Toefield Carries Tigers to 31-14 Win Over USU
09/08/01
DEATH VALLEY -- LSU running back LaBrandon Toefield scored four touchdowns including a 70-yard run in the final minute of the first half to give the Tigers a 31-14 victory over Utah State on Saturday night here in Death Valley. The win was the 400th home victory in LSU football history (400-154-19).
LSU (2-0) racked up 506 yards of total offense and survived special teams disasters and turnovers to win its sixth straight home game. The Tigers fumbled six times -- including three punt returns -- and lost three. Utah State fell to 0-2 on the season.
Toefield led the way for LSU, tallying 183 yards on 27 carries and 24 of LSU's 31 points. He became the first Tiger to run for four touchdowns since Rondell Mealey scored four against New Mexico State on Sept. 28, 1997. He became the sixth player in school history to rush for at least four touchdowns in a game.
The LSU defense held the Aggies to only 91 yards on the ground, including 108 by juggernaut Emmett White on 22 carries. LSU improved to 6-0 in head coach Nick Saban's two-season tenure at LSU when holding an opponent under 100 yards rushing. The Tigers have done so in both games this season (48 vs. Tulane; 91 vs. Utah State).
LSU quarterback Rohan Davey also completed 13-of-24 passes for 229 yards, while Josh Reed collected five of these for 124 yards.
The Tigers open Southeastern Conference play against Auburn on ESPN2 in Tiger Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 15, at 8 p.m. Utah State's next game is Sept. 15 against nationally ranked Fresno State (3-0).
In the first quarter, Utah State quarterback Jose Fuentes drove the Aggies 70 yards in 15 plays to take an early 7-0 lead. Fuentes was 8 of 11 on the drive for 47 yards including a 4th-and-1 touchdown pass from the 3 yard line to Chris Cooley.
LSU responded on the second play of the ensuing drive, as Davey targeted Josh Reed for 36 yards down to the Utah State 24-yard line with 7:07 to play in the first quarter. After a holding penalty backed the Tigers to the 34, Davey hit tight end Robert Royal for 29 yards to set up a 1-yard touchdown run by LaBrandon Toefield with 5:35 remaining.
John Corbello tacked on the the point after touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.
After stopping the Aggies in three plays, LSU looked to have good field position. However, backup punt returner Ryan Clark fumbled the punt at the LSU 30-yard line to give Utah State the ball. Clark was filling in for return specialist Domanick Davis, who missed the game with a knee injury. The LSU defense stepped up to the challenge and stopped the Aggies on downs at the 25-yard line.
On the next play, Davey connected with Reed on a perfectly thrown seam pattern for 45 yards to the Utah State 25. The Tigers took the ball down to the Aggie 5 on a personal foul when the first quarter came to an end.
Toefield then scored from 5 yards out to give LSU a 14-7 lead with 14:53 remaining in the half. Toefield became the fastest player in school history to score five touchdowns, as he did so in just over five quarters of football.
After a 12-play drive, LSU was unable to convert deep in Utah State and settled for a field goal by Corbello from 34 yards. LSU led 17-7 with 3:58 remaining in the half.
With only 29 seconds remaining in the half, Toefield again showed his nose for the end zone, scampering 70 yards on third-and-6. He finished the half with 114 yards on 12 carries with all three Tiger scores.
Corbello's kickoff careened off an Aggie and was recovered by LSU. A pass interference penalty was called on Utah State, giving LSU one more chance to score before intermission. But, two shots at the end zone did not pan out.
An uneventful third quarter was highlighted by a fumble by LSU running back Devery Henderson with 4:35 remaining. On a play that looked to be a 96-yard touchdown run, Henderson's fumble gave the Aggies the ball at the 23-yard line.
Utah State narrowed the gap to 24-14 with a 1-yard run by Emmett White with 2:41 to play in the quarter.
To begin the fourth quarter, cornerback Eric Damond earned his second career interception as he picked off Fuentes at the Utah State 32-yard line. The pick led to a 32-yard pass from Davey to Reed down to the 4-yard line and Toefield's fourth score of the game.
LSU led 31-14.
With 6:46 remaining in the game, sophomore cornerback Randall Gay came on a blitz and crushed Fuentes, causing a fumble in LSU territory. Jarvis Green recovered the ball at the 32-yard line. With less than three minutes to play, Gay also earned his first interception as a Tiger.
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