Jefferson gets first 2011 start in 42-9 rout of W. Kentucky

The quarterback that brought LSU to an 8-0 record sat on the bench as the game started for the first time this season during LSU's 42-9 victory against Western Kentucky.

The win pushed No. 1 LSU to its first 10-0 record since the 1958 season, when LSU won a national championship.

Senior quarterback Jordan Jefferson, who played the majority of LSU's 9-6 win against Alabama, got his first start of the season, while fellow senior quarterback Jarrett Lee didn't see playing time until the fourth quarter.

LSU coach Les Miles said the decision to name Jefferson the starter was made late in the week.

"The decision made by the staff and myself on the quarterbacks was a one-game decision," he said. "We'll kind of go from there. I certainly liked how both quarterbacks played."

Jefferson completed eight passes on 14 attempts for 168 yards and one touchdown on a 59-yard bomb to junior wide receiver Rueben Randle in the first quarter.

Lee went 2-of-4 for 15 yards and a touchdown.

As Lee stepped onto the field in the fourth quarter, he was greeted with enthusiasm from the remaining LSU contingent.

Senior offensive lineman T-Bob Hebert downplayed the impact of one quarterback over the other.

"I don't think it affected us at all," Hebert said. "We're used to both these guys and we have faith in both of these guys that they can come in and run the offense efficiently."

The Tigers got off to a slow start, leading only 14-7 at halftime against the 41.5-point underdog.

Miles said the Tigers lacked intensity throughout the game.

"I don't think that this was in any way an impassioned effort by our guys," Miles said. "But I think they did the things they needed to do to ensure victory."

At the end of the first half, the Hilltoppers were dominating possession, holding the ball for 20:01, while the Tigers only had possession for 9:59.

"We all had to slap ourselves in the face two times," sophomore defensive end Sam Montgomery said about the halftime result. "The momentum changed, though, when we stopped them on the goal line when they were so close."

The Hilltoppers utilized their tight ends in the first half for short, quick gains across the middle.

Sophomore linebacker Tahj Jones said the team had to make adjustments at halftime.

"The Mike linebacker was supposed to jump up on the tight end fast," he said. "They were just running a little sit-down route."

While the LSU defensive backfield and defensive line have received plenty of attention so far this season, the linebackers lit up the stat sheet Saturday night.

Jones reeled in his first career interception in the third quarter, while sophomore Kevin Minter and senior Ryan Baker combined for 20 tackles.

"We're well-rounded," sophomore defensive end Barkevious Mingo said. "We have great players at each position that can handle their business and stand out if another part of the defensive isn't doing so well."

After running for 39 yards in the first half, sophomore running back Spencer Ware didn't see the field again.

Sophomore running back Alfred Blue didn't see playing time until the third quarter. In only two quarters of play, he ran for a career-high 119 yards on nine carries for two touchdowns, including a 45-yard dash.

The Tigers saw issues with ball protection, fumbling four times but only losing one.

Western Kentucky senior running back Bobby Rainey, who entered the game ranked third nationally in total yards, ran for 107 yards, but the LSU defense held him scoreless.

"I don't think the score represents how the game went," Rainey said. "They're a great football team, but I felt like we could have played with them if we had kept the same intensity that we had in the first half."

Western Kentucky coach Willie Taggart said he was proud of the Hilltoppers' performance.

"We played hard and didn't give up," he said. "We scored more points than Alabama."

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Contact Albert Burford at aburford@lsureveille.com