The LSU Tigers got back on track Saturday night.
The defending national champions didn’t let last week’s stunning loss at home to Mississippi State carry over into the first road trip of the season. Myles Brennan threw four touchdowns, John Emery Jr. rushed for more than 100 yards and the Tigers’ defense was much better in a 41-7 win at Vanderbilt.
How It Happened:
After being forced to punt on their opening drive, LSU got on the scoreboard with a six-play, 85-yard touchdown drive as Brennan found Jontre Kirklin for a 28-yard touchdown. Brennan was just getting started as he connected with Terrace Marshall Jr. for a 16-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Brennan committed his lone error of the game when on the Tigers’ next possession, he was intercepted by Vanderbilt’s Randall Haynie. The Commodores turned that into their only points of the game as they put together an eight-play, 58-yard drive capped with a Ken Seals eight-yard touchdown pass to Ben Bresnahan.
Brennan and LSU responded with three-play scoring drive as the Tigers quarterback found Marshall again – this time for a 51-yard touchdown.
In the second half, LSU would add a pair of Cade York field goals (53 and 31 yards), Brennan would throw his fourth and final touchdown – a 29-yard strike to Kirklin, and Emery capped off the scoring with a 12-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
LSU’s defense was much improved as the Tigers recorded two interceptions (Todd Harris Jr. and Eli Ricks), and gave up only 266 total yards. Vanderbilt quarterback Seals completed 11-of-25 passes for 113 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
Big Number: 266
After surrendering an SEC-record 623 passing yards to Mississippi State the week before, LSU’s defense bounced back against Vanderbilt. The Tigers surrendered only 266 total yards and 113 of that through the Commodores’ passing attack.
Player of the Game: Myles Brennan
Brennan didn’t look as hesitant his second game as a starter as he completed 23-of-37 passes for 337 yards with four touchdowns and only one interception. Brennan also completed passes to 11 different receivers including three passes to former Westgate High star Kayshon Boutte.
Next Up: LSU (1-1, 1-1 SEC) returns to action on Saturday when it hosts Missouri at Tiger Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.