GT 3 - LSU 38

CPJ (Coach Paul Johnson) said it was a sound beating. I can't agree more with the first-year coach. He is a very no-nonsense kind of guy who knows when he's been licked. Yesterday, the Jackets were licked.

In reality, LSU had a lot more to gain out of a CFA Bowl victory than GT. They had a dismal season returning from a national title last year and Les Miles had something to prove. Boy did he. In every aspect, LSU outplayed GT. Everywhere Tech was strong in the beginning, the Tigers turned around and squashed them the rest of the game (there weren't many areas). In every way that Tech was weak, Miles exploited it (special teams, pass defense, pass offense). Tech certainly didn't help themselves - fumbling several times during key moments like a potential TD or punt-return or getting sloppy and drawing costly fouls when they needed to play clean and gain some momentum.

I thought the play-calling was slightly in favor of the Tigers. Several offensive holding penalties could have been made on LSU, though the only ones I saw came at a time when a Tech win would have made the record books for comebacks in bowl history. Additionally a clean fumble recovery for a Tech TD was called back under the incorrect suspicion that the LSU QB had started passing the ball. Still, how much better does 38-10 sound? Not much.

All in all, this was LSU's game. They have dominated at the Dome in 5 appearances for the CFA bowl and they weren't about to let go of their reign, even after the poor season that got them there. Tech ended the season strong, regardless, with big wins this year over UGA, Miami, and FSU (finally after 30+ years) and they shouldn't lose too much recruiting horsepower from yesterday's game. Congratulations LSU and long live CPJ!