LSU Holds Off In-State Opponent ULM 27-14 at Tiger Stadium
LSU Tigers #14 Max Johnson (QB) looking downfield for an open receiver against the ULM Warhawks defense. Photo by Kevin Magee/T.G.Sportstv1.
BATON ROUGE, LA - The ULM Warhawks (4-7) traveled 190 miles south to Tiger Stadium and fell short to their in-state opponent, the LSU Tigers (5-6), 27-14.
LSU sophomore quarterback Max Johnson threw for 319 yards completing 22 of his 33 passes and two touchdowns.
ULM quarterback Rhett Rodriguez completed 12 of 22 passes and threw for 157 yards and one touchdown.
LSU took an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter by going five plays, 64 yards with a 3-yard touchdown run by Johnson with 11:49 remaining in the first quarter.
After driving 74 yards in thirteen plays, ULM would turn the ball over on downs after failing to convert a fourth and goal from the LSU two-yard line.
With fifty-one seconds remaining in the first quarter, LSU's kicker Cade York would miss a 44-yard field goal ending a twelve-play, 73-yard drive with zero points on the board.
LSU Tigers #5 Jay Ward (S) interception touchdown run against ULM Warhawks' offense. Photo by Kevin Magee/T.G.Sportstv1.
Rodriguez would throw an interception to LSU's Jay Ward with 14:48 remaining in the first half. LSU kicker Cade York would convert a 27-yard field goal with LSU extending their lead to10-0.
After forcing a three and out, LSU would get the ball back and score a 67-yard touchdown pass from Johnson to Malik Nabers, and LSU now led 17-0.
The Warhawks finally got on the scoreboard after Rodriguez completed a 28-yard touchdown pass to Boogie Knight, with 3:34 remaining in the first half. LSU would go into the locker room at halftime leading, ULM, 17-7.
LSU extended their lead in the second half when Johnson completed a 42-yard pass to Brian Thomas Jr. after going 82 yards in eight plays. LSU now led 24-7 with 1:29 remaining in the third quarter.
ULM Warhawks #82 Zach Rasmussen (TE) 27-yard touchdown catch against the LSU Tigers' defense. Photo by Kevin Magee/T.G.Sportstv1.
ULM capped off a ten-play, 58-yard drive with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Chandler Rogers to his tight-end Zach Rasmussen to inch the Warhawks closer. ULM now trailed 24-14 with 3:20 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Warhawks attempted an onside kick, but LSU recovered. York would kick a 50-yard field goal with forty-six seconds remaining in the game, and the final score was 27-14.
LSU senior linebacker Damone Clark was happy with the win but said, "the way we played defense tonight was not the standard for LSU Football. We have to do better than that."
Ed Orgeron will coach his last game as head coach of the LSU Tigers next Saturday as they host the 16th-ranked Texas A&M Aggies (8-3) on November 27th. LSU must win to become bowl eligible.