THE STORY
After two drives, the defenses overwhelmed the quarterbacks. That changed on the last play from scrimmage.
Texas’ offensive staff found one more play than LSU’s, and the Longhorns won with two seconds left, 22-21.
Arch Manning found Raleek Brown on an easy swing pass, and Brown won the race to the pylon to beat LSU.
LSU has played three games decided in the final minute and they’re 0-3. Add in last week’s fourth-quarter meltdown, and you’ve got four losses.
The meaningful football is over.
Manning trotted into the end zone 11 plays into the game for a score. Thirteen plays later, Sam Leavitt hit Jackson Harris to knot things. At that point, the scripted plays had been exhausted, and the defenses took over.
Two of the next 19 drives went for touchdowns, both by LSU. The 20th was Texas’ decisive score.
Both quarterbacks threw three interceptions. All six were poor plays by a pair of guys without much help.
Texas’ backs ran for 64 yards. LSU got a 44-yard touchdown run from Dilin Jones but gave up seven tackles for loss and didn’t establish much on the ground.
After Jones’ touchdown, the Tigers got the ball back four times and gained one total yard. The defense fought for 59:58 but couldn’t close it out without much help.
Special teams were a disaster. Scott Starzyk missed a 38-yard field goal to end the half. Grant Chadwick averaged 37.3 yards per punt.
THE STATS
Sam Leavitt: 27-for-37, 244 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
Jackson Harris: 8 catches, 64 yards, 2 TD
Tre Wilson: 7 catches, 96 yards
Dilin Jones: 19 carries, 125 yards, TD
Total offense: 36-273, LSU
Penalties: 13-108 LSU; 5-50 Texas
LSU was 2-for-5 getting points in the red zone
Texas ran 32 times for 99 yards
LSU had 8 TFLs and 4 sacks
THE PLAYS
Texas converted a fourth-and-2 from the LSU 38 on a Tamarcus Cooley pass interference. It was one of three penalties called on LSU during Texas’ 75-yard, game-opening touchdown drive. 7-0 Horns on Manning’s 1-yard touchdown run.
LSU came right back 75 yards for a touchdown. Leavitt to Harris from 10 yards out. 7-7.
Leavitt was picked off forcing a throw into coverage at the Texas 32.
Leavitt forced another throw under pressure in the red zone. Trey’Dez Green fell down, and Texas picked it off in the end zone.
Manning gave it right back on the next third down. He was pressured and fired downfield. Ty Benefield picked it and ran it back to the Texas 7.
Leavitt found Harris on a second-down slant in the end zone. Harris caught it despite pass interference. 14-7, Tigers with 9:17 to play before the half.
A holding call put Texas behind the chains, and Gianni Spetic was good from 42 yards. LSU, 14-10, with 3:22 before the half.
Scott Starzyk missed from 38 yards to end the first half.
Leavitt was intercepted in the end zone on LSU’s first second-half drive.
Manning gave it right back when Benefield picked him off at the LSU 28.
Jones finally got loose on a running play. He went 44 yards down the Texas sideline for a score. LSU, 21-13.
Spetic was good from 50 yards with 11:37 to play. LSU, 21-16.
Two plays after a questionable pass interference call, DJ Pickett responded with an interception of Manning at the LSU 4-yard line with 10:30 to play.
With 19 seconds left, Ryan Wingo was ruled to have fumbled on a catch at the 11-yard line. LSU recovered. Replay overturned it.
With two seconds left, Raleek Brown caught a swing pass and won the race to the pylon to win the game.
