Towson University Athletics

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Towson Athletics

Football 9.27.2012

LSU Preview

There are daunting tasks like playing an unranked FBS team on the road, and then there's playing LSU.

Towson (2-1) has faced five FBS teams in the past, including Kent State this season (a 41-21 loss), but the Tigers have never faced the No. 3 team in the nation. That meeting will take place on Saturday night in Baton Rouge, La., when the Tigers take on #3 LSU from Tiger Stadium (capacity 92,542) at 7p.m. ET on ESPNU.

LSU comes into this game 4-0 on the season after defeating Auburn 12-10 last week. Earlier this season, the Tigers defeated North Texas at home 41-14, Washington at home 41-3 and Idaho at home 63-14.

LSU has won 36 straight non-conference games in Tiger Stadium and is 48-4 versus unranked teams under Les Miles, which includes a current streak of 16 straight wins. To add one more superlative, the Tigers have won 25 straight games during the month of September, a streak that dates back to a 7-3 loss at Auburn in 2006.

The most impressive aspect of this team is its depth. Not many teams can lose a Heisman Trophy candidate in CB/PR Tyrann Mathieu - one of the most dynamic players in the nation - and not miss a beat. The Tigers average 39.2 ppg and allow 10.2 ppg. Their run defense is incredible, allowing just two yards per carry and 56.8 yards per game. The pass defense has been just as strong; they allow just 142.8 yards per game.

Offensively, the Tigers are balanced, though LSU's running game has usually been the anchor of the offense. The Tigers average 247.5 yards per game on the ground and are led by sophomore Kenny Hilliard (6-0, 231). His 343 total yards, six touchdowns, and 7.3 ypg average leads the team.

At quarterback, junior Zach Mettenberger (6-5, 230) originally started out at Georgia before spending one season at Butler Community College. Mettenberger has been superb in the first four games, completing 67.7 percent of his passes for 778 yards, four touchdowns and just two interceptions.

The top receiver is sophomore Jarvis Landry (6-1, 195), who has 17 catches for 160 yards and one score.

The sheer size up front is impressive, not only from the line but at fullback with junior J.C. Copeland (6-1, 272), who has two touchdowns and at tight end with senior Chase Clement (6-5, 265).

The offensive line did lose junior left tackle Chris Faulk (knee), for possibly the season. Faulk was on the 2012 Lombardi Award Watch List and Outland Trophy Watch List before the season began. Senior Josh Dworaczyk (6-6, 300) has taken Faulk's place, though he can also play left guard. The right side has the most experience and size led by senior Alex Hurst (6-6, 331), a right tackle who is also on the Lombardi and Outland Trophy Watch Lists.

Defensively, LSU is simply loaded even without the "Honey Badger" (Mathieu). It starts up front with junior Barkevious Mingo (6-5,2 40), who was on just about every Watch List including the Bednarik Award and Nagurski Watch List. He has tallied 21.5 tackles for loss in his career and this season has nine tackles and five qb hurries.

Junior Sam Montgomery (6-5, 260) leads the team with six tackles for loss and also has two sacks.

At defensive tackle, junior Bennie Logan (6-5, 295) is on the Outland Trophy Watch List and is the key to the LSU run defense. He has amassed 12 tackles and two tackles for loss this season.

At linebacker, junior Kevin Minter (6-2, 245) leads the team with 25 tackles, adding four tackles for loss. Minter is on the 2012 Butkus Award Watch List after recording 61 tackles last year.

Redshirt freshman Jalen Mills (6-0, 185) has taken over for Mathieu at corner and has played very well, picking off two passes. Junior Tharold Simon (6-3, 187) is the more experienced corner, who has 12 tackles and one pick.

Junior free safety Eric Reid (6-2, 212) is another star who was on just about every Watch List in preseason. Reid is third on the team in tackles with 20, adding three pass breakups and one pick.

Sophomore Odell Beckham Jr. averages 9.5 yards per punt return and has a 70-yard touchdown return, while Ford and Beckham Jr. are strong on kick returns.

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