LSU vs. Wisconsin

Date/Time:         Saturday, September 3 at 2:30 p.m. CT

Location:              Green Bay, Wisc. – Lambeau Field (80,735)

Television:          ABC or WatchESPN.com

Radio:                   LSU Sports Radio Network – 98.1 FM in Baton Rouge

Sirius Satellite Radio – ch. 113; XM Radio – ch. 190

Series Record:  LSU leads, 3-0

Series Notes:

LSU and Wisconsin meet for the fourth time on Saturday when the Tigers and Badgers square off at legendary Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin … LSU leads the overall series, 3-0, which includes a 28-24 victory the last time the teams met in 2014 … LSU and Wisconsin first played in 1971 with the Tigers posting a 38-28 win in Madison … A year later, LSU won 27-7 in Tiger Stadium … The Tigers and Badgers opened the 2014 season at NRG Stadium in Houston where the Tigers rallied from a 24-7 second half deficit to win, 28-24 … LSU has been ranked in the Top 25 for all four meetings with Wisconsin (No. 18 in 1971, No. 9 in 1972 and No. 13 in 2014) … Wisconsin has been ranked in the Top 25 for just one of the four meetings (No. 14 in 2014) … LSU coach Les Miles is 1-0 vs. Wisconsin as a head coach … Miles was 3-0 against Wisconsin as a player at Michigan and 5-3 vs. the Badgers as an assistant coach with the Wolverines.

 

LSU Opens 12^th Season Under Les Miles Against Wisconsin At Historic Lambeau Field

LSU opens is 12^th season under head coach Les Miles on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT when the Tigers face Wisconsin at historic Lambeau Field in Green Bay. The game will be televised by ABC Sports with Steve Levy (pxp), Brian Griese (analyst) and Todd McShay (reporter) on the call. The game will also be broadcast on the LSU Sports Radio Network and will mark the LSU football debut of the new Voice of the Tigers Chris Blair. Blair will be joined on the broadcast by Doug Moreau (analyst) and Gordy Rush (reporter). LSU enters the game ranked No. 5 in the AP Poll and No. 6 in the USA Today/Amway Coaches Poll. Miles, now the Dean of SEC Football Coaches, enters the 2016 season with has 112-32 mark at LSU, making him the second-winningest coach in school history. Overall, Miles has a 140-53 record, which includes four years at Oklahoma State. The Tigers return 17 starters (9 offense, 8 defense) from a squad that posted a 9-3 mark a year ago. LSU capped the 2015 season with a 56-27 win over Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl in Houston.  Offensively, the Tigers are led by All-America running back Leonard Fournette, who set the school’s single-season rushing record last year with 1,953 yards to go along with 22 rushing TDs. In two years, Fournette has racked up 2,987 rushing yards and 32 rushing TDs. Junior QB Brandon Harris is 9-4 as a starter for the Tigers. Last year, Harris started every game, throwing for 2,165 yards, 13 TDs and just six interceptions. His top two targets from last year return in 2016 – senior Travin Dural (career: 72 rec., 1,436 yards, 12 TDs) and junior Malachi Dupre (career: 57 rec., 1,016 yards, 11 TDs). Defensively, LSU welcomes first-year coordinator Dave Aranda (formerly DC at Wisconsin) to the staff. Aranda has installed a new 3-4 scheme, which the Tigers will debut against the Badgers. LSU has eight starters back on defense, including its top producer in sacks (DE Lewis Neal, 8.0), and interceptions (SS Jamal Adams, 4) from a year ago. LB Kendell Beckwith returns after ranking second on team in both tackles (84) and tackles for loss (10.0) a year ago. Aussie Josh Growden will make his collegiate debut at punter for the Tigers against the Badgers, while senior PK Colby Delahoussaye will handle all placekicks for LSU. Delahoussaye, who started at the position as both a freshman and sophomore, has connected on 24-of-24 field goals and 90-of-93 point-after conversions during his career at LSU.

 

TALKING POINTS
*              LSU RB Leonard Fournette is just 13 yards shy of reaching 3,000 rushing yards for his career. At 25 games and 487 attempts, Fournette will likely become the fastest player to 3,000 yards in school history. Kevin Faulk is fastest to 3,000 in school history, doing it in 28 games and on 572 attempts.

 

• LSU has won all 11 season-openers under Les Miles, which includes a 28-24 victory over Wisconsin in 2014. Overall, LSU has won 13 consecutive season openers dating back to a 49-7 win over Louisiana-Monroe to open the 2003 season.

 

• LSU brings the longest non-conference regular season winning streak in FBS history into the Wisconsin game at 52 consecutive wins. LSU hasn’t lost a regular-season non-conference game since 2002 when Virginia Tech beat the Tigers, 26-8, in the season-opener.

