LSU downs Wisconsin, 28-24 in Advocare Texas Kickoff

La'El Collins (70) raised the trophy after LSU
wins the Advocare Texas Kickoff.
Photo by Darla S Tamulitis-La Vida Loca Photography
Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved.

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2014 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (August 30, 2014) Beginning the second half of the game trailing by the score of 24-7, the No. 13 LSU Tigers mounted a second half comeback that will send a message to many of the other SEC teams by scoring 21 unanswered points to down the No. 14 Wisconsin Badgers by the score of 28-24 in the Advocare Texas Kickoff at Houston's NRG Stadium on Saturday, August 30, 2014.

The first half however belonged to Wisconsin, and the Badgers wasted no time getting on the scoreboard to start the game.

In their first possession of the game, after an LSU punt, the Badgers drove 76 yards in six plays, capped by a 45 yard run by Reggie Love to make the score 7-0 at the 9:05 mark in the first quarter.
Four minutes later, Wisconsin added a 51-yard field goal by Rafael Gaglianone.

After a three and out by the Badgers, LSU quarterback Anthony Jennings unleashed a 80-yard pass to Travin Dural on the first play from scrimmage for the Tigers first touchdown of the season.

Running back Melvin Gordon got into the scoring mode in the second quarter when quarterback Travis McEvoy handed off to the swift-footed native of Kenosha, Wisconsin for a 14 yard run at the 7:36 mark for the Badgers second touchdown of the game.

Gaglianone again split the uprights for the PAT, to take the score to 17-7 at the half.

In the third quarter, running back Corey Clement capped a six play, 75 yard drive that lasted 2:36 with a two-yard run for the Badgers third touchdown of the night.

Gaglianone added the extra point to give Wisconsin a 24-7 lead with 12:24 left in the third quarter.

Later on the in quarter, LSU kicker Colby Delahoussaye connected for two field goals of 30 yards and 47 yards to cut the Wisconsin lead to 24-13.

LSU begin the fourth quarter in the middle of a 59-yard drive which concluded in a 36-yard pass from
Jennings to wide receiver John Diarse for the Tigers' second touchdown of the game.

The Tigers opted to go for the two point conversion; with Jennings connecting with wide receiver Trey Quinn to cut the Badgers' lead to three points, 24-21.

LSU scored again two and a half minutes later on a Kenny Hillard 28-yard run to take the score to 28-24 in favor of the Tigers.

That drive lasted three plays and covered 53 yards in 1:45.

With the win, LSU takes their series with Wisconsin to 3-0, having beat the Badgers on two previous occasions; September 25, 1971 by the score of 38-28 and September 30, 1972 by the score of 27-7.

Offensively for LSU, Jennings completed nine of 21 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns, while Hillard carried the ball 18 times for 110 yards and one touchdown. Sixteen of his carries and 88 of his yards came in the fourth quarter.

For Wisconsin, McEvoy completed 8-of-24 passes for 50 yards and two touchdowns while Gordon carried the ball 16 times for 140 yards and one touchdown.

Wisconsin will next host Western Illinois on September 6, 2014 with an 11 a.m. tart, while LSU hosts Sam Houston State on the same date with a 6 p.m. kickoff.