MRI negative for Ricky Seals-Jones 
September, 10, 2012
9/10/12
3:53
PM ET
By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
Ricky Seals-Jones (Sealy, Texas/Sealy), the nation’s top-rated receiver, received some good news on Monday regarding his injured knee.
Seals-Jones said an MRI revealed no major structural damage after he suffered a dislocated left kneecap in Thursday’s game against Houston St. Pius X. Seals-Jones, No. 10 on the ESPN 150 list, is expected to miss 6-8 weeks, which could mean a return to the football field during the final weeks of Sealy’s district season.
A high four-star athlete, Seals-Jones first took to Twitter Friday morning to thank all who had shown their concern.
Seals-Jones said an MRI revealed no major structural damage after he suffered a dislocated left kneecap in Thursday’s game against Houston St. Pius X. Seals-Jones, No. 10 on the ESPN 150 list, is expected to miss 6-8 weeks, which could mean a return to the football field during the final weeks of Sealy’s district season.
A high four-star athlete, Seals-Jones first took to Twitter Friday morning to thank all who had shown their concern.
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Weekend observations: Loranger, U-High
September, 10, 2012
9/10/12
11:28
AM ET
By
David Helman | ESPN.com
I'll have a report about Friday's Loranger-U-High game in Tuesday's From the Road feature. But I wanted to share some additional thought's about Loranger's 26-21 win against U-High on Friday night. The game featured one LSU commit and a bevy of Tiger targets, and that amount of star power certainly did not disappoint. First thing's first: what a night for 2013 commit Jeryl Brazil (Loranger, La./Loranger).
1. Maybe Brazil should play offense after all: Brazil spent the early part of his recruitment as an athlete -- a tweener stuck between wide receiver and cornerback. That changed when he made an impressive showing at The Opening this summer, and ESPN scouts listed him as a cornerback and bumped him into the top 60 prospects in the ESPN 150. It makes sense that such a speedy player would wind up in one of the most athletic positions on the field.
But after watching Brazil dazzle against one of the state's best teams, it's hard to feel so sure. Brazil was a threat to go the distance every time he touched the ball -- which was every snap, as he played quarterback. The senior is also a track star for Loranger, and while it's easy to write off track speed on the football field, that's not the case here. It takes Brazil about a step and a half to reach his top speed, and if he gets two to three yards of space to run he's a liability to score a touchdown from any spot on the field. He did just that three times against the Cubs -- from as far away as 69 and 70 yards.
1. Maybe Brazil should play offense after all: Brazil spent the early part of his recruitment as an athlete -- a tweener stuck between wide receiver and cornerback. That changed when he made an impressive showing at The Opening this summer, and ESPN scouts listed him as a cornerback and bumped him into the top 60 prospects in the ESPN 150. It makes sense that such a speedy player would wind up in one of the most athletic positions on the field.
But after watching Brazil dazzle against one of the state's best teams, it's hard to feel so sure. Brazil was a threat to go the distance every time he touched the ball -- which was every snap, as he played quarterback. The senior is also a track star for Loranger, and while it's easy to write off track speed on the football field, that's not the case here. It takes Brazil about a step and a half to reach his top speed, and if he gets two to three yards of space to run he's a liability to score a touchdown from any spot on the field. He did just that three times against the Cubs -- from as far away as 69 and 70 yards.
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Scoring has been challenge for Idaho
September, 10, 2012
9/10/12
8:51
AM ET
By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
BATON ROUGE, La. -- An Idaho Vandal might give LSU's defense fits this season.
If it happens, odds are, it won't be until the Tigers play Alabama, whose offensive coordinator, Doug Nussmeier, played quarterback at Idaho in the early 1990s.
As for his alma mater, which visits Tiger Stadium to play the No. 3 Tigers Saturday, any success against LSU's defense, ranked fifth in the nation in the nation and first in the SEC allowing 201 yards a game, would be a moral victory.
Idaho, 0-2 after losses to FCS power Eastern Washington and MAC member Bowling Green, ranks 119th out of 120 FBS teams in scoring with 16 points in its first two games. The Vandals rushing offense is 118th, averaging 39.5 yards a game.
