TigerBait.com - LSU-Tulane notebook

October 31, 2009

Bryan Lazare
TigerBait.com Senior Writer

Saturday's game between LSU and Tulane may be the last one in a long time between the schools. The remainder of the ten-year series has been canceled by mutual agreement. There is one game which will supposedly be played at a later date at the Superdome.

The Tigers did close out the series in fine fashion with their 42-0 victory. The 42-point margin of victory equaled the one in the game three years ago (49-7). It has been 44 years since LSU had a greater margin of victory against the Green Wave - 62-0 in 1965.

The shutout was the first for the Tigers against Tulane in 40 years. LSU defeated the Wave 27-0 in 1969. In the past four games, the Tigers outscored Tulane 160-26. LSU extended its winning streak against the Greenies to 18 games.

The Tigers have now won 22 consecutive games against non-Southeastern Conference opponents. They have won 27 straight non-league games in Tiger Stadium. The shutout was LSU's first since blanking Middle Tennessee 44-0 in 2007.

The victory was the 49th for Les Miles as Tigers coach. He passed Nick Saban for third place among LSU coaches in victories.

While the game was competitive, the Tigers used their normal eight players on the defensive line. End Pep Levingston, who moved to tackle in some pass-rushing situations, had four tackles - two behind the line of scrimmage.

End Rahim Alem had two tackles, including a sack. End Lavar Edwards had one tackle-for-loss, a quarterback-hurry and a pass breakup. Chase Clement and walk-ons Dennis Johnson and Jonathan Nixon saw action up front on the last defensive series.

Kelvin Sheppard had his third consecutive game with 13 tackles. His three tackles behind the line of a scrimmage were a career-high. Sheppard also recorded a sack and broke up a pass. Jacob Cutrera came off the bench and finished with six tackles, one for a loss.

When the game's outcome was decided, the three linebackers were Ryan Baker, Kyle Prater and Stefoin Francois. Baker made a career-best six tackles.

The Tigers substituted freely in the secondary. The No. 2 defensive backfield - cornerbacks Chris Hawkins and Morris Claiborne and safeties Danny McCray and Karnell Hatcher played most of the second game.

Claiborne made a season-best three tackles. On the final defensive series, Ron Brooks lined up at cornerback and Ryan St. Julien and Derrick Bryant played at safety.

Chad Jones led all defensive backs with six tackles. Patrick Peterson picked off the third pass of his career. LSU has now intercepted a pass in ten consecutive games. Jai Eugene, who started ahead of Hawkins, made three tackles.

Brandon LaFell's two touchdown receptions give him 22 for his career. He passed Michael Clayton to move into second place on the school's all-time list. Dwayne Bowe is the leader with 26 touchdown catches.

With his 85 receiving yards against Tulane, LaFell now has 2,136 for his career. That total moved LaFell into seventh place ahead of Craig Davis. LaFell has now caught a pass in 36 consecutive games.

Terrance Toliver made four receptions for 59 yards. John Williams caught the first pass of his career in the fourth quarter. Rueben Randle grabbed two passes for 22 yards. Tight end Richard Dickson caught one pass.

Four wide receivers - R.J. Jackson, Chris Mitchell, Jhyryn Taylor and Chris Tolliver - played, but caught no passes. Deangelo Peterson started in a two tight-end set. Mitch Joseph and Tyler Edwards also lined up at tight end.

There were no changes on the offensive line until the final series. P.J. Lonergan saw his first action of the year at center. The guards were Will Blackwell and Alex Hurst. Greg Shaw was at left tackle and then moved to right tackle. Matt Branch played left tackle.

Jefferson, who was 11-of-17 for 163 yards, threw two touchdown passes. He now has 15 scoring passes in his career. Jarrett Lee guided the Tigers 98 yards for their last touchdown. Lee completed two of three passes for 25 yards.

Charles Scott had the eighth 100-yard run rushing game of his career. Scott, who gained 112 yards on 18 carries, is tied with Harvey Williams for fourth place on LSU's all-time list in that category.

Scott's two touchdown runs gave him 32 for his career. Scott moved past Terry Robiskie into fourth place on the school's all-time rankings. Keiland Williams had two carries for 20 yards.

Stevan Ridley made a huge impact on his first action as a tailback this season. On the last drive, Ridley carried eight times for 73 yards. He scored on a ten-yard run. Ridley now has two career rushing touchdowns - both against Tulane.

Russell Shepard touched the ball six times and gained 48 yards. Shepard ran 19 yards for a touchdown from the Wildcat formation. He also caught a shovel pass which gained no yards.

Thomas Parsons, who had been suspended by the NCAA for the first five games of the season for selling tickets a year ago, lined up at fullback for much of the second half. James Stampley was the fullback on I-formation plays in the opening half.

Derek Helton didn't punt because of a hip injury. Drew Alleman punted twice for a 25.5 average. Josh Jasper had a 41-yard punt. Jasper's average kickoff reached Tulane's 8. The Green Wave averaged less than 15 yards on seven kickoff returns.

There were 92,031 tickets sold for the game. However, the actual crowd was slightly less than 60,000. The LSU game captains were Jefferson, Al Woods, Jackson, Jasper and Toliver.

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