GAMECENTER
LSU vs. Wisconsin
Date/Time: Saturday, September 3 at 2:30 p.m. CT
Location: Green Bay, Wisc. – Lambeau Field (80,735)
Television: ABC or WatchESPN.com
Radio: LSU Sports Radio Network – 98.1 FM in Baton Rouge
Sirius Satellite Radio – ch. 113; XM Radio – ch. 190
Series Record: LSU leads, 3-0
Series Notes:
LSU and Wisconsin meet for the fourth time on Saturday when the Tigers and Badgers square off at legendary Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin … LSU leads the overall series, 3-0, which includes a 28-24 victory the last time the teams met in 2014 … LSU and Wisconsin first played in 1971 with the Tigers posting a 38-28 win in Madison … A year later, LSU won 27-7 in Tiger Stadium … The Tigers and Badgers opened the 2014 season at NRG Stadium in Houston where the Tigers rallied from a 24-7 second half deficit to win, 28-24 … LSU has been ranked in the Top 25 for all four meetings with Wisconsin (No. 18 in 1971, No. 9 in 1972 and No. 13 in 2014) … Wisconsin has been ranked in the Top 25 for just one of the four meetings (No. 14 in 2014) … LSU coach Les Miles is 1-0 vs. Wisconsin as a head coach … Miles was 3-0 against Wisconsin as a player at Michigan and 5-3 vs. the Badgers as an assistant coach with the Wolverines.
LSU Opens 12th Season Under Les Miles Against Wisconsin At Historic Lambeau Field
LSU opens is 12th season under head coach Les Miles on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT when the Tigers face Wisconsin at historic Lambeau Field in Green Bay. The game will be televised by ABC Sports with Steve Levy (pxp), Brian Griese (analyst) and Todd McShay (reporter) on the call. The game will also be broadcast on the LSU Sports Radio Network and will mark the LSU football debut of the new Voice of the Tigers Chris Blair. Blair will be joined on the broadcast by Doug Moreau (analyst) and Gordy Rush (reporter). LSU enters the game ranked No. 5 in the AP Poll and No. 6 in the USA Today/Amway Coaches Poll. Miles, now the Dean of SEC Football Coaches, enters the 2016 season with has 112-32 mark at LSU, making him the second-winningest coach in school history. Overall, Miles has a 140-53 record, which includes four years at Oklahoma State. The Tigers return 17 starters (9 offense, 8 defense) from a squad that posted a 9-3 mark a year ago. LSU capped the 2015 season with a 56-27 win over Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl in Houston. Offensively, the Tigers are led by All-America running back Leonard Fournette, who set the school’s single-season rushing record last year with 1,953 yards to go along with 22 rushing TDs. In two years, Fournette has racked up 2,987 rushing yards and 32 rushing TDs. Junior QB Brandon Harris is 9-4 as a starter for the Tigers. Last year, Harris started every game, throwing for 2,165 yards, 13 TDs and just six interceptions. His top two targets from last year return in 2016 – senior Travin Dural (career: 72 rec., 1,436 yards, 12 TDs) and junior Malachi Dupre (career: 57 rec., 1,016 yards, 11 TDs). Defensively, LSU welcomes first-year coordinator Dave Aranda (formerly DC at Wisconsin) to the staff. Aranda has installed a new 3-4 scheme, which the Tigers will debut against the Badgers. LSU has eight starters back on defense, including its top producer in sacks (DE Lewis Neal, 8.0), and interceptions (SS Jamal Adams, 4) from a year ago. LB Kendell Beckwith returns after ranking second on team in both tackles (84) and tackles for loss (10.0) a year ago. Aussie Josh Growden will make his collegiate debut at punter for the Tigers against the Badgers, while senior PK Colby Delahoussaye will handle all placekicks for LSU. Delahoussaye, who started at the position as both a freshman and sophomore, has connected on 24-of-24 field goals and 90-of-93 point-after conversions during his career at LSU.
TALKING POINTS
* LSU RB Leonard Fournette is just 13 yards shy of reaching 3,000 rushing yards for his career. At 25 games and 487 attempts, Fournette will likely become the fastest player to 3,000 yards in school history. Kevin Faulk is fastest to 3,000 in school history, doing it in 28 games and on 572 attempts.
