not looking good for the bulldogs. 3rd and long and there seems to be a miscommunication between QB and WR and the ball sails. Three and out. Doucet gets a short return on the punt.
LSU 1st and 10 at their own 35. Draw up the middle on first down for 5 yards. Was hoping Crowton would go nuts out of the gate, but maybe he's hoping to hang on to all his tricks for next week's game against Virginia Tech. Another draw play and Hester is gobbled up and loses 3 yards. 3rd and long for Matt Flynn and the Tigers. Flynn's first pass is caught by Chris Mitchell and gets the first down easily with a gain of 17 yards. Looks like LSU is planning on a steady diet of Jacob Hester up the gut on first down. Even against an 8 man front they gain 4 yards. LSU in the hurry up now. Flynn takes off running on the QB read and almost gains the first down. 3rd and short. State stacks the box again but Hester is able to run behind the dominant OLine of LSU and gets another first down. Flutie calling for the play-action to Doucet. Another Hester run gains 1. Flynn with a dangerous pass to Doucet is incomplete leading to another long 3rd down for LSU. Wide open Doucet makes a catch for 12 yards and a first down. Coming back...false start penalty called against LSU...brings up a longer 3rd down. Flynn flushed out of the pocked and the pass is deflected. Tigers have to punt...and it sails into the endzone.
MSU first and 10 from their 20, 10:19 remaining in the first. Henig completes a pass out in the flats but LB Highsmith gets to him for a loss of a yard. Another short completion gets a couple. Might have been a hold on that left tackle. 3rd and 7...blitz comes, and McCray makes the INT for LSU. No where near any MSU player.
LSU 1st&10 at the MSU 45 8:10 left in the 1stAnother handoff to Hester gains 16 yards straight up the gut. Crowton really not showing his hand against MSU. Looks like Beamer might have no idea what to gameplan for. Split backs with Flynn in the gun. Little option play for LSU that Flynn keeps gets them to the MSU 25. Toss to Keiland Williams with his first carry of the night gets the first down with a 13 yard rush around the back side. LSU wearing down this MSU front seven with continual rushing plays. LSU goes to the play action but MSU isn't fooled. Flynn gets knocked down bringing up a long 3rd down. Catchable ball hits off of Hester's hands around the 5 yard line bringing up 4th down for LSU. In comes the kicking team with a 27 yard att. FG is good
LSU 3 MSU 0 ; 6:27 left in the firstMSU ball at their 27
State trying to not go three and out here
. Screen pass is snuffed out by LSU and goes for a short gain after a toss on first down. Another 3rd down for MSU. Finally a first down for MSU near midfield. The crowd is really getting into the game on this drive after going flat after the INT. LSU going to need a stop to take back control. Power running game leads to another first down. LSU seems to be over pursuing some on the DLine. Blitz nearly gets to Henig and leads to an incompletion. MSU tries their version of the "Wildcat" formation Arkansas started last season, but they don't have a Darren McFadden. LSU stuffs the 3rd down play leading to another 4th down. MSU lines up to go for it...but takes a timeout. Here comes the rain and MSU is going for it on 4th and 2. Fumbled snap and LSU takes over.
LSU ball at their own 39
Flynn in the gun with Charles Scott in at HB. Another run off tackle for LSU. Really not showing anything for VT to gameplan against. Flynn takes off on the option again and picks up a first down into MSU territory. LSU going 5 wide here with Flynn in the gun and he takes off on another QB sprint....3rd and 5. Complete out to Early Doucet close to a first down, and there's a flag...5 yard facemask against MSU leads to an LSU first down. One untimed play left in the first quarter for LSU at the MSU 34. Toss play for nothing and that's the end of the first. LSU on top 3-0.
Second Quarter
Flynn pressured and has to throw the ball away. Another 3rd and long. Flynn tries a designed QB run and is tackled at the line of scrimmage. MSU isn't going to be fooled anymore by that QB dive. Another punt and another touchback.
MSU ball at their own 20
State doing a good job running right at this highly touted LSU defense. A short run and a deflected pass lead to another long 3rd down for MSU. Not sure if its the rain and the early season getting to these offenses, or if it is more both teams having good defenses. Shovel pass and Dorsey almost takes the halfback's head off. He should be playing on Sundays, but Tiger fans sure are happy to have him back. MSU punt downed at the 22 but an illegal formation penalty and LSU will have MSU punt it again. Bad MSU bounce and MSU is able to down it.