 

• LSU is 49-3 in non-conference games under Les Miles with none of the three losses coming during the regular season. LSU’s only three non-conference losses under Miles have come in bowl games (Penn State, 19-17, in 2010 Capital One Bowl; Clemson, 25-24, in 2012 Peach Bowl; and Notre Dame, 31-28, in 2014 Music City Bowl). LSU’s three non-conference losses under Miles have come by a total of 6 points.

 

• LSU goes into the 2016 season ranked in the Top 25 for the 16^th consecutive year. LSU has been ranked in the Top 25 in week 1 of every season dating back to 2001. Saturday’s game will mark the 138^th time in 145 games under Miles that LSU will be ranked in the Top 25 and the Tigers are 107-31 in those games.

 

• LSU is 13-5 in neutral site games under Les Miles.

 

• Last year, LSU scored 48 offensive TDs (35 rushing, 13 passing) and the Tigers return every player in 2016 who scored an offensive touchdown last season. RB Leonard Fournette led the way with 23 total TDs.

 

• LSU is 55-6 under Les Miles when a running back reaches the 100-yard mark, which includes a 13-2 record when Leonard Fournette goes over the century mark. LSU was 9-1 in 2015 and 4-1 in 2014 when Fournette reached 100 rushing yards in a game.

 

• 21 players on this year’s LSU roster played in the Tigers’ 28-24 win over Wisconsin in the 2014 season opener. In addition, three players who started against Wisconsin in 2014, will start against the Badgers on Saturday (C Ethan Pocic, WR Travin Dural, CB Tre’Davious White). 15 other Tigers who played against Wisconsin in 2014 are currently on NFL rosters.

 

NOTEBOOK

LSU vs. The Big Ten

LSU is 9-4-1 against Big Ten opponents when the school was actually in the Big Ten Conference. The Tigers are 9-10-2 all-time against current members of the Big Ten when factoring in LSU’s record against Nebraska (0-5-1 as Big 8/Big 12 member) and Penn State (0-1 as independent). LSU’s last meeting with a Big Ten opponent was the season opener in NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas in 2014 when the Tigers defeated Wisconsin 28-24. It’s the second time in three years that LSU has opened the season with a Big Ten opponent, as the last time before that was Sept. 16, 1978 when the Tigers beat Indiana, 24-17, in Tiger Stadium. Here is LSU’s record against Big Ten schools: 1-0 vs. Illinois, 2-1 vs. Indiana, 1-1 vs. Iowa, 0-0 vs. Michigan, 1-0 vs. Michigan State, 0-0 vs. Minnesota, 0-5-1 vs. Nebraska, 0-0 vs. Northwestern, 1-1-1 vs. Ohio State, 0-2 vs. Penn State, 0-0 vs. Purdue, 3-0 vs. Wisconsin. Les Miles is 3-1 against Big Ten opponents at LSU with wins against Ohio State in the 2008 BCS National Championship Game, 2014 Outback Bowl versus Iowa. LSU lost to Penn State in the 2010 Capital One Bowl.

 

LSU Owns FBS Record for Consecutive Non-Conference Regular Season Wins With 52

LSU will put a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) record on the line again in the season-opener as the Tigers have won 52 consecutive non-conference regular season games dating back to the 2002 season. Last season, LSU added to its record by going 3-0 against non-conference opponents in the regular season, earning wins over Syracuse, Eastern Michigan and Western Kentucky. The Tigers broke the FBS record for consecutive non-conference regular season wins in 2012, surpassing the mark of Kansas State who claimed 39 straight from 1993-2003. The Tigers haven’t lost a non-conference regular season game since falling at Virginia Tech, 26-8, in the 2002 season opener in Blacksburg, Va., on Sept. 1.  Les Miles has accounted for 42 of the 52 wins during the streak, and he is 42-0 all-time in non-conference regular season games in his 11 previous seasons at LSU. Former coach Nick Saban accounted for the 10 other victories from 2002-04. Under Miles, the Tigers have outscored non-conference regular season opponents a combined 2,114-622. Here is a look at the top four in FBS all-time consecutive non-conference regular season wins:

Team                          Years                                     Win Streak

1. LSU                           2002-present                   52
2. Kansas State           1993-2003                      39
3. Miami                      1985-88                        36
4. Wisconsin               2003-2013                      35

 

LSU in Season Openers

LSU brings an 89-28-5 overall mark in season openers into the Wisconsin game. The Tigers have won 13 straight and 19 of their last 20 season-openers. LSU’s only season-opening loss over the past 20 years came at Virginia Tech by a 26-8 count in 2002. Last year’s opener was a bit of a change as the scheduled game against McNeese State was cancelled due to weather, having the Tigers open both the regular season and SEC slate at Mississippi State, earning a 21-19 win. LSU’s 13-game season opener win streak ranks sixth in the nation. Here is a list of the longest current season-opener win streaks in FBS:

