The Times from Shreveport, Louisiana • Page 40

THE TIMES 39, MISSISSIPPI 7 4D SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1996 Tyler returns for rescue with 255 passing yards 1 AP LSU's Kevin Faulk went over the mark for the season by rushing for 117 yards on 28 carries against Ole Miss. Pass play turns game around Continued from Page 1D It was a reversal of fortunes. "It was the best first half we have played all year and the sorriest second half we've played this season," Ole Miss coach Tommy Tuberville said. And if one play can make a difference in a football game, LSU got that play midway through the third quarter. The Tigers had taken the second half kickoff 72 yards in 12 plays before settling for a 25-yard field goal from Wade Richey.

LSU's 5-0 lead was still precarious. Then the Tigers got their -biggest play of the day. Tyler started left, turned around to his right on the bootleg and found tight end David LaFleur. With a crushing block from Nicky Savoie '6n Ole Miss linebacker Eli And- ing, LaFleur took a pass from Tyler and ran 59 yards down the right sideline to the Ole Miss 21. That was a great hit," Tyler said.

"It kind of looked like (Savoie) hit him 100 feet in the air." One play later, Kevin Faulk ran the final 21 yards for the touch- down and a 12-0 LSU lead. The rout was on. "Anytime you get a big play, it "helps get the offense rolling," Savoie said. "After that big long run from David, you could look at them and see they were thinking, 'Oh my God, they're hitting The Tigers ran with Faulk pick- tag up 117 yards on 28 carries. Faulk scored three touchdowns on runs of 21.

6 and 1 yard. They I passed with Tyler having a career- high 255 yards passing. He also scored on runs of 2 and 8 yards. When it was done, the Tigers had amassed 474 yards total of-' fense. And, more importantly, they had distanced themselves from their first-half performance.

LSU running back Kevin Faulk rushed lor 1 1 7 yards on 28 carries Saturday in LSU's 39-7 victory over Ole Miss. Those 1 17 yards put him over the 1 mark for the season. He has rushed for 1,009 yards. Faulk becomes the Tigers' first rusher since Harvey Williams ran for 1,001 yards in 1987. He is the fifth LSU player to ever rush for 1 ,000 yards in a season.

"If you look at his total offensive output," LSU coach Gerry DiNardo said, "that to me is more impressive than the 1 ,000 yards. A thousand yards is quite an accomplishment. But his kick returns, his punt returns: I think he's dangerous." Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz hasn't resigned at least not yet but already DiNardo is being mentioned as a possible replacement. DiNardo tried to squelch thetalk Saturday. "I don't know if I want to respond to a rumor about another school," DiNardo said.

"I don't know if that's appropriate." DiNardo, who played at Notre Dame and is a graduate of the school, said he hasn't talked to his team about those rumors nor does he plan to in the future. "It's not an issue," he said. "It's a rumor about another school." Ole Miss' John Avery returned a fourth quarter kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. It was his second kickoff return for a touchdown this season. It was the first against LSU in a regular season game since Arkansas' Madre Hill went 100 yards against the Tigers in 1994.

Michigan State's Derrick Mason had a 100-yard return against LSU in the PoulanWeed Eater Independence Bowl. LSU kicker Wade Richey missed his first field goal attempt Saturday a 34-yarder from the center of the field. He made his second attempt a 25-yarder and all of his extra-point attempts. LSU freshman safety Clarence LeBlanc had a big day Saturday. LeBlanc intercepted a Stewart Patridge pass in the fourth quarter to set up one touchdown.

Then, later in "Once they figured out that could have some success the ball that's what they stuck'; with," Ole Miss middle Nate Wayne said. Tyler's passing came to rescue the Tigers. His 59-yard bootleg pass to end David LaFleur gave the Tigers a boost and set up a 21-yard touch- down run from Kevin Faulk. That does give you a lift you have a play like that," said. On LSU's next Tyler hit Tyrone Frazier for a yard gain.

After Faulk gained yards on the next play, the Tigers were ready to score touchdown. Then, one possession Tyler hit Frazier for a 41-yard gain to set up another score. "I think this was probably my'J best game," Tyler said. "I played with a lot of poise. I was hitting my receivers.

When you combine that is when you have a great game." Tyler should not be lost in the onslaught of second half points. He may be the most valuable play-! er on the LSU offense. Without; Faulk, the Tigers turn to Rondell Mealey and there isn't much of a' drop off. LSU's receivers are inter-! changeable. But Tyler? Without him, LSU is lost.

"I love these guys and all the guys love me," Tyler said. As long as they keep winning that won't change. Tyler may not have led LSU to a win against Alabama last week. No one will ever know. But LSU fans should know now that without Tyler LSU would be in trouble.

