When LSU came from behind to beat Florida, 24-21, two weeks ago, the Tigers seemed to enter last week's open date with a sense of confidence and purpose that would carry them through the second half of the season.

That assurance didn't last very long under pressure. Underdog Troy refused to play the part of patsy and go away without a fight, leaving the No. 18 Tigers (5-2) to have to rally for a 24-20 home victory.

"It was our goal to try to dominate the team that we play -- not necessarily on the scoreboard, but physically in the game -- and I don't think we got that done," LSU coach Nick Saban said.

The Tigers were able to rush for 210 yards at Florida but gained only 57 yards on 36 carries against Troy. Quarterback Marcus Randall passed for a career-high 328 yards, but he also threw three interceptions as the Tigers finished with four of the game's five turnovers.

Yet, with the game on the line, it was Randall who completed a 30-yard touchdown pass to tight end David Jones for the winning points with 2:18 remaining.

"We competed. We won," Saban said. "I'm happy about that, but we still have to prove that we can consistently play great football and not be up and down."

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