As the clock ran out in Jordan-Hare Stadium on Sept. 22, 2012, ESPN flashed an image of LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger shaking his head.
He wasn’t lamenting a loss: No. 2 LSU remained unbeaten by squeaking out a 12-10 road win against division rival Auburn. But on that night in east Alabama, the LSU offense was a paradigm of offensive ineptitude, amassing 351 total yards while scoring only 10 offensive points following an early safety.
Mettenberger, a then-junior making his first Southeastern Conference start, fumbled twice and threw for 169 yards and no touchdowns against a team that won only three games last year.
But what happened at Auburn nearly a year ago is a far cry from the 2013 version of the No. 6 LSU offense. The Tigers (3-0) averaged 488 yards and 46 points per game through its first three contests, and it aims to maintain those numbers as it opens its SEC docket Saturday against Auburn (3-0, 1-0) at 6:45 p.m. in Tiger Stadium.
“Guys are more mature and are a year older,” Mettenberger said. “We’ve got a great coaching staff that’s helped us along the way. We’re just executing and performing at a high level, and we need to continue doing that.”
Mettenberger’s evolution has been the catalyst behind the dramatic shift in LSU’s offense. The senior quarterback ranks first in the SEC and third in the country with a 205.3 passer rating, and he is the first LSU signal-caller to throw for nine touchdowns through the first three games of a season.
The sudden rise in Mettenberger’s production, coupled with offensive coordinator Cam Cameron’s willingness to throw the ball down field, allowed LSU to find an impressive offensive balance this season. While Mettenberger aired it out for 269.3 yards a game, LSU’s stable of running backs stampeded opponents to the tune of almost 219 yards per contest.
“We’re a lot better and a lot different,” sophomore left guard Vadal Alexander said. “We’re clicking on all cylinders right now. I feel much more confident going into this game than last year’s.”
Besides scoring points, the offense will be tasked with sustaining drives to keep the LSU defense well rested. Auburn coach Gus Malzahn’s up-tempo spread offense presents the first serious challenge for the young LSU defenders, and Alexander recognized the importance of giving them extended breaks on the sideline.
“It’s very important for us to be on the field in general,” Alexander said. “Both sides of the ball are very important, so if we stay on the field, we help each other out. If they get 3-and-outs, they help us out. The more we have the ball the better because we want to score points.”
A major concern for SEC teams making the shift from non-conference teams to conference foes is the increased physicality, but Alexander said it wouldn’t be a problem for him and his fellow linemen. They are conditioned to increased
physicality from practicing against junior defensive linemen Anthony Johnson and Ego Ferguson every day, Alexander said.
LSU coach Les Miles praised the offensive line for its progressive improvement, as the unit has surrendered only two sacks this year. The line must sustain that level of protection for Mettenberger if LSU wants to continue torching defenses and winning games.
“We have a sense of offensive line pride around here, and we’re trying to be great,” Alexander said. “That’s definitely one of the most important things, trying to keep our star quarterback upright because you’ve seen what happens when he’s upright in the pocket.”
PLAYER TO WATCH:
Tre Mason
Quick Hits:
– Running back
– Junior
– 5’10”
– 205 lbs.
– Rushed for 1,002 yards and 8 TD in 2012
AUBURN TIGERS’ STATISTICS
Passing
– Nick Marshall: 43-70, 585 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
Rushing
– Tre Mason: 206 yards, 39 carries, 2 TD
– Corey Grant: 230 yards, 24 carries, 2 TD
Receiving
– Sammie Coates: 167 yards, 7 catches, 1 TD
– Quan Bray: 108 yards, 6 catches, 1 TD
TEAM STAT COMPARISON:
Total and Scoring Offense
– AUB: 93 points, 31.0 points per game
– LSU: 138 points, 46.0 points per game
Rushing Offense
– AUB: 716 yards, 238.7 yards per game, 5 TD
– LSU: 656 yards, 218.7 yards per game, 8 TD
Passing Offense
– AUB: 605 yards, 201.7 yards per game, 4 TD
– LSU: 808 yards, 269.3 yards per game, 9 TD
Total and Scoring Defense:
– AUB: 53 points, 17.7 points per game
– LSU: 57 points, 19.0 points per game
Rushing Defense
– AUB: 472 yards, 157.3 yards per game, 5 TD
– LSU: 332 yards, 110.7 yards per game, 4 TD
Passing Defense
– AUB: 829 yards, 276.3 yards per game, 1 TD
– LSU: 471 yards, 157.0 yards per game, 1 TD
“We’re just executing and performing at a high level, and we need to continue doing that.”