ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jarrett Lee admirably directed LSU’s offense in place of suspended quarterback Jordan Jefferson and missing cornerback-punt returner Cliff Harris was too much for Oregon to overcome in a rare season-opening matchup of top-five teams on a neutral field.

Lee threw for a touchdown, on a pass against the freshman defensive back filling in for Harris, and fourth-ranked LSU defeated the No. 3 Ducks 40-27 Saturday night while converting three of Oregon’s four turnovers into 20 points.

Michael Ford and Spencer Ware had touchdown runs in a span of 3:20 late in the third quarter after third-string Oregon running back De’Anthony Thomas fumbled on consecutive touches, one on a rushing attempt and then on the ensuing kickoff.

It was the Tigers’ second consecutive game at Cowboys Stadium. They ended their 2010 season there in January with a 41-24 victory over Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl when Jefferson passed for three touchdowns and ran for another score.

But Jefferson is now suspended indefinitely, as is reserve linebacker Josh Johns, because they are facing felony charges of second degree battery stemming from a bar fight near campus last month.

Harris, who can be found on most preseason All-America teams, was suspended in June after police caught him driving 118 mph, and also having a suspended license at the time.

Oregon, which lost to Auburn in the BCS national championship game last season, has consecutive losses for the first time since they losing its last three regular-season games in 2007.

LSU took a 16-13 lead just before halftime, going ahead to stay, on Rueben Randle’s 10-yard TD catch from Lee.

Randle caught the ball in the front corner of the end zone over freshman cornerback Terrance Mitchell — in the spot Harris would have been playing on defense.

The other LSU touchdown before halftime came when fill-in punt returner Kenjon Barner fielded a punt inside the 5, took a couple of steps backs. That’s when Tyrann Mathieu stripped the ball away, scooped it up after it bounced on the turf and took a couple of steps into the end zone.

LSU has won 34 consecutive nonconference games, the longest such streak in the nation, including all 23 in the regular season under seventh-year coach Les Miles. The overall streak dates back to the Tigers’ 26-8 loss to Virginia Tech in the 2002 season opener.

Lee’s 10th career start was his first since a win over Louisiana Tech in 2009. Even though the senior completed only 10 of 22 passes for 98 yards, he didn’t have an interception and appeared steady throughout the game.