        Streak           Team                                Last Loss                                                                      2016 Opponent

1. 26                   Florida                        24-19 (Ole Miss, 09/09/89)                                   UMass
2. 18                   USC                            14-7 (Florida State, 09/06/97)                     vs. Alabama
3. 15                   Ohio State                        23-12 (at Kickoff Classic vs. Miami, 08/29/99)           Bowling Green
4. 14                   Alabama                        20-17 (UCLA, 09/01/01)                                                    vs. USC

14                   Missouri                           20-13 (Bowling Green, 09/01/01)                       at West Virginia

6. 13                   LSU                            26-8 (at Virginia Tech, 09/01/02)                vs. Wisconsin

13                   Texas Tech                      45-21 (Ohio State, 08/24/02)                                Stephen F. Austin

 

Les Miles In Season Openers

LSU coach Les Miles is 12-3 in season openers during his 15 years as a head coach, which includes an 11-0 record with the Tigers. Miles is the only coach in LSU history to lead the Tigers to a season-opening win in each of his first 11 years. In 11 years with the Tigers, Miles’ LSU teams have outscored its season-opening opponent, 394-205. Four of those opponents were ranked, and eight of those games were away from Tiger Stadium.

No. 18 Tradition Passed Down to Tre’Davious White

A tradition established in 2003 continues as senior cornerback Tre’Davious White was voted to wear the No. 18 jersey for the 2015 and 2016 seasons. White was presented the jersey by coach Les Miles following a vote of the coaching staff and former LSU No. 18s during the Tigers’ first team meeting of fall camp in 2015 and then again this year. White is one of LSU’s leading returners on defense after recording 44 total tackles, with 30 on the solo end and 1.5 tackles for losses. Against Syracuse in the Carrier Dome, White cleared 69 yards in a shade over nine seconds on a punt return for a touchdown in the win over the Orange. Jersey No. 18 was born when, in 2003, quarterback Matt Mauck guided LSU to its first national championship since 1958. His number became synonymous with success — both on and off the field — as well as a selfless attitude that has become the epitome of being an LSU football player. After his final year with the Tigers, Mauck passed the jersey number down to running back Jacob Hester, who then helped LSU to another national title in 2007. Here is a look at the jersey No. 18s:

Years                            Player                                   Position

2003                              Matt Mauck                         QB

2004-07                        Jacob Hester                        RB

2008-09                        Richard Dickson               TE

2010                              Richard Murphy               RB

2011                              Brandon Taylor                 S

2012                              Bennie Logan                     DT

2013                              Lamin Barrow                    LB

2014                              Terrence Magee                  RB

2015-16                        Tre’Davious White           CB

 

LSU Brings Back 18 Starters in 2016 from the SEC’s Top Five Total Offense and Defense in the SEC A Season Ago

LSU ended the 2015 season as one of the most potent offenses in the conference and provided a formidable defense to stop any opposing side earning top five rankings in both total offense and defense. Going into 2016, the Tigers return 18 starters from both sides of the line, including bringing back six players who were eligible in the draft as juniors in Kendell Beckwith, Travin Dural, Rickey Jefferson, Lewis Neal, Ethan Pocic and Tre’Davious White. Backed by consensus All-American Leonard Fournette, and All-SEC performers Jamal Adams, Arden Key and others, LSU will forge into a new season as one of the most talented Tiger teams in recent history.

LSU is 49-3 Overall in Non-Conference Games Under Les Miles

LSU brings a 49-3 record in non-conference games heading into the game against Wisconsin. LSU’s only three non-conference losses under Les Miles came against Penn State in the Capital One Bowl to end the 2009 season, Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on Dec. 31, 2012 and Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30, 2014. Of the 49 wins under Miles against non-conference opponents, 13 have come against Top 25 teams, 41 have come by double-digits and LSU has scored 40 or more points in 30 of the 52 games

LSU Will Make Its 25th Appearance on ESPN’s College GameDay This Saturday

ESPN College GameDay will be on hand in Green Bay for LSU’s matchup against Wisconsin. The show airs from 8-11 a.m. CT on ESPN. It will be the 25th time LSU is involved in a game with ESPN College GameDay on location, as well as being the sixth time an LSU game has been covered at a neutral site. The Tigers have now made at least one appearance on the popular show in each of the past 14 seasons. LSU is 15-10 in games in which ESPN College GameDay is on hand, including being 5-0 when the show originates from a neutral venue. LSU made one appearance last season covering a top-five showdown against Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The following is a look at visits by ESPN College GameDay that involved an LSU game:

