Tigers need gas to pass through Texas
Burrow throws for 471 yards and four scores to escape a shootout with Ehlinger.
NO. 6 LSU 45 NO. 9 TEXAS 38
AUSTIN, Texas — Joe Burrow passed for 471 yards and four touchdowns, including a 61-yarder to Justin Jefferson with 2:27 left, and No. 6 Louisiana State pulled out a wild 45-38 victory over No. 9 Texas on Saturday night.
The biggest nonconference game in Austin since No. 1 Ohio State came to town in 2006 was one of the most anticipated matchups of the season and delivered on its promise. Texas stormed back from a 20-7 halftime deficit, and the teams traded seven touchdowns in the second half.
Burrow and Texas’ Sam Ehlinger picked apart the defenses at will. LSU (2-0) didn’t put it away until Texas came up inches short from covering an onside kick with 22 seconds left.
Jefferson caught three touchdown passes. His clincher came after Burrow stepped away from blitzing Longhorns on third and long to fire a pass that would have been good enough for a first down, before Jefferson slipped a tackle and burst down the sideline.
Burrow is only the third LSU quarterback to pass for 400 yards and the first since 2001. Ehlinger finished with 401 yards and four touchdowns for Texas (1-1).
The win will give LSU big early momentum in the longterm goal of reaching the College Football Playoff, but the rough Southeastern Conference looms in a long season.
“It’s a big statement, but obviously we want to play better,” LSU coach Ed Orgeron said. Texas coach Tom Herman said he’ll get his team to focus on the Big 12.
“This is Game 2 of a marathon,” Herman said. “All our goals are still out there.”
The LSU offense is humming after two games. But the defense gave up big plays and long touchdown drives with poor tackling.
The Tigers’ secondary was gashed often in the second half, notably by Texas receiver Devin Duvernay, who bowled over defenders again and again. His 44-yard catch and run up the middle for a score on fourth and three early in the fourth kept Texas in the game.
The Longhorns blew two big chances for touchdowns in the first quarter. Eight plays inside the LSU 10 yielded no points as both drives were stuffed at the goal line.