Tennessee Deflates LSU

Gerald Riggs Jr. pushed into the end zone from a yard out in overtime to give No. 10 Tennessee a 30-27 comeback win Monday night in Louisiana State’s long-awaited, hurricane-delayed home opener.

Quarterback Rick Clausen, a transfer from LSU, led the Volunteers (2-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) back from a 21-point deficit in the second half to tie it at 24 with 2:02 left on a field goal.

“Getting done what he got done, coming back here to win this football game at a place where he had been, I don’t know if there is a better story in the world than what this guy has done,” Tennessee Coach Phillip Fulmer said of Clausen.

The Tigers had first crack in overtime, but managed only a 31-yard field goal by Colt David.

Riggs accounted for all the Volunteers’ yards in overtime with a 10-yard reception and four runs. He powered into the end zone to send the hurricane-weary Louisianans home with a bitter loss.

Hurricane Katrina forced the No. 4 Tigers to postpone their first home game, and move their second to Arizona State, where LSU came away with a dramatic win. Then Hurricane Rita forced another delay.

The crowd was a bit smaller than usual but loud as ever and the Tigers (1-1, 0-1) jumped to a 21-0 lead in the first half.