Vanderbilt (1-0) at (17) LSU (1-0)

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  • Game info: 7:00 pm EDT Sat Sep 12, 2009
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LSU stumbled through SEC play last year and finished below .500 for the first time since 1999.

After getting this season off to a winning start, the Tigers will try to begin conference play in strong fashion when they host Vanderbilt on Saturday night for the first time in almost five years.

The 11th-ranked Tigers went 3-5 in the highly competitive SEC last season, losing their last four games—three at home—to end up third in the West. It was the first time they finished below .500 in conference play since going 1-7 in 1999.

LSU, two seasons removed from winning the national title, will rely on quarterback Jordan Jefferson and wide receiver Terrance Toliver to help it avoid similar struggles within the conference.

The duo were key in getting the Tigers’ 2009 season off to a positive start with a 31-23 win at Washington on Saturday.

Jefferson, a sophomore, went 11 for 19 for 172 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 42 yards on eight carries. Toliver caught four passes for 117 yards and a career-high two TDs. The junior doubled his scoring total from all of last year, when he managed 22 receptions for 257 yards in a reserve role.

“We knew Terrance was going to get the ball a lot (Saturday),” said Jefferson, who will get his first start at Tiger Stadium after starting three road games last year, including a 38-3 win over Georgia Tech in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. “They were coming with corner blitzes, and I just fed him the ball.”

With Jefferson and Toliver commanding the offense, Tigers coach Les Miles is hoping for a better performance defensively.

Senior linebacker Jacob Cutrera returned an interception 29 yards for a first-quarter touchdown, but the defense managed one sack while allowing 478 yards—321 through the air. The Tigers allowed 215.4 passing yards per game last year, ranking only better than Mississippi’s 221.7 in the SEC. They also gave up 15 passing scores compared to eight interceptions, a far cry from the 23 picks and 19 TDs from the previous season.

Those struggles prompted Miles to hire John Chavis as defensive coordinator. Chavis held the same position at Tennessee from 1995-2008.

“I think our new defensive coaches did a good job. The team was in position to make tackles and do things,” Miles said. “We missed some tackles early on.

“At times I saw that Tiger defense that I want it to be.”

LSU is 20-7-1 all-time against Vanderbilt, winning the last five meetings. Despite being conference rivals, the teams haven’t met since the Tigers won 34-6 at Nashville on Oct. 8, 2005. They last played in Baton Rouge on Oct. 30, 2004, a 24-7 win for LSU as it improved to 10-2-1 there in the all-time series.

The Commodores split eight conference games last year, dropping four of the last five as part of a 2-6 stretch. That came after they opened the season with five consecutive wins to climb as high as 13th in the AP poll.

Vanderbilt opened this season with last Saturday’s 45-0 win over Football Championship Subdivision team Western Carolina. The Commodores generated 433 rushing yards with five of their six touchdowns coming on the ground, and the defense held the Catamounts to 115 yards.

“I thought it was a good win,” coach Bobby Johnson said. “We got off to a very good start. Our defense played like we expected them to play. It gives us a good starting point and maybe we can move forward. Obviously, this week the competition is going to be a whole lot better.

“Offensively, we’re realistic. We’re not going to be able to run the ball as easily against LSU as we did against Western Carolina.”

Vanderbilt’s rushing game is led by freshmen Warren Norman and Zac Stacy. Norman had 105 yards and two touchdowns last weekend, while Stacy ran for 133 and a score.

Updated Sep 8, 3:02 pm EDT
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28 Comments

  • 0 users liked this comment Please sign in to rate this comment up. Please sign in to rate this comment down. 0 users disliked this comment
    Suchada Thu Nov 05, 2009 06:08 am PST Report Abuse
    hi mr. holly molly
    how are you? where are you now?
    miss you and want to kiss you mak mak now
    tack care your self
  • 0 users liked this comment Please sign in to rate this comment up. Please sign in to rate this comment down. 0 users disliked this comment
    Suchada Thu Nov 05, 2009 06:07 am PST Report Abuse
    hi mr. holly molly
    how are you? where are you now?
    miss you and want to kiss you mak mak now
    tack care your self
  • 0 users liked this comment Please sign in to rate this comment up. Please sign in to rate this comment down. 0 users disliked this comment
    JONROB Tue Sep 15, 2009 07:52 pm PDT Report Abuse
    The SEC is top dog now. Note the recent Natinal Champs. I'll be watching the USC at Washington game. It should give me a idea, if LSU are tigers or kittens
  • 0 users liked this comment Please sign in to rate this comment up. Please sign in to rate this comment down. 0 users disliked this comment
    RUSSELL B Mon Sep 14, 2009 08:31 am PDT Report Abuse
    Mr Craig aka mr Pac10 its real simple my dude Florida,Ga,Kentucky,South Carolina,Tenn,Vandy,Tide,Ark,Auburn,LSU,Ole Miss Miss st maybe 2 teams are below average can you please find a conference that matches these teams then let me NO... The natational Champion will come out the SEC for the next 10 years or more Football is God in the South get used to it !!
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    Craig Sun Sep 13, 2009 05:03 pm PDT Report Abuse
    Mark, it's always obvious on these boards when someone has a weak arguement and your post shows it again :) I made some comments but when you have to reply and start insulting me calling me jealous and how LITTLE I know, etc. then it exposes you.

