The LSU Tigers defeated the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 13-10 Saturday night in Tiger Stadium thanks to a strong defensive performance.
LSU improved to 7-4. Western Kentucky of Conference USA dropped to 8-3.
The Tigers took the lead for good at 7-3 with 1:32 left in the first half on an 11-yard pass from Michael Van Buren to Trey’Dez Green and Damian Ramos’ PAT.
Earlier, WKU had a chance to go up 10-0. The Hilltoppers had first-and-goal at the 6 but the Tigers held them out of the end zone thanks in part to a dropped pass near the goalline on third down.
Ramos kicked field goals of 18 and 29 yards in the second half. The latter gave LSU a 13-3 lead with 11:15 left to play.
WKU scored on a 71-yard fumble return with 1:05 left.
The Tigers held the Hilltoppers to 152 total yards. Just 22 of that was on the ground. Rodney Tisdale completed 20-of-39 passes for 128 yards with two interceptions.
“It took us a moment to settle in and once we did and it got to the second half we were absolutely dominant defensively, just lights out,” interim Head Coach Frank Wilson said.
LSU had 328 total yards. But the Tigers punted seven times and had two turnover on downs.
Michael Van Buren, making his second start, completed 25-of-42 passes for 202 yards and one interception.
Zavion Thomas had six catches for 47 yards. Green had six for 45.
Freshman Harlem Berry led the team in rushing with 80 yards on 18 carries.
Wilson said some defensive adjustments WKU made during the game caused problems for the Tigers. Plus, an offensive lineman suffered an injury but went back in after his replacement was injured. Also, running back Caden Durham suffered a concussion.
“I thought we did enough to find a way to win the football game … We’re not going to hang our head down,” Wilson said. “We didn’t play well offensively because of the defense we went against.
“You do what you can with the personnel you have. Sometimes it’s ugly, sometimes it’s tough. I believe in our kids.”
LSU closes the regular season Saturday against Oklahoma in Norman, Okla. The Sooners (9-2) defeated Missouri 17-6 Saturday.