LSU overcomes stingy defense defeating No. 9 Auburn 23-20
The stars aligned for LSU leading up to this game.
Leading up to this game, LSU had just landed a pair of highly coveted recruits for the class of 2020. LSU quarterback Joe Burrow found himself holding the lofty “Heisman frontrunner” label. And, LSU’s playoff odds increased significantly with fifth-ranked Oklahoma being upset at Kansas State.
All LSU needed was a win against Auburn, which Vegas had pegged as a double-digit underdog to set up an epic matchup with Alabama on November 9th. It was a nerve-wrackingly perfect scenario for the Tigers.
Early on, that premise appeared to be in peril, but LSU pulled away late 23-20 in a hard-fought affair that featured 27 penalties.
With the win, LSU has registered its third win over a top-10 team. LSU very well may look up tomorrow being the top-ranked team in the country, with what could be the top-ranked recruiting class inbound.
It was apparent the Auburn defensive front had Burrow and the LSU offense off-rhythm from the first drive.
For the first time this season, LSU’s offense did not look like an unstoppable juggernaut. In fact, LSU was held scoreless for the entire first quarter giving Auburn a 3-0 lead going into the second quarter.
“They came out in a defense we hadn’t seen yet this year, so it took us a while to adjust and get going,” Burrow said. “It wasn’t pretty by any means, but SEC games are never pretty.”
Auburn’s defense accounted for three sacks and rarely allowed Burrow to get ample time in the pocket.
“Credit to Auburn’s defensive line, that was one of the best I’ve seen,” LSU coach Ed Orgeron said. “Their coverage was very good.”
LSU responded early in the second quarter with a 20-yard touchdown grab by receiver Terrace Marshall from Burrow. But, LSU freshman cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. later fumbled a punt setting up Auburn in favorable field position. Seven plays and 22 yards later, Auburn quarterback Bo Nix reclaimed the lead on a one-yard run for a touchdown.
LSU added a 20-yard field goal 33 seconds before halftime to tie the game at 10.
In the second half, Auburn recaptured the lead on a 23-yard field goal, but LSU swiftly responded with two touchdowns.
LSU held Auburn’s offense in check for most of the second half, until its final drive where Bo Nix lead the Tigers down the field on a four-play 49-yard drive making cutting the LSU lead to three points with 2:32 remaining.
LSU recovered the onside kick and ran the clock off to secure the victory.
Although the score was a narrow margin, LSU outgained Auburn 508-287 and moved the chains effectively with 30 first downs.
Burrow managed to go 32-42 for 321 yards and a touchdown.
“He was under pressure and he made some critical conversions,” Orgeron said of Burrow.
While Burrow continued to play well, Clyde Edwards-Helaire may have been the hero of this game. He rand 26 times for 136 yards.
LSU’s offense didn’t put up the 50+ points we have come accustomed to seeing, but the defense had its strongest performance of the season.
LSU limited Auburn to only 287 yards, 16 first downs and converted on five of 18 third-down attempts.
“Overall, our defense played phenomenal tonight,” Orgeron said.
LSU’s defense registered three sacks, four tackles for a loss, an interception and limited Auburn to just 4.2 yards per play.
Defensively, LSU safety JaCoby Stevens led the way with ten tackles followed by linebackers Jacob Philips and Patrick Queen with seven tackles each.
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