Georgia silences crowd and LSU, 52-38

Georgia Coach Mark Richt once called the Tiger Stadium crowd the loudest he’d ever heard.

Knowshon Moreno may remember Death Valley more for the hush he caused with his tackle-breaking 68-yard touchdown run.

Moreno’s long scoring run late in the third quarter gave ninth-ranked Georgia a three-touchdown lead, and the Bulldogs held on for a 52-38 victory over No. 11 Louisiana State on Saturday that sent many Tigers fans to the exits early.

“I didn’t hear anything but somebody behind me trying to catch me,” Moreno said. “I was just running hard, trying to get an important score.”

The game showcased two of the best running backs in the Southeastern Conference, and neither disappointed. Moreno gained 163 yards, and LSU’s Charles Scott gained 144 yards and scored two touchdowns.

The Bulldogs (7-1, 4-1) had a big edge at quarterback, however, with the experienced Matthew Stafford calmly delivering clutch throws, none better than his 49-yard touchdown to fantastic freshman A.J. Green while the Tigers brought heavy pressure on third and 10.

Stafford was 17 of 26 for 249 yards and two touchdowns passing, and also ran for a seven-yard score in the fourth quarter while improving to 24-5 as a starter.

The loss was a devastating one for LSU (5-2, 3-2), which still does not have a victory over a team currently ranked in the top 25.

Georgia, meanwhile, can take the SEC East lead by beating Florida in Jacksonville next weekend.