It took Idaho 113 minutes of football this season before it could score its first touchdown. After getting embarrassed at home, 20-3, by EWU, the Vandals managed just two field goals over three quarters at Bowling Green Saturday before quarterback Dominique Blackman hit Marquan Major for a 16-yard touchdown pass with 6:22 left in what was eventually a 21-13 win for the Falcons.
It sounds like the Vandals could use the services of Nussmeier, who won the Walter Payton Award, given to the top offensive player in Division I-AA (now the FCS), in 1993 Before him, John Friesz won the Payton Award for Idaho in 1989. Both went on to play quarterback in the NFL.
It should be said that quarterback isn't the problem right now for the Vandals. Blackman passed for 352 yards against Bowling Green in his first start of the season by completing an efficient 30 of 37 passes. But Idaho settled for field goal attempts, making two of three and Blackman was picked off once.
He'll have a harder time moving the ball against an LSU defense many consider the nation's best. The Tigers are giving up just over 200 yards and 8.5 points per game.
Idaho opened Sunday as a 42.5 underdog for this weekend. Seems generous, considering that LSU has as many touchdowns on punt returns as Idaho has overall.
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University of Idaho Idaho expects to have its hands full against No. 3 LSU this weekend.
University of Idaho Idaho expects to have its hands full against No. 3 LSU this weekend.As for his alma mater, which visits Tiger Stadium to play the No. 3 Tigers Saturday, any success against LSU's defense, ranked fifth in the nation in the nation and first in the SEC allowing 201 yards a game, would be a moral victory.
Idaho, 0-2 after losses to FCS power Eastern Washington and MAC member Bowling Green, ranks 119th out of 120 FBS teams in scoring with 16 points in its first two games. The Vandals rushing offense is 118th, averaging 39.5 yards a game.
It took Idaho 113 minutes of football this season before it could score its first touchdown. After getting embarrassed at home, 20-3, by EWU, the Vandals managed just two field goals over three quarters at Bowling Green Saturday before quarterback Dominique Blackman hit Marquan Major for a 16-yard touchdown pass with 6:22 left in what was eventually a 21-13 win for the Falcons.
It sounds like the Vandals could use the services of Nussmeier, who won the Walter Payton Award, given to the top offensive player in Division I-AA (now the FCS), in 1993 Before him, John Friesz won the Payton Award for Idaho in 1989. Both went on to play quarterback in the NFL.
It should be said that quarterback isn't the problem right now for the Vandals. Blackman passed for 352 yards against Bowling Green in his first start of the season by completing an efficient 30 of 37 passes. But Idaho settled for field goal attempts, making two of three and Blackman was picked off once.
He'll have a harder time moving the ball against an LSU defense many consider the nation's best. The Tigers are giving up just over 200 yards and 8.5 points per game.
Idaho opened Sunday as a 42.5 underdog for this weekend. Seems generous, considering that LSU has as many touchdowns on punt returns as Idaho has overall.
Tiger 10: Alfred Blue leading the way
September, 10, 2012
9/10/12
7:30
AM ET
By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
BATON ROUGE, La. -- Two games into the season, LSU has the dominant running game and the dominant defensive line that was expected.
There might be surprises as to who leads the dominance:
1. RB Alfred Blue: Blue has shown the speed to get to the edge against a speed-based Washington defense, but also the power to run inside to give LSU his second straight 100-yard rushing day in Saturday's 41-3 win.
There might be surprises as to who leads the dominance:
1. RB Alfred Blue: Blue has shown the speed to get to the edge against a speed-based Washington defense, but also the power to run inside to give LSU his second straight 100-yard rushing day in Saturday's 41-3 win.
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Film study: Huskies brought out more
September, 10, 2012
9/10/12
7:15
AM ET
By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
BATON ROUGE, La. -- While Steve Sarkisian's Washington offense offered no competitive challenge to LSU's defense in Saturday's 41-3 Tigers win at Tiger Stadium, the Huskies offense and its exotic formation and personnel packages allowed the Tigers to work more on nickel and dime packages it rarely used in the season-opening win over North Texas.
