COLLEGE FOOTBALL : SOUTHWEST ROUNDUP : McElroy Leads Aggies to Victory Over LSU

What Louisiana State saw is what other teams are going to get from Texas A&M; tailback Leeland McElroy.

McElroy, among the most feared return specialists in the nation, added workhorse tailback to his repertoire with three touchdown runs as No. 3 Texas A&M; extended the nation’s longest home winning streak to 27 with a 33-17 victory over LSU on Saturday.

After backing up Rodney Thomas and Greg Hill his first two seasons, McElroy made the most of the opportunity to start, rushing for 229 yards in 35 carries, catching five passes for 49 yards and returning three kickoffs for 81 yards, for 359 all-purpose yards.

“He’s going to handle it until he says he can’t,” Texas A&M; offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger said. “He got more rest than I thought he would today but he can handle it.”

McElroy played late into the fourth quarter despite temperatures surpassing 100 degrees at kickoff.

“I got a little tired, I can’t say I didn’t, but that’s what I wanted when I came here and they finally gave it to me,” McElroy said. “Coach Ensminger said he was going to get me the ball 25 times a game and I thought he was joking.”

After a slow first half, LSU quarterback Jamie Howard completed 21 of 38 passes for 131 yards and one touchdown.

Baylor 37, Tulsa 5--The Bears used a smothering defense, three touchdowns by Shawn Washington and a nearly flawless performance from quarterback Jeff Watson to open the season with a victory at Tulsa.

Washington, who moved to fullback from linebacker last year, scored all three touchdowns during the first 22 minutes in leading Baylor to a 34-0 lead at halftime. Washington finished with 94 yards on eight carries.

Watson completed his first eight passes and finished 16 of 19 for 230 yards, including a 56-yard touchdown pass to Kalief Muhammad.

Rice 38, Nevada Las Vegas 0--Warrick Franklin returned an interception for a touchdown on the second play of the game to help the Owls defeat the Rebels at Houston.

Rice, which had only five interceptions last year and none until the fourth game of the season, had four in Saturday’s opener, including two by Franklin. Rice defenders dropped at least two others. UNLV also lost two of six fumbles.