• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Scott explodes for two scores as LSU blasts North Texas

Sep 14, 2008 - 4:47 AM BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (Ticker) -- As if defending its national title wasn't enough, hurricanes have wreaked havoc on Louisiana State's ability to play a normal college football season. On Saturday, however, it was Charles Scott who was inflicting the most damage against an inferior opponent.

Scott rushed for 102 yards and two scores, sending the seventh-ranked Tigers to a 41-3 rout of North Texas.

One week after having their game vs. Troy postponed until November due to the effects of Hurricane Gustav and two weeks after having its season opener moved up six hours in preparation for the storm, LSU (2-0) showed little dropoff from the team that has captured two national championships in the last five seasons.

"We stuck through the storm and had a tough week, but we stuck through it," Scott said. "We practiced hard and we came to play today."

"About the time we might want to start feeling sorry for ourselves, we realize that LSU has been dealing with (Gustav's effects) for three weeks," North Texas coach Todd Dodge said. "I'm sure that Coach Miles and his team have had to deal with a lot more than we have."

Following a three-and-out by the Mean Green (0-3) to open the game, Scott capped a four-play, 59-yard drive with a 39-yard TD run on his first carry to hand the Tigers an early seven-point advantage.

Even with his second straight 100-yard game, Scott and his teammates understand the road ahead will not be easy.

"I feel the game is coming to me a little better and it is slowing down a little," Scott said. "The real test will be next week when we play Auburn. I hope to do just as well."

"Since I've been at LSU, we've come up short twice against Auburn," Tigers defensive tackle Charles Alexander said. "It's one of my big goals this season to win for the state of Louisiana."

August Mangin ended North Texas' next drive with an interception, which he returned 36 yards to the Mean Green's 47.

Despite getting even better field position at the LSU 32 after a personal foul following the turnover, the Tigers were unable to muster a first down, opting for a 41-yard field goal from Colt David.

With LSU leading, 10-3, in the second quarter, Scott struck again, ending the Tigers' four-play, 60-yard drive with a 43-yard TD scamper on just his third carry of the game.

That play opened the door for the first of 31 unanswered points for LSU. The Tigers forced North Texas to punt on the following possession, allowing Trindon Holliday to return Truman Spencer's punt 92 yards for another score.

"Maybe the brightest spot was getting Trindon Holliday going in with the punt," LSU coach Les Miles said. "Let me tell you what he's done. He's worked awfully hard fielding balls, and he's not only a better punt returner, but he's a much better receiver.

"This was the big game for him, and it's right in time. I look forward to him doing that again and again for us."

David stretched the lead to 27-3 with one second remaining before halftime with a 37-yard field goal.

Hatch, who finished 10-of-17 for 125 yards, and Quinn Johnson completed the rout with the final two of LSU's four rushing TDs in the third quarter.

"I really enjoyed the different bits and pieces," Miles said. "Certainly, Charles Scott and the running game was pretty good in spurts. I like the fact we have balance. I know we can throw it and run it, and anytime you line up with an offense that can do that, it's going to be much harder to defend.

"I think our defense is tough to move the ball against. I like our pressure package. I think we're headed in the right direction there."