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January 11, 2011Child safety seat event scheduled
January 13, 2011
LSU Tigers
Quarterbacks: Jordan Jefferson was efficient, mostly mistake free and lethal running the football. This was hands down the best game of this guy’s career. Who knows? Zach Mettenberger might not start in 2011 after all.
GRADE: A-
Halfbacks: Stevan Ridley and Spencer Ware gave LSU fans a little taste of the present and the future, each rushing for 100 yards against a fatigued Aggies defense. LSU’s 288 yards rushing were truly a treat to see.
GRADE: A+
Wide Receivers: Only one LSU receiver had more than 20 yards on the day. But kudos to that one, senior Terrence Toliver, who had a huge sendoff in his final game at LSU, recording three touchdowns.
GRADE: B
Offensive line: One could swear the Tigers’ front-five were pushing tackling dummies at points in this game. Texas A&M’s defensive line truly was bullied in a dominant effort.
GRADE: A+
Defensive line: The first half was a little bit shaky, but the Tigers eventually plugged the run and got heat on quarterback Ryan Tannehill to keep A&M at arm’s length.
GRADE: B-
Linebackers: LSU really struggled to keep the Aggies’ fast-tempo offense in check for some of the game. It’s not all the linebackers’ fault, but I’ll give them the low grade of the night just because Ryan Baker’s penalty cost the Tigers what would have been a truly amazing knockout punch on Tyrann Mathieu’s fumble recovery.
GRADE: C+
Defensive backs: Patrick Peterson struggled, but Mathieu and fellow true freshmen Eric Reid and Tharold Simon all recorded picks to seal the deal for the Tigers. LSU has three true freshmen defensive backs that could start on virtually every SEC team. What a future!
GRADE: A
Special Teams: Josh Jasper ended his LSU career on a good note, hitting a 50-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. The Tigers will miss Jasper if they’re not able to find a consistent kicker for next season.
GRADE: B
Coaching Staff: LSU wasn’t ready to play early, falling behind 10-0, but the Tigers never panicked, knowing they had the more talented team. With rumors swirling about Les Miles possibly going to his alma mater Michigan, he certainly didn’t hurt his resume in this game, fielding a flawless game plan to pounce the previously red-hot Aggies.
GRADE: A
OVERALL GRADE: LSU finished up their season with an 11-2 record. The Tigers’ two losses came on the road to top-10 opponents. Along the way, LSU beat seven teams who made it to bowl games and four teams who won bowl games. With just a handful of starters graduating, the future looks bright and the Tigers should be a Top 5 team entering next season, whether Miles is on board or not.
TEAM GRADE: A
LSU seniors Joseph Barksdale (left) and Kelvin Sheppard hoist the coveted Cotton Bowl Trophy following the Tigers’ win against Texas A&M. The duo are two of just a handful of seniors leaving the LSU football team this year. The ASSOCIATED PRESS
