Jojo Doria

Baton Rouge, LA

After a tentative start, the No. 3 LSU Tigers bounced back with Alfred Blue turning in his second straight 100-yard rushing performance, including a 21-yard TD dash in the first quarter of a 41-3 romp of the Washington Huskies Saturday night.

LSU tied an FBS mark of 39 straight non-conference, regular season wins.

Blue averaged 7.2 yards per carry for a total of 101 yards, including a TD. He was the leading rusher Saturday, accomplishing the feat on a mere 14 carries.

It was another stellar outing in a starting role for the junior Blue, who posted 123 yards on 14 carries in the opener.

Blue, who jumped over the Tigers' top two rushers from last season, Spencer Ware and Michael Ford, to earn the starting nod at the end of August camp, breezed through Washington's defense untouched as he dashed for a 21-yard TD en route to LSU's first score.

It moved the Tigers ahead 7-3, a lead they would not surrender.

Blue's stellar effort enabled him to become the first LSU back to open the season with two 100-yard games since Charles Scott in 2008. Blue was third on the team with 539 yards last season.

LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger completed 12-of-18 passes for 195 yards, including a 32-yard scoring pass to Kadron Boone in the third quarter. James Wright caught five balls for 75 yards, both team highs, in the win.

The Tigers outgained Washington 437-183, including a 242-26 advantage on the ground.

Ford had 48 yards on 10 carries, Kenny Hillard had 46 yards on 13 carries with two TDs and Ware rushed for 38 yards on eight carries in his season debut.

LSU also extended its nation-best home win streak to 19 games, while tying a school mark of 19 straight victories in Tiger Stadium.

Keith Price went 17-for-36 through the air for 157 yards with an interception for the Huskies (1-1), who were attempting to build on its impressive 21-12 season opener win over San Diego State.

 

 

Running Back Alfred Blue Shines as LSU Rolls Over Washington