Les Miles and LSU Win on and off the Field, Downs Aggies 19-7
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
LSU (8-3, 5-3)held Texas A&M’s high scoring up-tempo offense to 250 total yards in a 19-7 LSU home win on Saturday and in the process, per all reports and rumors, saved head coach Les Miles job.
The SEC West showdown was more a throwback defensive struggle than a modern day shootout with every yard fought for and needed. In the first quarter, LSU got on the board to start the scoring with back-to-back Trent Domingue field goals. On the Tigers first possession Domingue nailed a 32-yard attempt and then with 9:50 left in the first, he hit a second attempt, this one from 38-yards out.
Texas A&M (8-4, 4-4) responded late in the first with a Kyle Allen to Ricky Seals-Jones 8-yard connection to take the lead at 7-6. Both offenses looked like they might be done feeling out the other’s defense with some scoring to come but the defenses tightened holding the scoring off until midway through the third quarter when freshman Derrius Guice broke free on a 50-yard run giving LSU a 13-7 lead.
Sophomore running back Leonard Fournette found the end zone with about three minutes left in the game on a 4-yard touchdown run. The Tigers attempted a two-point conversion but the Aggies stopped it putting the score at the final, 19-7.
The game was far from pretty, but that is Miles style. Fournette led all rushers with 159 yards on 32 carries with one score and he caught four passes for another 43 yards of offense. Guice ended the game with 10 carries for 73 yards with a touchdown. Sophomore quarterback Brandon Harris had one of his worst games in the pocket only completing 7 of 21 pass attempts for 83 yards with one interception.
Head coach Kevin Summlin had no answers for the LSU defense. Sophomore quarterback Kyle Allen was limited to 161 yards passing connecting on 15 of 28 attempts with one score and one pick. Running back Tra Carson had moments of finding holes in the LSU defense but finished with 69 yards on 19 carries. Josh Reynold led all receivers with five receptions for 71 yards. True freshman Christian Kirk could not break free for a needed score but was effective catching three passes for 54 yards.
The scoring could have been different, but not affect the outcome of the game with the Aggies missing one field goal and LSU missing three. A&M and LSU stalled drives and gave away opportunities with various penalties seeing the Aggies called for 11 fouls for 84 yards and the Tigers hit for eight losing 65 yards. The biggest key of the game was the turnover battle won by LSU. The Tigers gave one away but took back three.
The LSU players carried Miles off the field after his moment of victory and into another year in Baton Rouge. Immediately after the game LSU athletic director Joe Alleva confirmed Miles will keep his job stating, “I’m looking forward to working with Coach Miles as he leads this team to a bowl game and another great recruiting class. Les and I have talked. We have talked about this program and we are committed together to working to win and compete at the highest level.” Miles was reportedly first told by LSU President F. King Alexander that he would retain his job. If any stipulations on retaining his job, like finding a new offensive coordinator, was not discussed or disclosed.
Tiger fans showed their appreciation of Miles throughout the game chanting “Keep Les Miles” while holding up signs supporting their championship winning coach.
In the win, Fournette moved into the LSU record book as the single-season all-time rusher with 1,741 yards passing Charles Alexander’s 1,686 yards set in 1977.
Photo credit: yahoosports.com; Les Miles carried off the field by his players.