2005 LSU Tigers football team

NCAATeamFootballSeason
Year=2005
Team=LSU Tigers

Logo_of_the_LSU_athletic_teams.
Conference=Southeastern Conference
Division=Western Division
ShortConference=SEC
CoachRank= 5 final ranking
APRank= 6 final ranking
Record=11-2
ConfRecord=7-2
HeadCoach=Les Miles
OffCoach=Jimbo Fisher
DefCoach=Bo Pelini
OScheme=
DScheme=
StadiumArena= Tiger Stadium (LSU)
Champion= SEC West Champions
BowlTourney= Peach Bowl
BowlTourneyResult= LSU 40 Miami 3

Despite all of the distractions from Hurricane Katrina, LSU still managed to finish its season with an 11-2 record capped off by a 40-3 victory over #9 Miami in the Peach Bowl without its starting QB, JaMarcus Russell.

The game against #15 Arizona State game was originally a home game, but when Hurricane refugees were using some of LSU's buildings as shelter, the NCAA moved the game to Tempe, Arizona. Things looked bleak early in the fourth quarter when the Tigers were trailing 17-7. Then LSU's special teams blocked two kicks (a 47-yard field goal attempt and a punt), returning both for TDs -- giving LSU a 21-17 lead. However, three TDs later (two by Arizona State and one by LSU), Arizona State was back on top 31-28, with 4 minutes left in the game. LSU started with the ball on their own 9-yard line. Nine plays later, LSU found themselves in a 4th down situation on the Arizona State 39-yard line. LSU went for it, resulting in a 39-yard TD pass from JaMarcus Russell to Early Doucet and a 35-31 lead for the Tigers. Arizona State tried their own game-winning drive, but they were stopped on downs inside the Tiger 30-yard line.

LSU's first home game came on primetime against #10 Tennessee. It was moved back to Monday on September 26th because of Hurricane Rita. LSU had a huge lead at halftime, but the lead slipped away and the Tigers lost the game in overtime.

On October 15, LSU faced #11 Florida. Late in the third quarter, the Gators went up 17-14. Then, early in the fourth quarter JaMarcus Russell led the Tigers on a 12-play, 75-yard drive, capped by a 3-yard TD run by Joseph Addai which put the Tigers up 21-17. LSU's defense took over from there, holding Florida to less than 30 yards in the rest of the fourth quarter.

On October 22, LSU squared off against #16 Auburn. With just under five minutes left in the game, Auburn took a 17-14 lead. LSU responded by driving down to the Auburn 27-yard line, setting up a 44-yard field goal attempt by Chris Jackson. The kick was good, and the game went to overtime. LSU took the first possession, and Chris Jackson made a 30-yard field goal to put LSU up 20-17. Next, LSU's defense held Auburn, forcing Auburn to settle for a 39-yard field goal attempt by John Vaughn. Vaughn's kick hit the left upright, giving LSU the victory.

On November 12, LSU went to Tuscaloosa to play undefeated #4 Alabama. At halftime, Alabama was up 10-0, but the Tigers came back in the third quarter to tie the game 10-10. After the Tigers missed three second half field goal attempts, the game went to overtime. In overtime, the Tiger defense held Alabama to a field goal. During LSU's possession, JaMarcus Russell hit Dwayne Bowe with an 11-yard TD pass, giving LSU a 16-13 victory.

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