No. 5 LSU entered halftime against Western Kentucky with a slim 14-7 lead and only held a 20-13 lead, with just over six minutes left in the third quarter, against a team it was favored to beat by double digits.
If it weren't for two key turnovers forced by safety Jamal Adams over the next five minutes, the Tigers (7-0, 4-0 SEC) could have been in serious trouble, according to The Advocate's Ross Dellenger.
LSU scored 17 points in a 4-minute, 36-second span, 14 points of which came as a direct result of an Adams' forced fumble and pick, Dellenger writes:
Adams' plays were key.
He stripped the ball from Western Kentucky kick returner Kylen Towner, and LSU recovered, setting up Fournette's 1-yard touchdown plunge. He intercepted WKU quarterback Brandon Doughty on the next series to set up that 61-yard strike from Harris to Johnson, capping a 17-point outburst in a 4-minute, 36-second span.
LSU went from being on the ropes against Western Kentucky, the Tigers' playoff hopes on the line, to taking a 34-13 lead late in the third quarter.
The Tigers were able to overcome a myriad of mistakes, including seven penalties and two fumbles, to turn a potential nail-biter into a 48-20 rout, thanks in no small part to Adams' timely turnovers. LSU has a bye next week and will play its next game against No. 8 Alabama on Nov. 7.
