The 2005 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the college football season of 2005–2006. Coached by Les Miles in his first season at LSU, the Tigers played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Despite all of the distractions from Hurricane Katrina, LSU finished its season with an 11–2 record capped off by a 40–3 victory over No. 9 Miami in the 2005 Peach Bowl without starting quarterback JaMarcus Russell.
LSU's season open against No. 15 Arizona State was originally scheduled as home game for the Tigers, but when LSU offered hurricane victims refuge on their campus, the NCAA moved the game to Tempe, Arizona. Things looked bleak for the Tigers early in the fourth quarter against Arizona State when they trailed 17–7. Then LSU's special teams blocked two kicks, a 47-yard field goal attempt and a punt, returning both for TDs to give LSU a 21–17 lead. However, Arizona State regained the lead at 31–28 with four minutes left in the game. LSU started with the ball on their own 9-yard line. Nine plays later, LSU found themselves in a fourth down situation on the Arizona State 39-yard line where JaMarcus Russell threw a 39-yard TD to Early Doucet to take a 35–31 lead. Arizona State tried their own game-winning drive, but they were stopped on downs inside the Tigers' 30-yard line.
LSU's first home game came on prime time against No. 10 Tennessee. The was moved from Saturday to Monday, September 26 because of Hurricane Rita. LSU had a huge lead at halftime, but the lead slipped away and the Tigers lost the game in overtime.
On October 15, LSU faced No. 11 Florida. Late in the third quarter, the Gators went up 17–14. Then, early in the fourth quarter JaMarcus Russell led the Tigers on a 12-play, 75-yard drive, capped by a 3-yard TD run by Joseph Addai, which put the Tigers up 21–17. LSU's defense took over from there, holding Florida to less than 30 yards the rest of the fourth quarter.
On October 22, LSU squared off against No. 16 Auburn. With just under five minutes left in the game, Auburn took a 17–14 lead. LSU responded by driving down to the Auburn 27-yard line, setting up a 44-yard field goal attempt by Chris Jackson. The kick was good, and the game went to overtime. LSU took the first possession and Chris Jackson made a 30-yard field goal to put LSU up 20–17. LSU's defense forced Auburn settle for a 39-yard field goal attempt by John Vaughn. Vaughn's kick hit the left upright, giving LSU the victory.
On November 12, LSU went to Tuscaloosa to play undefeated No. 4 Alabama. At halftime, Alabama led 10–0, but the Tigers came back in the third quarter to tie the game 10–10. After the Tigers missed three second half field goal attempts, the game went to overtime. In overtime, the Tiger defense held Alabama to a field goal. During LSU's ensuing possession, JaMarcus Russell hit Dwayne Bowe for an 11-yard TD pass, giving LSU a 16–13 victory.
Read more about 2005 LSU Tigers Football Team: Schedule, LSU Tigers in The 2006 National Football League Draft
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