The LSU offensive line was once the most dominating aspect of the Tigers’ (7-2, 4-2 Southeastern Conference) offense, but things change and time doesn’t wait for the stragglers trying to catch up.
In the first seven games the LSU offensive line shielded the Tigers running game to an average of 309.1 yards and 3.4 touchdowns per game, both of which led the nation.
But in the previous two games against the University of Alabama and the University of Arkansas, the LSU offensive line became a non-factor. LSU’s front five — which once seemed bulletproof — became bruised and worn. It served enough space for just 56.5 yards per game and one touchdown.
“This is a situation that we put ourself in,” said senior offensive tackle Vadal Alexander. “But it’s a situation that we can handle. We have hurt ourselves by not being efficient — not doing the things we need to do. Losses will happen and teams will beat you.”
Alexander noted the Tigers lack of production and said this was not the case in the initial seven games.
“It didn’t catch us in any other games,” Alexander said. “I feel like we played well in other games, but this game just seemed like something always happened.”
Alexander, and redshirt freshman offensive guard Will Clapp, said the offensive line isn’t “in a slump” but the pair noted the same flaws in their performance as a group.
“Lack of focus,” Alexander said. “Lack of efficiency. Not performing the way we should. It was the little things that we need to fix. We’ve got to be more efficient. More crisp and clean. We’ve got to be more smooth.”
Alexander and Clapp played alongside two true freshman against Arkansas, left guard Maea Teuhema and K.J. Malone, who replaced junior left tackle Jerald Hawkins after he went down with a ankle injury on Saturday.
Clapp had encouraging words for Malone on Monday, but LSU coach Les Miles said he may have new plans for the arrangement of his offensive lineman.
“Certainly K.J. is a quality player,” Miles said, “but we’ll have to look around and see what we’re going to do there. Maybe, you just never can tell, you might move a tackle around.”
Another find Alexander said was a cause for the lack of blocking production was senior tight end Dillon Gordon’s absence, who will not return to action this season due to an Achilles injury.
Alexander and Clapp are hopeful the Tigers’ offensive line can put the previous two games behind them, and focus on its upcoming game against the University of Mississippi on Saturday.
“We have to have a workman’s mentality,” Alexander said. “Forget everything. Forget all the noise and mistakes you’ve made in the past. Go back and get to work. That’s the only way you fix things. You’re not going to fix things by sulking or getting mad at yourself.”
“Great thing about football is because you can go out and show you are a better player than you were the week before.”