College Football
LSU Dominates Georgia
On a Saturday on which emotions were already running high with the announced passing of former LSU great Jim Taylor, the #13 ranked LSU Tigers dominated #2 Georgia 36-16 in Baton Rouge. The prime time Saturday afternoon gridiron match-up left little doubt as to who was the better team. Georgia came in looking to prove that it deserved its top five ranking. Instead they left wondering how far the fall would be. LSU added Georgia to its list of top 15 beatdowns in 2018. Miami, Auburn and now Georgia have all fallen to the Tigers. Head coach Ed Orgeron took another step towards the November 3rd match-up against Alabama. “Total team effort,” were the three words Orgeron continued to say following the game.
Burrow Buries the Bulldogs
LSU quarterback Joe Burrow continues to do the unthinkable. The signal caller beat Georgia with his arm, his legs and his execution. Although he did not throw a touchdown pass all day, it was his accuracy when needed that proved fatal to Georgia. Take the seam route where he connected with Justin Jefferson for a 36 yard pickup on 2nd and 7 at the LSU 43 with 10:36 to play. Two plays later, he took it home from the one.
On LSU’s next TD drive, it was his 59 yard romp on a read option from the LSU 26 that told Georgia it was all but over.
Burrow completed the day 15 of 30 for 200 yards and two rushing touchdowns. He and his offense converted four fourth down conversions to keep drives alive. Eight different receivers caught at least one ball in a total team effort.
Jacoby Stevens
Sophomore outside LSU Tigers’ linebacker Jacoby Stevens had one tackle on Saturday and it was the biggest of his young career. Less than a month ago, LSU head coach Ed Orgeron moved his safety to outside linebacker. On Saturday, Stevens made a genius out of Orgeron. Leading 19-9 with 13:26 to play, the newly installed linebacker showed blitz with Georgia facing third and 6 at the LSU 34. There was little doubt that he was coming and there was even less that Georgia running back Elijah Holyfield could do to stop him. Even his father, Evander Holyfield, may not have been able to stop Stevens. Leaving Holyfield grasping for air, the 6’2″ 225lb LB located Bulldog quarterback Jake Fromm searching for way out of LSU’s containment. Moments later, Stevens dropped Fromm for a thirteen yard loss at the LSU 49. The sack put Georgia out of field goal range, forcing them to punt. That one play demonstrated LSU’s defensive commitment to a total team effort.
Six plays later, Stevens’ sack paid off on the offensive end. LSU quarterback Joe Burrow took it in from one yard out and Georgia’s hopes of a perfect season were dashed.
The Final Whistle
Georgia had not allowed a 100 yard rusher all season. Sophomore running back Cly Edward-Helaire, playing like the late Jim Taylor, bounced off and ran thru and around Georgia defenders to the tune of 145 yards. The LSU offense stunned Georgia with 475 yards of offense.
The defense did its part. They won the turnover battle recovering two fumbles and intercepting Fromm twice. Toss in three sacks, six tackles for losses and two QB hurries in a total team effort.
Oh and lost in it all were five more field goals from kicker Cole Tracy.
Ed Orgeron could not have picked three more perfect words in describing the win. “Total team effort.”
Photo credit: DovePhoto via Flickr