- LSU has won all 11 season-openers under Les Miles, which includes a 28-24 victory over Wisconsin in 2014. Overall, LSU has won 13 consecutive season openers dating back to a 49-7 win over Louisiana-Monroe to open the 2003 season.
- LSU brings the longest non-conference regular season winning streak in FBS history into the Wisconsin game at 52 consecutive wins. LSU hasn’t lost a regular-season non-conference game since 2002 when Virginia Tech beat the Tigers, 26-8, in the season-opener.
- LSU is 49-3 in non-conference games under Les Miles with none of the three losses coming during the regular season. LSU’s only three non-conference losses under Miles have come in bowl games (Penn State, 19-17, in 2010 Capital One Bowl; Clemson, 25-24, in 2012 Peach Bowl; and Notre Dame, 31-28, in 2014 Music City Bowl). LSU’s three non-conference losses under Miles have come by a total of 6 points.
- LSU goes into the 2016 season ranked in the Top 25 for the 16th consecutive year. LSU has been ranked in the Top 25 in week 1 of every season dating back to 2001. Saturday’s game will mark the 138th time in 145 games under Miles that LSU will be ranked in the Top 25 and the Tigers are 107-31 in those games.
- LSU is 13-5 in neutral site games under Les Miles.
- Last year, LSU scored 48 offensive TDs (35 rushing, 13 passing) and the Tigers return every player in 2016 who scored an offensive touchdown last season. RB Leonard Fournette led the way with 23 total TDs.
- LSU is 55-6 under Les Miles when a running back reaches the 100-yard mark, which includes a 13-2 record when Leonard Fournette goes over the century mark. LSU was 9-1 in 2015 and 4-1 in 2014 when Fournette reached 100 rushing yards in a game.
- 21 players on this year’s LSU roster played in the Tigers’ 28-24 win over Wisconsin in the 2014 season opener. In addition, three players who started against Wisconsin in 2014, will start against the Badgers on Saturday (C Ethan Pocic, WR Travin Dural, CB Tre’Davious White). 15 other Tigers who played against Wisconsin in 2014 are currently on NFL rosters.
NOTEBOOK
LSU vs. The Big Ten
LSU is 9-4-1 against Big Ten opponents when the school was actually in the Big Ten Conference. The Tigers are 9-10-2 all-time against current members of the Big Ten when factoring in LSU’s record against Nebraska (0-5-1 as Big 8/Big 12 member) and Penn State (0-1 as independent). LSU’s last meeting with a Big Ten opponent was the season opener in NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas in 2014 when the Tigers defeated Wisconsin 28-24. It’s the second time in three years that LSU has opened the season with a Big Ten opponent, as the last time before that was Sept. 16, 1978 when the Tigers beat Indiana, 24-17, in Tiger Stadium. Here is LSU’s record against Big Ten schools: 1-0 vs. Illinois, 2-1 vs. Indiana, 1-1 vs. Iowa, 0-0 vs. Michigan, 1-0 vs. Michigan State, 0-0 vs. Minnesota, 0-5-1 vs. Nebraska, 0-0 vs. Northwestern, 1-1-1 vs. Ohio State, 0-2 vs. Penn State, 0-0 vs. Purdue, 3-0 vs. Wisconsin. Les Miles is 3-1 against Big Ten opponents at LSU with wins against Ohio State in the 2008 BCS National Championship Game, 2014 Outback Bowl versus Iowa. LSU lost to Penn State in the 2010 Capital One Bowl.
