2011 LSU Football: Tigers Okay Without Jordan Jefferson

Jordan Jefferson wasn't able to make the trip to Dallas for a rare matchup of top five teams. However, he wasn't needed.

The No. 4 LSU Tigers were missing starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson due to an assault charge that led to his suspension. Senior quarterback Jarrett Lee stepped in for their opening matchup against the No. 3 Oregon Ducks.

Jefferson wasn't missed Saturday night.

The Tigers defense was terrific, holding Heisman hopeful LaMichael James to just 54 yards on 18 carries. LSU's stout defense forced Oregon to go to the air 54 times, and only allowed 4.4 yards per pass. They forced the Ducks into four turnovers, which resulted in 20 points for the Tigers' offense.

Jarrett Lee wasn't great, but he didn't need to be. He was just 10-of-22 passing for 98 yards and a touchdown. The real story was the Tigers rushing attack, which piled up 175 yards and three touchdowns.

Spencer Ware rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown, and Michael Ford rushed for 96 yards and two scores.

LSU would go on to win 40-27, allowing two touchdowns in the fourth, including one with just four seconds on the clock. A great start for the Tigers, who begin SEC play after next week's cupcake match with Northwestern State.

It is uncertain when Jordan Jefferson will return, as his felony charges are still pending. If the Tigers defense plays the way they did Saturday night, against the nation's top offense from a year ago, being without Jefferson shouldn't be a problem.

Following Northwestern State, LSU faces No. 20 Mississippi State and No. 24 West Virginia, both games on the road.

However, their biggest test doesn't come until Nov. 5, when they travel to Tuscaloosa to do battle with No. 2 Alabama.