    Again, nothing you said would prove the SEC is so much better than other conferences. BTW, I wasn't talking about last year or the year before, or the year before. Hell, two years ago Michigan whipped Florida in the bowl game. Does that mean UM is a better team today? Your way of arguing would make one think so.

    I never said the Pac-10 was so good,although they WERE undefeated in bowl games last year but that means nothing this year, right? See how it doesn't work?

    Ok, I'll watch for the SEC to win the title this year. Probably a good chance since one of them can prob go undefeated this season considering the average strength of schedules. Would also be happy to see UW be a 'star' in the Pac-10 but not suprised. You may be too young to remember but they once were but the past few years have been tough.
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    I_despise_leeches Sun Sep 13, 2009 02:08 pm PDT Report Abuse
    What did you expect in a game between athletically-gifted-but-intellectual-morons and real students.
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    BonTemps Sun Sep 13, 2009 07:19 am PDT Report Abuse
    I don't get it but doesn't the play-calling bother anyone? Isn't JJJ putting into play what Crowden (or others are saying)...... and the constant checking at the line, omg. Is the coaching staff over-analyzing it all?

    And what was the conflict with JJJ and the offensive coordinators reported last night? There's way too much talent with RBs and receivers and quarterbacks to have such lackluster performance.
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    Mark Sun Sep 13, 2009 05:52 am PDT Report Abuse
    Craig, you are just plain jealous and it’s obvious as you prove week after week how LITTLE you actually know much about football!

    UCLA barely beat a Tennessee team that had a loosing record last year and was near the bottom of the SEC. Your "Cream of the Crop and Stellar Star Team USC" was loosing most of the game and won on the last drive to a team LSU and Florida blew out. Your next to best team Cal beat big time East Washington and Maryland, whose only win came in overtime by 3 points to James Madison, yes that’s right, JM…

    Meanwhile LSU beat last years bowl winner Vanderbilt in a rain filled game, limiting them to 210 Total Yards. Anyone who knows anything about football knows that you play conservative in the rain and that such games are usually closer than normal. 14 points isn’t a squeaker. For the last 3 quarters, LSU was in the lead – not like USC having to come from behind to win.

    Florida, Alabama, etc, again rolled and the SEC (come Monday) will make up nearly ½ (4 out of 10) of the top 10! Eat your heart out!!

    You should spend you measly time trying a new approach of fabricating credibility for the PAC-10 because it’s still not working! You are only fooling yourself and the jealous other members of your league over the superiority of the SEC. Real football people are laughing at you! It’s now looking like Washington may be one of the stars of your league after all.

    You will be able to witness the power of the SEC first hand when it walks away with another National Title in your “precious” Rose Bowl!
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    BIG BAYOU Sun Sep 13, 2009 04:37 am PDT Report Abuse
    This is for that first comment i dont know if u watched the game last week, but ohio st almost lost to navy. if lsu sticks with the running game they may open up the passing game. power football!!!!!!!!
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    Craig Sun Sep 13, 2009 02:56 am PDT Report Abuse
    It cracks me up seeing everyone talk about how tought the SEC is and how weak the Big 10, Pac 10 and others are... LSU hasn't impressed me at all, Tennessee got beat at home by an middle of the conference Pac 10 school, Florida whipped Troy (wtf, Troy?!! big deal!), Alabama beat Fl Intl (Whoopee!), Georgia nearly got beat by SEC Powerhouse Vandy, and Auburn beat Miss St. All this while USC goes into 106k stadium and beats a decent (defense at least) OSU team ranked #6.

    I guess Im missing it, but what is it about the above is screaming to everyone that the SEC is so tough? Sure they are a tough conference, but like Cheech and Chong used to say, things are tough all over. SEC is an average conference this year...
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    Robert C Sun Sep 13, 2009 12:06 am PDT Report Abuse
    It is still too early to know which teams are great and which are not.

    Washington and Vandy are probably good teams. LSU might be great for beating them...or all 3 might suck.

    BYU may be the best team in the Land and OU not far behind...or both may suck.

    USC and Ohio State may be the two best teams out there...or may only be mediocre.

    Point is - we have not seen enough out of anyone to really know anything. I would not worry about LSU just yet....they are 2-0 no matter how they got there.
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    Texas Tiger Sat Sep 12, 2009 11:28 pm PDT Report Abuse
    1. Could Jefferson just use the play they had decided on in the huddle. whats with this changing at the last second and nearly getting a Delay of Game.
    2. For the love of god someone please make a tackle on defense. Giving them get a first down on 3rd and long is bad.
    3. The ball is handed off to Scott who runs up the middle into his own blocker and gets taken down for a loss. Can someone please give him a better play.

