Hobled Tigers Overwhelmed 42-20 in Texas Bowl
With less than 40 scholarship players available to play, an interim coaching staff, a wide receiver playing quarterback and only one defensive starting from the season opener playing, LSU (6-7) limped into Houston for the TaxAct Texas Bowl against Kansas State.
The undermanned Tigers were completely overwhelmed by the Wildcats 42-20 giving LSU its first losing season since 1999.
With Max Johnson transferring out, Myles Brennan hurt and Garrett Nussmeier redshirting, LSU wide receiver Jontre Kirklin started at quarterback for the Tigers.
"He is the epitome of a selfless kid,” LSU interim coach Brad Davis said. “He probably didn't have the career he expected to coming out of high school, but he never complained or wavered or thought of transferring or quitting."
Despite not having played quarterback since high school, he delivered a serviceable performance connecting on 7 of 11 passes for 138 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. He was also the Tigers’ leading rusher with 61 yards on 11 carries.
However, it wasn’t nearly enough as Kansas State outgained the Tigers 442-302.
I”t was a journey,” Kirklin said of his career at LSU. “Getting recruited as a cornerback. Playing cornerback for two years. Bouncing around at receiver. Scout team QB. Back to corner for a bowl game. Back to QB tonight. I’ve played everything. I’m blessed and honored.”
Led by sixth-year senior quarterback, Skylar Thompson, the Wildcats quickly jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first half dominating in nearly every aspect of the game. Thompson looked every bit of quarterback making his 40th start going 21-28 for 259 yards and three touchdowns with no turnovers.
In the second quarter, Kirklin lobbed a 23-yard pass to receiver JaRay Jenkins for a touchdown cutting the lead to 21-7.
That was as close as the Tigers would come before Kansas State’s star running back, Deuce Vaughn ripped off three unanswered touchdowns. Vaughn ran the ball 21 times for 146 yards three touchdowns and caught another touchdown.
With Kansas State up 42-7, Kirklin tossed two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including an 81-yard pass to Chris Hilton off a flea-flicker end-around reverse on the final play of the game. That catch was his lone catch, but it was good enough to make him LSU’s leading receiver in the game.
Safties Todd Harris and Jay Ward led LSU in tackles with nine each.
Story to be updated with quotes and information.
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