LSU ball at their 46
Another false start penalty on LSU. This defense is going to be fantastic, but they need to show they can score some points against good teams. LSU trying to set up the screen pass and MSU knew exactly what was coming and Flynn gets sacked. Long 3rd down coming up for the Tigers. Flynn with A LOT of room to run on 3rd and 17 but looks like he's 2 yards short at the LSU 45. 4th and 1 and LSU is going for it, but it is a bluff. Timeout, LSU. Fisher boots one for LSU pinning MSU inside their 10 yard line.
MSU ball at their 10
The LSU defense looks fired up. INT LSU, Jonathon Zenon.
LSU ball at the MSU 37
Trindon Holliday in at TB for LSU. Fastest guy in CFB. 3rd down and 6 for LSU. Another false start penalty on LSU, this time on a WR. 3rd and 11. Finally a completion for Flynn on 3rd down and Early Doucet picks up the 1st down. MSU timeout with 7:32 left in the half. Hester bulldozes his way inside the 10 yard line for a first down for LSU. LSU tries an end around with Holliday but you can tell MSU is ready for that end-around. Big 3rd down here for both teams. Flynn throws to the endzone for Early Doucet and the pass is broken up. Flag thrown, PI on MSU. First down LSU on the 2 yard line. Hester can't get there on first down, but Keiland Williams finds paydirt on 2nd down for the LSU touchdown
LSU 10, MSU 0 ; 5:52 left in the first half
MSU returns the kick 31 yards on a nice return.
First and 10 at the MSU 41. Holding on first down on MSU. They can't dig themselves any deeper of a hole here. LSU out for another turnover. Deep completion for MSU for a 27 yard gain. Personal foul against LSU for hands to the face gives MSU the ball on the LSU 43. MSU tries a flea-flicker, but this isn't the time to get cute after the big gain. Craig Steltz gets LSU their 3rd INT of the game in the endzone.
LSU first and 10 at their 20
Flynn with a designed run on 1st down, but a hold again against LSU. Flynn sacked on 1st and 20 at the 2 yard line. A run up the middle leaves LSU with 3rd and 28 from their own 2 yard line. Hester able to get out to the 6 yard line on 3rd down, and LSU will have to punt. MSU takes a time out with 1:58 remaining in the half. Fisher punting right on his back line and drives the returner inside his own 40.
MSU ball on their 45, 1:43 leftFirst play and Henig throws his 4th pick of the half.
LSU ball on the MSU 40KW run on the left side. Tigers don't look like they're trying to get a score before half. Screen pass to Doucet for nothing but he does get out of bounds. 0:49 left in the half and a 3rd down and 9. Doug Flutie calling for LSU to stick another on in the endzone. Doucet is easily the MVP for the LSU offense this first half. 18 yard gain to the MSU 22 and he gets out of bounds stopping the clock with 41 seconds left. Holding call against LSU on an incomplete pass brings up a 1st and 20. Pass out to true freshman Terrance Tolliver picks up the first down and gets out of bounds with 21 seconds on the clock. Flynn finds Jacob Hester over the middle to get the ball down inside the 10 yard line bringing up 1st and goal. LSU timeout. KW up the middle and is stopped JUST short of the endzone. 0:04 for LSU and they use their final timeout. LSU lines up to go for it. Touchdown LSU, Keiland Williams
LSU 17MSU 0End of the first halfThird QuarterTrindon Holliday gets the ball out to the LSU 26 with a decent return. Flynn rolls out and hits Early Doucet for a first down across the 37. Crowton seems ready to air it out a little in this second half. After a Hester run, Flynn again finds Doucet for a first down into MSU territory. Hester breaks a big run down near the MSU 30 for 15 yards. 4 quick plays and LSU has moved the ball 50+ yards against the 3-3-5 of MSU's defense. Flynn on a play-action can't find anyone open and takes off running and gets another first down thanks to an unreal block by one of his WRs. Very next play Flynn finds Early Doucet one more time for the 12 yard touchdown.
LSU 24 MSU 012:53 left in the 3rd
MSU ball on their 28
False start to begin the drive doesn't look good for MSU. That click you just heard was the majority of America turning this game off. MSU has got to get some points on this drive. The LSU defense is really getting after them this drive. 3rd and 11 and another false start on MSU. Croom is livid on the sideline. Can definitely see the difference in not having a preseason in college football. These guys really could use one warmup game before getting into the season. On 3rd and 16 Henig completes a DEEP pass and what every LSU fan doesn't want to see, Dorsey is limping off the field. MSU first down inside the LSU 35. Two running plays lose yards for State and LSU brings the house on 3rd and 16. The ball sails and the punt team comes out for MSU. Excellent coverage by the MSU punt team pins LSU inside their 1.
