In a 43-37 three-overtime loss at Kentucky, that paper got folded and torn but not mutilated. The Tigers (6-1, 3-1 SEC) are still alive in the national championship hunt at fifth in the AP and coaches poll, but as the Kentucky showed, they've got some problems to address before they play resurgent Auburn at home on Oct. 20.

"I don't think we were good," LSU coach Les Miles said. "I think there's a lot of things we can correct. We all can look at execution. It cost us tonight. It cost us big time."

The problems, surprisingly, started with a defense that entered the game ranked first in the nation in total and passing defense, second in scoring defense and fourth against the run. Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson passed for 250 yards and three touchdowns, and the Tigers failed to register a sack for the first time in 25 games. The Wildcats also ran for 125 yards, which is nearly twice as many as the Tigers allow per game. They also ran it when they really had to, including a one-yard touchdown run by Derrick Locke in the first overtime.

"Kentucky did a great job of making plays," LSU safety Craig Steltz said. "They were making conversions on third down. When the game was on the line, Woodson made plays for them. It gets frustrating when you can't put your offense back on the field."

The Tigers were at their worst when it mattered most, allowing 245 yards on Kentucky's last six possessions. The LSU defense also helped Kentucky with five penalties during that span, giving the Wildcats 43 extra yards and two first downs on third-down situations.

"I'm surprised at how well Kentucky moved the football," Miles said. "There were so many ways we could've won this game."

The offense did its part, too. The absence of leading receiver Early Doucet has hurt worse than anticipated and the Tigers continue to drop passes and miss opportunities in the passing game. The running game produced 261 yards, but when the Tigers really needed a first down on fourth-and-two at the 17-yard line in the final overtime, no one blocked Kentucky linebacker Braxton Kelley and he stepped into the hole to stop the Tigers one yard short of the first down, ending the game.

"I thought I was real close to getting it," Charles Scott said. "It was just a power play just to get the two yards. Somehow the linebacker came free, and it was me and him, and he stopped me for one yard. He came out of nowhere."

It took awhile before the Tigers realized what the failed fourth down meant.

"It took a few seconds for it to hit me," Scott said. "I thought they were going to at least measure. But then when they stormed the field, I was like, 'Oh, man.' I know what it looked like. It just hurt."

As the Tigers turn their attention to Auburn, they have to come to terms with their shortcomings. This is still a team capable of contending for the national championship, but only if it strengthens the weak links in its chain.

"We're hurt right now, but we know what we can do," LSU linebacker Darry Beckwith said. "We know what we're capable of, and I don't think we played our best football today. Kentucky's a great team, but I don't think we gave them our best."

Losses by USC, Cal, Florida, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Texas, among others, proved it could happen to anyone. Knowing that the national championship will most likely be won by a team with one loss shows LSU still has a lot to play for.

"Our season is not over," middle linebacker Darry Beckwith said. "Trust me."

--WR Early Doucet's season got off to strong start but missed four consecutive games before playing a limited role in the Kentucky game.

--OLB Ali Highsmith remains one of the most important and active players on one of the nation's best defenses. Through seven games, Highsmith is second on the team with 45 tackles to go with 5.0 tackles for loss, five quarterback hurries, six pass breakups and a forced fumble.

--CB Jonathan Zenon gives defensive coordinator Bo Pelini a chance to get creative and take chances with the other nine defenders because he can leave his corners in man-to-man coverage. Zenon has 34 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble and three pass breakups.

--CB Chevis Jackson is the other half of LSU's shutdown cover corners, allowing the safeties and linebackers to get more involved in the run game and the pass rush. Jackson has 21 tackles, three interceptions and six pass breakups.

--SS Craig Steltz wasn't an official full-time starter until this season, but he's been a full-time impact player for the past two seasons and another key reason for LSU's defensive success. His nose for the ball makes him a constant threat for a turnover and he has responded with four interceptions, a fumble recovery and a team-high 49 tackles.

--QB Matt Flynn's strong start in his first season as the Tigers' starting QB has been sidetracked by a sore ankle that has often slowed his mobility. He's only completing 53.8 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and four interceptions but he's also been victimized by a multiple of dropped passes.

GAME BALL GOES TO: LB Darry Beckwith -– LSU's defense struggled overall but Beckwith did his part to keep the Tigers in the game with a career-high 12 total tackles.

KEEP AN EYE ON: QB Matt Flynn -– Flynn never seemed to find his rhythm. The dropped passes didn't help. Neither did re-aggravating his ankle. Add it all up and he completed only 17 of 35 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown and an interception.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We've got a team that's sick. Did not enjoy this." -– LSU coach Les Miles.

CB Chevis Jackson -– His second-quarter interception was his third of the season and sixth of his career.

DE Tyson Jackson -– The line didn't make a lot of big plays but Jackson did set a career high with eight tackles.

STILL NEEDS WORK: TE Keith Zinger and WR Brandon Lafell -– LSU receivers keep dropping passes but none hurt worse than Zinger's drop in the end zone. The pass was a bit high but Zinger mistimed his awkward jump and the ball sailed through his hands. As for Lafell, he just keeps dropping passes week after week, often at the worst possible times.

CB Jai Eugene -– When the Tigers lost Chevis Jackson to an injury in the fourth quarter, Kentucky had success picking on Eugene. On one critical play, Kentucky QB Andre Woodson and WR Steve Johnson beat Eugene for a 35-yard completion that set up the game-tying field goal that sent the game into overtime.

CB Chevis Jackson -– Eugene's struggles are almost understandable, but Kentucky also had success against starter Jonathan Zenon. It was Zenon who got beat by Johnson for the game-winning touchdown in the third overtime.

ROSTER REPORT: LSU played the fourth quarter and overtime without two defensive starters. Jackson left the game in the fourth quarter when his helmet came down hard against his forehead and produced two swollen eyes. The Tigers also lost DE Kirston Pittman to an undisclosed injury. SS Craig Steltz also missed a few plays after a vicious block left his eyes dazed and chin bleeding.

The big question mark is the status of Jacob Hester, LSU's most dependable running back. It was Hester who carried the load on all the key plays down the stretch in the dramatic win over Florida the previous week. Against Kentucky, it was Scott who took over late in the game after Hester stumbled off with a possible injury.

Ryan Miller made his first career start at right guard in place of Lyle Hitt, but Miller then moved to center in the second half when starting center Brett Helms left the game. Hitt then replaced Miller at guard.

WR Early Doucet finally played after missing the previous four games with a groin injury, but his return was curious. He didn't play until LSU's final possession in the third overtime, and no passes were thrown in his direction.