FROM THE REAL ART SPORTS DESK
Risk-taking LSU reaps reward with comeback win over Gators

From the AP via ESPN:

Gambling at every opportunity, LSU managed to hold on to its No. 1 ranking.

Florida's hopes of another national title appear to be over after a remarkable Saturday night in Death Valley.

The Tigers barely converted a pair of fourth-down runs before Jacob Hester powered over from the 2-yard line with 1:09 remaining, completing a stunning comeback that gave LSU a 28-24 victory over the No. 9 Gators.

Tim Tebow shredded the nation's top-ranked defense for three quarters, giving Florida a 24-14 lead with 15 minutes remaining. He threw for a pair of touchdowns and ran for another.

But LSU kept rolling the dice and coming up with winners. The Tigers scored two touchdowns on fourth-down plays and another after pulling off a fake field goal. Then, on the game's decisive drive, they finally hit the jackpot.

Hester bulled his way into the end zone for LSU's first lead of the game. When the Tigers knocked down Tebow's final long pass in the end zone, the record crowd of 92,910 let out its biggest roar of all.

The Tigers are still No. 1. And, with second-ranked Southern California losing, there's no doubt about it.

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Wow. I don't think I've watched a game this exciting since Texas won the national championship a couple of years ago. I don't even know where to start babbling about this. Jacob Hester's performance was nothing short of amazing, picking up yardage old-school style, fighting for every inch, and, when the Tigers needed it most, he busted through the goal line for LSU's go-ahead touchdown. I didn't know he's that good. I'm also amazed with the Tigers' tenacity: they were behind for nearly fifty nine minutes, but just kept slugging it out. My biggest kudos, however, go to Coach Les Miles. Of course, he couldn't have done it without all that great talent, but he fucking outcoached Urban Meyer. I'm tempted to call it a chess match, but in the end, it was more like a poker game, and Miles was betting like a pro, going five for five with fourth down conversions.

If this doesn't shut up the Louisiana radio sports-talk idiots, nothing will. Miles has proven himself. He's the man.

In the end, LSU's going to number one in the AP poll and then beating the defending national champion all in the same week is a very good omen. On the other hand, the rest of the SEC awaits their opportunity to beat the Tigers. I'm sure the hatred will be at an all-time high. Of course, Miles has a very one-game-at-a-time attitude, which has done well so far this season.

Geaux Tigers!


LSU running back Jacob Hester (18) dives into the end zone with the winning touchdown against Florida late in the fourth quarter -of their college football action in Baton Rouge, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007. Trying for the stop is Florida A.J. Jones (16) and Brandon Spikes (51). (AP Photo/Bill Haber)(via ESPN)

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