LSU ball inside their own 1, 9:00 left in the 3rd
Two runs up the gut get the ball out to around the 5, but Flynn can't find Doucet on 3rd down so LSU again is punting from inside their own endzone.
MSU ball from their 45
State only able to gain 4 yards on 3 plays, and Henig goes down hard on 3rd down. Not a good site for State fans with no experience behind him on the depth chart.
LSU takes over after the punt on their 23
Flynn still in with 5:31 left in the 3rd quarter and is sacked on first down. LSU goes super conservative on 2nd down with a HB draw. No reason to let the MSU defense get the fans back into this one. LSU needs to get one more score and end this one. 3rd and 20 here. Richard Murphy in at TB for LSU. ALMOST an INT for Anthony Johnson on Flynn's errant pass. Quick 3 and out huge here for MSU. LSU has to punt again from their endzone, but at least not standing on their back line this time.
MSU ball at their 35 with 3:57 left in the 3rd
Incomplete pass. Henig is having a tough game, and there's he sacked for a big loss. He definitely looks gunshy after that big hit on their last possession. 3rd and 21 and Henig is intercepted for the 5th time and its Craig Steltz getting his 2nd INT on the night. Steltz returns it inside the MSU 10 yard line
LSU ball at the MSU 8
LSU with another holding call. The offensive line is going to have to get better in the next 10 days before the boys from Blacksburg come to Baton Rouge to play. Flynn with a great screen pass to freshman Charles Scott and he scurries into the endzone for a touchdown. Colt David converts the XP and LSU has put this game away. The only two questions left are: can LSU pitch the shutout and when will Perrilloux take over at QB for the Tigers.
MSU ball at their 26
Henig takes off and gets a good gain on first down with his legs. Comes up limping a little. The lack of depth at QB is really hurting MSU having to play a hurt Henig here. After a nice completion for a first down LSU comes up with a sack on Henig. Really have to go to the backup at some point, and Flutie agrees with me. If you want to get to 4-5 wins this year, you will need Henig. LSU helping MSU out with a PI gives MSU the ball at the LSU 48 on the last play of the 3rd quarter. Screen pass works perfectly against an overpursuing LSU defense and MSU will have the ball inside the LSU 30 when the 4th quarter begins
Fourth Quarter
Glenn Dorsey shouldn't even be in this game, and I'm sure Henig agrees with me. This man should be cashing his huge NFL paycheck, but you've got to love a young man coming back to finish his education and try one more time for another championship. He gets a big sack here and Henig has two straight incompletions leading to a 4th and 21. MSU going for it with nothing to lose here, and Craig Steltz has his 3rd INT on the night and LSU's 6th INT of Henig. He gets a huge return taking it back inside MSU territory
LSU ball on the MSU 45
Flynn still in the game for LSU and TH breaks it for 11 yards against a tired MSU defense. This is a really good defense that has just had to be on the field way too much tonight and had to come back from too many MSU turnovers. Looks like the true freshman backup QB might be coming in for MSU on their next possession. And here comes Perrilloux for LSU. First play is a QB draw that picks up good yardage then with his first pass of 2007 gets a first down completion to Doucet. Just incase I haven't said it enough, Trindon Holliday is really fast and he showed it on that 7 yard scamper. LSU is starting to clear the benches here on offense with true freshman Richard Murphy getting a carry for a first down. LSU spreads out the WRs and Perrilloux finds the endzone for another TD
LSU 38MSU 08:20 left in the game
MSU ball on their 22
True freshman QB Wesley Carroll in for MSU. His first two career passes are incomplete, but completes his third offering on 3rd and 10 for a 12 yard gain and a first down. An incompletion, a sack, and a fumbled sack later and LSU has the ball again on a MSU turnover
LSU ball on the MSU 36Richard Murphy with another big run breaking for a first down for LSU. Perrilloux finds Lafell on the very next play and LSU goes 36 yards in 2 plays for another score. RP is definitely the future for this LSU team. Doug Flutie, "LSU is scoring too fast too easily now."
LSU 45 MSU 05:45 left in the gameMSU ball on their own 18True freshman Carroll is going to have to learn to feel the backside pressure. LSU gets another sack. MSU forced to punt again.
LSU Defense133 total yards allowed0 points6 INTs1 fumble recovery4 sacks38 points off of turnoversLSU ball at the MSU 48All the backups are in now for LSU and they're trying to just run out these last 4 minutes. Richard Murphy getting a lot of carries here for LSU in the final quarter. Couple of runs lead to a 4th down for the Tigers and a punt
MSU ball at their own 15MSU is just going to run this one out. Just a matter of the seconds clicking off now. Not able to get a first down but this game is over. Ballgame.
FINAL SCORELSU 45MSU 0
