LSU Tigers Football: Monday News for 9/29

The 15th-ranked LSU Tigers are coming off a 63-7 dominating win over New Mexico State, in which it would appear that several problem-areas for the team are on the mend. As mentioned this time last week, the Tigers were looking at three major problem areas: (1) the quarterback situation, (2) the offensive line, and (3) the defensive line, and to an extent, the linebacking corps. While it is difficult to completely gauge whether these areas are in fact fixed (after all, it was New Mexico State on the schedule), it does look as though there’s light at the end of the tunnel in these three phases of the game.

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The Quarterbacks

Brandon Harris entered the game with 9:27 remaining in second quarter, replacing a struggling Anthony Jennings, and brought much-needed life to the listless and struggling LSU offense. Jennings fumbled on the Tigers’ first possession, and then threw two picks, completing a negative hat trick – three turnovers in the first quarter alone (the Tigers also had a fourth, on a Kenny Hilliard fumble). Jennings finished 2-of-5 passing for only 11 yards on the night.

Harris, meanwhile, silenced the Tiger Stadium boo birds by leading LSU to touchdowns on seven straight drives, turning a 14-0 lead into the laugher the game was supposed to be. Harris finished the night 11-of-14 passing for 178 yards and three touchdowns, and added two rushing touchdowns to lead the Tiger attack. Harris was quite efficient in spreading the ball around, connecting with three different receivers (Malachi Dupre, Melvin Jones, and Travin Dural) on the touchdown tosses. The first 17 plays on offense after Harris entered gained five or more yards. All in all, the LSU offense was smoother, more in synch, and downright scary with Harris in there. The offensive line all of a sudden remembered how to block, not only in pass-protection, but in opening up the running game…

Sep 27, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Travin Dural (83) dives past New Mexico State Aggies defensive back Kawe Johnson (16) for a touchdown during the second half of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated New Mexico State 63-7. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The Offensive Line

In the loss to Mississippi State, LSU finished with only 89 rushing yards. This past week against New Mexico State, LSU finished with 363 rushing yards. Now, that’s the LSU offense we’ve become accustomed to during the Les Miles’ era. The offensive line was back on its ‘A’ game. Leonard Fournette finally had his big breakout game, leading the Tigers wiht 122 yards on 18 carries, and two touchdowns. Fournette looked very comfortable running the football, showing patience when needed to find the holes, and displaying some nice cutback moves in the process.

The other Tiger tailbacks, Terrance Magee, Darrel Williams, and Kenny Hilliard finished with 62, 59, and 53 yards respectively. Harris showed great promise with this feet as well, showing comfort with the read-option, and an ability to make something out of nothing – this was most evident on his two-yard touchdown run to close out the scoring early in the fourth quarter. After taking the snap from the shotgun, it first looked like Harris would be tackled for a loss; instead, he spread out the defense by running toward the sideline, then cut upfield to get into the end zone.

The Defensive Line

The defensive line and linebackers played much better this week, holding New Mexico State to 172 yards rushing. This number likely would have been much lower, save for only one big play by the Aggies, a 79-yard touchdown run by the quarterback right up the middle of the defense – a play almost identical to Dak Prescott‘s touchdown run a week earlier. Again, Tiger defenders were out of position, and DJ Welter whiffed on the play. Otherwise, several Tigers had outstanding games, including Kwon Alexander and Kendell Beckwith. Beckwith returned an interception for a touchdown in the first quarter, and is making a very strong case to replace DJ Welter at middle linebacker.

Sep 27, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; New Mexico State Aggies quarterback Andrew Allen (3) runs against the LSU Tigers during the second quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Next up: Auburn

What does this mean with Auburn next on the schedule, on the road at Jordan-Hare?

Harris needs to be the starting quarterback. Even if Jennings starts at Auburn, Harris must come into the game early. He clearly gives LSU the best chance of winning. Auburn has a potent offense, and if the LSU defense isn’t up to the challenge, this game could turn into a shootout. Everything clicked on offense for LSU with Harris in the game, and while Auburn is certainly better defensively than New Mexico State, the ability of Harris as a passer should prevent Auburn from consistently loading the box. From here on out, LSU cannot be a one-dimensional team.

It is difficult to gauge the defense at this point, only to say that this unit did look a lot better against New Mexico State. As long as the front seven can sustain pressure on Auburn, and contain Nik Marshall, the Tiger secondary will be in a great position to do what it does best.

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