Scott Ferrell is a Times sports writer. He can be reached at 459- 3299 or by fax at 459-3301. E-mail OXFORD, Miss. Herb Tyler's stock as LSU quarterback may never be higher than it is now. While Tyler ttz TT is no ya Scott Ferrell tie, he is no Bryan Sparacino either.

And after Sparaci-no's passing performance against Alabama last week, well, Tyler's bruised nerve in his right bicep became the most important muscle in Baton Rouge. Tyler played again Saturday. And he may have played his best game as an LSU quarterback. He completed 13 of 20 passes for a career-best 255 yards. He led the Tigers to 37 second-half points and a 39-7 victory over Ole Miss.

"It was a typical Herb Tyler performance," LSU coach Gerry DiNardo said. "Nothing fancy. Then he runs the option. Nothing fancy. Then he puts the ball on the money.

That's what Herb will do." Nothing fancy. Just win, baby. Herb Tyler is not Danny Wuerf-fel. He's not Peyton Manning. But what he does is give LSU its best opportunity to win.

And without him, as the Tigers were last week against Alabama, they are lost. If the Tigers offense sputters with Tyler, there is no doubting. Saturday, LSU did little in the first half. But LSU's confidence in Tyler never wavered. "We were trying to establish the run in the first half," Tyler said.

"We didn't do that last week and that was something we came into the game wanting to do." With a 2-0 lead, LSU tried something different in the second half passing. Ole Miss tight end Kris Mangum after a Patridge completion. Ole Miss H-back Ta'Borls Fisher became the Rebels' all-time leading receiver. He had six catches for 60 yards giving him 131 catches for his careers. He moves ahead of Floyd Franks on the Ole Miss all-time list.

Franks had 1 27 catches. "I am proud of Ta'Boris Fisher and the record he set today. That is something that will stand for a long time," Ole Miss coach Tommy Tuberville said. LSU quarterback Herb Tyler threw for a career-high 255 yards Saturday. Tyler's previous best was 215 yards against the Florida Gators earlier this season.

LSU broke an eight-quarter offensive scoreless streak with two third quarter touchdowns. "Oh man, that's long," Tyler said. That's too long." The Tigers close out their home schedule on Saturday against Tulane in a 7 p.m. game at Tiger Stadium. Scott Ferrell LSU 39, Mississippi 7 LSU 2 0 20 -39 Mitsiwlppi 0 0 7 0 -7 FIRST QUARTER LSU Safely, Patndge intentional grounding in the end zone, 13 54.

THIRD QUARTER LSU-fG Richey 25, 5:25. LSU Faulk 21 run (Richey kick). 9:05. LSU-Faulk 6 run (Richey kick), 12:25. FOURTH QUARTER LSU Ty1sr2 run (pass failed), :03.

Miss Avery 100 kickoff return (Montz 17. LSU-Faulk 1 run (Richey kick), 2:54. LSU Tyler 8 run (Richey kick), 3:58. LSU 24 49-233 255 13-21-0 44 4-443 0-0 4-52 Mis 14 29-73 157 16-30-1 1 2-1 7-30 26:37 First downs Rushes-yards Passing Comp-Att-Int Return Yards Punts-Avg. Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Time of Possession 33:23 iKimviniiAi STiTiiTire Faulk 28-117, Tyler 4-32.

Cleveland 5-27, Mealey 11-26, Foster 1-17. Mississippi, Avery 18-41 Cannion 4-11, Fisher 1-3, Patridge 6-(mi-nus-24). PASSING-LSU. Tyler 13-20-0-255, Sparacino 0-1-0-0. Mississippi, Patridge 16-30-1-157.

RECEIVING-ISU, Savoie 3-35, Foster 2-33, Beard 2-29. LaFleur 2-72. Frazier 2-58. Bates 1-13, Cleveland 1-15. Mississippi.

Fisher 6-60, Mangum 3-31, Heard 3-31, Avery 2-12, French 1-9, Bilbrew 1-14. the quarter, he forced a fumble from 1997 CAVALIER 2-DR. COUPE i 0 Manufacturer's suggested retail price including freight. Plus tax, title, license. IPSTlGQlPETmij! With Standard 4-wheel Antilock Brakes Seating for 5 A More Powerful Engine Dual Air Bags and much more Cavalier is a Best Buy every day! Compare the features compare the price you'll choose Chevy Cavalier! Genuine Chevrolet TOUGH, SHREVEPQOT-OiU Now with Low SmartBuy Rebates! 36 month GMAC SmartBuy 1,250 down Air Conditioning Aluminum Wheels AM-FM Stereo Cassette LS Level Trim SeeYoarLocal payments or Big Cash 1 4-wheel Antilock Brakes Driver's Air Bag and much more I if i I FEB m.

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