Year  Matchup                                Location                                        Result

1996  #11 LSU vs. #10 Alabama                                                         Baton Rouge – PMAC ramps   L, 26-0

1997  #14 LSU vs. #1 Florida      Baton Rouge – PMAC ramps  W, 28-21

2003  #11 LSU vs. #7 Georgia     Baton Rouge – PMAC ramps  W, 17-10

2004  #2 LSU vs. #3 Oklahoma  New Orleans, La.                       W, 21-14

2004  #4 LSU vs. Oregon State    Baton Rouge – Parade Grounds       W, 22-21 OT

2005  #5 LSU at #4 Alabama      Tuscaloosa, Ala.                         W, 16-13 OT

2006  #9 LSU at #5 Florida          Gainesville, Fla.                          L, 23-10

2007  #2 LSU vs. #9 Virginia Tech                                                     Baton Rouge – Parade Grounds              W, 48-7

2007  #1 LSU vs. #9 Florida         Baton Rouge – Parade Grounds       W, 28-24

2007  #2 LSU vs. #1 Ohio State   New Orleans, La.                       W, 38-24

2008  #6 LSU at #9 Auburn         Auburn, Ala.                                W, 26-21

2008  #15 LSU vs. #1 Alabama  Baton Rouge – Old Front Nine         L, 27-21 OT

2009  #4 LSU vs. #1 Florida         Baton Rouge – Parade Grounds       L, 13-3

2010  #16 LSU vs. #18 North Carolina                                             Atlanta, Ga.  W, 30-24

2011  #4 LSU vs. #3 Oregon        Arlington, Texas                         W, 40-27

2011  #2/3 LSU at #16 West Virginia                                               Morgantown, W.Va.   W, 47-21

2011  #1 LSU vs. #2 Alabama     Tuscaloosa, Ala.                         W, 9-6 (OT)

2011  #1 LSU vs. #12 Georgia     Atlanta, Ga.                                  W, 42-10

2011  #1 LSU vs. #2 Alabama     New Orleans, La.                       L, 21-0

2012  #5 LSU vs. #1 Alabama     Baton Rouge – Parade Grounds      L, 21-17

2013  #6 LSU at #9 Georgia         Athens, Ga.                                  L, 44-41

2013  #10 LSU at #1 Alabama    Tuscaloosa, Ala.                         L, 38-17

2014  #24/23 LSU vs. #3 Ole Miss                                                     Baton Rouge – Parade Grounds              W, 10-7

2015  #2 LSU at #4 Alabama      Tuscaloosa, Ala.                         L, 30-16

2016  #6 LSU vs. Wisconsin        Green Bay, Wisc

 

LSU as A Top 10 Team

LSU has played 98 games under Les Miles ranked in the Top 10 in the nation and the Tigers are 76-22 in those games, going 5-2 last year. Dating back to his first year at LSU in 2005, LSU has played at least two games as a Top 10 team each year. Prior to Miles taking over in 2005, LSU had played 143 games as a Top 10 team in its history and just 18 from 1990 to 2004. LSU is also the only team in the SEC to spend at least one week in the Top 10 over the past 15 seasons.

 

LSU Has Been Ranked in 138 of 144 Games Under Miles

Since Les Miles took over at LSU, the Tigers have been represented in the AP and Amway Coaches’ Poll 168 of the 177 weeks. The exception came during the final three polls of the 2008 season, five weeks in 2014 and the week heading into the Texas A&M game last season. In addition, since the start of the 2002 season, LSU has played 172 of 180 games ranked in the top 25, including 138 of 144 games under Miles. LSU has a 107-31 record in games played as a Top 25 team under Miles. The only five games that LSU didn’t play as a Top 25 team during the Miles era came in 2008 against Arkansas in the regular-season finale and Georgia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, in 2014 at Florida, vs. Kentucky and at Texas A&M, and in the 2015 regular season finale vs. Texas A&M. This year marked the 16th consecutive season that the Tigers were ranked in the preseason polls as LSU came in at No. 5 in the Associated Press and No. 6 in the Amway Coaches Top 25 polls.

