In a game dominated by 2 solid defenses (only 6 points were scored in the opening 3 quarters) LSU showed a lot of spirit and character to pull out a big win right at the end of this one. It looked like Georgia were going to sneak away with a win despite being second best throughout when A.J. Green hauled in a touchdown with 69 seconds to go to put the Bulldogs ahead 13-12, but an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty followed by a big return from Trindon Holliday set the Tigers up to win the game.
College: Louisiana State Conference: Southeastern Columnist: Craig Strachan
Trindon Holliday 8 5' 5.0" 159 4.21 WR 2010
Everything you've ever heard about Holliday is true. He's tiny, lightning quick and electrifying. Had two big returns in this game - he muffed the catch on the first one and yet still returned it for 48 yards and the second one led to the game winning touchdown. Not sure he has a natural position on an NFL roster other than as a return specialist. I guess you keep him as a 6th receiver, if you can. Grade: Positive.
Ciron Black 70 6' 5.0" 327 0.00 OT 2010
While the Georgia defensive line was causing a lot of problems in this game, the one offensive lineman who did his job consistently was Ciron Black. Protected his QB's blindside well and had a good showing in the running game, showing willing to get into the second level and make key blocks. Grade: Slightly positive.
Richard Dickson 82 6' 3.0" 240 4.75 TE 2010
Dickson was held to just 3 catches on the day, though he showed good hands on all 3. Now just 7 catches of the school record for tight ends. Was OK as a blocker. Grade: Neutral.
Al Woods 97 6' 4.0" 323 0.00 DT 2010
Woods was part of an LSU defensive line which got a lot of pressure on Georgia QB Joe Cox. Showed good hustle on one play to chase Cox outside and all the way to the sideline. Works well with the guys around him. Grade: Slightly positive.
Danny McCray 44 6' 1.0" 212 0.00 S 2010
Didn't see him until the 3rd quarter and isn't starting on this defense. You have to wonder if he's just got lost in among all the talent LSU have on defense. I think he came in to the game as a linebacker on a few plays. Grade: Incomplete.
Brandon LaFell 1 6' 3.0" 209 4.48 WR 2010
Another in the line of great LSU receivers. Runs some great routes and really sells on fakes and stunts. A good catcher of the ball in traffic and made a great play on a 2pt conversion in the 4th quarter. Willing player on special teams too - he dived to stop a punt from going into the endzone, meaning Georgia had to start on their own 2 yard line. Grade: Positive.
Charles Alexander 91 6' 3.0" 310 5.20 DT 2010
Same as Al Woods really - worked well on the line and between them put pressure on Joe Cox all day long. No real big plays from him, just some good old fashioned smack 'em in the face work from him in this game. Grade: Neutral.
Jacob Cutrera 54 6' 4.0" 236 0.00 LB 2010
Still not starting as he makes his way back from injury but showed up a fair amount which has to be a good sign. Still didn't quite look at his best but showed fair tackling ability and made a couple of plays out on the sidelines. Grade: Neutral.
Keiland Williams 5 5' 10.7" 224 4.48 HB 2010
Becoming the lost man on the LSU offense. Dropped an easy screen pass in the 1st quarter and was only on the field once or twice after that. Grade: Incomplete.
Charles Scott 32 5' 10.6" 233 4.55 HB 2010
People have been down on the LSU running game this year but Scott finally came up big with 95 yards on 19 attempts with 2 TDs. Carries a lot of power and is strong and willing up the middle. Broke off for a 22 yard touchdown in the final minute to win the game for the Tigers. Grade: Slightly positive.
Harry Coleman 24 6' 2.0" 205 0.00 LB 2010
As you'd half-expect from a former safety, Coleman looked good when dropping into coverage. He broke up a couple of passes. Showed good awareness in the run game too and made a couple of big stops. Doesn't have the frame you'd like as a linebacker. Grade: Slightly positive.
Lyle Hitt 65 6' 2.0" 289 0.00 OG 2010
Given a bit of a rough ride today by the Georgia defensive tackles before leaving the game in the 3rd quarter after puking on the field. Allowed Kade Weston right through for a sack at one point almost as though he was a turnstile rather than a guard. Grade: Negative.
Rahim Alem 84 6' 2.0" 254 0.00 DE 2010
Considering he didn't register a sack, Alem played surprisingly well. Maybe I'm too quick to judge DEs...He got good pressure on Cox all day and came this close to bringing him down about 3 or 4 times. Broke up a screen play which showed good awareness. Also got very close to sacking Cox in the endzone for a safety, which I still think should have been given anyway for intentional grounding. Grade: Positive.
