'Dogs fall into Tiger trap
Stephen Franz / LSU Media Relations
Fresno State wide receiver Chastin West is upended by an LSU defender during the Bulldogs’ 38-6 loss to the No. 14 Tigers.
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Staff Reports
The Collegian
It wasn’t much different from what was expected, but the LSU Tigers turned its game with Fresno State into a track meet.
The Bulldogs defense was able to keep the game close in the first half, but a second half surge by the Tigers put away the Bulldogs. The 38-6 victory for No. 14 LSU gives it a 6-2 record, while the Bulldogs fall to 1-6.
The Tigers, who were touted as one of the country’s most talented teams, proved the nation’s experts correct by piling up four touchdowns of 20 yards or more.
Fresno State, on the other hand, had sophomore quarterback Sean Norton making the first start of his Bulldogs career, handled it well, completing 13 of 20 passes for 134 yards. With Norton under center, the Bulldogs were able to sustain drives multiple times and were on the brink of scoring a touchdown at least once before LSU’s top-ranked defense stiffened up.
The Tigers’ speed proved to be too much for the Bulldogs, at least offensively, with short in time, long in length drives that tortured a worn down Fresno State defense in the second half. Tigers receiver Dwayne Bowe made the play of the game, hauling in a JaMarcus Russell pass for a minimal gain before turning upfield and avoiding Bulldogs defenders on his way to the 58-yard touchdown catch.
It was only the Bulldogs lack of execution that allowed the game to get out of hand as once again, missed tackles gave the Tigers extra yards and downs, while the offensive line struggled against an opponents pass rush for the first time all season, giving up four sacks to the vaunted Tigers defense.
Norton’s solid performance earned him a start for the Bulldogs next game, Nov. 1 at No. 18 Boise State.
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