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Kickoff Return The Answer For LSU

Tigers Follow McFadden Touchdown With Immediate Score

Last updated Friday, November 24, 2006 11:04 PM CST
in Razorback Central

By Kurt Voigt
The Morning News

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LITTLE ROCK -- The last time Trindon Holliday returned a kickoff for a touchdown was in high school.

On Friday, the 5-foot-5, 159-pound LSU freshman receiver made the biggest play of his short college career, returning a fourth-quarter kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown during the Tigers 31-26 win over Arkansas.

Holliday's touchdown lifted LSU to a 31-19 lead with 10 minutes, 14 seconds remaining. It was the Tigers' (10-2 overall, 6-2 Southeastern Conference) first kickoff return for a touchdown since Kevin Faulk did the same against Notre Dame in 1998.

More importantly, it came following Darren McFadden's 80-yard touchdown run, which pulled the Razorbacks (10-2, 7-1) to within 24-19.

"We knew there was a chance that if he got a sliver, he could go the whole way," LSU coach Les Miles said. "To answer right then, to turn right around the next play and say, 'OK, we'll play ya, let's go,'" was big for us."

Before his touchdown return, Holliday had watched Arkansas kicker Brian Vavra's previous three kickoffs sail into the end zone for touchbacks. When he saw the fourth coming his way, Holliday couldn't wait for his chance.

"I knew we needed something big after that Arkansas touchdown," Holliday said. "And when I saw that hole open up and I hit it, it was a good feeling."

The win secured back-to-back 10-win seasons for LSU in the first two years under Miles, who lobbied afterward for a spot in one of the Bowl Championship Series games.

The Tigers finished a game back of the Razorbacks in the SEC West standings, but their two losses each came on the road to teams ranked in the top 10. All four of LSU's road games this season came against top 10 opponents, and the Tigers finished 2-2 in those games.

"I don't think there is any question," Miles said when asked if the Tigers deserve a spot in the BCS.

LSU entered the game with the top-ranked defense in the country, a defense that hadn't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 15 games. On Friday, the Tigers allowed two such rushers in McFadden (182 yards) and Felix Jones (137), who combined for 319 yards.

"I would never have thought they score 26," Miles said. "I would never have thought they would rush for 300 yards, to be honest with you."



Reader Comments (18 comment(s))


The following comments are provided by readers and are the sole responsibility of their authors. The Morning News does not review comments before their publication, nor do we guarantee their accuracy. By publishing a comment here you agree to abide by our comment policy. If you see a comment that violates our policy, please notify the web editor.

Loud Mouth Miles wrote on Nov 25, 2006 9:24 AM:

" Hey punk!!! You are not the best team in the west. Your so called top ranked defense was dismantled thoroughly by our running. Listen punk, we have a great football team, I will say it again, a grat football. We will run the table next year and it will feel so good to win game number 8 in your stinky, swampy, dilapidated backyard. "

LSU FAN wrote on Nov 25, 2006 10:09 AM:

" HOG BOY, would you like a little WHINE with your coffee this morning? Maybe you just need a nap because I'm sure you didn't sleep too well last night! Let's see if I have this head to head match up straight, "PUNK" 2 wins - Nutt 0 wins!!! "

Jerry wrote on Nov 25, 2006 10:21 AM:

" Les Miles is full of himself. His team is good. But, his comments were unnecessary and inappropriate. It will be on the bulletin board for next year, where he will try to catch the 2007 Heisman trophy winner. "

LSU FAN wrote on Nov 25, 2006 10:31 AM:

" Miles' comments were accurate, directly on point, and expressed the thoughts of everyone that doesn't live in the state of Arkansas, or is that the STATE OF DENIAL? NO BRAG JUST FACT! "

HindsvilleHog wrote on Nov 25, 2006 12:03 PM:

" Hey bad excuse for human people, your right the game should not have been that close. Hogs moved the ball all day on the supposed "top ranked defense". We lost the game because our bone-headed coach. So savor your moral victory while we play in the SEC championship game idiot. "

LSU FAN wrote on Nov 25, 2006 12:13 PM:

" Did somone get up on the wrong side of the Pig Pen this morning? We have the ACTUAL VICYORY, you have the moral victory in going to Atlanta next week. Let me think! Beat Arkansas and go to the ROSE BOWL or go to Atlanta nad get to go to the SUGAR BOWL. Been there, done that many times. Pasadena here we come! "

Gatorbait1 wrote on Nov 25, 2006 1:09 PM:

" Hey piggy's, If you think yesterday was bad, you may want to sit next week out. Your stupid "wildcat" will be about as effective as, well, Kentucky, and we all know they suck. McFadden and Jones are ok, but Tebow and Leak will show you what SEC Football is all about! Gators #1, Dec 2, the final step to Glendale, Az. Fla - OSU "

HogFan67 wrote on Nov 25, 2006 2:17 PM:

" It's true.. Les Miles is a classless bum and he is winning with Saban's players. By the way, Nick Saban is not only a better coach but someone who knows how to win with class. On a different note, I am disappointed the Hogs lost the game, but they still have had a great year nonetheless. The Hogs have faired much better than anyone could have imagined. They did it despite playing a lot of freshmen and overcoming several key injuries on defense. LSU fans and coaches had better get use to the fact that Arkansas is now a force in the West. Sorry LSU coaches and fans... but Arkansas won the west outright. Let's see, a 7-1 record is better than 6-2 and when Arkansas beats Florida next week, they will have beaten both Florida and Auburn. Didn't these two teams beat LSU in the regular season? Sorry Coach Miles... you need to win at least one of those games to justify your statement about having the best team in the West. Get over it and try again next year... "

Hog Hip wrote on Nov 25, 2006 2:24 PM:

" Gatorbait1 you might want to turn on the TV. FSU is giving Tebo and Leak all they want. FSU couldn't carry the Razorbacks' socks and neither can this year's version of the Gators. We'll get well next week in Atlanta. Go Hogs! "

dallashog wrote on Nov 25, 2006 5:25 PM:

" Give LSU credit- they did enough to win the game. Hardly stopped the Razorback running game though (300 yards- thats just domination either way you look at it). Difference was in passing- LSU had it, UA didn't. Maybe UA can make some adjustments and do better next time. "

tigerman wrote on Nov 25, 2006 6:25 PM:

" dad gum. you hogs are tough on this blog trough. i mean hog trough. now let me if i can recall or flashback 60 days ago. are you the same bunch of chumps that wanted to run the nutt's butt off and reel in ole Butchie Davis. i'm so glad you all got it turned around, cause hell, i thought he would get run off and you might get a real coach. now thats whats really killin' ain't it. you boys have fun it hotlanta and try not to get smoked as you did the last time. i think the tigers are 5-1 in that joint. i bet that kills ya' too ! "

Cochise wrote on Nov 25, 2006 10:37 PM:

" I think BOTH sides of this coin are idiots. Somebody on another thread said that everybody on here are losers who never made it into college ball or even High School ball, but my goodness you ALL are acting like little kids. We lost yesterday, you guys won, doesn't make EITHER person better because 19-20 year olds are doing better than any one of us old bastages could do 19-20 years ago. Lightenup, Frances. "

Suzygal from Arkadelphia wrote on Nov 26, 2006 8:58 AM:

" Oh me, the battle for which team had the cutest head coach was no battle at all. Coach Nutt blew LSU's Coach out of the water. We love Coach Nutt and all he has done for our Razorbacks. Go Hogs. "

Freida from Florida wrote on Nov 26, 2006 9:05 AM:

" Can we have a little respect from you Arkansas gals? Florida Coach Meyer is so much younger and cuter than Coach Nutt. I hate to trash talk a gentleman like Houston, but we've got the real goods in a coach here at Florida. Wait until you hillybilly girls drool over Coach Meyer's outfit on the sidelines at Atlanta. Meyer is happy to go head to head in a sidelines fashion contest with Nutt at the game. Florida Gators to the top!!! "

NewOrleansEdna wrote on Nov 26, 2006 9:11 AM:

" Where do you hip Arkansas gals get off talking about winning the contest for cutest head coach at the Arkansas vs LSU game yesterday. Nutt is cute and has a lot of charm sure, but did you see the dreamy eyes of Coach Miles? We demand another meeting with Arkansas in a bowl game. Then we will show the SEC and the world that our coach can win the cutest coach title back. "

SavannahSue wrote on Nov 26, 2006 11:46 AM:

" Why ... I declair! I'm afraid I might just faint with the vapors! Heavens! "

Suzygal from Arkadelphia wrote on Nov 26, 2006 12:54 PM:

" Hey SavannahSue, we are coming down to Atlanta to attend the SEC championship game and pushing Casey Dick as the cutest quarterback. Casey has won 8 Cute QB Contests in a row, so he is 8-0 but some of our Arkansas fans are thinking of putting Mitch Mustain in this week's Cute QB Contest. The Hogettes say, we girls won't put up with that. If we've got the cutest coach in Coach Nutt in the SEC, let's leave Casey in to see if he can make it 9-0 in the Cute QB Contest. You go Georgia girl!! Beat Florida too! "

D Royal wrote on Dec 1, 2006 8:40 PM:

" Oh, now, be nice. Arkansas fans shot their mouths off and will follow their team anywhere...in Arkansas. Arkansas will be back in three or four years, just like clockwork. 5-6 for a few years, then wee doo! 10-4 and they'll run the mouth. They won't travel to Baton Rouge, Tuscaloosa, Oxford or anywhere next year. And that is why EVERYONE in Texas was thrilled to see their Dixie-playing rednecks leave the SWC and why they were never considered for the Big XII "


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