 

Leonard Fournette in LSU Top 5 for Career 100-Yard Rushing Games

In 2015, running back Leonard Fournette rushed for 159 yards in the opener at Mississippi State, 228 yards vs. Auburn, 244 yards at Syracuse, 233 vs. Eastern Michigan, 158 vs. South Carolina, 180 vs. Florida and 150 vs. Western Kentucky, a streak that extended to nine straight 100-yard games when stretched back to 2014. Although the streak ended against Alabama, Fournette came back to have 108 yards against Ole Miss, 159 yards against Texas A&M and closed the year with 212 against Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl. Fournette is in fourth place in LSU history with 15 career 100-yard rushing games. Here is a list of the most 100-yard rushing games in LSU history:

Rank     Player                                   100-Yard Games               Seasons at LSU

1. Kevin Faulk                         22                           1995-98
2. Charles Alexander            20                           1975-78
3. Dalton Hilliard                  19                           1982-85
4. Leonard Fournette           15                           2014-present
5. Jeremy Hill                          11                           2012-13

 

 

LSU: The SEC’s Winningest Team Since 2005

LSU is the winningest program in the SEC since the start of Les Miles’ tenure as head coach in 2005 as the Tigers have posted a 112-32 mark during that span. The 112 victories for LSU are seven better than Florida, while the Tigers are also tops in final poll rankings. LSU is also tied for fourth nationally in wins since 2005 with Oklahoma (112) behind only Boise State (122), Ohio State (122) and Oregon (115).

Team                                    W-L        Bowls                    SEC Titles           Top 25

LSU                                       112-32   11                           2                              9

Florida                                  104-39   10                           2                              7

Georgia                                 104-41   11                           1                              7

Alabama                              100-27   11                           3                              8

Auburn                                 94-48     9                              2                              6

South Carolina                   87-54     9                              0                              4

Arkansas                             78-61     7                              0                              3

Mississippi State                               73-65     7                              0                              2

Tennessee                            73-65     6                              0                              3

Ole Miss                                               68-69     6                              0                              4

Kentucky                              58-78     5                              0                              0

Vanderbilt                           56-78     4                              0                              2

 

Wins Since 2005 (Nationally)

Boise State                   122

Ohio State                    122

Oregon                         115

Oklahoma                   112

LSU                               112

TCU                               111

Wisconsin                   108

Southern Cal              106

Florida                          104

Georgia                        104

Virginia Tech             102

Texas                            99

 

September Success Under Les Miles

LSU is 38-4 in games played in September under Les Miles dating back to 2005. Two of the four September losses have come on the road: at Auburn in 2006 and at Georgia in 2013. Overall, LSU is 25-2 in September home games under Miles. The only losses came to Tennessee in 2005 and Mississippi State in 2014. The Tigers went undefeated in the month of September in six straight seasons from 2007-12.

 

True Freshmen Play Big Roles at LSU Under Les Miles

LSU coach Les Miles has never shied away from playing true freshmen. In his 11 years with the Tigers, a total of 113 true freshmen have seen action for LSU, including 13 in 2015. Of the 113 true freshmen who have played under Miles, 39 have started at least once during their freshman season.

Most True Freshmen Starters by Year Under Les Miles

2015:                             6 (Bry’Kiethon Mouton, Arden Key, Foster Moreau, Maea Teuhema, Kevin Toliver II, Toby Weathersby)

2014:                             6 (Jamal Adams, Malachi Dupre, Leonard Fournette, Davon Godchaux, Brandon Harris, Trey Quinn)

2012:                             6 (Kwon Alexander, Vadal Alexander, Reid Ferguson, Jeremy Hill, Lamar Louis, Jalen Mills)

2013:                             5 (Rickey Jefferson, Anthony Jennings, Ethan Pocic, Rashard Robinson, Tre’Davious White)

2006:                             4 (Jacob Cutrera, Richard Dickson, Charles Scott, Keiland Williams)

2010:                             3 (Alfred Blue, Tyrann Mathieu, Eric Reid)

2011:                             3 (Odell Beckham Jr., James Hairston, Jarvis Landry)

2007:                             2 (Drake Nevis, Terrence Toliver)

2008:                             2 (Jordan Jefferson, Deangelo Peterson)

2009:                             2 (Dominique Allen, Rueben Randle)

2005:                             0

 

LSU Is 63-0 Under Miles When Rushing For 100 Yards and Holding Opponents To Less Than 100 Yards

One look at LSU’s results in relation to rushing the football and it’s easy to figure out that head coach Les Miles is a former offensive lineman who understands the importance of running the football. In 143 games under Miles, LSU’s success is easy to predict when it comes to net rushing yards. Get to 100 yards rushing and LSU will more than likely win as the Tigers are 107-13 under Miles when that happens. Hold the opponent to fewer than 100 yards and the Tigers are 64-5. An even more telling stat is that when LSU rushes for 100-plus yards and holds the opponents to fewer than 100 yards, the Tigers are 63-0. The following is a look at LSU’s rushing numbers during the Miles era and have the Tigers have fared in those games:

Year                               LSU 100+         LSU 100-                       Opp 100+                Opp 100-              LSU 100+/Opp 100-

