More TDs for LSU running back Kenny Hilliard
LSU running back Kenny Hilliard gets stacked up during the first half of the Tigers' 41-3 victory over Washington on Saturday in Tiger Stadium. Hilliard finished with 46 yards and two touchdowns, giving him four scores in LSU's first two games.
Hilliard, Blue, Copeland shine again in win over Huskies
LSU sophomore running back Kenny Hilliard continued his high rate of touchdown production in the No. 3 Tigers’ 41-3 victory against Washington on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium.
Hilliard, who was the fourth LSU halfback to get into the game, scored on runs of 3 yards and 1 yard as he had his second consecutive two-touchdown game.
That gave Hilliard 12 rushing touchdowns in his 15 career games. He has scored those touchdowns on just 88 career carries — an average of one touchdown every 7.3 carries.
Hilliard finished with 46 yards on 13 rushes.
Blue over 100 again
Hilliard didn’t match the 100-plus-yard performance he had in the opener against North Texas, but Alfred Blue did reach the 100-yard mark for the second consecutive game. Blue had 101 yards and a touchdown on a team-high 14 carries.
Blue is the first Tigers running back to have 100 yards in consecutive games since Stevan Ridley did it against West Virginia and Tennessee two years ago. He is also the first LSU runner to have 100-yard games in each of the first two games of a season since Charles Scott opened 2008 with four consecutive 100-yard games.
Another Copeland TD
LSU coach Les Miles said last week that fullback J.C. Copeland’s unprecedented rushing opportunity against North Texas might not be a one-time thing.
Copeland, a converted defensive lineman, ran for 33 yards, including 5-yard touchdown, on four carries in the opener. He had two carries for zero yards in his previous two seasons combined. Copeland found the end zone again against Washington on a 1-yard carry. He had one other carry for another yard.
Miles said, though, that Copeland’s opportunities will still be limited.
Wright, Boone catch more
Juniors James Wright and Kadron Boone continued to get more involved in LSU’s passing game. Wright was Zach Mettenberger’s primary target, finishing with team highs and career highs of five receptions and 75 yards.
Boone, who caught a 34-yard touchdown in the opener, had a 32-yarder against the Huskies. He has doubled his career touchdown total over the last two weeks.
Miles acknowledges Walker
In his opening remarks after Saturday’s game, Miles mentioned Tulane cornerback Devon Walker, who was seriously injured in the Green Wave’s game at Tulsa earlier in the day.
Walker, who played at Destrehan High School, suffered a broken spine in a collision at the end of the first half and is awaiting surgery.
“This is a very difficult game to play,” Miles said. “Injuries occur and sometimes it is very serious. We all need to give a prayerful eye toward Devon Walker of Tulane.”
Alleman ups percentage
Drew Alleman, who had a rare missed field goal against North Texas, made both attempts against Washington to remain the most accurate field-goal kicker in LSU history.
He made kicks of 18 and 32 yards to improve to 20-for-23 in his career (.870).
Additionally, Alleman made all five of his extra points, extending his streak of made PATs to 72 dating to the opener against Oregon last season.
That streak is the third-longest in school history. David Browndyke holds the record, having made 109 in a row from 1986-89.
Three more debuts
After 20 freshmen played in the opener, three more LSU players made their debuts against Washington — junior defensive lineman A’Trey-U Jones, redshirt freshman defensive lineman Quentin Thomas and freshman cornerback Dwayne Thomas.
“It’s a long season,” Miles said, “and we’re going to need every guy.”
Lagniappe
While former CB Tyrann Mathieu was getting a lot of face time on ESPN as a spectator in the stands, his replacement, freshman Jalen Miles, earned some attention by making his first interception. ... Sophomore S Micah Eugene got his first career sack. ... MLB Kevin Minter was one of the most active players on defense, leading the team with nine tackles and having a career-high two pass breakups.