LSU-Kent State: Instant Analysis

LSU improved to 3-0 for the seventh straight season with a 45-13 thumping of Kent State in a final, non-conference warm-up game. The Tigers now prepare to start SEC play by hosting unranked Auburn at 6:45 p.m. Saturday, a game televised by ESPN.

Zach Mettenberger continued his electric trend of big throws for scores without a pick, going for 264 and three touchdowns. Mettenberger has nine touchdowns after three outings and has yet to throw an interception. The Tigers scored touchdowns on their first three series against Kent State.

Receivers OBJ and Jarvis "Juice" Landry, on pace with their talented thrower, were effective against an overmatched Kent St. secondary. Landry had two touchdown catches--one an acrobatic, leaping, endzone maneuver, and Beckham, Jr. another.

Jeremy Hill looked damn strong, rushing for 117 yards and two touchdowns. Terrence Magee added 108 yards and another score on just nine carries.

Defensively, interior lineman Ego Ferguson led the team with a career-best eight tackles and a sack. Defensive back Micah Eugene added six tackles and true freshman corner Tre'Davious White had four and a pass break-up. The LSU defense held Kent State to 248 total yards, of which only 36 were rushing.

While LSU is still tweaking its young defense, its offense is hitting on all cylinders, proving it can score in a variety of ways.

LSU hosts an undefeated Auburn squad that came from behind to defeat Mississippi State 24-20 in Auburn last Saturday. LSU is an early 16.5 point favorite after opening at -14.


-30- C.E.W.