Catanzaro Kicks Clemson past LSU in Chick-fil-A Bowl

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images(ATLANTA) -- Clemson kicked off the New Year just right.  The Tigers topped LSU on Chandler Catanzaro's 37-yard field goal as time expired on Monday night to give his team a 25-24 win over the No. 9 Tigers (10-3) in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

Tajh Boyd led the Tigers (11-2) down the field with 1:39 remaining with a 10-play drive to set up the game-winner by Catanzaro.

"You can't win 12 until you win 11," Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said on winning their 11th game of the season. "You can't win a national championship until you learn how to win games like this.

"This was a landmark win."

Boyd finished with 346 yards and two touchdowns in the victory.  Tigers' wide out DeAndre Hopkins was responsible for both touchdowns and finished with 191 yards for the game.

"Tajh Boyd was phenomenal," LSU coach Les Miles said. "I did not expect the heroic, if you will, efforts that he had."

Clemson's defense held LSU's running game to just 99 yards in the game and shut down quarterback Zach Mettenberger who was 14 for 23 with 123 yards and a touchdown.

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Les Miles Staying at LSU

Chris Graythen/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- LSU head football coach Les Miles is staying put. Miles, who's coached in Baton Rouge since 2005, reportedly received a five-year, $27.5 million contract offer from the University of Arkansas. But LSU put to rest any speculation Miles would leave when it gave him a seven-year contract extension and a raise Wednesday.

"Seven years is a long tenure," Miles said. "I'm fortunate to have that commitment from a great institution, a great school as LSU."

Miles has a 85-20 record in his eight seasons at LSU. He's led the Tigers to two SEC titles and the 2007 BCS championship.

"Les Miles is one of the premier coaches in the country and has LSU in contention for championships year in and year out," LSU athletics director Joe Alleva said in a statement. "Only two coaches in the 119-year history of LSU football have coached as many years at this school and only one has won more games. Les Miles has made a commitment to LSU and LSU is solidifying its commitment to Les Miles."

Details of Miles' new contract have not been released.

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Tyrann Mathieu to Enroll at LSU

Chris Graythen/Getty Images(BATON ROUGE) -- The Honey Badger won't be playing football at LSU this season, but he will  be on campus.

According to his adoptive father Tyrone, former LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu will enroll at LSU on Tuesday.

Matheiu was kicked off the team by coach Les Miles for a violation of team rules. A source told ESPN that it was a substance-abuse violation.

"Tyrann is working on discipline, maturity and character," Mathieu said when it was announced his son would not be playing football at all this season. "He's making life adjustments."

The Heisman finalist of a year ago is currently undergoing mentoring by former NBA player John Lucas, who has helped many athletes with life issues. 

It is not clear whether the former Tiger would be able to play at LSU again someday, but his adoptive mother Shelia says his focus is off the field.

"Tyrann is a lot better, thank God," she said. "He's strengthening himself and he continues to do so. He's focused on academics."

Mathieu scored four touchdowns between punt returns and defense last year for LSU.

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LSU's Miles Questions Gunner Kiel's Leadership

Chris Graythen/Getty Images(BATON ROUGE, La.) -- Fighting Irish quarterback Gunner Kiel shouldn’t expect a dinner invitation from LSU’s Les Miles anytime soon. The Tigers head coach is not happy that Kiel verbally committed to his program before turning around and enrolling in Notre Dame.

“There was a gentleman from Indiana that thought about coming to the Bayou State,” Miles said. “He did not necessarily have the chest and the ability to lead a program.”

With Kiel going back on his word, LSU signed 6-3, 270-pound Jeremy Liggins from Oxford, Mississippi.

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LSU Dominates Georgia 42-10 Despite Early Deficit

Chris Graythen/Getty Images(ATLANTA) -- There can be no argument as to who is the best team in college football heading into the bowl games. Despite trailing 10-0 after the first quarter against Georgia, LSU went on a 42-0 run to win the SEC Conference after beating Georgia 42-10.

When it looked like Georgia had all the momentum, LSU cornerback and return specialist Tyrann Mathieu ran back a punt 62 yards for a touchdown and the momentum shifted right back to LSU.

"I enjoy watching him play football except when he plays against us," Georgia head coach Mark Richt said after the game. "You appreciate the way he plays. There's just something about him."

Freshman running back Kenny Hilliard carried the rest of the load for the number one ranked Tigers on offense. He ran for 72 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding an 8-yard touchdown reception.

With the win, LSU sealed it's spot in the BCS National Championship Game.

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(1) LSU (8-0) @ (2) Alabama (8-0) Preview

 istockphoto(TUSCALOOSA, Ala.) -- It's the clash of the titans in Tuscaloosa this Saturday night with (2) Alabama (8-0) playing host to SEC rival, (1) LSU (8-0). At stake: a potential berth in the BCS National Championship.
   
“I don't think any player needs to fill like they need to do anything different or special, they just need to do their job.” Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban said during Monday’s press conference.

Alabama leads the all-time series, 45-24-5. The last time these two teams met was last season, a 24-21 victory by LSU. So how are the Tigers going to game plan this time around?

 “I don’t think coaching normally is what we are going to do nor do I think playing normally is what we are going to do.” LSU head coach Les Miles said.  “I think we will line up line up in normal positions. I think we will play our technique better than we played it. I think we will coach our guys with greater skill to teach and I think the points that we make will be more pointed to game plan than ever.”

Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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Top Ranked LSU Welcomes Back Suspended Players

Chris Graythen/Getty Images(BATON ROUGE, La.) -- After being suspended a week ago for violating the team's drug policy, cornerback Tyrann Mathieu, running back Spencer Ware, and defensive back Tharold Simon returned to practice on Tuesday. LSU had suspended the three players for their game last Saturday against Auburn. The team didn't miss them too much, as they handled Auburn 45-10.

All three players are expected play in the team's mega-matchup against number two ranked Alabama. The winner of that game on November 5th will all but likely earn the right to play in the BCS National Championship game.

"We're practicing, preparing them to play and operating along that way," Head Coach Les Miles said. "We're going to plan on using them."

Mathieu is one the best defensive players in college football and is a Heisman Trophy candidate. Ware is the team's leading rusher with 512 yards and six touchdowns. Meanwhile, Simon is a contributing member of an LSU defense which is allowing the third fewest points per game in the entire country.

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