Texas Bowl 2015: Game Grades, Analysis for LSU vs. Texas Tech
Behind dominant performances by Leonard Fournette and their defense, the No. 20 LSU Tigers ran away from Texas Tech in a 56-27 Texas Bowl victory.
Even against a poor defense, Fournette reminded everyone why he's considered the country's best running back. The sophomore used the full repertoire to pile up 212 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 29 carries, adding a 44-yard receiving score for kicks.
On the other side of the ball, the LSU defense weathered quarterback Patrick Mahomes' unbelievable plays to pile up six sacks and plenty of pressures. Mahomes finished with 370 yards and four touchdowns, but had to earn all of it, while the rest of his team struggled.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
| Passing Offense | C+ | B |
| Rushing Offense | A | A+ |
| Passing Defense | B | B+ |
| Rushing Defense | A | A |
| Special Teams | B | B |
| Coaching | B | B |
Grade Analysis for the Tigers
Passing Offense
Brandon Harris had a decent day throwing the ball, finishing with well over 10 yards per attempt. That looks good in the box score, but the sophomore put a lot of throws up for grabs and relied on his receivers to make some spectacular catches. That works against a bad defense, but still illustrates the issues with this offense.
Rushing Offense
Fournette dominated this game. The sophomore showed the speed, strength and quickness that has scouts drooling and even showed off some receiving chops on a long touchdown. It was fun to watch him take advantage of a plus matchup.
D.J. Chark turned his first collegiate touch into a 79-yard touchdown on a reverse. Harris also ran in an easy score off the zone read, and Derrius Guice has a case as the country's best backup running back.
Passing Defense
Aside from the handful of plays that will be added to Jakeem Grant's highlight tape, who do you blame for Texas Tech's production through the air? The pass rush never let up on Mahomes, who just kept extending plays and turning them into improbable downfield gains. This was good on good, and the Tigers eventually won out.
Rushing Defense
The Red Raiders ran for 29 yards on 26 carries. Containing the ground game was never an issue for the Tigers.
Special Teams
LSU never called for a field goal and only punted four times. It was a pretty unspectacular game for this group, and that's perfectly fine.
Coaching
It's really hard to watch Cam Cameron call plays. There was a stretch during the second and third quarters in which he seemed insistent on winning the game on Harris' arm, which is plain idiotic when your rushing attack can stack up with just about any team in the nation. Cameron wised up, and the Tigers dominated the rest of the way.
In all, this team came ready to play, and Les Miles will enter a pivotal offseason with a nice win on national television. After what went down at the end of the regular season, that's all this program can ask for.
| Passing Offense | A | A |
| Rushing Offense | F | F |
| Passing Defense | B | D |
| Rushing Defense | F | F |
| Special Teams | B | B |
| Coaching | A- | C |
Grade Analysis for the Red Raiders
Passing Offense
The efficiency (6.6 YPA) wasn't spectacular, but Mahomes was the game's best player. He might be the country's only quarterback capable of churning out the big plays he made while escaping the remarkable pressure he saw throughout the night. He'll be a Heisman candidate if the Red Raiders can find a defense. ESPN.com's Max Olson highlighted the play that pushed Mahomes past 5,000 yards for the season:
Jakeem Grant did it all in his final collegiate game. The speedy senior easily won his one-on-one matchups, churning out 125 yards and three touchdowns as a receiver, including two near the goal line. The Red Raiders are really going to miss him next season.
Rushing Offense
The Red Raiders only ran the ball on 26 out of 82 plays, never seeming too interested in establishing DeAndre Washington. The offensive line had no hope against the LSU front, but the lack of variety in the offense allowed the Tiger pass rush to tee off on Mahomes.
Passing Defense
The Red Raider corners were repeatedly beat for jump balls and contested on catches down the field. That ended up being the difference as the Tigers pulled away.
Dakota Johnson made a nice interception that allowed his team to get within one. That would be the last time Texas Tech would score within single digits of the Tigers.
Rushing Defense
Tech slowed Fournette for a spell, holding him to 81 rushing yards in the first half. But after a couple of big passing plays pulled some defenders out of the box, it was open season for the Tigers' ball-carriers.
In the end, the Red Raiders gave up 384 rushing yards and seven scores, including three that went for longer than 40 yards. That's pathetic.
Special Teams
As with LSU, the special teams did their job when called upon. You can't blame this group's effort.
Coaching
Eventually, the Texas Tech brass is going to get tired of this. The Red Raiders have been excellent on offense throughout Kingsbury's tenure, but they have been helpless on the other side of the ball. As long as the defense continues to be a doormat, there's only so far the program can go.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
