Offense: B-
Quarterback: C+
Offensive Line: C-
Running backs: D
Tight Ends: B
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: B
Despite throwing four interceptions, quarterback Dominique Blackman played a solid game, going 23-36 for 174 yards and two touchdowns, including an impressive touchdown drive capped off with a 22-yard pass to Jahrie Level that, at the time, brought the Vandals within seven points of LSU. The running game was close to non-existent in the first half, though it showed signs of life in the second half when Todd Handley broke off a 14-yard run off left tackle, the first carry of his collegiate career. Starter Ryan Bass averaged 1.7 yards-per carry. The offensive line predictably struggled, both in pass protection and in opening holes for the running game. LSU featured multiple players on the defensive line that will have legitimate NFL opportunities. Level and tight end Michael LaGrone each came away with touchdown grabs in the first half. Seven different wide receivers and tight ends were on the receiving end of Blackman passes.
Defense: C+
Defensive Line: C
Linebackers: C-
Secondary: B-
On the verge of going down 21-0 to the Tigers, it was safety Gary Walker that stepped in front of a Zach Mettenberger pass at the goal line and took it 94 yards the other way to set up Blackman and the Vandal offense on the LSU five-yard line. That play changed the dynamic of the half and allowed Idaho to be competitive up until halftime. The defense competed as well as they could until they were ultimately worn down by the physical LSU offensive front. The Tigers ended up grounding it out for 250 yards, including a Kenny Hilliard 71-yard touchdown run in the second half.
Special Teams: B
Farquhar: B
Cowan: A
Return Game: D
Trey Farquhar didn’t do much else than kickoff and he only did that three times. LSU’s Michael Ford averaged 33 yards per kick return. Bobby Cowan was his exceptional self, averaging 45.1 yards-per-punt, pinning one inside the 20 with a long of 52.The return game was non-existent as Justin Veltung had negative five yards on two punt returns and three Vandals averaged 12.5 yards-per-kick return.
Sean Kramer can be reached at [email protected]