By GLENN GUILBEAU, Tiger Rag Editor
LSU finally solved its red zone issues – at least temporarily – in taking a 14-10 lead over Texas in the first half Saturday night at Tiger Stadium. But it could have been significantly better as quarterback Sam Leavitt threw another two interceptions and has 11 on the season.
The Tigers reached a first down a yard into the red zone on the Longhorns’ 24-yard line on their first drive of the game on an 18-yard completion from Leavitt to wide receiver Eugene Wilson III. Five plays later on third-and-seven from the 10-yard line, the sold-out Tiger Stadium crowd of 102,321 braced for another red zone field goal or possibly another failed fourth down try, which was the case last week in the 31-13 loss to No. 5 Alabama.
But Leavitt found wide receiver Jackson Harris over the middle for the 10-yard touchdown and 7-7 tie with 5:16 to play in the first quarter.
After Leavitt threw into a crowd for an interception by defensive back Jelani McDonald at the Texas 32, the Tigers crossed into the red zone again on their next drive early in the second quarter. Leavitt threw a short pass to Harris, who turned it into a 26-yard gain to the Texas 13-yard line. But on second-and-nine from the 12, Leavitt threw one up for grabs under a heavy rush, and McDonald caught that one, too, for Leavitt’s 11th interception of the season.
Texas quarterback Arch Manning returned the favor, however, as defensive back Ty Benefield picked him off at the Texas 38-yard line and returned it 31 yards to the Longhorns’ 7-yard line. One play later, Leavitt hit Harris for a 9-yard touchdown and 14-7 LSU lead with 9:17 to go in the first half.
Leavitt and Manning each often looked like each needed to attend the Manning Passing Academy of Arch’s grandfather Archie Manning in Thibodaux next summer. But not as counselors … as campers. Leavitt completed 18 of 24 passes for 173 yards with two interceptions. Manning hit 9 of 19 for 82 yards with the one pick.
After Texas cut the Tigers’ lead to 14-10 with 3:22 to go in half on a 42-yard field goal by Gianni Spetic, LSU reached the red zone for a fourth time late in the second quarter on running back Dilin Jones’ 9-yard run up the middle to the Longhorns’ 25-yard line. But with :03 remaining in the second quarter with LSU at the 20-yard line, Scott Starzyk missed a 38-yard field goal, leaving LSU 2-for-4 in the red zone.
Manning ran and passed the Longhorns 75 yards in 11 plays with the opening possession of the game for his 1-yard touchdown run and a 7-0 lead with 10:31 to go in the first quarter.
The Tigers outgained Texas, 206 yards to 144, and had 14 first downs to 10.
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