Tigers Defeat Huskies 31-23 in Season Opener
The LSU Tigers traveled almost 2,600 miles, across nine states and two time zones, to meet up with the University of Washington Huskies for college football’s season opening weekend. Traveling with almost 10,000 fans, this game was one of firsts for both teams. LSU debuted true sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson coming off a stellar performance in last season’s bowl game and for the first time will be donning ‘LSU’ on the chest of their jersey. The Huskies are playing under the leadership of a new head coach as well as celebrating the return of legendary quarterback Jake Locker fresh from injury.
In the first half, the Huskies kept up with the Tigers. In the first score of the game, the Huskies quarterback Locker connected with receiver James Johnson after a 51-yard run by Johri Fogerson. Soon after, LSU put up three points on the board after a 62-yard drive, making the score 7-3. On the very next play, LSU linebacker Jacob Cutera tipped the ball in the air to make a beautiful interception and 29 yard run for LSU’s first touchdown, making the score 10-7. Opening the second quarter, Huskies kicker Erik Folk tied the game 10-10 with a 34-yard field goal after an unsuccessful drive. In the next possession, the Huskies had two consecutive personal fouls which gave LSU an additional 30 yards and a first down. However, during the next play LSU legendary player Charles Scott had his first ever forced fumble, returning the ball to the Huskies’ possession. LSU’s first drive touchdown came late in the half after Jefferson connected with Terrance Toliver for a career long touchdown pass of 45 yards. The Huskies next possession ended in a 37-yard field goal after a 46-yard pass to Devin Aguilar. This ended the half with LSU in the lead 17-13.
At the beginning of the second half, LSU entered with another touchdown play from Jefferson and Toliver. Leading at 24-13, LSU continued to put up points for the remainder of the quarter. The Huskies put up a 32-yard field goal, but LSU immediately answered with yet another touchdown reception by Toliver. This put the Tigers in the lead 31-16 with a minute left on the clock. The Huskies ended the game with a touchdown as time expired, ending the game 31-23.
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The game didn’t end in a blow out that most fans had expected, but then again traveling a couple thousand miles and playing after midnight in your home time zone doesn’t really lend towards stellar athletic performance. Notwithstanding these factors, LSU’s opening game went fairly smoothly. Jefferson did well, connecting with his money man Chris Toliver for a few touchdowns. Of course, new defensive coordinator John Chavis leaves a lot to be desired. Coming from nearly two decades of coaching at the University of Tennessee, Chavis, who commands of a salary of nearly half a million dollars a year, was expected to turn the defense that gave up 50+ points to both Florida and Georgia last year completely around. Instead of doing a complete 180, the defense gave up three touchdowns to a team that hits a lot softer than one like Florida, who many expect will continue on to win the national championship.
The Tigers still put a hurting on the Huskies, though, and played with the fierce determination that we expect from our Bayou Bengals. It’s still unclear if this game portends a successful season or not. Really, any accurate prediction can’t be made until the Tigers get back into Death Valley, which they will when they face conference opponent Vanderbilt next week, where they perform much better. If anything, this game really only reaffirmed one thing: LSU really is a second-half ball club.