LSU loses at Arkansas: Les Miles Post Game Press Conference

As most LSU fans know by now, the Tigers were shutout by Arkansas last night in frigid Fayetteville by the score of 17-0. Alabama hangover or not, LSU was never in this game, as Arkansas converted a field goal on the first possession of the game, and led 10-0 at halftime. LSU missed two fields goals and fumbled on its three most successful drives of the game.

With the loss, LSU falls to 7-4, 3-4 on the year; Arkansas finally broke its 17-game SEC losing streak, and improved to 5-5, 1-5 on the year.

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In his post game press conference, LSU Coach Les Miles said “we have to do better on offense. If we do better on offense it’s a different day.” LSU was held to a season-low 123 yards, coming on 87 passing, and only 36 rushing. The offense was never in sync and never established any type of consistent rhythm the entire game. This was evident beginning with the Tigers’ first possession when LSU had to burn a timeout prior to the second play from scrimmage, and then on that second play, the ball was snapped over quarterback Anthony Jennings’ head for a loss of 27 yards.

The loss marked the first time LSU has been shut out since losing to Alabama 21-0 in the 2012 BCS Championship Game. It’s the first regular season shutout since November 16, 2002 when #10 Alabama blanked the Tigers, 31-0, in Tiger Stadium. The last shutout loss to an unranked team was 22 years ago, on October 31, 1992 to Ole Miss, 32-0.

The loss also marked only the second two-game losing streak during Miles’ ten years at LSU. Prior to the game, LSU was 25-1 after a loss during Miles’ tenure. The last time LSU lost two consecutive games was in 2008 to Ole Miss and Arkansas in November of that year.

When asked about the biggest culprit on offense, Miles said “I don’t know. I’d like to tell you there’s an easy answer there. You can’t turn the ball over at the quarterback spot. On a nice run he turns the football over. But we should have moved the ball better earlier in the game. I can’t blame Anthony for that. Sure we’d have liked to finish with points on those two drives when we got down there.”

Jennings completed more than 50% of his passes for the first time in two months, finishing 12-of-22 for 87 yards. In the fourth quarter, with LSU successfully moving the football while spreading the field, Jennings fumbled on the Arkansas 19. Brandon Harris did not see any action, this after Miles stated during the week that Harris would receive some playing time.

When asked about using Harris, Miles stated “I gave thought to it. Depending on where we were at in the game, I kind of felt like ‘let’s finish with Anthony’.”

It was surprising not to see Harris in the game, when it was evident that the offense was sputtering. Perhaps inserting Harris into the lineup might have provided a spark for the offense. Of course, there is no way of knowing. At this stage of the season, it is clear that Harris is not ready; however, given the poor quarterback play throughout the year, one would have to think that the competition will open up in the spring.

LSU was without two of its starters on the offensive line for most of the game, as Vadal Alexander did not make the trip due to a hand injury, and Elliott Porter suffered an injury in the early going. This could explain in part the lack of a running game by the Tigers that resulted in only 36 yards on the ground. Terrence Magee had 24 yards to lead LSU, and Leonard Fournette had only five touches the entire game.

The LSU defense played well, allowing only 264 total yards, a season-low for Arkansas, including 95 yards rushing and 169 passing. Unfortunately, the defense could not save the game given LSU’s lackluster showing on offense.

LSU has an open week coming up, and the final game of the regular season is on the road at Texas A&M on Thanksgiving night.

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