Dores Fall To No. 11 Tigers, 34-6

Dores Fall To No. 11 Tigers, 34-6

10/8/2005

NASHVILLE – The 11th-ranked LSU Tigers turned in a strong second-half performance to beat the Commodores 34-6 before a near-capacity crowd at Vanderbilt Stadium.

Four turnovers and two missed field goals by LSU helped Vanderbilt keep the game close through three quarters. But three Tiger touchdowns in the fourth period gave LSU a 28-point lead that it would not relinquish.

The Tiger defense kept consistent pressure on Commodore quarterbacks throughout the night, sacking them six times for 53 yards and forcing seven quarterback hurries. Cutler left the game with six minutes left to play after a helmet-to-helmet hit that drew a flag from the officials. Jay Cutler, a senior from Santa Claus, Ind., completed 11-of-32 attempts for 113 yards on the night, threw two interceptions and rushed for negative-20 yards. Sophomore running back Cassen Jackson-Garrison was the only Commodore with positive rushing yards (56).

Freshman kicker Bryant Hahnfeldt provided all of the Commodores’ six points, a 36-yard field goal and a second from a career-long 48. Other offensive highlights for the Commodores includes a spectacular fingertip catch by senior wide receiver Erik Davis.

Backup Commodore quarterback Chris Nickson finished the game under center after Cutler was shaken up. As he did in his previous appearances this season, Nickson showed good mobility. In his first game back after suffering an injury earlier in the season in Arkansas, junior quarterback-turned-fullback Steven Bright caught a 31-yard pass.

Senior linebacker Moses Osemwegie had 11 tackles for the Commodores, including one for a three-yard loss, and a fumble recovery. Redshirt freshman safety Reshard Langford had nine tackles, an interception with a 27-yard runback, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup. Senior safety Kelechi Ohanaja made eight tackles and two pass breakups. Senior cornerback Andrew Pace recorded seven tackles, a sack for a 10-yard loss and one pass breakup. Senior defensive tackle Ralph McKenzie also recovered a fumble. Langford and senior cornerback Cheron Thompson each forced fumbles, and Pace recorded two.

The Commodores (4-2) return to Vanderbilt Stadium Saturday, Oct. 15, to face the fourth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs for Vanderbilt’s Homecoming Game. Game time will be announced Sunday, Oct. 9. For tickets, call 322-GOLD or visit .