Texas Held LSU’s High Powered Offense To A Shocking Statistic In The 4th Quarter

LSU’s offense stalls late

LSU entered the game averaging about 504 yards per game. It gained 344 yards through three quarters, then managed 22 yards on 13 plays in the fourth, averaging 1.7 yards per play.

Across its final four drives, LSU ran 15 plays for a net loss of one yard. Each possession ended with a punt, and three were three-and-outs. A sack by Bo Mascoe on third-and-13 helped end the quarter’s opening drive.

Texas completes the comeback

Texas scored the game’s final 12 points after LSU led 21-10 in the third quarter. The Longhorns outscored LSU 9-0 in the fourth and ran 21 offensive plays to the Tigers’ 13.

Manning capped a 12-play, 58-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Raleek Brown, with three seconds remaining. Texas won 22-21 at Tiger Stadium.

Run-heavy approach falls short

LSU used designed runs on 20 of 54 snaps through three quarters. In the fourth, with a lead, the share rose to seven of 13. LSU’s eight official rushing attempts in the quarter, including a sack, gained nine yards; quarterback Leavitt completed two of five passes for 13 yards.

With 3:10 remaining and facing third-and-21 from its 27 while ahead 21-16, LSU handed the ball to Dilin Jones, who lost a yard. LSU later punted again, giving Texas possession at its 42 with 2:19 left. Two holding penalties on that possession turned first-and-10 into first-and-20 and third-and-11 into third-and-21.

Turnovers and penalties matter

Texas sacked Leavitt three times, and safety Jelani McDonald intercepted him three times. Leavitt finished 27-of-37 for 244 yards and two touchdowns. Manning threw three interceptions and went 19-of-35 for 174 yards. Asked about LSU’s late plan, head coach Lane Kiffin said, “Let’s not reach out and try too much, and play to our defense.” He also said, “We outplayed them to win the game, but again, that’s not how it works.”