    Both Washington and Vanderbilt are better teams now than they have been in previous years. I wouldn't be surprised if both made it to bowl games. There should be no excuse for us not running up 40 points against ULL next week though.. GEAUX TIGERS!!!!!
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    Gift E Sat Sep 12, 2009 10:43 pm PDT Report Abuse
    1.) LSU has to get stronger on the defensive line. They are not getting any pressure on the QB at all. 2.) I am very very happy that Jordan Jefferson threw the ball more often. Even though it might not have looked great, the LSU actually looked fluid on offense much more than it did last week. Jefferson obviously has work, but I can see much improvement. 3.) Russell Shepard is much more of a beast than originally thought. Him, Jordan Jefferson and Trindon Holliday need to have a play where they are all on the field at the same time. The speed would be incredible. 4.) LSU's defense still has a ton of work to do and John Chavis HAS to learn how to blitz more and cover the side line more often. Chavis has to much talent to be messing up like he does. 5.) Keiland Williams and Charles Scott should be on the field at the same time. Scott should be at Fullback, Keiland at tailback.
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    beastmode Sat Sep 12, 2009 09:32 pm PDT Report Abuse
    A wet field can keep a game close but LSU is not looking like a contender right now. They seem to dominate the line of scrimmage only when they have to and aren't carrying intensity on every down. I hope that changes otherwise they are in for a long season.
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    Alfred Sat Sep 12, 2009 09:30 pm PDT Report Abuse
    I agree with 9 and 11, I think LSU has played against two very good teams already and should get better each week. Washington should get about 9 - 10 wins this year, i wish their QB played for the tigers. Geaux Tigers !!
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    wood-chuck22 Sat Sep 12, 2009 09:29 pm PDT Report Abuse
    koroba Oklahoma didn't loose today. maybe you saw Oklahoma states score. give Lsu some time they should play better as the season goes on. also look at the stats from this game Lsu pretty much dominated.
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    Logan Sat Sep 12, 2009 09:04 pm PDT Report Abuse
    LSU, we need to work with Jefferson some & work with the d-line they need to step up and get those running QB's...they may get to a high BCS bowl but, hey this is Les Miles the MadHatter, who knows what he's gonna do!
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    leasl Sat Sep 12, 2009 09:00 pm PDT Report Abuse
    LSU will continue to get better each week. Vandy is an SEC team that is vastly improved from years past. LSU may not be a greased machine, but always gets the job done and comes away with the "W". I see possibly one loss for the LSU tigers this year, but anything can, and probably will, happen in the world of college football. You LSU disbelievers keep on disbelieving, but be prepared to eat crow in 3 weeks. Geaux tigers!
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    Flu15 Sat Sep 12, 2009 08:46 pm PDT Report Abuse
    LSU's a good team, but not on national championship level. I figure they'll end up w/ 2 or 3 losses this season.
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    Dawgmeat Sat Sep 12, 2009 08:45 pm PDT Report Abuse
    Scott ....... as somebody who watched all 12 losses of Washingtons last season ..... i can assure you the team that played LSU last week and Idaho today was NOTHING like the 2008 Huskies. our pass defense is still pretty suspect .... but our offense is 100 times better, and the team plays like it expects to win ..... something that was absent from the Pileofsh*tingham era. after watching USC tonight ..... i would not be surprised one bit if Washington beats USC next week. my main concern was USCs passing game, and that Barkley kid they have at QB is simply not that good.

    i cant speak for Vanderbilt ..... but dont look at Washingtons 2008 record and think LSU shouldve slaughtered Washington ..... they are a completely different team this season. if LSU played exactly the same game against the 08 Huskies, they wouldve won 50-3.
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    Flu15 Sat Sep 12, 2009 08:45 pm PDT Report Abuse
    Uh koroba, Okie St. lost today, not Oklahoma...
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    greg j Sat Sep 12, 2009 08:41 pm PDT Report Abuse
    Poor tigers ull will beat lsu next week go cajans
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    Dawgmeat Sat Sep 12, 2009 08:41 pm PDT Report Abuse
    koroba ???????? what the hell are you talking about ????? Oklahoma won like 80-0 today. well, it wasnt that bad ...... but it was a complete ass kicking. Oklahoma is 1-1.
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    Steven Sat Sep 12, 2009 08:16 pm PDT Report Abuse
    I agree to posts 2,3 and 4. I was concerned last week after the Wash game but now I am downright scared of how this season is going to turn out. I commented last week that LSU has to find a ball control game but so far Jefferson seems out of his element. They may win next week again but after that all bets are off...this may be an ugly year. My gosh, look at what happened to Oklahoma today...2 losses already, they are toast. Let's not hope LSU gets pounded when the meat of the conference schedule starts up.
    A native son lovin' LSU from Idaho!
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    Floyd F Sat Sep 12, 2009 08:04 pm PDT Report Abuse
    vandy is pretty good but LSU is stilll not that strong this year

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