LSU Owns FBS Record for Consecutive Non-Conference Regular Season Wins With 52
LSU will put a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) record on the line again in the season-opener as the Tigers have won 52 consecutive non-conference regular season games dating back to the 2002 season. Last season, LSU added to its record by going 3-0 against non-conference opponents in the regular season, earning wins over Syracuse, Eastern Michigan and Western Kentucky. The Tigers broke the FBS record for consecutive non-conference regular season wins in 2012, surpassing the mark of Kansas State who claimed 39 straight from 1993-2003. The Tigers haven’t lost a non-conference regular season game since falling at Virginia Tech, 26-8, in the 2002 season opener in Blacksburg, Va., on Sept. 1. Les Miles has accounted for 42 of the 52 wins during the streak, and he is 42-0 all-time in non-conference regular season games in his 11 previous seasons at LSU. Former coach Nick Saban accounted for the 10 other victories from 2002-04. Under Miles, the Tigers have outscored non-conference regular season opponents a combined 2,114-622. Here is a look at the top four in FBS all-time consecutive non-conference regular season wins:
Team Years Win Streak
- LSU 2002-present 52
- Kansas State 1993-2003 39
- Miami 1985-88 36
- Wisconsin 2003-2013 35
LSU in Season Openers
LSU brings an 89-28-5 overall mark in season openers into the Wisconsin game. The Tigers have won 13 straight and 19 of their last 20 season-openers. LSU’s only season-opening loss over the past 20 years came at Virginia Tech by a 26-8 count in 2002. Last year’s opener was a bit of a change as the scheduled game against McNeese State was cancelled due to weather, having the Tigers open both the regular season and SEC slate at Mississippi State, earning a 21-19 win. LSU’s 13-game season opener win streak ranks sixth in the nation. Here is a list of the longest current season-opener win streaks in FBS:
Streak Team Last Loss 2016 Opponent
- 26 Florida 24-19 (Ole Miss, 09/09/89) UMass
- 18 USC 14-7 (Florida State, 09/06/97) vs. Alabama
- 15 Ohio State 23-12 (at Kickoff Classic vs. Miami, 08/29/99) Bowling Green
- 14 Alabama 20-17 (UCLA, 09/01/01) vs. USC
14 Missouri 20-13 (Bowling Green, 09/01/01) at West Virginia
- 13 LSU 26-8 (at Virginia Tech, 09/01/02) vs. Wisconsin
13 Texas Tech 45-21 (Ohio State, 08/24/02) Stephen F. Austin
Les Miles In Season Openers
LSU coach Les Miles is 12-3 in season openers during his 15 years as a head coach, which includes an 11-0 record with the Tigers. Miles is the only coach in LSU history to lead the Tigers to a season-opening win in each of his first 11 years. In 11 years with the Tigers, Miles’ LSU teams have outscored its season-opening opponent, 394-205. Four of those opponents were ranked, and eight of those games were away from Tiger Stadium.
No. 18 Tradition Passed Down to Tre’Davious White
A tradition established in 2003 continues as senior cornerback Tre’Davious White was voted to wear the No. 18 jersey for the 2015 and 2016 seasons. White was presented the jersey by coach Les Miles following a vote of the coaching staff and former LSU No. 18s during the Tigers’ first team meeting of fall camp in 2015 and then again this year. White is one of LSU’s leading returners on defense after recording 44 total tackles, with 30 on the solo end and 1.5 tackles for losses. Against Syracuse in the Carrier Dome, White cleared 69 yards in a shade over nine seconds on a punt return for a touchdown in the win over the Orange. Jersey No. 18 was born when, in 2003, quarterback Matt Mauck guided LSU to its first national championship since 1958. His number became synonymous with success — both on and off the field — as well as a selfless attitude that has become the epitome of being an LSU football player. After his final year with the Tigers, Mauck passed the jersey number down to running back Jacob Hester, who then helped LSU to another national title in 2007. Here is a look at the jersey No. 18s:
Years Player Position
2003 Matt Mauck QB
2004-07 Jacob Hester RB
2008-09 Richard Dickson TE
2010 Richard Murphy RB
2011 Brandon Taylor S
2012 Bennie Logan DT
2013 Lamin Barrow LB
2014 Terrence Magee RB
2015-16 Tre’Davious White CB
LSU Brings Back 18 Starters in 2016 from the SEC’s Top Five Total Offense and Defense in the SEC A Season Ago
LSU ended the 2015 season as one of the most potent offenses in the conference and provided a formidable defense to stop any opposing side earning top five rankings in both total offense and defense. Going into 2016, the Tigers return 18 starters from both sides of the line, including bringing back six players who were eligible in the draft as juniors inKendell Beckwith, Travin Dural, Rickey Jefferson, Lewis Neal, Ethan Pocic and Tre’Davious White. Backed by consensus All-American Leonard Fournette, and All-SEC performers Jamal Adams, Arden Key and others, LSU will forge into a new season as one of the most talented Tiger teams in recent history.
