Saints defense stiffens, secures opening win
September 10, 2013
Henderson’s happy at Nicholls post-transfer
September 10, 2013
LSU junior wide receiver Odell Beckham sat on the Tiger Stadium sidelines Saturday night against UAB fully stretched out from head to toe in exhaustion.
It’s not difficult to imagine the source of Beckham’s fatigue.
The New Orleans native was Mr. Everything for LSU in its second game of the season.
Beckham caught five passes for 136 yards and three touchdowns in the Tigers’ 56-17 stomping of UAB. He also caught a missed Blazers’ field goal in the back of his end zone and took it 109 yards for a score – a dazzling run that caught the attention of everyone in Tiger Stadium.
“We think No. 3 for them is one of the most dangerous punt returners in the country,” UAB head coach Garrick McGee said following the defeat. “We didn’t want to give him a chance to impact the game like he did. … We miskicked the ball twice, one of which he made us pay and ran it back. That was a huge play.”
“I just prayed before the game just for a big performance,” Beckham said. “And it finally came through. I just have to give my hats off to my teammates.”
Beckham’s day was maybe the best in all of college football for the second week of the season.
He accounted for 331 all-purpose yards for the Tigers in five different statistical categories (rushing and receiving yards, kick, punt and field goal returns).
In addition to the lofty receiving stats and the quirky field goal return, Beckham also took a second quarter punt 60 yards to the UAB 9-yard-line.
“That field goal return has to be a school record,” LSU coach Les Miles said. “Just for the fact that it was a field goal and not a punt. He had a big night. He is third (all-time in a single game) for all-purpose yardage, which for this school is pretty special.”
But Beckham’s big day was just the icing on top of another big offensive day for the Tigers, who throttled their overmatched foes with another balanced effort.
LSU scored eight touchdowns in the game and scored all 56 of its points in the first three quarters of the game when the team’s first unit was in the game.
Senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger was sharp for a second-straight week under center, completing 16-of-19 passes for 282 yards and five touchdowns. Mettenberger was never seriously rushed on the night and picked apart the Blazers’ defense, completing passes to eight different receivers.
The quarterback’s five touchdowns is a new LSU single-game record.
“If you watch Zach throw a football, he’s throwing (it) with so much confidence,” Miles said. “He knows where it’s supposed to go.”
Mettenberger said the key to that enhanced confidence is the work the Tigers have done to perfect first-year coordinator Cam Cameron’s scheme.
“It’s all about executing,” Mettenberger said, “Around this time last year, we just weren’t executing too well. There were some mistakes that we left out on the field, but all-in-all, we did a very good job tonight and we can only get better from here.”
But playmakers help a whole lot, too – the Tigers showcased their entire arsenal in the win against UAB.
In addition to Beckham’s prowess, junior receiver Jarvis Landry had a second-straight big game for the Tigers, hauling in five passes for 71 yards with two touchdowns.
A slew of tight ends and fullbacks (Connor Neighbors, DeSean Smith, J.C. Copeland and Dillon Gordon) all hauled in passes on the night, as well.
On the ground, the Tigers handed the ball to seven different ball carriers and accumulated 152 rushing yards.
Patterson native and LSU junior Kenny Hilliard led all Tigers rushers with 54 yards on 11 carries with a touchdown.
Troubled and maligned sophomore halfback Jeremy Hill also made his season debut after serving a one-game suspension against TCU. Hill rushed for 50 yards on six carries and a touchdown – a three-yard scamper that put LSU ahead 28-0 early in the second quarter.
But on this night, all of the heroics lead back to Beckham and his career day.
Mettenberger said he was pleased to see his receiver shine on a national stage.
“The guy is a very special athlete and a great guy, as well,” Mettenberger said. “Third all-time all-purpose yards is really special considering all of the talent that has come through here. I’m very proud of him.”
Beckham and LSU will get its next chance to torment an opposing defense on Saturday when the Tigers host Kent St. in Death Valley.
Kickoff for that game is set for 6 p.m.
Like the UAB game, Saturday’s game will also be shown nationally on ESPNU.
Kent State will walk into Death Valley coming off of a loss.
The Golden Flashes were trounced 41-22 this past weekend by MAC rival Bowling Green.
Prior to the loss, Kent St. had scored a 17-10 win in its season opener against Liberty.
The Golden Flashes’ troubles are coming as a bit of a surprise to most familiar with the ins and outs of the MAC Conference.
Kent St. is typically an annual power within the league.
They were a perfect 8-0 in league play last year and 11-2 in the regular season. They lost to Arkansas St. in a bowl game to close the year.
LSU receiver Odell Beckham walks into the end zone after one of his four touchdowns in LSU’s 56-17 win against UAB. Beckham had three receiving touchdowns and also a field goal return in the win. His 331 all-purpose yards are one of the best days in school history for any LSU payer.
