Turnaround Tigers
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – LSU can forget last year’s disappointment against Tennessee. The No. 13 Tigers have their own comeback to celebrate.
JaMarcus Russell hit Early Doucet with a 4-yard touchdown pass with 9 seconds left to give LSU a 28-24 win over the Volunteers on Saturday, ending Tennessee’s chances of winning the Southeastern Conference title.
Russell’s third touchdown pass of the game gave the Tigers (7-2, 3-2) their first road win of the season and revenge for last year’s Volunteers victory at Tiger Stadium.
“Our guys will remember this one,” LSU coach Les Miles said. “If you wanna define who we are, if you wanna write who we are, that’s who we are right there.”
Last year in Baton Rouge, La., in LSU’s first home game after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Vols overcame a 21-point deficit to win 30-27 in overtime.
This time, No. 8 Tennessee (7-2, 3-2) almost got another comeback. The Vols went ahead 24-21 after redshirt freshman Jonathan Crompton, playing for injured starter Erik Ainge, completed a 54-yard touchdown pass to Robert Meachem with 7:29 remaining.
The Tigers got the ball back with plenty of time, and Russell methodically led them down the field, milking the clock all the way.
Russell appeared to score on a run from the Tennessee 7 when he flipped into the end zone, but officials ruled he was out of bounds at the 4. On the next play, Doucet caught Russell’s pass in the end zone, a throw intended for Dwayne Bowe.
LSU’s sideline erupted and spilled onto the field.
Order was restored for the kickoff, but Tennessee only had 5 seconds to score. Not enough.
Russell finished 24 for 36 for 247 yards. He also ran for 71 yards.
The LSU players and coaches stayed afterward to celebrate with their fans. It was the Tigers’ second win in Neyland Stadium, and they had to overcome four turnovers to earn it.
“I was still in the game. I knew I just had to go out and fight and sacrifice my body and myself and be willing to do whatever it takes to help my team,” said Russell, who had three passes intercepted.
LSU’s top-rated defense made it tough for Crompton and the Tennessee offense.
The Vols were held to 248 total yards and had the ball for less than 19 minutes.
LSU rolled up 478 yards.
The loss ended Tennessee’s chances of chasing down Florida in the East division race.
Ainge started the game and played the first quarter but was limping and couldn’t get much going. He sprained his right ankle last week against South Carolina.
After LSU went ahead 21-17 at the end of the third quarter, the game turned wild with turnovers on three straight possessions in the fourth quarter.
The final giveaway, Bowe’s fumble recovered by Ryan Karl, set up the Vols at the LSU 46.
On the next play, Crompton saw Meachem streaking for the end zone and threw it between two defenders. Meachem caught it and stretched his arm across the goal line.