The quarterback combination of Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson propelled the LSU Tigers to a 41-11 thrashing of the Florida Gators. Backed up by a smothering defense the Tigers administered the largest margin of victory over the Gators since the 48-7 win back in 1971.
Lee and Jefferson combined for 10 completions in 14 attempts for 215 yards and two touchdown passes. Lee struck first with a 46-yard touchdown strike to Reuben Randle and then Jefferson stole a play right out of the “Tim Tebow” textbook hitting tight end Mitch Joseph on a 2-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
Florida first year head coach Will Muschamp, a former LSU assistant coach under Nick Saban, was very impressed with the overall talent level of the Tigers.
“We just gave up too many big plays on defense and penalties killed us today,” Muschamp said. “I am not taking anything away from LSU because they have great talent across the board, but we helped them some today. Lee and Jefferson were almost near perfect today and then they banged away at us in the rushing game. When you give up almost 240 yards rushing you don’t play well.
“Today LSU was bigger, stronger, faster and more athletic than we were. They are a well coached football team and that defense is awesome. They got guys flying all over the field and they play with a sense of urgency on virtually every snap.”
Spencer Ware led the team in rushing with 109 yards on 24 carries and former Hahnville High School running back Alfred Blue rushed for 70 yards on 14 carries and he scored on a 2-yard run.
The Tiger defense, led by future All-American cornerback Tyrann Mathieu, again became the top storyline to this game limiting the Gators to just 213 yards of total offense.
Defensive coordinator John Chavis says the 2011 version of the Tiger defense is the best he has ever coached, but he still thinks it can get better.
“I am a coach, so there is always something you can do better, but we had some opportunities for turnovers we didn’t make and overran a few plays, but I am pleased with the effort and the relentless nature these young men come to play with each week,” he said. “We are going to enjoy this one and then look forward to Tennessee.”
Chavis had been the defensive coordinator at Tennessee for 14 years before head coach Phil Fulmer was released and he decided to join the LSU staff in 2009.
While the Tigers kept up their winning ways so did the New Orleans Saints. Led by quarterback Drew Brees the Saints had a come from behind 30-27 win over the Carolina Panthers. However, you had to come away from this game totally impressed with the overall play of rookie Panther quarterback Cam Newton.
Brees led the Saints to his 17th game winning fourth quarter comeback throwing for 359 yards and two touchdowns after hitting running back Pierre Thomas on a 6-yard touchdown pass with just 50 seconds left in the game.
The 30-27 win over the Panthers put the Saints in sole possession of first place in the NFC South Division with a 4-1 record.
But what was impressive was the manner in which the Saints could keep their cool during this tough contest on the road and still were able to pull out a victory.
When you win 60 percent of your games on the road you are considered a Super Bowl contender and just think about the fact that in the last 21 games on the road Sean Payton and the Saints have compiled a 16-5 win/loss mark. That is the best mark on road game victories in the NFL in that timeframe.
Be the first to comment