The same can't be said of the Washington defense. With the Huskies helpless to stop the LSU running game most of the night, LSU's play breakdown was much like it was against North Texas, with 55 of 71 plays coming out of the I formation and 52 of 71 plays staying on the ground. The Tigers did throw downfield more, finding openings on intermediate routes. In the North Texas game, the Tigers were primarily a short-passing team.
Offense
The same can't be said of the Washington defense. With the Huskies helpless to stop the LSU running game most of the night, LSU's play breakdown was much like it was against North Texas, with 55 of 71 plays coming out of the I formation and 52 of 71 plays staying on the ground. The Tigers did throw downfield more, finding openings on intermediate routes. In the North Texas game, the Tigers were primarily a short-passing team.
Offense
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Chavis: Tigers defense kept it simple
September, 9, 2012
9/09/12
11:27
AM ET
By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
BATON ROUGE, La. -- LSU's talented defense dominated a potentially explosive Washington offense in a 41-3 win Saturday and the secret to the Tigers' success, well, wasn't much of a secret.
"We didn't do anything different," said LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis after the Tigers held the Huskies to a mere 183 yards offense. "Matter of fact, we may have been a little bit more vanilla than we've been in the past. What we wanted to do is go out and improve from a technique standpoint, individually."
For a defense that's young in spots, Chavis thought that was the best approach after the 41-14 season-opening win over North Texas when the Tigers were dominant in spots, but gave up some big plays on breakdowns and were held without a sack.
"We didn't do anything different," said LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis after the Tigers held the Huskies to a mere 183 yards offense. "Matter of fact, we may have been a little bit more vanilla than we've been in the past. What we wanted to do is go out and improve from a technique standpoint, individually."
For a defense that's young in spots, Chavis thought that was the best approach after the 41-14 season-opening win over North Texas when the Tigers were dominant in spots, but gave up some big plays on breakdowns and were held without a sack.
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Mettenberger goes downfield against UW
September, 9, 2012
9/09/12
11:17
AM ET
By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
BATON ROUGE -- LSU jumped out to a 14-point lead in the second quarter Saturday when Washington defensive back Shaq Thompson tried to regain momentum for the Huskies.
Zach Mettenberger, LSU's strong-armed junior quarterback, threw a short out-route to wide receiver Jarvis Landry that Thompson decided to try to undercut. If he calculated right, he was figuring on a pick-6 that would get UW right back into the game.
Only he miscalculated.
Zach Mettenberger, LSU's strong-armed junior quarterback, threw a short out-route to wide receiver Jarvis Landry that Thompson decided to try to undercut. If he calculated right, he was figuring on a pick-6 that would get UW right back into the game.
Only he miscalculated.
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- Three things we liked and three things we didn't like in LSU's 41-3 win over Washington Saturday.
THREE UP
1. Dominant D-line is back: After being held without a sack by North Texas, LSU had four against Washington, three by the defensive line, which also produced six quarterback hurries and 5.5 tackles for loss.
THREE UP
1. Dominant D-line is back: After being held without a sack by North Texas, LSU had four against Washington, three by the defensive line, which also produced six quarterback hurries and 5.5 tackles for loss.
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Watch: College Football Final (Week 2)
September, 9, 2012
9/09/12
10:34
AM ET
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Jim Basquil and the ESPN.com College Football team deliver the highlights, analysis, and interviews from an exciting Week 2 of College Football.
Watch: GTN breaks down LSU's win
September, 9, 2012
9/09/12
10:21
AM ET
By GeauxTigerNation staff | ESPN.com
Gary Laney from GeauxTigerNation takes a look inside LSU’s 41-3 win over the visiting Washington Huskies.
Wildcats, Rebels coast during night-game drama
September, 9, 2012
9/09/12
1:31
AM ET
By
David Helman | ESPN.com
No. 8 Arkansas fell to Louisiana-Monroe in the season's first shocker. No. 7 Georgia also pushed past Missouri in an SEC East slugfest while Vanderbilt blew an early lead by allowing a 17-point fourth quarter to Northwestern.
