All year, LSU has been carried by the big names on its roster.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels has made play after play during a campaign worthy of Heisman consideration, Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. have been one of the best receivers duos in the nation and, even on a struggling defense, plays have most often been made by star linebacker Harold Perkins Jr.
As loaded as LSU is with star power, the 48-18 win against Auburn came largely because of contributions from its depth pieces.
If LSU hopes to make a run at the Southeastern Conference championship, these well-rounded contributions will need to become commonplace. Saturday night, these lesser-known facets were a big part of LSU’s dominant victory.
Defensive line depth won the battle at the line of scrimmage
Auburn came into the game as one of the most run-heavy offenses in the country, meaning LSU’s defensive front line was going to be at the forefront of this matchup.
With Auburn’s two quarterbacks in Payton Thorne and Robby Ashford, who have both been most effective with their legs this year, and having several options at running back, LSU needed to be on alert to slow down whatever Auburn threw at them.
The Tigers’ defensive line couldn’t be contained in the run game, as many of Auburn’s runs were stuffed before they could reach the second level.
Because of Auburn’s offensive scheme, LSU made extended use of its run-stop personnel with defensive tackles Jordan Jefferson and Jacobian Guillory, who finished with four and one tackles, respectively.
Backup edge rushers Bradyn Swinson and Paris Shand were both disruptive, with Shand having five tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a pass deflection, while Swinson carried over his effective play from last week with three tackles.
Even when Auburn did pass, quarterback Payton Thorne was pressured and forced to run all over the field, even without LSU sending many blitzes. LSU finished with two sacks and two quarterback hits, but generated even more pressure than that indicates.
Head coach Brian Kelly said the defensive line’s improved aggression has to do with simplifying the scheme by making Perkins Jr. an edge rusher rather than playing off-ball.
“We’ve committed to four down with Harold at the sam [line]backer position, so everyone now is comfortable in knowing what their assignments are,” Kelly said. “When you can get your cleats in the ground and play defense, run, hit and get excited, that really helps with the confidence in the group.”
Though Perkins was again a star off the edge, it was LSU’s overall depth on the defensive line that played the biggest role in stifling Auburn’s offense. It’s an encouraging step in the unit’s recovery from a disastrous performance at Ole Miss Sept. 30.
Kyren Lacy stepped up
On a night in which Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. were both relatively kept in check, at least by their standards, it was Kyren Lacy who led the charge for LSU’s receiving group.
In his second year with the Tigers after transferring from UL-Lafayette, Lacy has struggled to an extent with drops and his role has been somewhat reduced. He had 24 receptions for 268 yards last year and entered Saturday’s game with nine catches for 169.
At times this season, it seemed that Chris Hilton Jr. had usurped Lacy as the third wide receiver and out-snapped him in several games, including against Mississippi State and Arkansas, both games in which Lacy finished with zero catches.
With Hilton Jr. out against Auburn, Lacy needed to step up. In the second quarter, Lacy ended an LSU drive after dropping a pass following a hit.
“Last year, maybe Kyren doesn’t respond the right way and maybe drops his head a little bit,” Kelly said. “He’s matured so much. He stayed positive and said, ‘Coach, when I get my chance, I’m going to make it up.’”
He bounced back with several big plays, including a 25-yard touchdown in the third quarter. All four of his catches went for first downs or touchdowns. He finished with 111 yards in a productive night.
Zalance Heard played well in injury relief
In the first quarter, sophomore right tackle Emery Jones Jr. went down with an ankle injury and headed to the locker room with crutches, returning to the sidelines later in a walking boot.
Jones became the starter as a true freshman midway through last season and has been one of the best linemen in the conference, earning SEC offensive lineman of the week honors after his performance against Missouri.
Heard, a true freshman stepped in with big shoes to fill. A five-star recruit this offseason, Heard has seen work at right tackle with the starters during practice and in the Mississippi State game, with Jones Jr. sliding to right guard.
Heard’s performance against the Bulldogs showed his inexperience, and he hadn’t seen playing time since.
Now, thrown into the fire, Heard played admirably. He wasn’t perfect, and Auburn went after him immediately, sending stunts his way on his first few plays of the game. On his second play, he was pushed back into Daniels’ lap, resulting in an errant throw downfield. He also accounted for a few penalties.
Overall, though, his strength was apparent. He did a good job reacting and securing the edge, and he was used as the lead blocker on several run plays.
“He’s long, he’s athletic,” Kelly said. “There’ll be things that he can clean up, but that’s a plug-and-play guy.”
It’s unclear how long Jones will be out, with Kelly announcing after the game that he suffered an ankle sprain, but Heard at the very least has a bright future ahead with the Tigers. His performance allowed the LSU offense to not skip a beat.