LSU is 49-3 Overall in Non-Conference Games Under Les Miles
LSU brings a 49-3 record in non-conference games heading into the game against Wisconsin. LSU’s only three non-conference losses under Les Miles came against Penn State in the Capital One Bowl to end the 2009 season, Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on Dec. 31, 2012 and Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30, 2014. Of the 49 wins under Miles against non-conference opponents, 13 have come against Top 25 teams, 41 have come by double-digits and LSU has scored 40 or more points in 30 of the 52 games
LSU Will Make Its 25th Appearance on ESPN’s College GameDay This Saturday
ESPN College GameDay will be on hand in Green Bay for LSU’s matchup against Wisconsin. The show airs from 8-11 a.m. CT on ESPN. It will be the 25th time LSU is involved in a game with ESPN College GameDay on location, as well as being the sixth time an LSU game has been covered at a neutral site. The Tigers have now made at least one appearance on the popular show in each of the past 14 seasons. LSU is 15-10 in games in which ESPN College GameDay is on hand, including being 5-0 when the show originates from a neutral venue. LSU made one appearance last season covering a top-five showdown against Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The following is a look at visits by ESPN College GameDay that involved an LSU game:
Year Matchup Location Result
1996 #11 LSU vs. #10 Alabama Baton Rouge – PMAC ramps L, 26-0
1997 #14 LSU vs. #1 Florida Baton Rouge – PMAC ramps W, 28-21
2003 #11 LSU vs. #7 Georgia Baton Rouge – PMAC ramps W, 17-10
2004 #2 LSU vs. #3 Oklahoma New Orleans, La. W, 21-14
2004 #4 LSU vs. Oregon State Baton Rouge – Parade Grounds W, 22-21 OT
2005 #5 LSU at #4 Alabama Tuscaloosa, Ala. W, 16-13 OT
2006 #9 LSU at #5 Florida Gainesville, Fla. L, 23-10
2007 #2 LSU vs. #9 Virginia Tech Baton Rouge – Parade Grounds W, 48-7
2007 #1 LSU vs. #9 Florida Baton Rouge – Parade Grounds W, 28-24
2007 #2 LSU vs. #1 Ohio State New Orleans, La. W, 38-24
2008 #6 LSU at #9 Auburn Auburn, Ala. W, 26-21
2008 #15 LSU vs. #1 Alabama Baton Rouge – Old Front Nine L, 27-21 OT
2009 #4 LSU vs. #1 Florida Baton Rouge – Parade Grounds L, 13-3
2010 #16 LSU vs. #18 North Carolina Atlanta, Ga. W, 30-24
2011 #4 LSU vs. #3 Oregon Arlington, Texas W, 40-27
2011 #2/3 LSU at #16 West Virginia Morgantown, W.Va. W, 47-21
2011 #1 LSU vs. #2 Alabama Tuscaloosa, Ala. W, 9-6 (OT)
2011 #1 LSU vs. #12 Georgia Atlanta, Ga. W, 42-10
2011 #1 LSU vs. #2 Alabama New Orleans, La. L, 21-0
2012 #5 LSU vs. #1 Alabama Baton Rouge – Parade Grounds L, 21-17
2013 #6 LSU at #9 Georgia Athens, Ga. L, 44-41
2013 #10 LSU at #1 Alabama Tuscaloosa, Ala. L, 38-17
2014 #24/23 LSU vs. #3 Ole Miss Baton Rouge – Parade Grounds W, 10-7
2015 #2 LSU at #4 Alabama Tuscaloosa, Ala. L, 30-16
2016 #6 LSU vs. Wisconsin Green Bay, Wisc
LSU as A Top 10 Team
LSU has played 98 games under Les Miles ranked in the Top 10 in the nation and the Tigers are 76-22 in those games, going 5-2 last year. Dating back to his first year at LSU in 2005, LSU has played at least two games as a Top 10 team each year. Prior to Miles taking over in 2005, LSU had played 143 games as a Top 10 team in its history and just 18 from 1990 to 2004. LSU is also the only team in the SEC to spend at least one week in the Top 10 over the past 15 seasons.
