Things got interesting late, but No. 12 LSU made the plays it needed to late in the game and opened its season with a 37-27 win against No. 20 TCU.
LSU vs. TCU 2013 final score: Tigers prevail with a 37-27 victory
TCU made a late run, but No. 12 LSU held off the Horned Frogs and hung on to win 37-27.
It wasn’t the Tigers’ sharpest performance, but they were at their best when they needed to be. The Tigers scored a late touchdown to make it a two possession game. LSU didn’t give TCU much of a chance to make a final comeback, controlling the ball for all but 54 seconds during the final 7:35 of the game.
The Tigers kicked a field goal on their opening drive and never trailed in the game. TCU hung around and LSU was unable to build bigger than a 13-point lead, but the Horned Frogs could never breakthrough. LSU led 30-17 heading into the fourth quarter before 10 unanswered TCU points cut the lead to 30-27. Just when it looked like the Horned Frogs may have a chance to pull off the upset, LSU answered right back.
Odell Beckham broke free on the kickoff, returning it 75 yards to TCU's 25-yard line. Zach Mettenberger hit Jarvis Landry for a touchdown three plays later, giving the Tigers a 10-point lead once again. TCU wasn't able to muster a response and the Tigers ran clock to secure their season-opening win.
Beckham had a huge game for the Tigers, catching five passes for 118 yards. Landry also topped 100 yards, finishing with eight catches for 109 yards and one touchdown. Mettenberger completed 16-of-32 passes for 251 yards and the late touchdown.
TCU struggled to find any consistency on offense, gaining just 259 yards. Casey Pachall and Trevone Boykin each got time at quarterback, although neither was overly effective. Pachall finished 9-of-16 for 75 yards and an interception, while Boykin completed 6-of-12 passes for 70 yards.
Both teams will be at home next week with TCU taking on UAB and the Tigers hosting SE Louisiana.
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