Edwards delivers in first home start

• By RANDY ROSETTA
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Nov 18, 2009 - Page: 4C

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When the LSU defense trotted onto the field last week, Lavar Edwards was with 10 other teammates who have gotten pretty used to the whole starting at Tiger Stadium thing.

He wasn’t used to it, and doesn’t mind saying so.

“I found out Friday I was starting and I was pretty psyched,” Edwards said. “I was so happy to be starting for the first time at Tiger Stadium.”

Just to make sure, the redshirt freshman delivered a strong performance.

Edwards was in on three tackles, including a sack and another tackle for loss.

Whether it was by design or not, Edwards’ first start also seemed to fire up senior Rahim Alem, who didn’t start for the first time this year.

Instead, Alem came off the bench and tormented the Louisiana Tech offense, especially in the second half.

Alem wound up with five tackles, his most since the second week of the season, and recorded his team-leading fourth sack.

“I think Rahim Alem had a big day,” LSU coach Les Miles said. “It appeared to me that when his motor got turned on, it ran hot for the rest of the night.”

Jefferson update

Miles said starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson practiced Tuesday and seems to be “rounding into health.”

Jefferson missed the Louisiana Tech game with a sprained right ankle. He practiced on a limited basis last week and suited up before the game.

When this week began, Jefferson was back at practice Monday.