Louisiana State Has Late Winning Rally

Louisiana State came a long way to start its season, and JaMarcus Russell made the trip worthwhile.

Russell passed 39 yards to Early Doucet for a touchdown that handed the No. 5-ranked Tigers a 35-31 victory over No. 15 Arizona State on Saturday night, giving Coach Les Miles a victory in his debut with the Tigers.

Doucet went high to pull down Russell’s pass on the left side of the end zone and kept one foot inbounds upon landing. It was the Tigers’ fourth touchdown in the fourth quarter, which began with them trailing, 17-7.

The Tigers still had to stop the Sun Devils (1-1) one last time after Sam Keller threw passes of 27 and 25 yards to start a final drive. Louisiana State accomplished that at its 28, as Keller threw four consecutive incomplete passes.

LaRon Landry got between the ball and Arizona State’s Derek Hagan on third down, and Ronnie Prude went to the ground with Terry Richardson after a low pass on fourth down with 31 seconds to go.

Joseph Addai had 109 yards and two touchdowns in 16 carries for the Tigers.

With the teams at a stalemate, Louisiana State’s Mario Stevenson scored on a 55-yard return of a blocked field-goal try, and Craig Steltz scored a go-ahead touchdown 80 seconds later, returning a blocked punt 29 yards to give the Tigers their first lead, 21-17, with 13:27 left.

Keller passed for the last two of his four touchdowns before the Tigers began their winning drive with 4:07 to go. Keller passed for 461 yards.

The game originally had been scheduled for Baton Rouge, La., but was moved in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.