With all of that going on, it's easy to forget that two other SEC teams -- Kentucky and Ole Miss -- squared off in non-conferences games of their own. With chaos going on all around them, the Rebels and Wildcats handled their business.
Kentucky 47, Kent State 14: It's hard to believe that this was a three-point game with 10 minutes to play in the third quarter. After Kent State running back Traylon Durham scored from 26 yards out to cut Kentucky's lead to 17-14, the Wildcats exploded. Kentucky quarterback Maxwell Smith threw an 18-yard touchdown pass with 7:06 remaining in the third quarter, which capped off a run of 30 unanswered Wildcats points to close the game. Kentucky scored four touchdowns and caused a safety during a 12-minute stretch of play between the middle of the third quarter and the early fourth. Smith eviscerated the Golden Flashes' defense with 30 of 39 completions for 354 yards and four touchdowns.
Ole Miss 28, UTEP 10: His stats weren't as gaudy as Smith's, but Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace was efficient in leading the Rebels past UTEP for a 2-0 start. Wallace completed 15 of 22 passes for 174 yards and three touchdowns. The Rebels' defense shut the Miners out in the first half and didn't allow UTEP into the end zone until 10:57 mark of the third quarter. Ole Miss ran for a whopping 332 total yards, led by a 113-yard effort from running back Jeff Scott. It's slightly concerning that the Rebels surrendered 274 passing yards to a Conference USA team, especially with No. 17 Texas coming to town next week.
With all of that going on, it's easy to forget that two other SEC teams -- Kentucky and Ole Miss -- squared off in non-conferences games of their own. With chaos going on all around them, the Rebels and Wildcats handled their business.
Kentucky 47, Kent State 14: It's hard to believe that this was a three-point game with 10 minutes to play in the third quarter. After Kent State running back Traylon Durham scored from 26 yards out to cut Kentucky's lead to 17-14, the Wildcats exploded. Kentucky quarterback Maxwell Smith threw an 18-yard touchdown pass with 7:06 remaining in the third quarter, which capped off a run of 30 unanswered Wildcats points to close the game. Kentucky scored four touchdowns and caused a safety during a 12-minute stretch of play between the middle of the third quarter and the early fourth. Smith eviscerated the Golden Flashes' defense with 30 of 39 completions for 354 yards and four touchdowns.
Ole Miss 28, UTEP 10: His stats weren't as gaudy as Smith's, but Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace was efficient in leading the Rebels past UTEP for a 2-0 start. Wallace completed 15 of 22 passes for 174 yards and three touchdowns. The Rebels' defense shut the Miners out in the first half and didn't allow UTEP into the end zone until 10:57 mark of the third quarter. Ole Miss ran for a whopping 332 total yards, led by a 113-yard effort from running back Jeff Scott. It's slightly concerning that the Rebels surrendered 274 passing yards to a Conference USA team, especially with No. 17 Texas coming to town next week.
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Alfred Blue continues to roll as starter
September, 9, 2012
9/09/12
12:40
AM ET
By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
BATON ROUGE, La. -- Spencer Ware was healthy and running hard. Michael Ford looked fast and Kenny Hilliard was a load.
Alfred Blue, however, did nothing to indicate that he isn't LSU's main running back going forward during LSU's 41-3 romp over Washington Saturday.
Blue turned in his second straight 100-yard game to start the season, rambling for 101 yards and a touchdown on a mere 14 carries.
"It means I've just started out great," said Blue, a junior who jumped LSU's top two rushers from last season, Ware and Ford, to become the starter at the end of August camp. "But I've just got to keep on running hard, running physical and helping my team win."
Blue was a little opportunistic in becoming a starter. Ware, last season's opening day starter and second-leading rusher for the season, had a nagging leg injury and did not play in last week's 41-14 season-opening win over North Texas. Ford, the Tigers' leading rusher last season, had an academic issue that was cleared up during the UNT week that allowed him to play, but deep off the bench.
Blue, third on the team last season with 539 yards, took advantage by going for 123 yards on 14 carries in the opener and showed it was no fluke against a better defense in the second game, getting outside at will, including a 21-yard touchdown run for LSU's first score of the night.
