All last week, LSU’s defense pointed to a lapse in communication as the reason for its struggles against Mississippi State on Sept. 20, but the Tigers appeared to fix those issues against New Mexico State on Saturday.
No. 15 LSU (4-1, 0-1 Southeastern Conference) limited the Aggies (2-3, 1-0 Sun Belt) to 274 yards on its way to a 63-7 victory. The Aggies totaled less than half of their average passing yards per game, racking up only 102 yards against the Tigers’ secondary.
LSU coach Les Miles said the defense dominated every play in the game except one. On that one play, New Mexico State’s freshman quarterback Andrew Allen kept the ball for a 79-yard touchdown run.
LSU sophomore defensive end Tashawn Bower took the blame for allowing the touchdown.
“That was me,” Bower said. “I decided to try to go up field instead of reading my technique . . . I got out ahead of [the offensive tackle], but the quarterback saw it right away.”
While that touchdown run was the biggest play of the game for New Mexico State, the Tigers’ defense put up some big plays of its own.
LSU forced four turnovers with two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. LSU sophomore linebacker Kendell Beckwith said the defense’s four forced turnovers has the Tigers excited for this week’s showdown with No. 5 Auburn.
“[Forcing that many turnovers] gives us a lot of confidence,” Beckwith said after Saturday’s game. “We want to carry that over to next week.”
Beckwith intercepted a pass in the first half and ran it back for a 29-yard touchdown. For the first time since John Chavis took over as LSU’s defensive coordinator in 2009, the Tigers scored defensive touchdowns in back-to-back games.
LSU sophomore cornerback Tre’Davious White got his first interception of the season on the first drive of the game. It was not only White’s first interception this season but also the first of his career in Tiger Stadium.
“It felt great,” White said. “That was my first in Tiger Stadium. The two I had last year were both away, so it was a very big deal for me.”
He won’t have a chance to add to that total next week when LSU travels to Jordan-Hare Stadium to take on Auburn and its hurry-up, no huddle offense.
Bower said New Mexico State was a good tune-up against a fast-paced offense and that LSU will crank up the speed of practice to prepare for Auburn.
“I think [New Mexico State] gave us a good taste of what we’re going to see in the future,” Bower said. “We have to get into the film because if you know what they’re going to do before they give it to you, then you’re a step ahead.”
LSU defense improves communication to shut down New Mexico State
September 28, 2014
More to Discover