No. 4 LSU took advantage of four turnovers by No. 3 Oregon and used a punishing ground attack to pull away for a 40-27 victory on Saturday in Arlington, Texas.

The Tigers, who led 16-13 at halftime, capitalized on third-quarter fumbles by De’Anthony Thomas, one on a running play and the other on a kickoff. Michael Ford’s 5-yard touchdown burst and Spencer Ware’s 1-yard scoring run gave LSU a 30-13 lead.

Tigers quarterback Jarrett Lee, playing for the suspended Jordan Jefferson, completed 10-of-22 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown.

Ware rushed for 99 yards and Ford, who added a 16-yard TD run in the fourth quarter to make it 40-20, finished with 96 yards.

Heisman Trophy candidate LaMichael James, who led the nation with 144.3 rushing yards per game and 24 total touchdowns a season ago, struggled while battling cramps and a fierce Tigers' defense. He was held to 54 yards rushing and a touchdown on 18 carries.

Darron Thomas’ 8-yard strike to Josh Huff cut the deficit to 33-20 with 9:14 left. Thomas, under a heavy rush, threw incomplete on 4th-and-6 from the Oregon 41 with six minutes to go.