ARLINGTON, Tx. – This one was a head scratcher, to say the least.
At AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, also known as “Jerry’s World,” the hype was in the air. But few saw this coming.
Moreover, there was no glimpse of the updated version of the famed “Turnover Chain.”
Led by running back Nick Brossette, No. 25 LSU showed it could be better than what the pundits predicted.
Brossette ran for 125 yards with his first two career touchdowns, and graduate transfer quarterback Joe Burrow, who appeared in 10 games the past two seasons at Ohio State, won his first college start as the Tigers dismantled No. 8 Miami 33-17 on Sunday night (Sept. 2).
The final score is one indication. However, it was essentially was over in the first half for the Hurricanes, as it went into halftime with a 27-3 deficit to the Tigers.
Last year’s ACC Coastal champion finished the first half with eight penalties, while going 0-for-6 on third down conversions.
“We certainly had things go well and not so well,” Miami head coach Mark Richt said. “A lot of self-inflicted wounds, not to take anything away from what LSU did because they beat us soundly.”
Fifth-year senior quarterback Malik Rosier had a record-setting season last year with his 31 touchdowns (26 passing, five rushing) and 3,588 total yards. But in this game, he had some of the same issues that have haunted him in the past.
Rosier was 15 of 35 for 259 yards with two total touchdowns (one rushing) and two interceptions against LSU. The Hurricanes were down 33-3 before his 3-yard touchdown run and 32-yard TD pass to Brian Hightower in the fourth quarter.
In the losing streak to end last season, Rosier had three total touchdowns (all passing) with five interceptions. With the losing streak now at four (counting last season), Rosier has accounted for five total touchdowns (one rushing) and seven interceptions.
“The whole game was a huge learning experience for us,” Rosier said. “They did some stuff that we weren’t prepared for. That’s why I had so many scrambles and stuff.”
The Hurricanes (0-1) have lost four straight games, dating back to last season after a 10-0 start. They were exposed with the lack of an intermediate passing game that does not exist and a questionable offensive line to help the talented running game.
For LSU (1-0), Jacob Phillips returned a Rosier interception 45 yards for a touchdown. It set up the Tigers most successful first two frames in almost three years, as their 27 points were the most they scored in the first half against an FBS opponent since Oct. 17, 2015.
LSU is now 4-0 at AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. All of those wins have been against Top 25 opponents, which were in three season openers and the 2011 Cotton Bowl win over Texas A&M.
Miami may have dropped the marquee opener. But with important ACC conference games coming up in a few weeks, this loss will help the Rosier-led team prepare for the ensuing stretch.
NOTES: LSU finished with 156 yards rushing, while Miami finished with 83. When LSU rushes for over 100 yards and holds their opponents to under 100 yards rushing, it is an eye-popping 74-0 in those football games, including this one.
HOMETOWN REPRESENTATION
Miami sophomore defensive end Jonathan Garvin (Lake Worth alum) played relatively well in his first-ever official start against LSU. He finished the game with eight tackles (tied for second best on team), three tackles for loss, one sack, one pass breakup, and one quarterback hurry.
Junior linebacker Zach McCloud (Santaluces alum) finished with one tackle, while his fellow former high school football teammate and redshirt senior wide receiver Darrell Langham (Santaluces alum) finished with two catches for 14 yards.
Junior starting running back Travis Homer (Oxbridge Academy alum) had seven carries for 30 rushing yards (34 total) and two tackles on special teams, while junior wide receiver Ahmmon Richards (Wellington alum) ended the game with one catch for nine yards.
BEST PERFORMERS FOR MIAMI
Offense: Sophomore wide receiver Jeff Thomas had five catches for 132 yards against LSU.
Defense: Senior defensive back Jaquan Johnson led the team with 11 tackles, while senior defensive lineman Gerald Willis added eight tackles, one sack, four tackles for loss, one pass breakup, and one quarterback hurry against LSU.
ON TO WEEK 2
The beat goes on for the Miami Hurricanes, as they have their home opener against Savannah State (0-1) on Saturday, Sept. 8. The kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
Meanwhile, LSU has its own home opener vs. Southeastern Louisiana (0-1) on Saturday, Sept. 8. The kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Editor’s Note: West Lamy is the founder/publisher of his own sports website, www.worldwidewest.com. He is a contributor to New Era Prep for college football coverage.
