WATCH: LSU extends lead with 45-yard touchdown grab by Jaray Jenkins
LSU took a ten-point lead early in the second quarter over Texas A&M after a deep touchdown from quarterback Max Johnson to receiver Jaray Jenkins. As Jenkins lined up in the slot, LSU ran a sort of rub route to give him space to blow by his defender on the deep route. Johnson hit him on the sideline without a safety anywhere near the catch, and Jenkins’ speed allowed him to finish the play in the end zone.
Jaray Jenkins scores games first touchdown
The Tigers showed up early in what could be Ed Orgeron’s final game as head coach. With their bowl-eligibility unknown even if they manage to defeat the Aggies on Saturday, Orgeron and his players appeared ready to play in their potentially final game this season.
LSU held Texas A&M’s offense to just 21 yards and two punts on their first two drives of the game, while Jenkins’ touchdown gave them a sizeable lead to work with.
The rivalry between the two schools may not have the long-term history that most college football rivalries have, but the schools have a history since before the Aggies joined the SEC. Both schools share similar recruiting pools as well, with the Tigers recruiting from Texas and the Aggies recruiting in Louisiana.
Saturday’s matchup will be the 60th meeting between the schools on the field, despite a large period where they didn’t play each other from 1996 to 2010. Since 2011, LSU is 8-2 in the matchup, with Texas A&M’s only wins coming in the Jimbo Fisher era.
Ed Orgeron on coaching his final game in Death Valley
During his weekly press conference ahead of Saturday’s game, Orgeron was asked what he would remember the most from his time leading the LSU program and what he’ll take away from it when his tenure officially comes to a close soon.
“You know, the day-to-day basis,” Orgeron said. “Excitement to come to work, seeing the players, going out and recruiting, coming down the Tiger Walk, the 2019 season, the getting the big recruit, going out there and competing with all of the players and coaches we’ve been through. It’s been phenomenal.”
After making that impactful statement about his time in Baton Rouge, Orgeron was then asked by another reporter if the good things that have happened with him as LSU’s head coach outweighed the bad.
“Oh yeah – no question,” Orgeron said. “I ain’t had a bad day yet. I’m not going to have a bad day. I think I’m going to make it.”
On3’s Tyler Mansfield contributed to this article.