2005                              10-0                    1-2           3-1                 8-1              7-0

2006                              10-0                    1-2           5-0                 6-2              6-0

2007                              11-2                    1-0           3-2                 9-0              8-0

2008                              8-3                      0-2           2-5                 6-0              6-0

2009                              8-0                      1-4           7-4                 2-0              2-0

2010                              11-2                    0-0           7-1                 5-0              5-0

2011                              13-0                    0-1           4-1                 8-0              9-0

2012                              9-1                      1-2           4-2                 6-1              6-0

2013                              10-1                    0-2           6-3                 4-0              4-0

2014                              8-3                      0-2           4-4                 4-1              4-0

2015                              8-1                      0-2           3-3                 6-0              5-0

Totals                            107-13               5-19         48-26            64-5           63-0

 

LSU is 55-6 Under Les Miles When A Running Back Reaches 100-Yards

LSU is 55-6 under Les Miles when a running back reaches 100 yards in a game. Of the running backs who make up the 2015 roster, LSU has 16 career 100-yard games to its credit as Leonard Fournettehas 15 and Derrius Guice has one. Fournette has gone over the 100-yard mark in 10 of 12 games last season. LSU is 13-2 when Fournette reaches 100 yards, which includes a 9-1 2015 record. LSU’s only six losses under Miles when having a back reach the 100-yard mark came at Ole Miss in 2015 (Leonard Fournette, 108 yards), vs. Notre Dame in 2014 (Fournette, 143 yards), vs. Clemson in 2012 (Jeremy Hill, 124 yards), Alabama in 2012 (Hill, 107 yards), Georgia in 2008 (Charles Scott, 144 yards) and Arkansas in 2007 (Jacob Hester, 126 yards).

LSU’s 54-9 Under Les Miles When Winning The Turnover Battle 

LSU is 54-9 under Les Miles when winning the turnover battle.  Against ranked teams under Miles, LSU is 22-6 when having fewer turnovers than its opponent. The only nine losses for the Tigers under Miles when having fewer turnovers than their opponent have come against Mississippi State and Auburn in 2014, Alabama and Clemson in 2012, Arkansas in 2008, Arkansas and Kentucky in 2007, Auburn in 2006 and Tennessee in 2005. In Miles’ tenure at LSU, the Tigers have a combined turnover margin of +66. LSU was +20 in 2011 and +16 in 2012.

 

The Aussie Punting Connection

Since the 2011 season, LSU has had the unique connection of having an Australian native punter. Brad Wing, a native of Melbourne, was a 2011 first-team All-American and served as the Tigers’ punter in 2012 as well. Jamie Keehn took over punting duties in 2013 and finished his career with the fourth-best punting average for a career last year as a senior while being a permanent team captain and was named to the 2015 SEC Academic Honor Roll. The next in the pipeline is redshirt freshman punter Josh Growden, a native of Sydney, Australia, who will look to keep the Aussie Connection going in 2016.

LSU Has FBS’ Best Record When Trailing in the Fourth Quarter Since 2005

Since head coach Les Miles’ first season at LSU in 2005, no team has a better record in games when trailing in the fourth quarter. Here is a look at the Top 5 teams with the best record when trailing in the fourth quarter since 2005:

Team                    W-L Record         Win Pct.

LSU                       24-27                     .470

Florida State        20-39                     .339

Boise State           9-20                        .310

Clemson               17-39                     .304

Texas                     18-42                     .300

 

LSU Has 24 Fourth-Quarter Comebacks Under Les Miles

LSU has won 24 games under Les Miles despite trailing in the fourth quarter, including three games in 2014 – the season opener against Wisconsin, at Florida and vs. Ole Miss. Of the 24 wins, 16 have come against Top 25 teams. The following is a look at LSU’s fourth quarter comebacks under Miles, how many points the Tigers had to overcome in the final frame to win and the quarterback who engineered the comeback:

Year       Opponent                  Situation                                                                                                            Results               QB

2005      at Arizona St.            scored TD with 1:13 left                                                                                W, 35-31             Russell

(LSU trailed 17-7 entering 4Q; LSU scored 28 4Q points)

2005       Florida                        scored TD with 12:35 left                                                                              W, 21-14             Russell

(LSU trailed 17-14 in 4Q)

2005       Auburn                       kicked FG with 1:40 left to force OT                                                           W, 20-17             Russell

(LSU trailed 17-14 with less than 5 minutes to play)

2006       at Tennessee             scored TD with 9 seconds left                                                                     W, 28-21             Russell

(LSU trailed 24-21 with less than 8 minutes left in 4Q)

2006       Ole Miss                     scored TD with 14 sec. left to force OT                                                      W, 23-20 OT      Russell

