LSU has been known more for its defense than its offense during the Les Miles era.
More specifically, the Tigers’ rushing defense has been the hallmark of the John Chavis-led unit, ranking in the top-five defenses of the Southeastern Conference in four of the last five seasons.
But the paradigm has shifted this year.
New offensive coordinator Cam Cameron’s offense is off to a hot start in the Tigers’ undefeated season, but the defense — especially the run defense — hasn’t reached the dominant level fans have been used to in the past couple of years.
The defense allowed 111 rushing yards per game and 332 total rushing yards through the first three games. The Tigers’ opponents have combined to win only two games on the year through the first three weeks of the season.
The Tigers gave up only 227 yards on the ground through the first four games last season.
A contributing factor to the decline could be that the Tigers lost all four starters across a defensive line ranked among the nation’s elite last season. The defensive line had a stuff rate of nearly 25 percent of opposing running plays, which put it among the top 15 in the nation. Stuff rate is the percentage of running plays the defensive line stopped in the back field.
The defense did step up during the blowout of Kent State on Saturday. The Tigers gave up only 58 yards on the ground, but the Golden Flashes were without their best player, senior playmaker Dri Archer.
“We just went out there more focused and more prepared,” said sophomore linebacker Kwon Alexander. “We’re trying to be the No. 1 defense this year, so we’ll continue to work on it.”
Miles said junior defensive tackle Ego Ferguson stepped up to the plate for the defense during the Kent State game. Ferguson contributed eight tackles and was named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week.
LSU will have a tough test defending the run in its first SEC game of the season against Auburn
on Saturday.
Auburn sports two 200-yard rushers, as well as two more backs who have eclipsed 100 yards. Auburn ranks fifth in the SEC in rushing, collecting 716 yards this season.
“They run a lot of read-option and zone-type stuff,” Alexander said. “The key for us will be to just come out prepared for it.”
Auburn has done the most damage in first down situations. Of Auburn’s 132 attempts, 70 came on first down with an average of 5.6 yards a carry.
First down happens to be a strength for LSU too. Chavis’ defense is only allowing 2.23 yards per attempt on first down, the lowest of any situation.
Most of the damage inflicted to LSU has come during the second and third quarters of the game. Of the 332 yards given up on the ground this season, 243 of them were during the middle quarters of games.
LSU’s defensive tendencies match up favorably when compared to Auburn’s rushing attack, with almost 60 percent of Auburn’s rushes coming in the first and fourth quarters of the game.
The improvement for the defense has arrived at a good time with three of LSU’s next five opponents averaging more than 200 yards per game on the ground.
Ferguson said an increase in communication between the linebackers and the defensive line, and preparation should lead to the improved play continuing into the start.
“I think we’re making progress. I think we get better and better with each quarter,” Miles said. “The young guys and the veterans feel more comfortable understanding their role. I think we’ll continue to improve.”
“I think we’re making progress. I think we get better and better with each quarter…the young guys and the veterans feel more comfortable understanding their role. I think we’ll continue to improve.”
LSU junior defensive tackle Anthony Johnson (90) weaves between Kent State sophomore Anthony Pruitt and senior offensive lineman Phil Huff (75) on Saturday night in the Tigers' 45-13 victory against Kent State.
