BATON ROUGE -- To the loser, the early morning wakeup call. Coming off a 7-3 loss at Auburn Saturday, No. 10 LSU has been selected for the 11:30 a.m. kickoff of the Lincoln Financial Sports Southeastern Conference game of the week on Saturday, Sept. 30, in Tiger Stadium against Mississippi State (0-3, 0-2). LSU (2-1, 0-1 SEC) usually does not host the morning SEC game. Two years ago, LSU also got the 11:30 a.m. kickoff (then on Jefferson-Pilot Sports) for its game with Mississippi State following a 10-9 loss at Auburn. This will be only the third a.m. kickoff in Tiger Stadium in the last 10 seasons. The last one before the State game of 2004 was for the Ole Miss game in 1997. State lost 32-29 to Tulane on Saturday. Tulane (1-1) plays at LSU at 7 p.m. Saturday. DEFENSE NO. 1: LSU has moved to No. 1 in the nation in one poll. The Tigers' defense is ranked No. 1 in total defense, or fewest yards allowed per game, at 170 yards after holding Auburn to 182 yards on Saturday in a 7-3 loss. LSU was No. 3 in total defense last week with 164 yards allowed a game. Missouri is right behind LSU with 171 yards allowed a game. Wyoming is third with 193.6 allowed a game. LSU is also No. 1 for the second straight week in pass efficiency defense with a 63.53 rating and is No. 2 in pass defense with 96.6 yards allowed a game and No. 3 in points allowed with 4.3 a game. "I felt like our defense was superb," LSU coach Les Miles said. "If they continue to play like they're playing and continue to improve, continue to listen to the coaching, this will be a very special defense. Our young guys are meshing very well with the older guys and the leadership of the defense." LSU's string of 16 consecutive quarters without allowing an offensive touchodown ended in the third quarter at Auburn, but it continued its work on another impressive string. The Tigers have allowed less than 200 yards of total offense to their last four opponents, which is a school record according to the LSU sports information office. Auburn's 182-yard effort was the most of the previous four opponents. Miami totaled 153 in the Peach Bowl loss, followed by Louisiana-Lafayette with 176 and Arizona with 152. DORSEY HONORED AGAIN: Defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey has been named the Southeastern Conference's defensive lineman of the week for the second consecutive week after making eight tackles, including three for losses of 17 yards, against Auburn. Dorsey has 17 tackles on the season with six for losses, including two quarterback sacks. "Based on Saturday, Glenn Dorsey should be named an All-American right now," wrote Dennis Dodd of CBS Sportsline. INJURY REPORT: Starting right guard Brian Johnson was held out of practice Monday as he was on crutches with a boot on his left foot, but coach Les Miles said he expected him to play Saturday. Starting cornerback Jonathan Zenon, who suffered a concussion against Auburn in the second quarter and missed the rest of the game, is expected to play Saturday against Tulane. Starting tight end Keith Zinger (stomach) is questionable. Link To Original Article