LSU Has Been Ranked in 138 of 144 Games Under Miles
Since Les Miles took over at LSU, the Tigers have been represented in the AP and Amway Coaches’ Poll 168 of the 177 weeks. The exception came during the final three polls of the 2008 season, five weeks in 2014 and the week heading into the Texas A&M game last season. In addition, since the start of the 2002 season, LSU has played 172 of 180 games ranked in the top 25, including 138 of 144 games under Miles. LSU has a 107-31 record in games played as a Top 25 team under Miles. The only five games that LSU didn’t play as a Top 25 team during the Miles era came in 2008 against Arkansas in the regular-season finale and Georgia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, in 2014 at Florida, vs. Kentucky and at Texas A&M, and in the 2015 regular season finale vs. Texas A&M. This year marked the 16th consecutive season that the Tigers were ranked in the preseason polls as LSU came in at No. 5 in the Associated Press and No. 6 in the Amway Coaches Top 25 polls.
Leonard Fournette in LSU Top 5 for Career 100-Yard Rushing Games
In 2015, running back Leonard Fournette rushed for 159 yards in the opener at Mississippi State, 228 yards vs. Auburn, 244 yards at Syracuse, 233 vs. Eastern Michigan, 158 vs. South Carolina, 180 vs. Florida and 150 vs. Western Kentucky, a streak that extended to nine straight 100-yard games when stretched back to 2014. Although the streak ended against Alabama, Fournette came back to have 108 yards against Ole Miss, 159 yards against Texas A&M and closed the year with 212 against Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl. Fournette is in fourth place in LSU history with 15 career 100-yard rushing games. Here is a list of the most 100-yard rushing games in LSU history:
Rank Player 100-Yard Games Seasons at LSU
- Kevin Faulk 22 1995-98
- Charles Alexander 20 1975-78
- Dalton Hilliard 19 1982-85
- Leonard Fournette 15 2014-present
- Jeremy Hill 11 2012-13LSU: The SEC’s Winningest Team Since 2005
LSU is the winningest program in the SEC since the start of Les Miles’ tenure as head coach in 2005 as the Tigers have posted a 112-32 mark during that span. The 112 victories for LSU are seven better than Florida, while the Tigers are also tops in final poll rankings. LSU is also tied for fourth nationally in wins since 2005 with Oklahoma (112) behind only Boise State (122), Ohio State (122) and Oregon (115).
Team W-L Bowls SEC Titles Top 25
LSU 112-32 11 2 9
Florida 104-39 10 2 7
Georgia 104-41 11 1 7
Alabama 100-27 11 3 8
Auburn 94-48 9 2 6
South Carolina 87-54 9 0 4
Arkansas 78-61 7 0 3
Mississippi State 73-65 7 0 2
Tennessee 73-65 6 0 3
Ole Miss 68-69 6 0 4
Kentucky 58-78 5 0 0
Vanderbilt 56-78 4 0 2
Wins Since 2005 (Nationally)
Boise State 122
Ohio State 122
Oregon 115
Oklahoma 112
LSU 112
TCU 111
Wisconsin 108
Southern Cal 106
Florida 104
Georgia 104
Virginia Tech 102
Texas 99
September Success Under Les Miles
LSU is 38-4 in games played in September under Les Miles dating back to 2005. Two of the four September losses have come on the road: at Auburn in 2006 and at Georgia in 2013. Overall, LSU is 25-2 in September home games under Miles. The only losses came to Tennessee in 2005 and Mississippi State in 2014. The Tigers went undefeated in the month of September in six straight seasons from 2007-12.
True Freshmen Play Big Roles at LSU Under Les Miles
LSU coach Les Miles has never shied away from playing true freshmen. In his 11 years with the Tigers, a total of 113 true freshmen have seen action for LSU, including 13 in 2015. Of the 113 true freshmen who have played under Miles, 39 have started at least once during their freshman season.
