Football: Seven different Tigers score in 52-3 rout of Ole Miss

The No. 1 LSU football team took care of business with a 52-3 win in Oxford against a downtrodden Ole Miss squad in an otherwise chaotic weekend in college football.

The bedlam began Friday night when No. 2 Oklahoma State fell in double overtime by Iowa State, 37-31. Two more top-five teams, No. 4 Oregon and No. 5 Oklahoma, fell in dramatic fashion Saturday.

LSU coach Les Miles said despite watching Iowa State upset Oklahoma State the night before, he didn't need to remind his team of the importance of every game.

"This team realizes the path it's on," Miles said. "Our football team recognizes we control our destiny, the things we need to do and we're going to do."

The Tigers came out of the tunnel to a chorus of cheering LSU fans and took control of the game early.

LSU junior cornerback Ron Brooks opened the scoring immediately with an interception return for a touchdown 28 seconds into the contest. The play and proved to be more than enough to ensure victory.

In command early, the Tigers unloaded the offensive depth chart against the Rebels. With primarily backups playing in the second half, LSU continued moving the ball.

The Tigers scored a total of seven touchdowns from seven different players, and five LSU running backs had at least 50 yards rushing.

Freshman running back Kenny Hilliard, sophomores Spencer Ware and Michael Ford and senior fullback James Stampley accounted for LSU's four rushing touchdowns.

"[Running backs coach] Frank Wilson does a great job in preparing a number of backs, keeping them fresh and getting them on the field," Miles said.

The Tigers also displayed depth on defense. Twenty-six different Tigers recorded tackles Saturday, led by senior safety Derrick Bryant's eight tackles.

Bryant hasn't started a game all season but found playing time after sophomore safety Eric Reid sustained a quad injury in the first quarter.

Brooks, who had four tackles, a sack and two forced turnovers, said LSU's depth is a key factor in the Tigers' success.

"It's not about just one person, it's about this team," Brooks said. "We're able to take one person out and put another one in, and they're able to play just as well and not miss a heartbeat."

The Tigers added a second defensive touchdown in the second quarter when sophomore linebacker Kevin Minter recovered an Ole Miss fumble in the end zone.

"I give all the credit to my D-line," Minter said of his touchdown. "They got back there and shot the gaps. I just happened to be the one nearest to the ball, and I just fell on it."

Senior quarterback Jordan Jefferson went 7-for-7 for 88 yards, while senior quarterback Jarrett Lee completed his only pass of the night for 17 yards. Jefferson connected with junior receiver Russell Shepard on a 22-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, LSU's lone touchdown pass on the night.

Miles said the Tigers' early lead limited LSU's need to throw, but he still stressed the importance of the passing game.

"We need to throw the ball to have them understand it's something we can do," Miles said. "If they continue to crowd the line, we'll continue to take those advantages."

Late in the game, sophomore quarterback Zach Mettenberger took the reins for what would be the Tigers' final offensive possession.

LSU took the ball at the Ole Miss 46-yard line and drove to the doorstep of the Rebels' goal line. Mettenberger was ruled out of bounds at the 1-yard line after a 25-yard naked bootleg scramble with almost five minutes remaining.

Miles decided to kneel the ball after a timeout and run the clock rather than attempt to score and potentially push the score to 59-3.

"Victory was assured," Miles said. "There was no reason to take snaps at that point."

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Contact Scott Branson at sbranson@lsureveille.com