LSU 38, Georgia Tech 3: Media Roundup

Later in the weekend, I'll take a look at what the bowl performances and the recruiting season may say about how the depth chart will look next year.

But for now, here's a roundup of what the mainstream media folks and bloggers are saying about LSU's decisive pounding of Georgia Tech.

Coley Harvey of Macon.com: Mauled, maimed and downright outplayed by the LSU Tigers in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on New Year's Eve night, the No. 14 Yellow Jackets had hardly anything to celebrate, as they were humbled by the unranked Tigers in a mind-blowing 38-3 loss.

Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal Constitution: This game was supposed to be a reward. It turned out to be some bad acid flashback to bowl flops of years past. But at least back then, the Jackets suffered their humiliation in Boise and nobody really cared. Or noticed.

George Morris of the Advocate: Let the record show on defense the Tigers swaggered their way into the new year. LSU’s defense played its best game of the year in a 38-3 Chick-fil-A Bowl rout of Georgia Tech.

Joe Schiefelbein of the Advocate: With his coming-out party, Jefferson takes a considerable lead into a spring quarterback derby, if one exists.

Randy Rosetta of the Advocate: ...freshman Jordan Jefferson slammed the door on any doubt of who the quarterback of LSU’s immediate future is with an MVP performance ...

Scott Hotard of the Advocate, quoting GT safety Morgan Burnett: “Those guys looked like a defending national champion."

James Varney of the Times-Picayune: All of which suggests the Tigers have found a quarterback. But later this month, high school phenom Russell Shepard will enroll at LSU. The rose in what some services now rate as the nation's best recruiting class is also a quarterback from Texas, which gives the Tigers plenty of options at the position come spring.

Pete Fiutak of Scout: Going into next year, Jordan Jefferson might seem like the answer under center, but the coaching staff has to quickly figure out if it's going to be that big a slam dunk. Will Andrew Hatch and Jarrett Lee get any real chances to work and win the job? Les Miles has to at least keep the competition open.

Richard Pittman from And the Valley Shook: Jefferson was outstanding in the first half, but came back to earth in the second. He wasn't bad, but he reminded me that he was a true freshman making only his 2nd career start.

Dandy Don from, well, Dandydon.com: I was also very happy with LSU's kicking game that kept Ga Tech backed up close to their goal line and gave them bad field position to start drives. Josh Jasper, who had struggled all season with his kicks, kicked four into the end zone and two resulted in touch-backs. The other two were returned but for only 17 and 20 yards. I was also pleased with Brady Dalfrey's punting. Dalfrey had good distance and height.

Spencer Hall on the SportingNews Sporting Blog: Les Miles puts on his Scream mask, grabs a knife, and calls you on a phone that is INSIDE THE HOUSE by calling a fake punt in the fourth quarter of a 38-3 blowout. Hey, the fans decided to spend New Year's with you: give 'em some freakin' fireworks, even if you happen to be pointing that lit Roman Candle directly in the face of Georgia Tech.

New Year's Quickie: 2009 Starts With a Bang

A lot of the immediate reaction to the win last night will be centered on the play of freshman QB Jordan Jefferson. And Jefferson played well - especially in the first half, but actually all game. Only in the fourth quarter did he start making some silly mistakes - like throwing 40 yard bombs into heavy coverage when he could've just run for the first down. I'm guessing he was trying to manufacture another TD strike like the one to LaFell that was called back. But I digress. Jefferson had a great night.

But the defense won that game and won it handily. First, and most importantly, I think LSU won most of the matchups. Second, they were well coached, very prepared, and disciplined. And third, they manufactured turnovers.

Jordan Jefferson got the MVP ball, but I would've given mine to the LB'ers and Chad Jones. Beckwith, Riley, Sheppard and Jones had a great night, keeping the Georgia Tech running game in check. And if I had to pick one, I'd pick Chad Jones because of his all-around performance - the first quarter pass breakup that saved the touchdown; the many great tackles; and his special teams play.

Couple more quick points then I go nite-nite.

1. Special Teams - outstanding. Coverages were great except for one good return by GT. Outstanding onside kick. Awesomely executed fake punt. Kickoffs into the endzone. And Brady Dalfrey punted very, very well.

2. No LSU turnovers. Although - Jefferson in actuality fumbled twice. The first was called a forward pass - bad call, it was a fumble. The second was recovered and Richard Murphy saved a safety with his legs.

3. The fake punt - is it just me, or did that seem very unlike Les Miles? Up 38-3 late in the game and he fakes a punt? I have to say - with nothing else on the line (BCS computer stuff, for instance) and no real chance that GT was going to comeback - I was disappointed we chose to do that. However, it was really well executed.

4. Colt David ends his outstanding LSU career with a 53 yarder! What a great way to go. I hope he finds a fat paycheck in the NFL because he's been awesome at LSU.

Lots more to talk about. But for now, I just want to give props to the LSU football team for not only making Tiger fans and the SEC proud, but finishing out an otherwise frustrating season with pride and gusto.

Congrats to the seniors! Geaux Tigers!