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LSU appeared to answer questions about its defense in a 23-9 victory over Vanderbilt as the Tigers held the Commodores to just 210 yards -- 80 of which came on one possession.

It was a complete turnaround from the opening game when they were smacked for 478 yards in their win at Washington.

"We improved big time," senior linebacker Harry Coleman said. "We went into practice Monday and worked hard. We felt good, and we could definitely see the improvement."

Now, however, LSU fans might be wondering about the offense.

LSU compiled 326 yards (178 running, 148 passing) against Vanderbilt but only 94 of that came over the final two quarters, when the Tigers had three consecutive three-and-out series.

"I'm not disappointed, but I did feel like the offense fell short today," sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson said. "Like on fourth-and-one, we were an inch short. Had we gotten that inch, the score would have been a little different. We still won, and I'm happy with the victory."

An inconsistent running game produced only 70 yards in the second half.

"We can throw it and catch it, but we have to run it better," coach Les Miles said. "And we will."

SEASON RECAP: LSU 23, Vanderbilt 9 -- Vandy was within a touchdown after getting a safety when LSU snapped the ball out of the end zone on a punt late in the third quarter, but the Tigers came up with a deflected interception to preserve their 16-9 lead on the ensuing series. The Tigers then secured the win in the fourth quarter when Keiland Williams scored the second of his two touchdowns.

--The anticipated debut of freshman QB Russell Shepard came in the second quarter when he gained 6 yards before being flipped high in the air on the tackle. He ended up with three carries for 27 yards.

--QB Jarrett Lee, who started eight games as a freshman last year, saw his first action when Jordan Jefferson was hit on a scramble and had to leave the game for one play. Lee completed a 10-yard pass, and then Jordan returned.

--LSU extended its winning streak in Saturday night home games to 31 with the win over Vandy. The Tigers haven't lost a night game at home since losing to Alabama in 2002.

GAME BALL GOES TO: RB Keiland Williams -- Williams was a lone bright spot in LSU's running game. The senior led LSU rushers with 72 yards on 10 carries and scored two touchdowns, raising his career total to 15. It marked the fourth time in his career he has run for two TDs in a game.

KEEP AN EYE ON: WR R.J. Jackson -- A senior who has been used primarily on special teams in his career, Jackson had his biggest game by far on offense with six catches for 55 yards. He had a 30-yard reception in the second quarter to help LSU get into position for a field goal with just two seconds left before the break.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I felt like the offense moved the football at times extremely well, certainly in the first half, but we need to be able to drive for first downs even when we don't move the ball or even when it's not a great drive that scores." -- Coach Les Miles, assessing the offense against Vanderbilt.

LOOKING GOOD: LSU didn't get a lot of yardage from its passing game (148) but QB Jordan Jefferson was accurate (20-of-29) and didn't throw an interception. The Tigers also may have uncovered another receiving threat in senior R.J. Jackson. Defensively, there was a big improvement over the previous week. The Tigers held the visiting Commodores to just 210 yards and came up with a key interception.

STILL NEEDS WORK: Though it produced 148 yards for the night, the ground game was inconsistent. TB Charles Scott (1,174 yards rushing in 2008) managed only 49 yards on 13 carries and has just 101 rushing yards in two games this season.

ROSTER REPORT:

--RB Richard Murphy took a hard hit to his head and likely will miss the next game and possibly the one after that, according to coach Les Miles. The Tigers' next two games are at home against Louisiana-Lafayette on Sept. 19 and at Mississippi State on Sept. 26. They are on the road Oct. 3 at Georgia.

--DE Chancey Aghayere, a redshirt freshman, got his first start in place of injured Lazarius Levingston. Aghayere was credited with five tackles that included a sack.

--SS Brandon Taylor was in the starting lineup after not starting the week before against Washington because of the flu. It was the first career start for the sophomore. He came up with a key interception on a deflected pass in the fourth quarter that thwarted Vandy's drive for the potential tying touchdown.

Previous Report: 09/09/2009