The 'General' Lee leads No. 2 LSU over No. 16 WVU 47-21

Jarrett Lee threw three touchdown passes, Michael Ford ran for two scores and No. 2 LSU made a case to be No. 1, beating No. 16 West Virginia 47-21 Saturday night. The Tigers (4-0) converted two turnovers into scores, built a big early lead and withstood West Virginia’s strong comeback for its third win over a ranked opponent this season, with all of three coming away from home. Every win so far has been by double digits. Lee’s three TD passes tied a career high and matched his output of the three previous games. He finished 16 of 28 for 180 yards.

West Virginia (3-1) outgained LSU 533-366. West Virginia’s Geno Smith set school records for completions (38), attempts (65) and passing yards (463). But he was intercepted twice after making one in the previous three games. For the second straight year, the Mountaineers (3-1) couldn’t overcome a double-digit halftime deficit to the Tigers. West Virginia couldn’t pad its resume with a win over a Southeastern Conference opponent at a time when there’s been speculation the SEC might be interested in the Mountaineers as a 14th school. Texas A&M is set become the 13th member when it leaves the Big 12 next season. West Virginia hadn’t given up this many points at home since a 46-44 triple-overtime win over Louisville in 2005.

West Virginia hoped to get off to a fast start, but for the third time this season, that didn’t happen. LSU jumped ahead to stay with the help of two first-quarter turnovers and consistently won the battle of field position.

by J.Raby