No. 18 LSU escapes Troy’s upset bid
Marcus Randall threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to David Jones with 2:18 left to give No. 18 LSU a come-from-behind 24-20 victory over Troy on Saturday night in New Orleans.
It was the second straight game Randall rallied LSU to victory, though this wasn’t what the Tigers expected against the Trojans from the Sun Belt Conference.
With no chance of repeating as co-national champions, coach Nick Saban had urged LSU (5-2) to dominate its final five opponents, all unranked. The Tigers fell far short of domination.
The Trojans (3-4) had only 36 yards of offense in the first half, but trailed only 17-10 at the break thanks to LSU turnovers. Turnovers also allowed the Trojans to stay with the Tigers throughout the second half.
Troy scored the go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter, but a penalty nullified it. Even with the touchdown called back, LSU couldn’t get Troy off the field. The Trojans held the ball for 4 minutes and 44 seconds and capped the long drive with a 24-yard field goal by Greg Whibbs – his second of the game – to go up 20-17 with 3:59 left.
After that, Randall, who was named SEC offensive player of the week following the comeback against Florida, engineered the winning 54-yard drive.
N. Texas 36, New Mexico St. 26
Jamario Thomas rushed for 258 yards and a touchdown as the Mean Green (3-4, 3-0) beat the Aggies (2-5, 2-2) for their 21st straight conference victory.
Thomas, a freshman, broke school and Sun Belt Conference records for the second game in a row, topping the 256 he gained on Oct. 10 against Utah State. He has 997 yards on the season.
La.-Lafayette 27, Arkansas St. 24
Terryl Fenton returned a blocked field goal 80 yards for a score, and Jerry Babb threw for 176 yards and a TD to help the Ragin’ Cajuns (4-4, 2-2) hold off the Indians (2-6, 2-2).
La.-Monroe 17, Florida Atlantic 13
Mason Denham ran 67 yards for a touchdown and Steven Jyles passed for another, helping the Indians (3-4) knock off the previously unbeaten Owls (5-1) in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.