Most True Freshmen Starters by Year Under Les Miles
2015: 6 (Bry’Kiethon Mouton, Arden Key, Foster Moreau, Maea Teuhema, Kevin Toliver II, Toby Weathersby)
2014: 6 (Jamal Adams, Malachi Dupre, Leonard Fournette, Davon Godchaux, Brandon Harris, Trey Quinn)
2012: 6 (Kwon Alexander, Vadal Alexander, Reid Ferguson, Jeremy Hill, Lamar Louis, Jalen Mills)
2013: 5 (Rickey Jefferson, Anthony Jennings, Ethan Pocic, Rashard Robinson, Tre’Davious White)
2006: 4 (Jacob Cutrera, Richard Dickson, Charles Scott, Keiland Williams)
2010: 3 (Alfred Blue, Tyrann Mathieu, Eric Reid)
2011: 3 (Odell Beckham Jr., James Hairston, Jarvis Landry)
2007: 2 (Drake Nevis, Terrence Toliver)
2008: 2 (Jordan Jefferson, Deangelo Peterson)
2009: 2 (Dominique Allen, Rueben Randle)
2005: 0
LSU Is 63-0 Under Miles When Rushing For 100 Yards and Holding Opponents To Less Than 100 Yards
One look at LSU’s results in relation to rushing the football and it’s easy to figure out that head coach Les Miles is a former offensive lineman who understands the importance of running the football. In 143 games under Miles, LSU’s success is easy to predict when it comes to net rushing yards. Get to 100 yards rushing and LSU will more than likely win as the Tigers are 107-13 under Miles when that happens. Hold the opponent to fewer than 100 yards and the Tigers are 64-5. An even more telling stat is that when LSU rushes for 100-plus yards and holds the opponents to fewer than 100 yards, the Tigers are 63-0. The following is a look at LSU’s rushing numbers during the Miles era and have the Tigers have fared in those games:
Year LSU 100+ LSU 100- Opp 100+ Opp 100- LSU 100+/Opp 100-
2005 10-0 1-2 3-1 8-1 7-0
2006 10-0 1-2 5-0 6-2 6-0
2007 11-2 1-0 3-2 9-0 8-0
2008 8-3 0-2 2-5 6-0 6-0
2009 8-0 1-4 7-4 2-0 2-0
2010 11-2 0-0 7-1 5-0 5-0
2011 13-0 0-1 4-1 8-0 9-0
2012 9-1 1-2 4-2 6-1 6-0
2013 10-1 0-2 6-3 4-0 4-0
2014 8-3 0-2 4-4 4-1 4-0
2015 8-1 0-2 3-3 6-0 5-0
Totals 107-13 5-19 48-26 64-5 63-0
LSU is 55-6 Under Les Miles When A Running Back Reaches 100-Yards
LSU is 55-6 under Les Miles when a running back reaches 100 yards in a game. Of the running backs who make up the 2015 roster, LSU has 16 career 100-yard games to its credit as Leonard Fournette has 15 and Derrius Guice has one. Fournette has gone over the 100-yard mark in 10 of 12 games last season. LSU is 13-2 when Fournette reaches 100 yards, which includes a 9-1 2015 record. LSU’s only six losses under Miles when having a back reach the 100-yard mark came at Ole Miss in 2015 (Leonard Fournette, 108 yards), vs. Notre Dame in 2014 (Fournette, 143 yards), vs. Clemson in 2012 (Jeremy Hill, 124 yards), Alabama in 2012 (Hill, 107 yards), Georgia in 2008 (Charles Scott, 144 yards) and Arkansas in 2007 (Jacob Hester, 126 yards).
LSU’s 54-9 Under Les Miles When Winning The Turnover Battle
LSU is 54-9 under Les Miles when winning the turnover battle. Against ranked teams under Miles, LSU is 22-6 when having fewer turnovers than its opponent. The only nine losses for the Tigers under Miles when having fewer turnovers than their opponent have come against Mississippi State and Auburn in 2014, Alabama and Clemson in 2012, Arkansas in 2008, Arkansas and Kentucky in 2007, Auburn in 2006 and Tennessee in 2005. In Miles’ tenure at LSU, the Tigers have a combined turnover margin of +66. LSU was +20 in 2011 and +16 in 2012.