Perry Riley 56 6' 1.0" 240 0.00 LB 2010
Another linebacker who impressed me when dropping back into coverage. Broke up a couple of passes and had a late interception where he showed receiver-like prowess on the sideline to get both feet in bounds to seal his sides victory. Was lucky not to be called for pass interference at one point though. Grade: Positive.
Chris Hawkins 29 6' 1.0" 184 0.00 CB 2010
Every time LSU lined up in a zone defense scheme, Georgia picked on Hawkins. Most of the time they lined A.J. Green up on that side and threw to him, including for the 4th quarter TD which put the Bulldogs ahead. Not sure I can anything positive about his performance in this one. Grade: Negative.
Chad Jones 3 6' 3.0" 214 0.00 S 2011
The Tigers had Jones playing very deep in this one to cut off the deep throw to Green, which meant that Jones wasn't as active as you might have otherwise expected. Showed his tackling ability on a couple of occasions, particularly on one tackle from behind in the 4th. Also left the game for a while in the second half but returned later. Grade: Neutral.
College: Georgia Conference: Southeastern Columnist: Craig Strachan
Jeff Owens 95 6' 3.0" 292 4.90 DT 2010
Geno Atkins 56 6' 1.0" 290 4.99 DT 2010
Kade Weston 91 6' 5.0" 325 5.15 DT 2010
I'm going to take these 3 as a group here, since they did a damn good job in this one. Owens and Weston started for the Bulldogs and both registered sacks. Between the 3 of them they caused a lot of problems for the Tigers interior offensive line. Owens made a key 4th down stop while his sack came on a 3rd down play. Atkins was called for a costly facemask penalty in the 4th quarter and was probably the least impressive on the day - though even he looked OK. Weston was a real tough cookie and drew a holding penalty against one of the guards. Grade: Positive.
Rennie Curran 35 5' 11.0" 220 4.52 LB 2011
There are not enough superlatives in the world for Rennie Curran - this kid is just immense. Forget the generous 5'11, he just plays football. Made 19 tackles (yes, 19!) and just did not stop hustling all day long. As close as you'll ever find to a surefire tackler. Reads plays so well. Prevented a TD in this one with a great tackle on Charles Scott. Rarely gets blocked out the play. Wore a sticker with #94 on it as a dedication to Boston College's Mark Herzlich. Grade: Positive.
Prince Miller 23 5' 8.0" 190 4.45 CB 2010
Showed a good array of coverage and tackling ability in this one. Doesn't always read the play quick enough to break up the pass but is always there or thereabouts. Grade: Neutral.
Clint Boling 60 6' 4.0" 297 5.20 OT 2011
I'm ashamed to say I didn't notice him at all - which is probably a good thing for an offensive lineman. Sorry guys! Grade: Incomplete.
Joe Cox 14 6' 1.0" 198 0.00 QB 2010
Absolutely diabolical in the first half, to the point where I considered removing him from the database. Was overthrowing everyone and showed no accuracy at all. Completed just 3 passes in 30 minutes. Came out fighting in the second half though and led a nice drive to give the Bulldogs the lead late on. Grade: Negative.
A.J. Green 8 6' 4.0" 207 0.00 WR 2012
I know he can't come out this year, but boy I can't wait until he does. Big play wide receiver. Just a shame about the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty he drew after he caught the TD to give Georgia a late lead, as it give the Tigers the chance to fight back. Grade: Positive.
Darryl Gamble 50 6' 2.0" 247 0.00 LB 2011
Quiet today, though when a teammate makes 19 tackles I guess you're going to be. Looked a bit of a liability in coverage. Grade: Incomplete.
Caleb King 4 5' 11.0" 210 0.00 HB 2012
Dropping down the depth chart and this performance could see him slide even further. Didn't manage to do anything of note. Grade: Negative.
Reshad Jones 9 6' 2.0" 212 0.00 S 2011
Solid hitter and a good tackler. Read an option play very well and broke it up in the backfield. Also had a forced fumble as he made a huge hit on the young Tiger quarterback. Grade: Slightly positive.
Other Notes:
LSU #7, CB P. Peterson looks like a potential star. He was assigned to AJ Green in man coverage and did an awesome job. Has long arms and good height. I must look this kid up.
Also, LSU #80, WR Toliver had a very good day too. He's over 6' and again looks like another good prospect.