Tigers slug it out until the end, snapping Georgia's nine-game win streak on the road.
By Associated Press
Published September 21, 2003
BATON ROUGE, La. - LSU quarterback Matt Mauck was not looking for Skyler Green on the Tigers' biggest play of the season.
But Mauck hit Green instead of star receiver Michael Clayton on a 34-yard touchdown with 1:22 left that lifted LSU 17-10 over Georgia on Saturday.
"Skyler was actually supposed to pick for Mike's guy," Mauck said. "Skyler ran past him and I saw him out of the corner of my eye. I just threw it up and he made a great play."
Green did a little ad-libbing as the play unfolded.
"I was set up to run a different route," Green said. "And I just kind of saw what was happening at the time and I slipped on behind the defender and made the catch."
LSU snapped the Bulldogs' nine-game road winning streak. Georgia had not lost on an opponent's field since Mark Richt became coach in 2001.
LSU appeared to be in control late in the fourth. The Tigers put together a long drive, going to the Georgia 18. But Mauck fumbled on a keeper, turning it over.
David Greene hit Tyson Browning with a screen pass and Browning, after getting some key blocks, ran 93 yards to tie it at 10 with 4:25 remaining.
Devery Henderson returned the kickoff 48 yards to set up the Tigers. Six plays later, Mauck hit Green with the winner.
Corey Webster intercepted Greene with 32 seconds left to ensure LSU's victory.
Georgia's defense, which had given up 17 points in the first three games, kept LSU's high-scoring offense in check much of the game. The Tigers entered ranked second in the SEC and fourth in the nation with 47.7 points a game.
"It was a heavyweight fight," coach Nick Saban said. "A real street fight. Both teams competed their hearts out. It was about as physical a game as I've seen in a long time."
Greene completed 20-of-44 for 314 yards and a touchdown. He was sacked once and threw two interceptions. His first interception was his first this year in 174 passes. Greene was shaken up in the third quarter and replaced by D.J. Shockley for two series. Shockley was sacked twice and called for intentional grounding.
Richt said Greene hyperextended his knee. Georgia defensive end David Pollack left after injuring his kneecap.