He became the first Tiger since Charles Scott in 2008 to break 100 yards in the first two games for the Tigers.
Ford added 48 yards on 10 carries, Hilliard had 46 yards on 13 carries with two touchdowns and Ware rushed for 38 yards on eight carries in his season debut.
Alfred Blue, however, did nothing to indicate that he isn't LSU's main running back going forward during LSU's 41-3 romp over Washington Saturday.
Blue turned in his second straight 100-yard game to start the season, rambling for 101 yards and a touchdown on a mere 14 carries.
"It means I've just started out great," said Blue, a junior who jumped LSU's top two rushers from last season, Ware and Ford, to become the starter at the end of August camp. "But I've just got to keep on running hard, running physical and helping my team win."
Blue was a little opportunistic in becoming a starter. Ware, last season's opening day starter and second-leading rusher for the season, had a nagging leg injury and did not play in last week's 41-14 season-opening win over North Texas. Ford, the Tigers' leading rusher last season, had an academic issue that was cleared up during the UNT week that allowed him to play, but deep off the bench.
Blue, third on the team last season with 539 yards, took advantage by going for 123 yards on 14 carries in the opener and showed it was no fluke against a better defense in the second game, getting outside at will, including a 21-yard touchdown run for LSU's first score of the night.
He became the first Tiger since Charles Scott in 2008 to break 100 yards in the first two games for the Tigers.
Ford added 48 yards on 10 carries, Hilliard had 46 yards on 13 carries with two touchdowns and Ware rushed for 38 yards on eight carries in his season debut.
BATON ROUGE, La. -- LSU's 41-3 win over Washington allowed the Tigers to tie an FBS record with 39 consecutive non-conference, regular-season wins.
"I think that speaks to the strength of the school and the opportunities for all the athletes with the want and desire to participate," LSU coach Les Miles said."
LSU also tied the school record with its 19th straight win at Tiger Stadium. The current Tigers roster has 61 players who have never lost at home.
"Not a bad night," Miles said. "Nice to be a Tiger."
Especially a Tiger coached by Miles. The eighth-year LSU coach improved to 77-18 and 29-0 in regular-season non-conference games. He's 34-1 overall against non-conference opponents, with the one loss coming against Penn State in the Capitol One Bowl at the end of the 2009 season. Penn State later had to vacate the win in the aftermath of the Jerry Sandusky scandal.
LSU has also won 23 consecutive games in September.
"I think that speaks to the strength of the school and the opportunities for all the athletes with the want and desire to participate," LSU coach Les Miles said."
LSU also tied the school record with its 19th straight win at Tiger Stadium. The current Tigers roster has 61 players who have never lost at home.
"Not a bad night," Miles said. "Nice to be a Tiger."
Especially a Tiger coached by Miles. The eighth-year LSU coach improved to 77-18 and 29-0 in regular-season non-conference games. He's 34-1 overall against non-conference opponents, with the one loss coming against Penn State in the Capitol One Bowl at the end of the 2009 season. Penn State later had to vacate the win in the aftermath of the Jerry Sandusky scandal.
LSU has also won 23 consecutive games in September.
Instant analysis: LSU 41, Washington 3
September, 8, 2012
9/08/12
11:00
PM ET
By
David Helman | ESPN.com
No. 3 LSU's home date with Washington was one of the biggest nonconference games on the docket for Week 2 of the 2012 season. Unfortunately for football lovers it didn't live up to that billing, as the Tigers steamrolled the Huskies in a 41-3 white-washing. Here's the quick gist from Baton Rouge, La.
It was over when: LSU running back Kenny Hilliard dove into the end zone early in the third quarter to give the Tigers a 27-3 lead. The score gave LSU a lopsided scoreline to go along with what was an absolutely dominating box score. The Tigers outgained Washington 437 yards to 183 and limited the Huskies to a startling 26 yards rushing. Red zone woes forced the Tigers to settle for two field goals in the second quarter, holding them to a modest 20-3 lead at halftime. Hilliard's touchdown broke that open.
