ESPN College Bowls 2007

NEW ORLEANS -- ESPN.com's Pat Forde, Ivan Maisel, Mark Schlabach and Gene Wojciechowski will be tracking all of the sights, sounds and action from the BCS National Championship Game.

Have a question or comment on today's action? E-mail us and let us know what you're thinking.

6:50 p.m. ET: ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach

Here are three things to watch for in the national title game between LSU and Ohio State:

1. Blocking Glenn Dorsey
The Buckeyes have to get running back Beanie Wells going early in order to open up the passing game. If Wells can't keep LSU's defensive front honest, they'll begin to tee off on quarterback Todd Boeckman, much like Florida did to Troy Smith in the 2006 BCS Championship Game.

2. Boeckman's decision making
Boeckman has to take care of the football and not force throws. He threw 12 interceptions in his first season as a starter, with four coming since he threw his last touchdown. Receivers Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline aren't the fastest receivers in the world, so they might struggle to get separation. Boeckman can't force the issue.

3. Will Flynn return to his old ways?
LSU quarterback Matt Flynn wasn't healthy for much of the regular season and didn't play at all in the Tigers' 21-14 victory over Tennessee in the Dec. 1 SEC Championship Game. Flynn has to make plays both running and throwing for LSU's offense to be effective. Running back Jacob Hester might have a hard time running against Ohio State's defense, so Flynn will have to make some throws in the passing game. If Flynn struggles, the Tigers might not hesitate to turn to sophomore Ryan Perrilloux, who started and played well against the Volunteers. But playing against Ohio State's vaunted defense is an entirely different animal.

7:40 p.m. ET: Superdome is filling up fast. Buckeyes and Tigers are completing their warmups. Check back for updates from the guys when the title game kicks.

8:16 p.m. ET: ESPN.com's Ivan Maisel
Nice touch before the game: During a verrry long moment of silence honoring our military overseas, a chant of "USA!" broke out in the south end zone. The fans who had been screaming "LSU!" and "O-H/I-O!" at each other throughout the pregame wait all joined in.

8:20 p.m. ET: ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach
LSU just ran onto the field, with Tigers coach Les Miles leading the way with his hat riding high. The crowd seems to be about 60 percent toward LSU's favor, with the Baton Rouge campus located about only 80 miles from here. We're sitting right above a section of Ohio State fans, so they seem to be quite loud. The Buckeyes just ran onto the field and looked pretty confident during pregame warmpus, walking with their arms locked and then sprinting to midfield. They shot off fireworks during the national anthem, so there's a cloud of smoke hovering above the field.

8:24 p.m. ET: ESPN.com's Ivan Maisel
Good sign, Buckeyes: every time Ohio State hasn't run the BCS Championship Game opening kickoff for a touchdown, it's won the national championship.

8:27 p.m. ET: ESPN.com's Gene Wojciechowski
Here's an interesting note, blog fans: everytime Ohio State doesn't return an opening kickoff in a championship game where its returner gets injured while celebrating, they win!

8:32 p.m. ET: ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach
Well, that didn't take long. Three plays after the Tigers leveled quarterback Todd Boeckman on first down, Beanie Wells broke loose for a 65-yard touchdown run down the right sideline to give Ohio State a 7-0 lead with 13:34 to go in the first quarter. It is the longest run in BCS Championship Game history. Once Wells got past the line of scrimmage, no LSU defender could catch him. Wells ran right past free safety Craig Steltz, who made a diving attempt near the 5 to no avail. Boeckman completed a big seven-yard pass to Brian Robiskie on third-and-5 to keep the drive alive.

8:40 p.m. ET: ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach
LSU's offense started worse than its defense. Jacob Hester gained three yards on first down. Early Doucet dropped a pass on second. Then center Brett Helmes snapped the football to Matt Flynn on third down after the quarterback turned to his receivers to audible. The football sailed over his head, and Flynn recovered for a 17-yard loss to the LSU 6. Fortunately for the Tigers, Patrick Fisher delivered a 62-yard punt to keep the Buckeyes on their side of the field.