(LSU trailed 20-7 with less than 9 minutes left in 4Q)

2007       Florida                        scored TD with 1:06 left                                                                                W, 28-24             Flynn

(LSU trailed 24-14 to start 4Q)

2007       Auburn                       scored TD with :01 left                                                                                   W, 30-24             Flynn

(LSU trailed 24-23 with 3:12 left in the 4Q)

2007       Alabama                    scored TD with 1:26 left                                                                                W, 41-34             Flynn

(LSU trailed 34-27 with 4:53 left in 4Q)

2007       Tennessee                  scored TD with 9:54 left                                                                                W, 21-14             Perrilloux

(LSU trailed 14-13 with less than 10 minutes left in 4Q)

2008       at Auburn                  scored TD with 1:03 left                                                                                W, 26-21             Lee

(LSU trailed 21-20 with 4:00 left in 4Q)

2008       Troy                             scored go-ahead TD with 4:50 left                                                             W, 40-31             Lee

(LSU trailed 31-10 to start 4Q)

2009       at Georgia                  scored go ahead TD with 0:46 left                                                              W, 20-13             Jefferson

(LSU trailed 13-12 with 1:09 left)

2009       Arkansas                   kicked FG w/ 4 sec. left to force OT                                                           W, 33-30             Jefferson

(LSU trailed 30-27 with 1:18 left)

2010       Tennessee                  scored TD with 0:00 left in 4Q                                                                     W, 16-14             Lee/Jefferson

(LSU trailed from 11:34 left in game to final play)

2010       at Florida                   scored TD with 0:06 left in 4Q                                                                     W, 33-29             Lee

(LSU trailed 29-26 with 3:21 left in game)

2010       Alabama                    scored go ahead TD w/ 8:13 left in 4Q                                                     W, 24-21             Jefferson

2010       Ole Miss                     (LSU trailed 36-35 with 4:57 left in game)                                               W, 43-36             Jefferson

2011       at Alabama               trailed 6-3 to start 4Q                                                                                     W, 9-6 OT           Jefferson

2012       South Carolina         kicked FG with 6:37 left to take lead                                                          W, 23-21             Mettenberger

(LSU trailed 14-10 entering 4Q)

2012       Ole Miss                     scored go ahead TD w/15 seconds left in 4Q                                        W, 41-35             Mettenberger

(LSU trailed 28-20 entering 4Q and 35-28 with 11:11 to play)

2013       Arkansas                   scored go-ahead TD w/1:15 left in 4Q                                                     W, 31-27             Jennings

(LSU trailed 27-21 to start 4Q)

2014       Wisconsin                 scored go-ahead TD w/9:41 left in 4Q                                                     W, 28-24             Jennings

(LSU trailed 24-13 to start 4Q)

2014       at Florida                   kicked FG w/ 3 sec. left to take lead                                                          W, 30-27             Jennings

(LSU trailed 24-20 w/ 6:10 left in 4Q)

2014       Ole Miss                     scored go ahead TD w/5:07 left in 4Q                                                      W, 10-7               Jennings

(LSU trailed 7-3 to start 4Q)

 

 

Les Miles’ Achievements at LSU

The following is a quick look at Les Miles’ notable accomplishments during his 12 years and 144 games (112-32 record) as head coach of the Tigers:

• After defeating Florida 30-27 on Oct. 11, 2014, Miles became only the second coach in LSU history to earn 100 victories. Charles McClendon tallied 137 in his tenure at LSU.
• Miles recorded 100 wins at LSU in only 126 games. It took McClendon 141 games to reach the historic milestone at LSU.
• In fact, Miles became the third-fastest coach in SEC history to reach 100 wins behind only Steve Spurrier (120 games) and Robert Neyland (121).
• With the win over Mississippi State in 2013, Miles became the quickest LSU coach to reach 90 victories doing so in 112 games. It took Charles McClendon 124 games to reach that milestone.
• Also the fastest coach in LSU history to 10 wins (11 games), 20 wins (24 games), 30 wins (35 games), 40 wins (48 games), 50 wins (63 games), 60 wins (76 games), 70 wins (87 games), and 80 wins (98 games) in school history
• With 10 or more wins seven times at LSU, Miles joined Bear Bryant (13 at Alabama), Steve Spurrier (9 at Florida), Philip Fulmer (9 at Tennessee), Mark Richt (9 at Georgia), Vince Dooley (7 at Georgia) and Nick Saban (7 at Alabama) as the only coaches in SEC history to have seven or more 10-win seasons at the same school.
• Led LSU to only 12-0 and 13-0 records in school history in 2011…Led LSU to first 11-0 start since 1958 in 2011.
• Led LSU to 10-1 start three times in a 6-year span from 2005-10 (‘05, ’07, ’10)
• Only coach in LSU history to beat Auburn, Florida and Alabama in same season, and he’s done it 3 times (2005, ’07, ‘11)
• Only coach in LSU history to beat Florida and Tennessee in the reg. season during the same year; twice: 2010, ’11.
• Became the first first-year coach in SEC history to lead team to league’s title game (2005).
• Has 16 wins over coaches who have won national titles.
• Coached LSU to 10-plus wins in 4 straight seasons, a first at the school, and to seven overall (the most at the school).
• Only coach in LSU history to lead Tigers to three straight top five final rankings (2005, 2006, 2007).

