AUBURN, Ala. — Sam Montgomery and the LSU defense delivered a first-quarter safety and shut out Auburn in the second half to give the second-ranked Tigers a 12-10 victory Saturday night.
Auburn led 10-9 at halftime but managed only 183 yards.
A fumbled punt return by Auburn’s Quan Bray set up Drew Alleman’s 30-yard field goal late in the third quarter that gave LSU (4-0, 1-0) a 12-10 lead. Alleman missed a 34-yarder with 39 seconds remaining.
Auburn (1-3, 0-2) managed only one first down on its final possession. Kiehl Frazier’s final pass was intercepted by Tharold Simon as the game ended. Frazier (Shiloh Christian) completed 13 of 22 passes for 97 yards with 2 interceptions.
The victory gave LSU its sixth consecutive 4-0 start and extended its streak of regularseason wins to 17, the longest in the nation.
LSU’s Zach Mettenberger had two first-half fumbles but threw a 33-yard pass to running back Spencer Ware on a key third-down late in the game.
Montgomery tackled Tre Mason in the end zone midway through the first quarter and Michael Ford’s 1-yard touchdown run four minutes later made it 9-0 LSU.
Onterrio McCalebb scored Auburn’s touchdown on 4-yard run on the last play of the first quarter to make it 9-7 and from there it was nothing but field goals and defense.
McCalebb was held to 24 yards on 11 carries.
LSU outscored its first three opponents 145-31, but its conference opener was a much bigger challenge. LSU was favored by almost three touchdowns but managed only 182 yards rushing — almost 100 yards below its SECleading average.
Ware, who was only fifth on the team with 38 yards rushing through three games, led LSU with 16 carries for 90 yards.
LSU held the ball for 11 plays on its opening drive, moving to the Auburn 2 before Auburn defensive tackle Jeffrey Whitaker recovered Mettenberger’s fumbled snap. LSU center P.J. Lonergan left with a leg injury earlier in the series, and the fumble came on the snap from backup center Elliott Porter.
Lonergan returned on LSU’s next possession.
Auburn had a false-start penalty on its first play after the turnover, pushing the Tigers back to their 1, setting up Montgomery’s tackle of Mason for the safety.
LSU appeared to be in total control when Ford’s scoring run capped a 59-yard drive.
Mettenberger’s second lost fumble shifted the momentum to Auburn. Mettenberger fumbled when hit by Corey Lemonier. Angelo Blackson recovered for Auburn at the LSU 26. Mason’s 26-yard run set up McCalebb’s 4-yard touchdown run.
Cody Parkey’s 40-yard field goal late in the half gave Auburn a 10-9 halftime lead.
Mettenberger completed 15 of 26 passes for 169 yards.
NO. 14 FLORIDA 38, KENTUCKY 0
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Jeff Driskel accounted for two touchdowns, helping No. 14 Florida beat Kentucky and extend its winning streak to 26 in the series.
The Gators (4-0, 3-0 SEC) also recorded their first shutout in conference play since a 52-0 victory against Mississippi State in 2001.
Florida struggled early in the game, not a great sign with No. 2 LSU up next in two weeks. The slow start also was a rarity against the Wildcats (1-3, 0-1). The Gators had outscored Kentucky 94-3 in the first quarter in the last four meetings, sealing games before some fans settled into their seats.
The Wildcats played without quarterback Maxwell Smith. He sat out with a shoulder injury. Backup Morgan Newton missed open receivers early and often, giving Kentucky little chance at an upset.
MISSISSIPPI 39, TULANE 0
NEW ORLEANS — Jeff Scott ran for two touchdowns and Mississippi piled up 304 yards rushing in a shutout victory over winless Tulane.
The Ole Miss defense, seeking redemption after yielding 66 points in a loss to Texas a week earlier, limited Tulane to 159 yards of total offense.
The Rebels (3-1) constantly pressured Green Wave freshman quarterback Devin Powell. Making his first start, Powell was sacked three times and threw three interceptions. Tulane (0-3) also struggled to run, finishing with 14 net yards.
Mississippi’s Bo Wallace was 7 of 16 for 101 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown pass to Donte Moncrief. Randall Mackey and Ja-Mes Logan each added running touchdowns.
Sports, Pages 33 on 09/23/2012