LSU's Spencer Ware ran for 99 yards for the Tigers against Oregon. Photo: Alan K. Fox // The Five
ARLINGTON, Texas – In one of the most anticipated season-opening games in recent history the No. 3 Oregon Ducks and No. 4 LSU Tigers met on a neutral field, which was the first of two top-five ranked teams since 1984, which ended with the Tigers coming out on top 40-27.
The game looked a lot like last season’s BCS National Championship game when Oregon fell to anther SEC team in Auburn. The size of the front seven of LSU was able to contain the Oregon high-powered spread and rushing attack.
Oregon (1-0) running back LaMichael James was held to 54 yards on 18 carries and scored a touchdown in the second quarter. His 54 yards was just five more then he was able to gain against the Auburn defense.
When asked about the Tigers’ defensive front, James was quick to acknowledge their talent.
“They’re really good up front,” James said. “They did some really great things against us and we just got to get better.
James, who finished third in last year’s Heisman race and led the country in rushing yards, became Oregon’s all-time leading rusher with 3,331 yards. Derek Loville who played from 1989-89 held the previous record.
LSU’s (1-0) running game on the other hand was the strength of their offense – with two running backs finishing with nearly 100 yards each. Michael Ford finished the game with 96 yards and two touchdowns and Spencer Ware finished with 99 yards and a touchdown.
Both Flood and Ware each scored touchdowns within a 3:20 span in the third quarter both following fumbles on back-to-back touches by freshman running back De’Anthony Thomas.
Oregon had three total lost fumbles and an interception, which lead to 20 LSU points and helped build a 30-13 lead for the Tigers.
“That’s what really killed us was too many turnovers,” James said. “Too many turnovers and penalties is why we lost the game.”
The other Oregon fumble came from back-up return man and running back Kenjon Barner, who was filling in on punt returns for the suspended All-American Cliff Harris.
“Those are self-inflicted wounds,” Oregon head coach Chip Kelly said. “The drops, the turnovers and the penalties are the things that really killed us. Against a team like that, you’re not going to win the game.”
LSU head coach Les Miles couldn’t be any happier with the play of his defense.
“Our defense played a spectacular game,” LSU coach Les Miles said. “They played with an intensity and a speed to the ball.”
Harris was not the only suspended player for this game. LSU was without starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson and wide receiver Russell Shepard.
Ruben Randle stepped up in the absence of Shepard by catching a touchdown late in the first half – putting the Tigers ahead 16-13 – a lead they would never give up.
Jarrett Lee stepped in for the Tigers at quarterback and played an efficient game and did not turn the ball over – something that he had been known to do in the past. He finished the game by completing 10 of 22 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown.
“We’ve had a lot on our minds as team coming into this game,” Lee said. “It’s not something that we wanted to happen. But you have to put that to the side and move forward.”
With the lack of a running game, Oregon quarterback, Darron Thomas, had to look to the air to move the ball and attempted 54 passes with 31 of them being completed for 240 yards and a touchdown to go along with his interception.
LSU extended their national best streak of consecutive non-conference games. The Tigers last loss in a non-conference game came in 2002 when Virginia Tech won 28-7.
With the loss Oregon has lost consecutive games for the first time since 2007. The Ducks have now struggled against a top-20 non-conference team on offense.
They have scored four touchdowns and averaged over 200 yards less against LSU, Ohio State, Auburn and Boise State.
Oregon will look to rebound against Nevada when they host the Wolfpack at Autzen Stadium on Sept. 10, and LSU will play host to Northwestern State the same day.
Alan K. Fox can be reached at alanfoxjr@gmail.com or on Twitter @alankfox
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