LSU takes care of Gamecocks, prepares for Tulane

No. 2 LSU had little trouble with undefeated South Carolina, who came to Tiger Stadium on Saturday in less-than-desired conditions. Despite the patches of heavy rain, the Tigers posted a 28-16 victory in a game that wasn’t as close as the score indicated.

The Gamecocks (3-1) jumped out to a 7-0 lead, but then watched LSU score 28 straight points, including its third touchdown on a fake field goal when Colt David raced up the right side to make the score 21-7 with 1;10 left in the first half. The Tigers tied up the game on a 33-yard run with 1:16 left in the first quarter. Early in the second quarter, Matt Flynn completed a 1-yard pass to Richard Dixon to give LSU a lead it would never lose.

Jacob Hester added a 9-yard run with 6:02 left in the third quarter to give LSU a 28-7 lead. South Carolina added nine points in the fourth quarter when the game was already decided.

The Tigers wrapped up 360 yards, including 290 on the ground. Hester led all rushers with 88 yards on 17 carries. Flynn was 8-for-19 for 70 yards passing. LSU allowed 261 yards and an impressive 17 yards on the ground.

Danny McRae had 11 tackles and an interception, while Ali Highsmith added 10 tackles.

LSU (4-0) will now turn its focus to an in-state contest with Tulane, which will be televised from the Louisiana Superdome at 11 a.m. on ESPN2.

Tulane (1-2) is coming off its first win of the season, a 35-27 victory over Southeastern Louisiana in the Louisiana Superdome. In that game, Matt Forte rushed for a school record 303 yards and five touchdowns. In his previous two games, Forte had rushed for one touchdown and 132 yards. The Green Wave is led by quarterback Scott Elliott, who has thrown for 396 yards, a touchdown and four interceptions.

For the game, LSU will wear special uniforms as part of an effort to assist the Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts in New Orleans.

The uniforms will feature purple jerseys with a special emblem emblazoned on the shoulders, with white helmets and white pants.

Nike has introduced a set of limited edition jerseys and other apparel with part of the proceeds from sales earmarked for assisting the youth of New Orleans.

VOLLEYBALL FALLS

Despite a career-high 11 blocks from Brittnee Cooper, the 22nd-ranked LSU volleyball team could not hold off No. 6 Florida on Sunday afternoon in the Maravich Center, falling, 30-25, 30-24, 27-30, 30-24, in a showdown of the top two teams in the Southeastern Conference for the past three years.

The loss is only the second of the season for the Tigers, who fell to 11-2 on the year and 3-1 in conference play. The loss marks just the third for the Tigers in the Maravich Center since 2004, compared to 21 wins, and also snapped a seven match home winning streak. The only three losses have come to teams ranked in the top 10, including two to the Gators. LSU, however, has not been swept at home since Oct. 26, 2004, against Arkansas.

Cooper led the match with 11 blocks and 12 kills.

Kyna Washington led the Tigers with 14 kills, while adding two service aces, five digs and three blocks. Elena Martinez led LSU with 21 digs, her ninth 20-dig match of the year. Marina Skender led the Tigers with four of LSU’s 11 service aces. Lauren DeGirolamo finished with five blocks and

Maggie Lonergan posted 36 assists to lead the Tigers.

The Lady Tigers will travel to Auburn on Friday (7 p.m.) and at Georgia on Sunday (1 p.m.).

LADY TIGERS SUFFER FIRST LOSS

The LSU women’s soccer squad saw its 10-game unbeaten streak come to an end and suffered its first loss of the season Sunday as it fell to Davidson, 3-0, in the third match of the College of Charleston Tournament at Patriots Point Field.

The Tigers (6-1-2) dropped their first decision since falling 2-1 to South Carolina on the road on Oct. 20, 2006.

LSU will now begin a four-game homestand with a contest against Mississippi State at 7 p.m. on Friday and then a game against Ole Miss on Sunday at 1 p.m.