Game ball goes to: Alfred Blue continued his strong start to the season with a 101 yards on just 14 carries. On LSU's second possession of the night, he coasted untouched through the Washington defense for a 21-yard touchdown and a 7-3 lead that the Tigers would not surrender. It was Blue's second straight 100-yard game, making him the first LSU back to open the season with two 100-yard games since Charles Scott in 2008.
Injury bug: Washington had already lost starting right tackle Ben Riva and starting running back Jesse Callier in the season opener. Those injury woes continued early on Saturday night when the Huskies lost another offensive tackle, Erik Kohler, to a re-aggravated knee injury. The Huskies' ability to protect quarterback Keith Price was already an issue, and the loss of Kohler only exacerbated that. Price was on the run for his life all night and finished with just 157 yards and an interception.
Dropping the ball: LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger had a solid night in his second outing. He completed 12 of 18 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown. That said, the Tigers' receivers did him no favors by dropping five passes on the night. LSU wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. had an especially forgettable night, as he dropped several passes in addition to fumbling away the kickoff that led to Washington's lone field goal.
What it means: Not much we didn't already know. The Tigers took care of business with a 38-point win despite some sloppy mistakes, but this was never supposed to be a major test on the schedule. The Huskies look like they'll go as far as their quarterback can carry them this season -- but that won't be far if they can't find a running game to keep defenses honest and off Price's back.
BATON ROUGE, La. -- LSU is making a statement at Tiger Stadium.
The Tigers completely dominated Washington in the first half to take a 20-3 to halftime. Touchdown runs by Alfred Blue and J.C. Copeland in the first quarter and two field goals by Drew Alleman got the Tigers going in a half where LSU enjoyed a 232-81 total yards advantage.
Stat of the half: 13-5. The first down disparity between the Tigers and Huskies. LSU moved up and down the field at will while UW quarterback Keith Price, with no running game to to support him, was harassed the entire first half where he completed 10 of 23 passes for 81 yards.
Player of the half: Zach Mettenberger was 9-for-14 for 129 yards and it would have been better had Tigers receivers not dropped four passes, including a touchdown.
What's working for LSU: The Tigers completely stymied UW's running game, holding the Huskies to minus-11 yards on nine carries. On offense, the Tigers mixed the run and pass well, rushing for 105 yards to complement Mettenberger's passing. There is little that didn't go well for the Tigers.
What's not working for LSU: Twice, LSU had to settle for field goals in the red zone. That, along with the shaky hands by the receivers, kept the Tigers from scoring much more. And receiver Odell Beckham, Jr., who dropped three passes, also fumbled the opening kickoff, leading to UW's field goal.
The Tigers completely dominated Washington in the first half to take a 20-3 to halftime. Touchdown runs by Alfred Blue and J.C. Copeland in the first quarter and two field goals by Drew Alleman got the Tigers going in a half where LSU enjoyed a 232-81 total yards advantage.
Stat of the half: 13-5. The first down disparity between the Tigers and Huskies. LSU moved up and down the field at will while UW quarterback Keith Price, with no running game to to support him, was harassed the entire first half where he completed 10 of 23 passes for 81 yards.
Player of the half: Zach Mettenberger was 9-for-14 for 129 yards and it would have been better had Tigers receivers not dropped four passes, including a touchdown.
What's working for LSU: The Tigers completely stymied UW's running game, holding the Huskies to minus-11 yards on nine carries. On offense, the Tigers mixed the run and pass well, rushing for 105 yards to complement Mettenberger's passing. There is little that didn't go well for the Tigers.
What's not working for LSU: Twice, LSU had to settle for field goals in the red zone. That, along with the shaky hands by the receivers, kept the Tigers from scoring much more. And receiver Odell Beckham, Jr., who dropped three passes, also fumbled the opening kickoff, leading to UW's field goal.
ABOUT GEAUX TIGER NATION
Gary Laney
Gary Laney joined ESPN.com in 2012 after spending a year and a half as online sports editor of the Baton Rouge (La.) Advocate. Before that, he covered LSU sports for the Advocate. He has also been the sports editor at the Beaumont (Texas) Enterprise and covered McNeese State athletics for the Lake Charles (La.) American Press. Laney currently lives in Baton Rouge. Email him at glaneyespn@gmail.com