Mike
Well-known member
NEW ORLEANS -- For the first 28 minutes of Wednesday night's Sugar Bowl, LSU and Notre Dame traded offensive punches and moved the ball seemingly at will in a 14-14 fight that seemed as if it might last to the 12th round.
For the last 32 minutes of the game, LSU pounded, beat and landed blows to the head and the heart of the Irish that Notre Dame could not return. The Tigers pounded the Irish unmercifully in the second half on their way to a 41-14 drubbing that left little doubt about which team was the fastest, quickest and obviously the most talented.
The Tigers were led by the strong-armed JaMarcus Russell who matched up against Notre Dame quarterback and Heisman Trophy Finalist Brady Quinn, and, frankly, cast a large shadow over the highly-touted Irish signal caller.
Russell completed 21-of-34 passes for 332 yards, two passing and one rushing touchdown and one meaningless interception on his way to being unanimously named the game's Most Outstanding Player. He was replaced by backup Matt Flynn late in the fourth quarter and left the field to a standing ovation from the partisan Superdome crowd.
Quinn ended the game with 15 completions on 35 attempts for 148 yards and two touchdowns to go along with two interceptions after throwing just five interceptions all season.
"I've said it before, I think I have the best quarterback in the country," Miles said.
Russell said he appreciated the accolades he received after the game and the comparisons to Quinn and his abilities but he wanted to spread the credit around to as many Tiger players as possible.
"My main thing is playing for my teammates and my coaches," Russell said. "Everyone has their opinion about who they think is the best and you can't change that. I don't know why I wasn't considered for the Heisman. But, I really do think I'm one of the best in college football."
In all, LSU outgained and stomped the highly regarded Notre Dame offense 577-291 after trailing the Irish in total yardage 261-244 at halftime. The yardage total was the highest of the season for the deep and fast Tiger offense that compiled 31 first downs, 19 of them in the second half. Notre Dame managed 17 first downs.
Most of Notre Dame's first half production came from tailback Darius Walker who gained 125 yards on 18 carries before the break. After halftime, Walker gained three yards while LSU's Keiland Williams gashed the beaten Irish for 94 yards in the second half. In all, the Tigers out-rushed the Irish 245-143.
"When it becomes apparent that the game is going to become a passing game that is when our defense plays real well," Miles said. "Notre Dame got some good yards early in the game on crack back rushes and rushes on the outside. Fixing that was the adjustment made at halftime."
Early in the contest, it looked as if LSU receiver Early Doucet may claim the outstanding player award after catching five passes for 106 yards in the first half. But, Doucet's production tailed off in the second half as Russell spread passes to seniors Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis and also found freshman Brandon LaFell on a 58-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter.
"I felt like these two teams matched up very well and I thought it was going to be a competitive game," Miles said. "I have great respect for Notre Dame and Coach Weis, but we had a better team today."
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For Katrina's Info:
Auburn Beat LSU this year.
Auburn also beat one team playing in the National Championship Game next Monday night. Florida.
Seeing as how Nebraska only got beat by 3 points by Auburn in the Cotton Bowl and played a damn fine game......................
You have nothing to be ashamed of......................... :wink:
You still pouting?????????
For the last 32 minutes of the game, LSU pounded, beat and landed blows to the head and the heart of the Irish that Notre Dame could not return. The Tigers pounded the Irish unmercifully in the second half on their way to a 41-14 drubbing that left little doubt about which team was the fastest, quickest and obviously the most talented.
The Tigers were led by the strong-armed JaMarcus Russell who matched up against Notre Dame quarterback and Heisman Trophy Finalist Brady Quinn, and, frankly, cast a large shadow over the highly-touted Irish signal caller.
Russell completed 21-of-34 passes for 332 yards, two passing and one rushing touchdown and one meaningless interception on his way to being unanimously named the game's Most Outstanding Player. He was replaced by backup Matt Flynn late in the fourth quarter and left the field to a standing ovation from the partisan Superdome crowd.
Quinn ended the game with 15 completions on 35 attempts for 148 yards and two touchdowns to go along with two interceptions after throwing just five interceptions all season.
"I've said it before, I think I have the best quarterback in the country," Miles said.
Russell said he appreciated the accolades he received after the game and the comparisons to Quinn and his abilities but he wanted to spread the credit around to as many Tiger players as possible.
"My main thing is playing for my teammates and my coaches," Russell said. "Everyone has their opinion about who they think is the best and you can't change that. I don't know why I wasn't considered for the Heisman. But, I really do think I'm one of the best in college football."
In all, LSU outgained and stomped the highly regarded Notre Dame offense 577-291 after trailing the Irish in total yardage 261-244 at halftime. The yardage total was the highest of the season for the deep and fast Tiger offense that compiled 31 first downs, 19 of them in the second half. Notre Dame managed 17 first downs.
Most of Notre Dame's first half production came from tailback Darius Walker who gained 125 yards on 18 carries before the break. After halftime, Walker gained three yards while LSU's Keiland Williams gashed the beaten Irish for 94 yards in the second half. In all, the Tigers out-rushed the Irish 245-143.
"When it becomes apparent that the game is going to become a passing game that is when our defense plays real well," Miles said. "Notre Dame got some good yards early in the game on crack back rushes and rushes on the outside. Fixing that was the adjustment made at halftime."
Early in the contest, it looked as if LSU receiver Early Doucet may claim the outstanding player award after catching five passes for 106 yards in the first half. But, Doucet's production tailed off in the second half as Russell spread passes to seniors Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis and also found freshman Brandon LaFell on a 58-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter.
"I felt like these two teams matched up very well and I thought it was going to be a competitive game," Miles said. "I have great respect for Notre Dame and Coach Weis, but we had a better team today."
**********************************************************
For Katrina's Info:
Auburn Beat LSU this year.
Auburn also beat one team playing in the National Championship Game next Monday night. Florida.
Seeing as how Nebraska only got beat by 3 points by Auburn in the Cotton Bowl and played a damn fine game......................
You have nothing to be ashamed of......................... :wink:
You still pouting?????????