 

Colby Delahoussaye Ranks Second in LSU Career FG Percentage

Placekicker Colby Delahoussaye is ranked second in LSU history for career field goal percentage. He has booted 24-of-29 field goals for a .828 percentage. He was 11-of-15 in field goal attempts in 2014, including a game-winning, career-long 50-yard attempt at Florida. As a freshman in 2013, Delahoussaye shattered the LSU record for most consecutive field goals to start a career by converting his first nine attempts. The previous record was seven straight by David Browndyke in 1986. Delahoussaye also ranks seventh in LSU history for career PATs made at 90. Delahoussaye is two field goals shy of cracking the Top 10 for most field goals made in a career in LSU history. He has 24 entering his junior season in 2015.

 

LSU Has Scored 23 Special Teams TDs In Les Miles Era

LSU has recorded 23 special teams touchdown under Les Miles, including most recently when Tre’Davious White returned a punt 69 yards for a touchdown at Syracuse in the Carrier Dome. Under Miles, LSU has returned 13 punts for touchdowns, 4 kickoffs for touchdowns, 2 blocked field goals returned for touchdowns, 1 blocked punt return for a TD, 1 return on a fumbled punt, 1 on a fake field goal and 1 on a missed field goal. LSU has scored at least one special teams touchdown in all 11 seasons under Miles. LSU is 20-2 in games when scoring a special teams touchdown. The following is a breakdown of LSU’s special teams touchdowns under Miles:

Year   Opponent                Play                                                                                                                   Results

2015   Syracuse                   Tre’Davious White 69-yard punt return                                                LSU def. Syracuse, 34-24

2014   Kentucky                  Tre’Davious White 67-yard punt return                                                LSU def. Kentucky, 41-3

Notre Dame            Leonard Fournette 100-yard kickoff return                                           LSU lost to Notre Dame, 31-28

2013   UAB                           Odell Beckham Jr. 100-yard missed field goal return                        LSU def. UAB, 56-17

2012   Ole Miss                   Odell Beckham Jr. 89-yard punt return                                                  LSU def. Ole Miss, 41-35

North Texas            Odell Beckham Jr. 70-yard punt return                                                  LSU def. North Texas, 41-14

2011   Georgia                     Tyrann Mathieu 62-yard punt return                                                     LSU def. Georgia, 42-10

Arkansas                 Tyrann Mathieu 92-yard punt return                                                     LSU def. Arkansas, 41-17

West Virginia         Morris Claiborne 99-yard kickoff return                                                LSU def. W. Va., 47-21

Oregon                      Tyrann Mathieu 3-yard return of a fumbled punt                              LSU def. Oregon, 40-27

2010   North Carolina      Patrick Peterson 87-yard punt return                                                     LSU def. No. Carolina, 30-24

West Virginia         Patrick Peterson 60-yard punt return                                                     LSU def. W. Va., 20-14

2009   Miss. State               Chad Jones 93-yard punt return                                                               LSU def. Miss. State, 30-26

Ole Miss                   Patrick Peterson 53-yard return of a blocked FG                                 LSU lost Ole Miss, 25-23

Arkansas                 Trindon Holliday 87-yard punt return                                                  LSU def. Arkansas, 33-30  (OT)

2008   North Texas            Trindon Holliday 92-yard punt return                                                  LSU def. North Texas, 41-3

2007   South Carolina       Colt David 15-yard run on fake field goal                                             LSU def. South Carolina, 28-16

Ole Miss                   Trindon Holliday 98-yard kickoff return                                               LSU def. Ole Miss, 41-24

2006   Fresno State             Craig Davis 77-yard punt return                                                              LSU def. Fresno State, 34-6

Arkansas                 Trindon Holliday 92-yard kickoff return                                               LSU def. Arkansas, 31-26

2005   Arizona State          Mario Stevenson 55-yard return of a blocked FG                                LSU def. Arizona State, 35-31

Arizona State          Craig Steltz 29-yard return of a blocked punt

Auburn                     Skyler Green 66-yard punt return                                                            LSU def. Auburn, 20-17 (OT)