8:43 p.m. ET: ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach
Did Les Miles really take the Michigan job and just not tell anyone? LSU looks like it hasn't practiced in a month. A 65-yard touchdown run for Ohio State. Dropped pass. Botched snap. Blown coverage on Todd Boeckman's 44-yard pass down the left sideline to Brandon Saine. I'm not sure if cornerback Chevis Jackson or Ali Highsmith was supposed to cover him, but neither one did. Fortunately for LSU, the Buckeyes had to settle for Ryan Pretorious' 25-yard field goal to make it 10-0 with 9:12 to go in the first.

9:01 p.m. ET: ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach
LSU is on the board with a 32-yard field goal from Colt David, cutting Ohio State's lead to 10-3 with 2:21 to go in the first. After a couple of big plays by the Tigers -- Early Doucet caught a 16-yard pass and Jacob Hester broke loose for a 20-yard run -- they hardly looked like a well-oiled machine inside the red zone. Matt Flynn tried to run on a quarterback draw on first down and was stuffed for no gain. On second down, Trindon Holliday appeared to run the wrong way, leaving Flynn with the football for a three-yard loss. On third down, Flynn was forced to throw his pass away when freshman Cameron Heyward hurried him.

9:08 p.m. ET: ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach
LSU avoided disaster at the end of the first quarter. After the Tiger defense finally prevented Ohio State from hitting a big play, freshman Chad Jones fielded a punt inside LSU's 10. After gaining nine yards on the return, Ohio State's Shaun Lane jarred the football loose. LSU safety Harry Coleman recovered at the Tigers' 16. Flynn threw a six-yard pass to Doucet on the last play of the first quarter. Ohio State continues to lead, 10-3.

9:10 p.m. ET: ESPN.com's Ivan Maisel
Craig Steltz is an All-American safety, but Ohio State caught him the same way that Arkansas did. He ran so quickly to the line to give run support that Beanie Wells sprinted right past him. That's how the Buckeye sophomore went 65 yards for a touchdown. Steltz gave chase and almost caught him, but not quite.

LSU didn't make a first down until down 10-0 but no worries. The Tigers have been behind by 10 points three times this season: vs Florida, Auburn and Alabama. LSU won all three, of course.

9:08 p.m. ET: ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach
LSU just tied the score at 10 on Matt Flynn's 12-yard touchdown to tight end Richard Dickson with 13 minutes to go in the first half. The Tigers were helped by a couple of penalties against the Buckeyes. Sophomore quarterback Ryan Perrilloux came into the game during the drive and ran an option play. On that play, Keiland Williams ran for 10 yards and LSU gained 15 more when Todd Denlinger hit him out of bounds. Two plays later, Flynn threw a 21-yard pass across the middle to Demetrius Byrd. Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis was penalized for a face mask on the play, and LSU moved the ball to the 12. Flynn threw the touchdown on the next play.

9:24 p.m. ET: ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach
Bad news for LSU. All-America safety Craig Steltz appears to have injured his left shoulder. Steltz was hurt the play before on Boeckman's 22-yard pass Brandon Saine. LSU got a big break when Robiskie dropped what would have been a touchdown with 11 minutes to go in the half. Robiskie had the ball in his hands and attempted to cradle it into his chest, but it fell to the turf when he couldn't secure it. Kicker Ryan Pretorious lined up for a 38-yard field goal attempt, which was blocked by Ricky Jean-Francois with 10:53 to go.

9:34 p.m. ET: ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach
LSU just went ahead on Flynn's 10-yard touchdown pass to Brandon LaFell, who beat All-America cornerback Malcolm Jenkins. Flynn made a perfect throw into the back left corner of the end zone, and LaFell was able to run under it to put the Tigers ahead 17-10. LSU has scored 17 consecutive points after falling behind 10-0 early in the first quarter. The Louisiana Superdome is beginning to get loud, so this next drive figures to be very, very important for the Buckeyes.

