LSU wins thriller 26-21 over Auburn
AUBURN, Ala. — Louisiana State made the final swollen play, and as usual that’s what settled the recurring with the year down-to-the-wire contend with Auburn.
This time the winning connection wasn’t Flynn-to-Byrd, but Lee-to-LaFell.
Jarrett Lee and Brandon LaFell hooked up on an 18-yard touchdown pass with 1:03 left to lift No. 6 LSU to yet a different dramatic comeback bring over over No. 10 Auburn, 26-21 Saturday in an SEC West showdown that once again produced a fantastic achieve and wild momentum swings.
The last five meetings regard been decided by a collective 19 points in a rivalry that has produced other thing than drama. The winner has gone to the SEC championship dauntless in six of the last eight seasons.
And last year Matt Flynn’s last-second TD pass to Demetrius Byrd helped propel LSU to a national title.
“We expected such a battle when we came here,” LSU coach Les Miles said. “I thought they showed great poise. To be tested off and be tested by a true, self-same capable opponent and answering that test is just what this team needed.”
The only major difference in this one was the road team came out on top. The greatest eight games in the series had gone to the home team. LSU (3-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) also snapped Auburn’s streak of six following in a series victories at Jordan-Hare Stadium against Top 10 teams.
Lee took over with respect to some injured Andrew Hatch in the third quarter and produced a series of big plays to compose up for a lousy start beneficial to LSU. Lee missed his first five throws, by an interception returned by defensive end Gabe McKenzie for a touchdown.
Auburn (3-1, 1-1) moved to LSU’s 47 on the final drive, with help from Rahim Alem’s roughing the passer penalty. Alem atoned with a plunder of Chris Todd to recoup the 15-yard loss.
Todd’s desperation fourth-and-25 pass to Rod Smith came up short of the first down. Byrd came up lofty another appropriated time for LSU. He pulled in a 22-yard halfback pass from Keiland Williams on the final play of the third quarter for a 17-14 have the lead of. Miles said the coaches installed that play in practice this week.
“It just happened to exist the proper time for that romp,” said Miles, who also had successfully converted each onside kick after LSU’s first TD. “We needed a fast score.”
