The LSU football team’s defense could be summed up in a line from a classic Beatles lyric: “I get by with a little help from my friends.”
The Tigers’ defense has a bond many others across the country may not see, and it has strengthened throughout the course of their up-and-down 2014 season.
“After our first two losses, we got our goals refocused and everything back on track,” said junior defensive back Jalen Collins. “We’re just going out and having fun, joking around with each other. The energy is a lot higher than it was before, and we’re just loving what we’re doing.”
The LSU defense turned things around after a 41-7 beat down by then-No. 5 Auburn on Oct. 4.
The turnaround is due to the fun-loving crew the Tigers have leading the way.
“When you’re down on yourself, have a lot of pressure on yourself, that’s when things start to fall apart as you start keying in on one thing when you should be worrying about another,” said  junior linebacker Lamar Louis. “[Defensive Coordinator John Chavis] comes out [during practice], hypes us up. 
“We have a couple of the defensive players, a couple defensive backs, a couple defensive linemen get hype, and then the whole defense is getting hype and making plays.”
The Tigers have found their niche on defense because of their new, fun approach at practice.
LSU allowed more than 1,100 yards of total offense in its first two Southeastern Conference contests. Since then, the Tigers have played the type of defense fans in Baton Rouge expect when their team takes the field in Tiger Stadium on Saturday nights.
The Tigers have won three of their last four SEC games, including an upset against then-No. 3 Ole Miss. LSU held the Rebels to 313 yards of total offense while visibly frustrating senior quarterback Bo Wallace.
And while an overtime loss to No. 4 Alabama cast a shadow over the team, the defense still appears to be on its way up.
Sophomore linebacker Kendell Beckwith said a key to the Tigers’ newfound identity is their ability to enjoy themselves out on the practice field.
“We try to go out there and lighten practice up as a defense. We don’t all be so serious,” Beckwith said. “We try to have fun practices where everyone just clowns around a little bit and just flying around, making plays, doing our assignments and trying to do everything right.”
Players are bringing increased energy when stepping out onto the practice field. Veterans such as junior defensive back Jalen Mills and junior linebacker Kwon Alexander have brought an intensity to practice that was missing early in the year, which has made a difference.
“Those guys are always pumped up, so whenever you’re down at practice, you know they can pretty much get you pumped up all day,” said sophomore defensive back Tre’Davious White.
Louis said both Mills and Alexander will come out of nowhere and start yelling to get the defense pumped up, and they respond with hard-hitting plays.
The increase of energy and friendship during practice has led to improved confidence and chemistry during games.
“[Junior defensive end] Danielle Hunter said something that really caught my attention two or three games ago,” Louis said. “We were in our stadium, and he was like ‘Y’all hear that?’ It was the crowd hollering, and he was like ‘That’s our energy.’ I took that to heart and every time I see him and every time the crowd is loud I look at him and nod our heads that that’s our energy.”
The Tigers’ defense has become a band of brothers, and that has made all of the difference during a season that was seemingly ruined a month ago.
“We’re just gathering around each other, rallying around each other and just clowning,” said senior safety Ronald Martin. “We’ll clown with each other before we hit the field, tell a few jokes. Then when we hit the field it’s time to work. Just making it more of a fun atmosphere.” 
You can reach Jack Chascin on Twitter @Chascin_TDR.