After the Tigers’ 56-0 victory against Sam Houston State last weekend, confidence is running high. But LSU can’t be caught looking past the University of Louisiana-Monroe in favor of its Southeastern Conference opener against Mississippi State next week.
The Warhawks are no strangers to upsetting SEC teams who take them lightly. In 2007, the Warhawks walked out of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, with a 21-14 win after losing to the Crimson Tide, 41-7, in their first meeting the previous season.
In 2012, ULM beat the SEC again with a surprising 34-31 overtime win against Arkansas.
“If you look back not too long ago, they beat our Arkansas team that was nationally ranked, and several years ago, the Monroe team beat Alabama,” said LSU coach Les Miles. “We are so warned and we recognize and respect that opponent. We will prepare for their best efforts.”
One unit that is prepared, no matter the opponent’s perceived level, is the defensive backs.
The secondary is focused on improving with each game and aims to be compared to past units.
“We are kind of working toward [the level of play of the 2011 defense], maybe watching film from that 2011 year,” said junior safety Jalen Mills. “Just watching how those guys played and the intensity that those guys played with. Try to compare ourselves and add more intensity to it.”
Although this group is not yet comparable to the 2011 star-studded secondary, which included cornerbacks Tyrann Mathieu and Morris Claiborne, they have gotten off to a good start the first two games.
The Tigers recorded four interceptions through the first two games after totaling 11 picks in the entire 2013 season.
Mills’ interception against Wisconsin in the fourth quarter gave LSU back the ball to take the lead for good, and the interceptions have come at key points of both games.
Sophomore safety Rickey Jefferson’s pick in the third quarter of the Sam Houston State game sealed the shutout.
“I was on the sideline watching with [junior safety Corey Thompson for Jefferson’s pick],” said sophomore cornerback Dwayne Thomas. “I almost ran on the field to block for him because I wanted him to score.”
The depth of the unit creates a competitive practice environment, even for the starters.
Along with the interceptions, the secondary has locked down opposing offenses, allowing only 206 receiving yards so far this season.
The Tigers have only allowed 17 completions in 52 attempts for an average of 12.1 yards per catch.
ULM’s offense comes into the game averaging 12.2 yards per catch and 286.5 receiving yards per game.
The secondary provided key turnovers to carry the Tigers through the first two games. If the unit continues to improve with every game, they believe they will earn their own place in the legend of DBU.
“Coming into practice, there is not a day that you can take off,” Mills said. “It’s friendly competition because we are on the same team and we are brothers. But we have to know at the same time that you are not guaranteed a spot each week.”