9:37 p.m. ET: ESPN.com's Ivan Maisel
The LSU offense is hitting Ohio State from all sides and way down the depth chart. With the 10-yard touchdown to Brandon LaFell that put LSU ahead, 17-10, Matt Flynn has completed nine passes to six different receivers for 93 yards and two touchdowns.

10 p.m. ET: Halftime score: LSU 24, Ohio State 10. Jacob Hester's 2-yard plunge put the Tigers up 14 points at the break.

10:24 p.m. ET: ESPN.com's Pat Forde
Ohio State must stop LSU out of the gate here in the second half or it's curtains. Another Tigers score makes it a three-score game and takes Ohio Strate's best weapon, running back Chris Wells, out of the equation. The more pressure they heap on Todd Boeckman, the greater the chance this turns ugly. Wells is the one guy who LSU couldn't handle, racking up 119 rushing yards in the first half. Brian Robiskie's dropped touchdown pass was a big factor in turning the momentum.

10:38 p.m. ET: ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach
Ohio State is beginning to lose its composure. The Buckeyes now have five personal fouls in the game, including two during LSU's first drive of the second half. Ohio State seemed to catch a huge break when Matt Flynn was penalized for intentional grounding, which cost the Tigers a down and 15 yards. On third-and-23 from the LSU 40, Flynn threw incomplete. But on fourth down, Ohio State reserve Austin Spitler roughed punter Patrick Fisher, giving the Tigers a first down at the Buckeye 45. Ohio State freshman Cameron Heyward was penalized 15 yards for a late hit on the next play, moving LSU to the 29. Flynn threw a four-yard touchdown to Early Doucet three plays later to make it 31-10 with 9:04 to go in the third.

10:59 p.m. ET: ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach
Ohio State stays in the game after All-American cornerback Malcolm Jenkins intercepts Matt Flynn's pass to Terrance Toliver. Toliver ran the wrong route (or Flynn threw the wrong way), and Jenkins picked off the pass and returned it 23 yards down the sideline to the LSU 11. Then Ohio State needed four plays to score, with Todd Boeckman throwing a five-yard touchdown to Brian Robiskie on fourth-and-4 with 1:38 left, cutting LSU's lead to 31-17. Robiskie made a diving catch to avert disaster, after LSU stuffed Beanie Wells for a three-yard loss on third down.

11:10 p.m. ET: ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach
If Ohio State is going to get back into this game, the Buckeyes have to do something on this drive. Down two touchdowns with 14 minutes to go and starting from the 20. Todd Boeckman needs to make some big throws. Beanie Wells stuffed on first down. Not a good start, but Boeckman comes back with a 17-yard strike to Brian Hartline.

11:15 p.m. ET: ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach
Huge play for the Buckeyes coming up. Down 31-17 with 10:51 to go. Fourth-and-7 at the LSU 34. Would have run on third down, if you knew it was going to be four-down territory, instead of taking a sack. But I think it's the right call instead of trying for the long field goal, which doesn't do much good even if you make it.

11:18 p.m. ET: ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach
Ouch. You won't see a quarterback get hit much harder than what Ohio State's Todd Boeckman just endured. On fourth-and-7, Boeckman got leveled by LSU linebacker Ali Highsmith. The hit jarred the football loose, and end Kirston Pittman batted it further down the field. It was finally recovered by Tigers safety Harry Coleman, who has made three huge plays in this game. He recovered a muffed punt earlier in the game and also blitzed Boeckman and caused him to throw an interception with a vicious hit).

11:35 p.m. ET: ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach
Well, that should do it in the Louisiana Superdome. LSU free safety Curtis Taylor intercepted Todd Boeckman's pass on third-and-15 from the Ohio State 40 and returned it four yards to the LSU 47 with 5:43 to go. LSU leads 31-17.

11:52 p.m. ET: It's over in New Orleans. LSU is the 2007 national champion, beating Ohio State 38-24.