BATON ROUGE, La. — Matt Flynn threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to DemetriusByrd with a second left to lift fifth-ranked LSU to a 30-24 victory over No. 18Auburn on Saturday night, keeping LSU’s national title hopes alive and well.

With South Florida losing earlier in the week, LSU is certain to move up toat least third in the BCS standings, behind only Ohio State and possibly BostonCollege, which was idle this weekend.

Flynn finished with 319 yards passing and three touchdowns

LSU’s Jacob Hester dove for the pylon to score the go-ahead touchdown earlyin the fourth quarter after catching a swing-pass on third-and-five. He led apatient rushing attack that amassed 169 yards, all but 40 in the second half.

Brandon Cox, taking hits in the pocket but rolling out effectively whennecessary, turned in a gutty performance, passing for 199 yards and a pair oftouchdowns.