ATLANTA (Ticker) -- Matt Flynn and Louisiana State knocked the swagger right out of Miami.

Making his first career start, Flynn threw for two touchdowns as No. 10 LSU coasted to a 40-3 thrashing of No. 9 Miami in what was expected to be a tight Peach Bowl.

After starting quarterback JaMarcus Russell suffered a separated shoulder in the Tigers' 34-14 loss to Georgia in the Southeastern Conference championship game here 27 days ago, the job fell to Flynn.

A sophomore, Flynn had little trouble dissecting the Hurricanes, who entered the contest second in the nation in scoring defense by allowing just 11.9 points per game.

Flynn spearheaded a 17-point outburst in the second quarter with touchdown passes of 51 yards to Craig Davis and four yards to running back Joseph Addai that gave the Tigers (11-2) an 20-3 advantage at the break. He completed 13-of-22 passes for 196 yards without a turnover.

"We knew he (Flynn) was a good player," Miami coach Larry Coker said. "He played a great game. We also knew he had a month to practice with the first team."

With Flynn directing the offense, LSU rolled up 301 yards in the first half.

The rout continued in the second half as Addai, who rushed for 130 yards, scored on a one-yard run in the third quarter to extend the lead to 27-3. Jacob Hester plowed over from one yard with just over five minutes left in the period.

Chris Jackson kicked field goals of 37, 47 and 50 yards for the Tigers, who completed Les Miles' first season as coach in dominating fashion.

"I'm thrilled for this football team," Miles said. "We have a great group of seniors. Eleven victories for the third time in school history. They overcame hurdles from start to finish. This is a very significant win."

It also was brilliant effort defensively for the Tigers, who held the Hurricanes to just one first down in the second half and seven overall.

"I anticipated that our offense would give Miami fits, but our offensive line really put together a great game," Miles said. "Our seniors really came out to a make a difference, and they did that."

Miles did all he could do to embarrass the Hurricanes by calling a fake field goal and fake punt in the fourth quarter when the game was well in hand.

At the conclusion of the contest, there were punches thrown between players as the teams left the field. Miami offensive lineman Andrew Bain and wide receiver Khalil Jones reportedly were knocked unconscious with a helmet during the fracas.

"As a football program, we don't condone activities such as that," Coker said. "Obviously, it detracts from the bowl game and what the spirit of football is all about."

"That was a bunch of craziness," LSU offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth said. "There definitely were skirmishes."

The normally brash Hurricanes (9-3) suffered their worst bowl loss in their illustrious history, surpassing a 29-0 defeat to Arizona in the Fiesta Bowl in 1994.

Miami's Kyle Wright completed just 10-of-21 passes for 100 yards.

Jon Peattie kicked a 21-yard field goal to open the scoring in the first quarter for Miami, which lost just its second bowl in its last nine contests.