LSU vs Kentucky: Tigers Looking to Sustain Momentum
By Eric Slater
The LSU Tigers return home to Tiger Stadium this Saturday night to take on the Kentucky Wildcats. The Tigers are coming off a thrilling win at Florida and will look to sustain and build on that momentum. This is the start of a three-game homestand for LSU, as Ole Miss comes to town next week, and then after an open week, Alabama visits Death Valley on November 8th, which is LSU’s final home game of the season.
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Kentucky is a much-improved team this year, and should pose a challenge for LSU. The Wildcats enter the contest at 5-1, 2-1, good for second place in the SEC East, trailing Georgia. During the SEC teleconference yesterday, LSU Coach Les Miles talked a bit about Kentucky and the Tigers’ preparation. Miles praised Kentucky quarterback Patrick Towles, stating “He is a very fine field general. Looks like gets in the right plays, knows where he’s supposed to go with the ball, accurate, can move his feet. He’s a very capable quarterback.” Thus far on the season, Towles is 120-of-192 for 1,541 yards with 10 touchdowns. The Kentucky offense has scored 93 points over its last two games, victories over UL-Monroe and South Carolina.
Oct 11, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; LSU Tigers cornerback Jalen Collins (32) defends Florida Gators wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (11) during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Overall on offense, Kentucky is averaging 449 yards per game (38th nationally, 6th SEC), on 264.3 passing yards per game (43rd nationally, 5th SEC), and 184.2 yards rushing yards per game (52nd nationally, 7th SEC). They average 36.5 points per game (30th nationally, 6th SEC).
For LSU on defense, the Tigers are near the top nationally in pass defense, and showed a great deal of improvement against Florida in defending the run. The front seven played a much stronger against Florida with improvement at the defensive tackle and middle linebacker spots. Quentin Thomas played 3-5 plays at Florida, and practiced all week.
The stats bear out as follows: the Tigers allow 333 yards per game (29th nationally, 5th SEC), on 157.7 passing yards per game (7th nationally, 1st SEC), and 175.6 rushing yards per game (82nd nationally, 12th SEC), The Tigers allow 19 points per game (17th nationally, 6th SEC).
On defense, Kentucky’s secondary is its strength, which will pose a challenge for the LSU passing game. The Wildcats allow 191.5 passing yards per game, which ranks 20th nationally, and 3rd SEC. Miles stated at his post-practice press conference that Anthony Jennings would get the start at quarterback for the Tigers. Jennings finished the Florida game with somewhat pedestrian numbers stat-wise, on 10-of-22 for 110 yards. He did complete two very clutch passes late in the game, the 41-yard pass play to Travin Dural on a 3rd-and-25 situation, then a couple of plays later, the beautiful 11-yard fade to Dural for a touchdown. LSU’s passing game ranks 95th nationally, 10th SEC, averaging 205 yards per game.
Oct 11, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs with the ball during the first half against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Leonard Fournette, coming off his best game of the season, will start at tailback for the Tigers. Fournette ran for 140 yards on 27 carries with two touchdowns against Florida. The Tigers offensive line appears to be coming together at this point in the season. During the past week, Miles praised the play of La’el Collins and Vadal Alexander. The Tigers average 209.1 rushing yards per game, which ranks 33rd nationally, 6th SEC. Fournette leads LSU in rushing. Miles stated during his post practice presser that the Tigers will still rely on the other running backs. Kentucky allows 151.2 rushing yards per game (62nd nationally, 8th SEC).
As for playing at home, Miles said “We’re looking forward to being back in Tiger Stadium. It’s the place that these Tigers play best. We would like that there would be a packed house.”
The Tigers have a great opportunity to move forward this week, building on the success of winning last week in a hostile environment. This three-game homestand hopefully allows LSU to finish the year on a strong note.