The 2011 college football season will always be one I remember fondly. Despite a somewhat bitter end to an otherwise extraordinary season, the LSU tigers enjoyed unprecedented success in 2011. Achieving what no other Tiger team ever had, the 2011 edition of the Fightin' Tigers have much to be proud of.
LSU began the season with a much-hyped and eagerly anticipated showdown with the #2 ranked Oregon Ducks in Cowboys Stadium. Oregon boasted an insanely talented offensive squad that was coming off of a close loss to Auburn in the previous year's BCS National Championship game. LSU had a solid squad returning and were themselves highly ranked. The game failed to measure up to the national media hype that preceded it (unless you were a Tiger fan!). LSU utilized a pounding run game, a steady passing threat, and a swarming defense to take it to the Ducks. The game ended with LSU on top 40-27, after Oregon added a meaningless TD right before the clock ran out to dress-up the score.
Propelled by their domination of a highly ranked opponent, the Tigers began a march through SEC play with a hard fought road win against a top 25 Mississippi State team. LSU would also travel to face another highly ranked offensive-minded non-conference foe in West Virginia. This game provided further proof that this LSU team had something special going on. The Bayou Bengals dominated the Mountaineers with a familiar mix of run first, pass effectively, and dominate defensively. After his national coming out party against Oregon, defensive back Tyrann Mathieu continued to make game-changing plays in big time moments for the Tigers.
LSU was truly dominant through the early stretch of the season and climbed to the #1 spot in the national rankings. Starting quarterback Jarrett Lee provided experience, leadership, and a punch to the passing attack in the absence of suspended former starter Jordan Jefferson. Jefferson and two other Tigers players had been suspended from an earlier incident at a Baton Rouge bar where they were involved in an altercation. Lee got the Tigers off to a white hot 9-0 start going into the the Tigers tussle in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama Game
Traveling to Tuscaloosa to face Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide, LSU had high hopes to score a huge road win over the #2 ranked Tide. The team that advanced unbeaten out of this contest was assumed to be the favorite to win the SEC and claim a tentative spot in the BCS title game in New Orleans. Billed as "The Game of the Century", the contest between these two tough, tenacious defensive teams was titillating til the end. The offenses could not get much going and had no success at cracking the red zone D of either side. Alabama moved the ball from 30 yard line to 30 yard line more effectively than LSU, thanks in large part to Heisman candidate back Trent Richardson, but LSU also managed to gain some traction with its option based attack. No touchdowns were surrendered, and the game was knotted at 6-6 when regulation ended. Alabama had first shot at scoring in overtime, but failed to do so, leaving the door open for LSU to pull off the win. LSU was able to convert a field goal to win 9-6 and leave the Crimson Tide faithful sitting stunned in their seats at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
The win over Bama meant that LSU was now firmly entrenched in their #1 ranking. Coach Les Miles had the Tigers playing at a high level with a major "want" to win. The last test LSU would face in the regular season would be #3 ranked Arkansas. The Tigers fell behind before roaring back behind a punt return TD by the Honey Badger that opened the flood gates of a 41-14 win.
SEC Championship vs. Georgia
LSU would take on Eastern Division champ Georgia for the SEC title in Atlanta. Georgia was riding a 10 game win streak and was considered to be the hottest team in the nation. LSU would certainly not have an easy time dispatching the Bulldogs...or so it seemed. The Tigers once again fell behind early, but were sparked by a punt return TD by, who else, The Honey Badger. LSU's offensive unit began to click after that, and they would rattle off touchdown after touchdown in the second half. LSU throttled the dawgs after halftime to post an impressive 42-10 win and claim the SEC Championship. LSU was now 13-0 for the first time in school history.
BCS Title Game vs. Alabama
LSU would completely fall apart in New Orleans in their rematch with Alabama. The offense was sluggish and never moved the ball. The defense was a workhouse as usual, but was overtaxed given how long they had to be on the field due to the inept LSU offense. Even the special teams, which had been a strength all season, began to falter. The defense showed that they were a great unit by holding the Tide to only field goals until Trent Richardson finally scored a touchdown late in the game. The final score of 21-0 was a bitter way to end such a richly successful season.
Overview
LSU ended the season ranked #2 with a 13-1 record. They were still the champions of the SEC, had won a record 8 games against ranked opponents including three wins against teams ranked in the top 3, and had All-American performers all over the field. Tyrann Mathieu and Morris Claiborne became the first pair of cornerback teammates to be named 1st team All-America in the same season. Mathieu and Claiborne won a slew of postseason awards including the prestigious Thorpe and Bednarik trophies. Coach Les Miles was named Coach of the Year by several organizations, and Defensive Coordinator John Chavis was named the nation's top assistant coach. All in all it was a landmark year for the Bayou Bengals of LSU. GEAUX TIGERS!
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