I am scratching my head on this one.
“Jerry’s World,” the hype was in the air, but I did not see this one coming. Moreover, I did not get even get a glimpse of the updated version of the “turnover chain.”
Led by Nick Brossette, No. 25 LSU Tigers showed they could be better than what the pundits predicted.
Brossette ran for 125 yards with his first two career touchdowns and grad transfer quarterback Joe Burrow, who appeared in 10 games the past two seasons at Ohio State, won his first college start as the Tigers dismantled No. 8 ranked Miami Hurricanes 33-17 on Sunday night.
The final score is one indication; however it was over in the first half for “The U.” Miami finished the first half with eight penalties, 0-6 on third down and quarterback Malik Rosier continued where he left off from last season.
“We certainly had things go well and not so well,” Miami head coach Mark Richt said. “A lot of self-inflicted wounds, not to take anything away from what LSU did because they beat us soundly.”
Malik Rosier had a record-setting season last year with his 31 touchdowns (26 passing, five rushing) and 3,588 total yards, but had some of the same issues that haunt him.
Rosier was 15 of 35 for 259 yards with two interceptions against LSU. The Hurricanes were down 33-3 before his 3-yard TD run and 32-yard TD pass to Brian Hightower in the fourth quarter. In the losing streak to end last season, he had three total TDs (all passing) with five interceptions.
“The whole game was a huge learning experience for us,” Rosier said. “They did some stuff that we weren’t prepared for. That’s why I had so many scrambles and stuff.
The Hurricanes have lost four straight games dating back to last season after a 10-0 start. They were exposed with the lack of an intermediate passing game that does not exist and a questionable offensive line to help the talented running game.
The Tigers led 27-3 at the half. LSU’s Jacob Phillips returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown. The 27 points, was the most points LSU scored in the first half against an FBS opponent since October 17, 2015.
LSU is 4-0 at AT&T Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. All of those wins have been against top 25 opponents, in three season openers and the 2011 Cotton Bowl over Texas A&M.
Hurricanes dropped a marquee opener but have important conference games upcoming that this loss will help them prepare for.
LSU finished with 156 yards rushing, Miami 83. When LSU rushes for over 100 yards and holds their opponents to under 100 yards rushing they are now 74-0 in those football games.
The beat goes on; Hurricanes have their home opener vs. Savannah State on Saturday. LSU has their home opener vs. Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday.
