LSU strikes early, takes apart Virginia Tech

LSU didn't need any small-school sacrificial lambs on its early-season schedule to post a couple of gaudy blowouts.

No. 9 Virginia Tech couldn't stop the second-ranked Tigers any more than some pushover.

LSU (2-0) scored on four of its first five possessions and cruised to a 48-7 victory over the uncharacteristically hapless Hokies (1-1) on Saturday night in Baton Rouge, La.

Jacob Lester and Keiland Williams each scored 2 touchdowns, and LSU's menacing defense drove Virginia Tech starting quarterback Sean Glennon from the game midway through the second quarter.

Williams highlighted an overwhelming first half for the Tigers with a career-long 67-yard run for a touchdown.

LSU had a 24-0 lead after the first 18 minutes and outgained Tech 327-40 in the first half -- a week after its 45-0 dismantling of Southeastern Conference rival Mississippi State,

Williams added a 32-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter and led the Tigers on the ground with 126 yards on 7 carries. Hester added 81 yards rushing, scored LSU's first touchdown, and also caught a pass for 28 yards.

LSU starting quarterback Matt Flynn didn't last the entire game either, but only because there was little need for him to play much beyond the third quarter.

Flynn ran for a 7-yard score early in the game and wound up with 217 yards passing.

Virginia Tech did not score until 4:38 remained in the third quarter, when backup quarterback Tyrod Tylor ran in from a yard out.

That made it 27-7, but LSU got those points back when backup quarterback Ryan Perrilloux found Early Doucet wide open for a 34-yard TD. Perrilloux also connected with freshman Terrance Tolliver for a 28-yard TD.

W. Virginia 48, Marshall 23: Pat White threw for 2 touchdowns and ran for another, Steve Slaton rushed for 2 scores, and visiting No. 3 West Virginia (2-0) scored 42 points in the second half to beat Marshall (0-2).

Held to 3 first downs and 118 total yards in the opening half, heavy favorite West Virginia scored on its first three possessions of the third quarter and handed Marshall its worst home loss since it opened Joan C. Edwards Stadium opened in 1991.

Florida 59, Troy 31: Tim Tebow threw 3 touchdown passes, ran for 2 more scores and led host No. 4 Florida (2-0) over Troy (0-2). The Gators scored on all seven possessions in the first half, moving the ball with relative ease against Troy's soft zone.

The Trojans refused to give the Gators anything deep, keeping two safeties well back and prompting Tebow to throw underneath. Tebow obliged, and the Gators ended up stringing together seven consecutive scoring drives. They led 49-7 at halftime.

Oklahoma 51, Miami 13: Sam Bradford tied a school record with 5 touchdown passes, and Reggie Smith returned a fumble for a score as host No. 5 Oklahoma (2-0) earned a measure of redemption with a win against Miami (1-1) in their first meeting since the 1988 Orange Bowl. The Hurricanes swept three games in the mid-'80s from the Sooners, Oklahoma's only losses in a three-year span.

Bradford completed 19 of 25 passes for 205 yards in his second career start, and Malcolm Kelly caught 3 of his touchdown passes as the Sooners evened the all-time series at three games each.

Texas 34, TCU 13: Colt McCoy passed for a touchdown, set up another with a long run, and a dominant performance by No. 7 Texas' defense carried the host Longhorns (2-0) over No. 19 TCU (1-1).

McCoy, who threw 2 first-half interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown, cut a 10-0 TCU lead in the third quarter with a 33-yard strike to Nate Jones. His 23-yard scramble early in the fourth set up the go-ahead score before the Longhorns started piling it on.

California 34, Colorado St. 28: DeSean Jackson scored on a 73-yard reverse, and No. 10 California (2-0) withstood a late rally to beat host Colorado State (0-2).

Jackson, who opened the season with an electrifying 77-yard punt-return TD against Tennessee, again flashed his Heisman Trophy credentials when he circled left, deked cornerback Joey Rucks at midfield and raced all alone down the Rams' sideline for Cal's first touchdown. Jackson had 141 all-purpose yards against the Rams, gaining 78 yards on 2 carries, 39 yards on 5 receptions and 24 on 2 punt returns.