LSU Defense Leads The Way In 51-0 Romp Of ULM

Courtesy---AP/espn.com

LSU's defense did all the scoring the fifth-ranked Tigers needed against overmatched Louisiana-Monroe.

Ron Brooks returned an interception for a touchdown, Lavar Edwards brought back a fumble for another, and LSU's defense dominated throughout the fifth-ranked Tigers' 51-0 blowout of Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday night.

It was an anticlimactic victory for the Tigers (9-1), who were eliminated from contention in the SEC's Western Division with Auburn's victory over Georgia. However, LSU still can finish its regular season 11-1 and earn an at-large bid to a BCS bowl.

LSU's defense produced five turnovers in all, leading to 30 points, and the Tigers built a 44-0 lead by the third quarter.

Stevan Ridley rushed for two touchdowns, the first set up by Patrick Peterson's 85-yard interception return.

ULM (4-6), which plays in the Sun Belt Conference, came in averaging 387.8 yards and 24.7 points per game, but in this contest the Warhawks' defense was the only unit playing well early on, forcing punts on LSU's first two drives.

Brooks' interception and 32-yard return into the open field made it 7-0.

On its next two drives, LSU settled for Josh Jasper's field goals of 54 and 45 yards. The Tigers' offense did not get into the end zone until after Peterson made one of the more spectacular plays of the night. The star cornerback leapt high over receiver Tavarese Maye to intercept Kolton Browning's long pass at the LSU 3, kept his balance, stayed in bounds and started the other way, cutting across the entire field on a weaving return to the ULM 12.

After Jordan Jefferson converted a fourth-and-short on a QB keeper, Ridley powered in from a yard out to make it 20-0 early in the second quarter.

Late in the second quarter, LSU linebacker Kelvin Sheppard's strip of Luke Russell was recovered by Lazarius Levingston on the ULM 25, leading to Jasper's third field goal. That gave the Tigers, who had only 90 yards of offense through the first two quarters, a 23-0 halftime lead.

Edwards' 29-yard fumble return for a score came after defensive tackle Michael Brockers stripped running back Centarius Donald in the third quarter, making it 37-0.

LSU's offense didn't have to do much and finished with 251 yards for the game, only 61 yards more than ULM.

LSU kept the ball on the ground most of the game, gaining 156 yards on 39 carries with four rushing TDs in all. Jefferson and Jarrett Lee combined for eight completions for 95 yards, while ULM had only 67 yards through the air.

Browning was 8 of 17 for 61 yards and two interceptions. LSU's third interception came when Craig Loston stepped in front of Cody Wells' pass in the fourth quarter, setting up Michael Ford's 17-yard scoring run.

Spencer Ware had LSU's other TD on a 5-yard run in the third quarter.

Team Stat Comparison

Scoring Summary

FIRST QUARTER				ULM	LSU
	TD	07:05	Ron Brooks 32 Yd Interception Return (Josh Jasper Kick)	0	7
	FG	04:26	Josh Jasper 53 Yd	0	10
	FG	01:27	Josh Jasper 45 Yd	0	13
SECOND QUARTER				ULM	LSU
	TD	12:28	Stevan Ridley 1 Yd Run (Josh Jasper Kick)	0	20
	FG	03:41	Josh Jasper 29 Yd	0	23
THIRD QUARTER				ULM	LSU
	TD	10:20	Stevan Ridley 7 Yd Run (Josh Jasper Kick)	0	30
	TD	10:05	Lavar Edwards 24 Yd Fumble Return (Josh Jasper Kick)	0	37
	TD	03:33	Spencer Ware 5 Yd Run (Josh Jasper Kick)	0	44
FOURTH QUARTER				ULM	LSU
	TD	08:30	Michael Ford 17 Yd Run (Josh Jasper Kick)	0	51