GeauxTo
09-30-2006, 08:07 PM
Season-by-season stats for LSU's trio of receivers:
Dwayne Bowe
2003 "“ 9 catches, 106 yards, 0 TDs
2004 "“ 39 catches, 597 yards, 5 TDs
2005 "“ 41 catches, 710 yards, 9 TDs
2006 "“ 21 catches, 353 yards, 3 TDs
Craig "Buster" Davis
2003 "“ 7 catches, 63 yards, 0 TDs
2004 "“ 43 catches, 649 yards, 1 TDs
2005 "“ 35 catches, 559 yards, 2 TDs
2006 "“ 25 catches, 394 yards, 1 TD
Early Doucet
2004 "“ 18 catches, 257 yards, 2 TDs
2005 "“ 26 catches, 389 yards, 5 TDs
2006 "“ 18 catches, 272 yards, 3 TDs
For the past two years, LSU's trio of Craig Davis, Dwayne Bowe and Early Doucet have been regarded as one of the nation's best wide receiving corps.
Saturday in Tiger Stadium, they stated their case again.
The trio combined for 16 receptions, 267 yards and three touchdowns as the Tigers rolled past the Mississippi State Bulldogs 48-17 before 91,960 rain-soaked Tiger Stadium fans Saturday.
"I think we're the most complete group," Davis said, when asked where this group ranks among other teams' receiving units. "Some teams might have two speed guys or a speed guy and a possession guy. We have a little bit of everything at each spot.
"We have speed guys, possession guys, big guys, small guys. We have something for every situation. I think it complements our offense well."
LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell would certainly agree, especially after establishing a career high 330 passing yards Saturday.
"By having those guys, it gives us a lot of weapons, people have to prepare for a lot," Russell said. "The upper hand is having the receiving corps we have. Any one of them is capable of making a big play at any time."
Davis led the way on Saturday, catching six passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. But the other two weren't far behind. Bowe had 95 yards and a touchdown on five catches while Doucet finished with 71 yards and a score on five receptions.
"It's a little competition between us, but it's fun," Bowe said. "After the first person scores, we come to the sideline and we'll be like 'OK, you scored, now it's my turn.' Or it's Early's turn or Buster (Davis)'s turn.
"We definitely feed off each other and it's like a little competition, but we're all on the same team and we're happy for each other when we do good."
The competition has certainly led to a lot of headaches for opponents. With the three receivers, as well as the backs out of the backfield, the Tigers have one too many weapons for most defenses to handle.
"Most definitely, they can't cover every single one of us," Bowe said. "We know if one person is doing (his job), it's going to be hard on (the defense) to double cover him, to try to double cover Early and double cover Buster. They just can't cover all of us."
The Bulldogs found that out firsthand. While Mississippi State was able to hold LSU's running game to only 2.8 yards per carry, the LSU passing game was averaging 18.3 yards per completion when Russell was in the game.
"I think this game made a statement around the league," Davis said. "When people play us, they can stack the box all they want, but they have to respect our passing game. We can make plays downfield and we have a quarterback that can get it there."
LSU coach Les Miles wasn't surprised by the Tigers'passing and receiving effort Saturday. He said the coaches see that every day in practice.
"I think (our success) is a combination of the fact that we (have a quarterback that can) throw the football well and there's a number of receivers out there that can make plays," Miles said. "We see that every day. That's not something you see occasionally. That's how our team practices and that's how we play."
Davis leads the group for the season with 25 catches for 394 yards and a touchdown. Bowe has 21 catches for 253 yards and three touchdowns while Doucet has 18 catches, 272 yards and three scores.
All three have taken turns being the star of the game.
"That's the great thing about it," Davis said. "If one's lacking and one is not playing well, we know we have somebody that's going to step up."
Dwayne Bowe
2003 "“ 9 catches, 106 yards, 0 TDs
2004 "“ 39 catches, 597 yards, 5 TDs
2005 "“ 41 catches, 710 yards, 9 TDs
2006 "“ 21 catches, 353 yards, 3 TDs
Craig "Buster" Davis
2003 "“ 7 catches, 63 yards, 0 TDs
2004 "“ 43 catches, 649 yards, 1 TDs
2005 "“ 35 catches, 559 yards, 2 TDs
2006 "“ 25 catches, 394 yards, 1 TD
Early Doucet
2004 "“ 18 catches, 257 yards, 2 TDs
2005 "“ 26 catches, 389 yards, 5 TDs
2006 "“ 18 catches, 272 yards, 3 TDs
For the past two years, LSU's trio of Craig Davis, Dwayne Bowe and Early Doucet have been regarded as one of the nation's best wide receiving corps.
Saturday in Tiger Stadium, they stated their case again.
The trio combined for 16 receptions, 267 yards and three touchdowns as the Tigers rolled past the Mississippi State Bulldogs 48-17 before 91,960 rain-soaked Tiger Stadium fans Saturday.
"I think we're the most complete group," Davis said, when asked where this group ranks among other teams' receiving units. "Some teams might have two speed guys or a speed guy and a possession guy. We have a little bit of everything at each spot.
"We have speed guys, possession guys, big guys, small guys. We have something for every situation. I think it complements our offense well."
LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell would certainly agree, especially after establishing a career high 330 passing yards Saturday.
"By having those guys, it gives us a lot of weapons, people have to prepare for a lot," Russell said. "The upper hand is having the receiving corps we have. Any one of them is capable of making a big play at any time."
Davis led the way on Saturday, catching six passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. But the other two weren't far behind. Bowe had 95 yards and a touchdown on five catches while Doucet finished with 71 yards and a score on five receptions.
"It's a little competition between us, but it's fun," Bowe said. "After the first person scores, we come to the sideline and we'll be like 'OK, you scored, now it's my turn.' Or it's Early's turn or Buster (Davis)'s turn.
"We definitely feed off each other and it's like a little competition, but we're all on the same team and we're happy for each other when we do good."
The competition has certainly led to a lot of headaches for opponents. With the three receivers, as well as the backs out of the backfield, the Tigers have one too many weapons for most defenses to handle.
"Most definitely, they can't cover every single one of us," Bowe said. "We know if one person is doing (his job), it's going to be hard on (the defense) to double cover him, to try to double cover Early and double cover Buster. They just can't cover all of us."
The Bulldogs found that out firsthand. While Mississippi State was able to hold LSU's running game to only 2.8 yards per carry, the LSU passing game was averaging 18.3 yards per completion when Russell was in the game.
"I think this game made a statement around the league," Davis said. "When people play us, they can stack the box all they want, but they have to respect our passing game. We can make plays downfield and we have a quarterback that can get it there."
LSU coach Les Miles wasn't surprised by the Tigers'passing and receiving effort Saturday. He said the coaches see that every day in practice.
"I think (our success) is a combination of the fact that we (have a quarterback that can) throw the football well and there's a number of receivers out there that can make plays," Miles said. "We see that every day. That's not something you see occasionally. That's how our team practices and that's how we play."
Davis leads the group for the season with 25 catches for 394 yards and a touchdown. Bowe has 21 catches for 253 yards and three touchdowns while Doucet has 18 catches, 272 yards and three scores.
All three have taken turns being the star of the game.
"That's the great thing about it," Davis said. "If one's lacking and one is not playing well, we know we have somebody that's going to step up."